UP plans to launch an Education doctoral program to start this summer
(The Beacon)
By Will Lyons, Opinions Editor lyons14@up.edu
The University of Portland recently accepted a proposal from the School of Education for a doctoral program. Only the second doctorate offered at UP, students enrolled in the program will choose between two concentrations: Neuro-education and Organizational Development.
As soon as this summer, students with a Master's degree in Education and related fields will be eligible to begin this three-year program to receive a Doctorate in Education (EdD) in Learning and Leading.
Those choosing to study Neuro-Education will learn how the brain learns best and pay special attention to the learning differences in the brain among diverse populations, including those with autism spectrum disorders, attention deficit disorders, mood disorders, and conduct disorders. Students studying Organizational Development will learn the skills necessary to become principals, school administrators or lead an educational foundation.
"Our goal is to start the summer session 2013," John Watzke, Dean of the School of Education, said. "It's ambitious, so we are going to work very hard to make that happen."
The School of Education hopes to prepare leaders at the highest level who will support UP's program in the future, by bringing more resources to the University and further strengthening the professional network through hiring, field experiences and co-writing grants with the University.
"It typically enhances and strengthens undergraduate education," Watzke said.
After hearing of the interest for an EdD program at UP from multiple panels, interviews and surveys of alumni, UP decided to create the program.
"We've had many alumni contacting us so we expect to launch a formal marketing piece very soon," Watzke said.
Julie Kalnin, a professor who worked on the proposal said they are currently soft - marketing the program to UP alumni.
"Our next step is to make those things more concrete," Julie Kalnin said. "One of the things we're working on right now is publicizing the program and figuring out how to get information out to alumni and then more broadly."
While working on marketing materials, the School of Education is continuing to develop the curriculum and admissions requirements. The School of Education will use the other UP doctorate program - the School of Nursing's DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice) - as a template for the EdD program.
"I think there are some parallels, in that it is very much a practitioner-oriented program, but it gives professionals a research base to think about," Watzke said.
In building the new program, the University expects to add one or two more courses. It also expects the program to be financially profitable. Projections show that cohorts of 20 students would provide the University with a 75 percent profit.
In order for the University to maintain its status as a master's granting university - also known as Carnegie status - the EdD program will enroll a maximum of 19 students a semester and will have as many as 60 students enrolled in the program.
"Knowing that [we have to stay at 19 or lower to maintain our Carnegie status], we built a program that would be viable," Watzke said. "We've designed it so it is not an allotted course intensive, its right over three years and we can provide what I think is a very viable program."
With the goal of appealing to educators such as teachers and school administrators, the EdD curriculum will aim to extend students professional education to the highest level. It aligns with UP's strategic plan to expand and create graduate programs that strengthen the University's mission.
"It's a doctoral program that has a pretty strong research component," Thomas Greene, interim provost, said.
In the first year, students will do qualitative and quantitative research. Students will also be enrolled in a variety of leadership and development courses.
"It is called Learning and Leading and that says something to me because it is about the fact that leaders have to be continuously learning," Greene said. "We have a significantly different philosophy than other universities."
The School of Education anticipates meeting with the provost in the Spring in order to launch the program for the 2014 summer semester.
Standing room only at first presidential debate watch party
At Wednesday's Vote UP event, students filled The Cove to tune into the presidential debate
There are few events that can bring a group of college students, to a state of rapt attention. The first presidential debate between President Barack Obama and former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney did just that.
The Vote UP watch party event attracted approximately 100 students. The debate focused on domestic issues. Topics ranged from job growth to the government's role in democracy.
After the debate many pundits across networks quickly named Romney winner of the debate. On Twitter, some of Obama's supporters even lamented his performance as "professorial."
According to junior Luke Riela, both candidates had strengths and weaknesses.
"Romney seemed confident and stuck to his main points about small business, but didn't have a lot of specific evidence," Riela said. "He seemed more prepared than Obama."
According to Riela, Obama stuck to his guns as well.
"Obama did a good job letting people know that his experience gives him an edge," Riela said. "An example he gave was (Obama) knows when an idea won't work and when to say 'no,' unlike Romney."
Sophomore Jillian Ferguson gained inspiration from the debate.
"I'm still confused about who I'll vote for, but now I want to research more about some of the topics I learned about tonight," Ferguson said. "I'm going to be a nurse so it's important for me to know what each candidates' opinion is on health care and how it will affect me."
The wear and tear of months of campaigning gave way to some moments of light comedy during the debate. Romney exclaimed, "I love Big Bird," when trying to explain that all federal funding, including PBS programs, will be scrutinized if elected president.
The 2012 election will be the only election during most students' time at UP. By uniting students at The Cove, Vote UP brought students who care about politics under the same roof.
Senior Whitney Raffle, a Vote UP volunteer, was encouraged by the high turnout to the event and the attention students paid to the candidates.
"The government will affect us even more when we graduate," Raffle said. "We need to be educated as the generation that will affect change."
With sighs and cheers occasionally erupting from the students assembled, The Cove's excited but pensive feel reminded Ferguson of the historical importance of the event students sat through together.
"Th is is a time to develop our own political views," Raffle said. "It's great to see other students interested in the future of America."
