School of Education and Psychology Kuali PDF Assoc Prog

Personnel

Dean: Tammy Overstreet

Director of MSEd Programs: Michael Murdoch

Director of Graduate Studies in Professional Counseling: Ileanna Freeman

Graduate Programs Manager: Mikhaile Spence

Faculty: Krystal Bishop, Gary Bradley, Ileanna Freeman, Faith Laughlin, Michael Murdoch, Tami Navalon, Tammy Overstreet, Tron Wilder, Ruth Williams

Adjunct Faculty: Judy Anderson, Randall Burks, Carol Campbell, Ray Hazen, Nate Helweg, Jean Lomino, Heather Nudd, Michael Osborne, William Saunders, Carleton L. Swafford, Rose Thomas, Jim Wampler, Denise White

Mission Statement

The mission of the School of Education and Psychology at Southern Adventist University is to prepare effective Christian professionals who demonstrate a commitment to the pursuit of truth, wholeness, and a life of service in a diverse society.

Degrees Offered

The School of Education and Psychology offers a Master of Science degree with two emphases in Professional Counseling and a Master of Science in Education degree with three emphases.

The emphases in Professional Counseling are:

• Clinical Mental Health Counseling
• School Counseling

Hybrid, post-Master's certificates designed to meet licensure requirements are available in both Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling for students with a previously earned Master's in Counseling.

The emphases in Education are:

• Instructional Leadership
• Literacy Education
• Outdoor Education

Online courses for the North American Division Principal's Endorsement are available as part of the Instructional Leadership emphasis. Students with existing professional certification and a previous Master's may complete individual courses required to qualify as non-degree graduate students.

Admission

1. GPA Requirement: A minimum grade point average of 3.00 on the undergraduate level or a 3.00 average (with no grade lower than a B-) on a minimum of 9 semester hours of graduate credit is required.
2. TOEFL or Duolingo English Test: International students whose language of education is not English must submit their score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). A minimum score of 100 on the Internet-based TOEFL test or 120 on the Duolingo English Test is required for regular admission.
3. Statement of Purpose: Candidates are to complete a written "Statement of Purpose" following the guidelines provided by the School of Education and Psychology.
4. Background Check: Applicants must submit background check information per the requirements of their program and affirm that they are not registered sex offenders. Legal declaration and waiver forms, along with instructions for completing the background check, are available from the School of Education and Psychology.
5. Résumé: Applicants are to submit a professional résumé.
6. Admission Approval: Receive program admission approval from the appropriate admissions committee.

Regular admission may be granted when the applicant meets all admission requirements, including program-specific requirements. Individuals who lack a general graduate or program-specific requirement may be considered for provisional admission on an individual basis. In terms of GPA, individuals with an overall undergraduate grade point average of less than 3.00 may be considered for provisional admission if the grade point average of their upper division (300- and 400-level) courses exceeds a 2.75. Provisional acceptance cannot be extended to international students due to federal guidelines.

Transfer students seeking admission to a graduate program in the School of Education and Psychology may be granted provisional status if their incoming graduate GPA meets the minimum criterion of 3.00. Regular admission status may be granted upon successful completion of six hours in the area of emphasis (with a 3.00 GPA and with no grade lower than a B-) and upon recommendation of the emphasis coordinator.

Credits taken while an individual is under "non-degree status" may be petitioned for "transfer credit" toward a graduate program in the School of Education and Psychology.

Progression

Admission to Candidacy

MSEd students must be admitted to candidacy in order to progress beyond the completion of 24 credit hours in their program. Students should refer to program-specific requirements for additional details.

Graduation Requirements

To graduate from a Master of Science program in education or professional counseling, a candidate must complete all university and School of Education and Psychology requirements. See program-specific requirements for more information.