Catalogue: Adult Program
Graduate Programs
(For Admission Information see Graduate Admission Requirements listed under Adult Studies – Information for Prospective Students).
Master of Business Administration
The Master of Business Administration program is truly a blend of the sophisticated academic world, the practical and technologically dependent career world, and the eternal world of Christian faith. Its enabling thrust is to develop in its students that rare level of discernment that is so much in demand, both globally and locally, and to give leadership and direction to many in the secular world who lack an ethical foundation from which to operate.
Classes are offered one night per week. The format is a concentrated continuous approach. Students are required to participate in learning team activities which are designed to enhance the learning process and the development of problem-solving skills. Learning teams must meet a minimum of four hours as assigned, and their activities are monitored by their professors.
Objectives of the Master of Business Administration Program
The Master of Business Administration program seeks to develop persons who can function successfully in upper middle management and top management positions. The emphasis is on strategic management concepts and principles. The M.B.A. program makes use of recent research findings, uses complex computer modes, stresses the importance of human relations skills, and integrates strategic management processes through a Christian worldview.
The following educational objectives are those of the M.B.A. program:
- To provide a program which equips graduates with the skills and knowledge necessary for obtaining employment in managerial positions and for advancing their careers.
- To serve the business community by offering evening classes for executives who wish to enhance their management skills.
- To provide a graduate education program which emphasizes a strong foundation in Christian ethics and worldview.
- To assist managers and future managers in improving speaking, negotiating, and human relations skills.
- To emphasize the use of technology in management by providing a computer-enhanced program.
- To prepare students at the graduate level for integrating the major functional areas of business into the making of business policy.
- To provide an opportunity for executives and future executives to apply theory to real-life business and industry situations.
- To help managers develop a global perspective by providing a study of foreign political, technical, and economic structures in relation to business practices.
M.B.A. Degree Requirements
- Successful completion of the M.B.A. core curriculum with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00. A student must repeat any course in which he/she earned a grade lower than a C-.
- A student may have no more than two grades of C, C+, or C-.
- Student will be required to pass successfully a comprehensive exam.
- All credit applied toward the M.B.A. degree must have been completed within six years of matriculation at Belhaven. (No more than six semester hours of transfer graduate course work will be accepted. Transfer work must be from a regionally-accredited college or university and must have been completed within six years of matriculation in Belhaven's M.B.A. program.)
- Payment of all tuition and fees.
- Applications for degree completion audits must be made online by the deadlines listed in the calendars at least eight months prior to the anticipated degree completion. Failure to do so on schedule will result in a late fee as listed in the Special Fees section; a delay in the graduation date is also possible.
M.B.A.: 36 hours to include MBA 608, 615, 618, 624, 640, 643, 646, 658, 664, 682, 688 or 690, and 696.
MBA Concentrations
Students have the option of adding a concentration (Health Administration, Human Resources, Leadership, or Sports Administration) within the MBA and may choose to do so at any point in the degree program prior to graduation. Each of the concentrations below, when added to the MBA, result in a total of 42 credit hours for the MBA with concentration. Concentration courses are offered only online as scheduled. Program changes for a concentration are:
Health Administration concentration –Omit MBA 688/690 and select 3 courses from MHA 608, 643, 646, or 668.
Human Resource concentration - Omit MBA 688/690 and select MSL 660, 661, and 662.
Leadership concentration - Students omit MBA 688/690 and select MSL 630, 665, and 668.
Sports Administration concentration -Omit MBA 688/690 and select 3 courses from MSA 608, 643, 646, or 668.
The Master of Public Administration
The Master of Public Administration degree program is a 36 semester credit hour graduate program designed to enhance the professional skills of public administrators and executives. The program is designed for adult professionals who seek to develop and increase their management and leadership roles in government, education, the not for profit sector, and other areas of their professional lives.
Designed to develop the individual's ability to comprehend internal and external social, legal, political, and economic forces as they affect the decision-making process within the organization, the program has been structured to serve holders of baccalaureate degrees in a variety of disciplines. Classes are offered one night per week for eighteen months. The format is an accelerated "lock-step" approach in which an entering class stays together throughout the program. Students are required to participate in project team activities which are designed to enhance the learning process and the development of problem-solving skills.
