Wheeling Jesuit University Making Changes To Its Adult, Continuing Education Division
By Anonymous
Wheeling Jesuit University is retooling its adult and continuing education division, giving it a stronger focus on professional development, a new name and adding a new master’s degree program.
Now known as the Center for Professional and Graduate Studies, the new degree program – a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership – focuses on helping students develop the skills they need to effectively lead businesses and organizations.
“There has been a consistent demand from our graduates for a master’s program that is interdisciplinary and that can be completed while they maintain their job and life demands,” said Becky Forney, the associate dean of adult education, who has worked inthe adult and continuing education division for the past 16 years. The new MSOL program builds on the disciplines of philosophy, social sciences, law, management, finance, psychology and research.
“What’s unique about this program is that it isn’t just for business or corporate leaders but instead offers a master’s program that is perfect for many professionals, including those in non- profit, education, self-employed or government workers,” Forney said. “It’s not necessary that one has majored in a business field to apply. It’s applicable to all undergraduate degrees.”
Students already are enrolling in the degree program, which explores contemporary organizational development, its theoretical foundations and how they can be applied in the public and private sectors.
Two cohorts, or specific groups of students, will begin working toward.. their degrees in the fall. The students, who remain in their respective cohort as they move through the program, must complete 33 hours of credit work, including a thesis, in order to graduate from the 22-month program.
They also will be required to work with organizations to apply the theories they study in the classroom in a real-world setting.
The program is fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Admission requirements include, among other things, a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, a minimum 2.75 undergraduate grade point average and a minimum of three years full- time work experience or a resume that documents appropriate work/ life experience. Classes will meet formally over the 22-month term of the program and will be integrated with out-of-class readings and assignments.
“The end result will be leaders that are well-rounded and able to lead on a personal, professional and community level,” said interim University President James Birge.
Copyright State Journal Corporation Aug 10, 2007
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