2008-2009 Catalog - Graduate School - Bethel University

Academic Programs and DisciplinesThe major components of the program include:• Most courses offered through the internet.• Courses offered during three two-week summer residencies on the BethelUniversity campus.• An extensive field component.• A dissertation.The program aims to aid in the development of persons who will be leaders intheir communities as well as in schools. They will:• Have a broad base of knowledge in the humanities and behavioral sciences.• Be competent to address issues of public concern that affect schools and thelives of students.• Be effective in leading schools with integrity and a positive spirit.• Be able to encourage collaborative learning among students, teachers, administrators,and staff members.• Be able to marshal and expend resources for maximum effectiveness.• Understand how students learn and develop, and be able to guide facultymembers in their own growth and development.In addition, doctoral learners will gain skill in a systematic development of rigorousquantitative and qualitative research methods to be able to understand andaccomplish meaningful research. Learners will also be prepared to serve as publicintellectuals—well-informed leaders in the field who will serve in a school communityas dynamic, visionary leaders. With a foundation based on Christian faithand learning, and with the best interest of their students, staff, and parents in mind,graduates will be challenged to link their personal values, ethics, and professionalexpertise to broader community issues and societal concerns.Program Design• Courses will be scheduled one at a time and sequentially, each in a specified“time envelope.” This will allow for content design to be threaded throughthe program, each course building on previous courses. It also assures “sametime-same place” progress for learners, making interaction and collaborationpossible.• Cohort-based organization allows maximum group interaction, collaboration,and mutual support throughout the program.• Distance education courses: The majority of the structured content will betaught in eight-week distance education courses, mediated primarily throughthe internet.• Summer residencies: Two-week on-campus residencies will be required duringeach of the three summers that the student is enrolled in course work.49