Objectives of the Master of Public Administration Program
Practice servant leadership using Christ as the model in serving people and society.
- Provide leadership, vision, and strategic planning in a variety of organizations and environments.
- Prepare to lead others in environments increasingly characterized by change and complexity.
- Master principles of human behavior and motivation to maximize use of human resources.
- Master key functional area skills in communications, human resources, accounting, governmental finance, economics, and public policy analysis.
- Appreciate the trend to interdependency between local, state, and federal agencies and the need to continually update leadership principles and techniques.
- Complete a significant hands-on project in a live organization and integrate the knowledge and skills from all courses taken.
- Develop organizational-wide skills in structure, coordination, policy, and design of subunits.
- Master methods of organizational change and development
- Develop the ability to apply the most recent research and concepts emerging in management and leadership.
- Interact with executive level leaders from the community to identify current challenges and strategies available to address them.
M.P.A. Degree Requirements
- Successful completion of the M.P.A. core curriculum with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00. A student must repeat any course in which he/she earned a grade lower than a C-.
- Students are allowed no more than two (2) C's over the course of their MPA program.
- Students will be required to pass successfully MPA 613 Management Research Methods- Project III.
- All credits applied toward the M.P.A. degree must have been completed within six years of matriculation at Belhaven. (No more than six semester hours of transfer graduate course work will be accepted. Transfer work must be from a regionally-accredited college or university and must have been completed within six years of matriculation in Belhaven's M.P.A. program.)
- Payment of all tuition and fees.
M.P.A.: 36 hours to include MPA 601, 602, 603, 604, 605, 606, 607, 608, 609, 610, 611, 612A and 612B, 613
Master of Science in Leadership
The Master of Science in Leadership degree program is a 36 semester credit hour graduate program designed to enhance the professional skills of business managers and executives. The program is designed for adult professionals who seek to develop and increase their management and leadership roles in business, education, church, and other areas of their professional lives.
Designed to develop the individual’s ability to comprehend internal and external social, legal, political, and economic forces as they affect the decision-making process within the organization, the program has been structured to serve both holders of baccalaureate degrees in business as well as other disciplines. Classes are offered one night per week. Students are required to participate in learning team activities which are designed to enhance the learning process and the development of problem-solving skills.
Objectives of the Master of Science in Leadership ProgramThe following are Executive Development Learning Objectives of the M.S.L. program:
- Practice servant leadership using Christ as the model in serving people and society.
- Provide leadership, vision, and strategic planning in a variety of organizations and environments.
- Prepare to lead others in environments increasingly characterized by change and complexity.
- Master principles of human behavior and motivation to maximize use of human resources.
- Master key functional area skills in marketing, entrepreneurship, accounting, finance, and economics.
- Appreciate the trend to a global world and the need to continually update leadership principles and techniques.
- Complete a significant hands-on project in a live organization and integrate the knowledge and skills from all courses taken.
- Develop organizational-wide skills in structure, coordination, policy, and design of subunits.
- Master methods of organization change and development.
- Develop the ability to utilize the most recent tools and concepts emerging in management and leadership.
- Interact with executive level leaders from the community to identify current challenges and optional strategies to address them.
M.S.L. Degree Requirements
- Successful completion of the M.S.M. core curriculum with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00. A student must repeat any course in which he/she earned a grade lower than a C-.
- A student may have no more than two grades of C, C+, or C-.
- Students will be required to pass successfully MSM 685 Management Project III.
- All credits applied toward the M.S.M. degree must have been completed within six years of matriculation at Belhaven. (No more than six semester hours of transfer graduate course work will be accepted. Transfer work must be from a regionally-accredited college or university and must have been completed within six years of matriculation in Belhaven's M.S.M. program.)
- Payment of all tuition and fees.
- Applications for degree completion audits must be made online by the deadlines listed in the calendars at least eight months prior to the anticipated degree completion. Failure to do so on schedule will result in a late fee as listed in the Special Fees section; a delay in the graduation date is also possible.
