yShD6

SCHOOL OF EDUCATION
School of Education Offers New
Programs, New Opportunities
The school of education has rolled out changes that point to an enhanced experience for its undergraduate
and graduate students. Revised programs, new concentrations and the addition of online options indicate a
commitment to keep in step with the ever-changing landscape of educating teachers. Here, a brief overview
of exciting enhancements on several fronts.
Master’s in Elementary Education
Now Totally Online
For the first time, Samford’s 30-hour
program is entirely online. The online
courses will offer the same quality education
that students receive in the classroom,
including strong relationships with classmates
and faculty, small class size and a
blend of theoretical concepts with practical,
hands-on experiences.
Advantages to an online course
structure, says program coordinator and
associate professor Tarsha Bluiett, include
the flexibility that many busy adults need.
But, she promises, the more limited
interpersonal interaction will in no way
compromise the rigor and quality of the
Samford program.
The first cohort in the new all-online
degree program will begin in fall 2014.
Admission application deadline is July 30.
Christian Education and Missions
A new Christian Education and Missions
concentration in the elementary education
degree curriculum replaces a missions
education minor, allowing students to
experience a missions component and still
receive certification. Potential students are
not necessarily called to ministry, but are
called to work with children in a mission/
alternative setting, said associate professor
Amy Hoaglund.
“The new program will attract students
who are undecided and struggle to find a
major fulfilling their desire to teach but in a
mission/church setting,” Hoaglund said. It
will open up teacher education to those who
want flexibility, the opportunity to integrate
service and teaching, and to those who
know they want to teach in an educational
mission setting—such as abroad, or at a
nonprofit organization, missions
organization or private Christian school.
Child Life, Gerontology, Law
Human Development and Family Life
Education offers new concentrations in
Child Life and Gerontology as well as an
innovative law program. Child Life prepares
students to provide emotional support and
coping strategies for children and families in
medical situations and settings. Gerontology
features a special emphasis on how aging
affects the indi vidual as well as the family,
and prepares professionals to assist during
that stage of life.
A new 3 + 3 Law program in partnership
with Samford’s Cumberland School of
Law speaks to students interested in
adoption, divorce mediation, interpersonal
violence and elder care issues, and especially
those who want to practice family law.
A Samford/Cumberland accelerated law
degree program permits a Samford student
who has completed three-fourths of the
work acceptable for a bachelor’s degree to be
admitted to the law school. After successful
completion of the first year of law school,
students receive a bachelor’s degree in their
undergraduate major.
Fifth-Year Physical Education
The addition of a physical education
component to the fifth year nontraditional
certification program in secondary education
will help fulfill a critical need for
quality physical education teachers.
“This program allows individuals with a
passion for working with children and
youth in a physical activity setting to earn a
master’s degree in physical education and
by Mary Wimberley
teacher certification in 18 months,” said
education graduate admission director
Elizabeth P. Smith.
Master’s in Educational Leadership
A new Master of Science in Educational
Leadership: Policy, Organizations and
Leadership program is designed for
domestic and international students who
want a better understanding of educational
organizations and expanded leadership
knowledge in varied cultural contexts.
“Because this program doesn’t just
focus on those who desire to be a school
administrator, we can more broadly serve
those who have a passion in education
within different settings,” said associate
professor Mark Bateman. Admission
application deadline is July 30; courses start
in fall 2014.
Doctorate in Educational Leadership’s
Dissertation Option
This program that hones in on leadership
issues that apply to educational institutions
is presented in a new online/blended
program that incorporates both classroom
and online components.
For the first time, the program will
offer an option to the previously standard
dissertation. The new dissertation project/
manuscript option, explains associate
professor Jane Cobia, brings to bear the
analytic abilities, professional understanding,
contextual knowledge and teamwork
skills from the program of study and applies
them to a focused, consulting project
undertaken for a community client. ◗
For more information,
go to www.samford.edu/education.
www.samford.edu • 23