M.S.L.: 36 hours to include MBA 624, 640, 646, MSL 601, 630, 643, 650 or 686, 658, 660, 665, 668 and 670
MSL Concentration (non-Jackson campuses)
Students wishing to add a Human Resources concentration to the MSL may choose to do so at any point in the degree program prior to graduation. The Human Resources concentration requires the addition of MSL 661 and MSL 662 resulting in a 42 credit hour program for the MSL with a concentration in Human Resources. Concentration courses may be offered only online.
*The M.S.M. degree has been replaced by the M.S.L. All courses previously listed as M.S.M. are now listed as M.S.L.
GRADUATE TEACHER EDUCATION
Professor Rasberry, Dean
Associate Professor Noblitt, Director of Graduate Education
Professor Wasson
Professor Nisbett
(For Admission Information see Graduate Admission Requirements listed under Adult Studies – Information for Prospective Students).
Graduate Teacher Education Mission Statement
Calls for reform in the American educational system ring out almost daily. Parents, teachers, policy-makers and communities recognize the critical need for renewal in our schools. All agree that our communities need professionals committed to transforming teaching and learning – professionals dedicated to creating positive learning environments wherein students learn the virtues and skills necessary to become responsible citizens.
Belhaven University embraces this vision. We believe that well-prepared teachers and adults newly committed to the teaching profession can help improve our schools. At Belhaven, we equip teachers to lead and to serve in the learning community.
Belhaven University has a long tradition of academic excellence in preparing teachers. Originally founded as a woman's college, Belhaven's first "professional degree" was in teacher education. Since that time, the University has produced thousands of teachers who have filled classrooms in Mississippi and many other states. Building on this tradition, Belhaven offers two non-traditional teacher graduate programs: the Master of Education and the Master of Arts in Teaching. Each degree is designed for a different student and meets a different need. The Master of Education meets the needs of professional teachers who already are certified and desire a graduate specialty in elementary or secondary education. The Master of Arts in Teaching is designed exclusively for students who hold the bachelor's degree and wish to teach at either the elementary or secondary level but have not completed an undergraduate teacher education program.
While serving different audiences, all degree programs acknowledge the expertise, experience, and needs of adult learners. Both programs also foster inquiry into the nature of learning and the effects of teaching, transfer of theory to practice, self-directed learning and reflection, collegial interaction with peers, commitment to innovation and change, and the development of leadership skills and professional efficacy.
Belhaven offers a challenging educational experience for practicing and aspiring teachers who desire to enhance their knowledge and skills. Our faculty and staff are committed to preparing professional educators who can provide distinctive Christian leadership and service in the classroom, the school, and the community.
Requirements for M.A.T/M.Ed. Degree
- Successful completion of the degree curriculum with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00.
- No more than two C or C+ grades are permitted in the course of the program. Any grade of C- or below must be repeated for credit toward a degree.
- Once two C's are earned, a student must repeat any subsequent course in which he/she earns a grade of C or below.
- Students are required to successfully complete the comprehensive exam process. See teacher education handbook for specific requirements.
- All credit applied toward the degree must have been completed within seven years of matriculation at Belhaven. (No more than six semester hours of transfer graduate course work will be accepted. Transfer work must be from a regionally-accredited college or university and must have been completed within six years of matriculation in Belhaven's program.)
- Payment of all tuition and fees.
- Applications for degrees must be made in the Office of the Registrar by the deadlines listed in the calendars at least eight months prior to the anticipated degree completion. Failure to do so on schedule will result in a late fee as listed in the Special Fee section; a delay in the graduation date is also possible.
Master of Arts in Teaching (Mississippi)
Objectives for the Master of Arts in Teaching Program
The goal of graduate teacher education is to prepare competent teachers who demonstrate both academic excellence and professional knowledge while providing distinctive Christian leadership and service to students, parents, and communities. The conceptual framework of the department reflects and supports the following objectives:
- ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE: The Master of Arts in Teaching program seeks to provide experiences that will enable the teacher candidates to:
- Develop an enhanced knowledge base of educational strategies, curriculum development, and instructional management skills needed in the elementary and secondary schools.
- Acquire further knowledge about the growth and development of children and adolescent youth and how they learn.
- Acquire additional skills and knowledge of educational technology and its uses in the classroom.
- Evaluate subject matter content knowledge and develop greater critical thinking skills and creative inquiry processes.
- Acquire knowledge about philosophical and psychological principles of education.
- PROFESSIONAL KNOWLEDGE: The Master of Arts in Teaching program seeks to provide experiences that will enable the teacher candidates to:
- Synthesize best teaching and curriculum practices through collaborative problem solving.
- Evaluate instructional strategies and build a variety of teaching modules that will improve learning within the classroom and school.
- Use professional materials, organizations, and current research to expand their knowledge about innovations and trends in education to improve instruction in the school.
- Design and implement research studies that observe, record, and evaluate students' behavior in order to plan appropriate instructional programs and improve learning environments.
- Acquire greater knowledge as to appropriate research methodology and analysis of current trends in education and the implication for today's schools.
- Demonstrate an understanding and use of a variety of instructional strategies to encourage students' development of critical thinking, problem-solving, and performance skills.
- Develop the ability to evaluate instructional management plans in terms of effectiveness in meeting a school's goals and objectives.
- LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES: The Master of Arts in Teaching program seeks to provide experiences that will enable the teacher candidates to:
- Develop leadership skills to enhance instruction in the classroom and to communicate with parents, administrators, and the school community.
- Use and conduct research to improve instruction and assessment.
- Promote cooperative exchanges within the classroom, among faculty, and with parents to provide greater opportunities in the curriculum and instruction in the school.
- CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT: The Master of Arts in Teaching program seeks to provide experiences that will enable the teacher candidates to:
- Integrate the Christian worldview in involvement with students, parents, coworkers, and the community.
- Demonstrate integrity in research and implementation of programs to improve instruction.
- Analyze and develop models of service to schools and communities.
| Master of Arts in Teaching Required Core: |
||
| Course # | Title | Credit |
| EDU 501 | Measurement and Evaluation Strategies | 3 |
| EDU 502 | Dimensions of Learning I | 3 |
| EDU 503 | Dimensions of Learning II | 3 |
| EDU 506 | Classroom Management and Organization | 3 |
| EDU 602 | Psychology of the Exceptional Child | 3 |
| EDU 610 | Research Methods and Procedures | 3 |
| EDU 620 | Reading and Writing Across the Curriculum | 3 |
| EDU 621 | Assessing Student Learning | 3 |
Required Courses for Elementary Concentration (Grades 4-8): |
||
| Course # | Title | Credit |
| EDU 611 | Children's Literature in Elementary Reading | 3 |
| EDU 614 | Effective Teaching Strategies | 3 |
| EDU 622 | Teaching Reading Skills and Comprehension | 3 |
| EDU 623 | Technology in Education (Optional Elective) | 3 |
| Required Courses for Secondary Concentration (Grades 7-12): | ||
| Course # | Title | Credit |
| EDU 612 | Curriculum Planning and Organization | 3 |
| EDU 614 | Effective Teaching Strategies | 3 |
Elective Courses for Secondary Concentration (3 credit hours selected from the following): |
||
| Course # | Title | Credit |
| EDU 617 | Teaching Reading in the Secondary School | 3 |
| EDU 623 | Technology in Education | 3 |
| EDU 630 | Diagnostic & Remedial Strategies in the Content Areas | 3 |
| *EDU 634 | Designing Instruction | 3 |
Master of Education
Objectives of the Master of Education Program
The goal of graduate teacher education is to prepare competent teachers who demonstrate both academic excellence and professional knowledge while providing distinctive Christian leadership and service to students, parents, and communities. The conceptual framework of the department reflects these goals and supports the following objectives:
- ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE: The Master of Education program seeks to provide experiences that will enable the teacher candidates to:
- Synthesize best instructional and curriculum practices through collaborative problem-solving.
- Increase knowledge of subject matter content and critical thinking skills and apply this knowledge in the field.
- Evaluate a school's curriculum, goals, and instruction and use current research and innovations to solve site-based problems.
- Acquire and use current research about how children learn and develop to improve instruction from infancy through adolescence.
- Acquire skills and knowledge of educational technology and its uses in the classroom.
- PROFESSIONAL KNOWLEDGE: The Master of Education program seeks to provide opportunities for the teacher candidates to acquire skills to:
- Evaluate instructional strategies and build a variety of teaching modules that will improve learning within the classroom and school.
- Use professional materials, organizations, and current research to expand knowledge about innovations and trends in education to improve instruction in the elementary and secondary school.
- Design and implement research studies that observe, record, and evaluate children's behavior in order to plan appropriate instructional programs and improve learning environments.
- Acquire greater knowledge as to appropriate research methodology and analysis of current trends in education and the implication for today's schools.
- LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES: The Master of Education program seeks to provide opportunities for the teacher candidates with experiences for the development of skills to:
- Evaluate curriculum, resources, and opportunities within the community to enhance instruction and improve relationships with parents and the school community.
- Promote cooperative exchanges within the classroom, among faculty, and with parents to provide greater opportunities for improvement in the curriculum and instruction in the school.
- CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT: The Master of Education program seeks to promote the personal and spiritual development of the teacher candidates to:
- Integrate the Christian worldview in involvement with students, parents, coworkers, and the community.
- Demonstrate integrity in research and implementation of programs to improve instruction.
- Analyze and develop models of service to schools and communities.
| Jackson Campus Master of Education - Elementary Emphasis - (Grades K - 6) Required Core (18 credit hours): |
||
| Course # | Title | Credit |
| EDU 610 | Research Methods and Procedures | 3 |
| EDU 612 | Curriculum Planning and Organization | 3 |
| EDU 621 | Assessing Student Learning | 3 |
| EDU 622 | Teaching Reading Skills and Comprehension | 3 |
| EDU 625 | Instructional Leadership Skills in the Classroom | 3 |
| EDU 628 | Advanced Instructional Strategies | 3 |
General Electives (15 credit hours selected from the following): |
||
| Course # | Title | Credit |
| EDU 623 | Technology in Education | 3 |
| EDU 624 | Issues and Innovations in Elementary Schools | 3 |
| EDU 626 | Seminar in Child Development | 3 |
| EDU 630 | Diagnostic and Remedial Strategies in the Content Areas | 3 |
| EDU 631 | Individual Instruction for Children with Learning Problems | 3 |
| EDU 633 | Special Problems in Education | 3 |
| EDU 634 | Designing Instruction | 3 |
| EDU 636 | Supervision of Instruction: Collaborating for Accountability | 3 |
| EDU 640 | Practicum | 3 |
| Master of Education – Secondary Emphasis – (Grades 7 – 12) Required Core (18 credit hours): |
||
| Course # | Title | Credit |
| EDU 610 | Research Methods and Procedures | 3 |
| EDU 612 | Curriculum Planning and Organization | 3 |
| EDU 617 | Teaching Reading in the Secondary School | 3 |
| EDU 621 | Assessing Student Learning | 3 |
| EDU 625 | Instructional Leadership in the Classroom | 3 |
| EDU 628 | Advanced Instructional Strategies | 3 |
General Electives Courses (15 credit hours selected from the following): |
||
| Course # | Title | Credit |
| EDU 623 | Technology in Education | 3 |
| EDU 624 | Issues and Innovations in Elementary Schools | 3 |
| EDU 630 | Diagnostic and Remedial Strategies in the Content Areas | 3 |
| EDU 631 | Individual Instruction for Children with Learning Problems | 3 |
| EDU 633 | Special Problems in Education | 3 |
| EDU 634 | Designing Instruction | 3 |
| EDU 636 | Supervision of Instruction: Collaborating for Accountability | 3 |
| EDU 640 | Practicum | 3 |
| Houston Campus Required Core: |
||
| Course # | Title | Credit |
| EDU 610 | Research Methods and Procedures | 3 |
| EDU 612 | Curriculum Planning and Organization | 3 |
| EDU 620 | Reading and Writing Across the Curriculum | 3 |
| EDU 621 | Assessing Student Learning | 3 |
| EDU 623 | Technology in Education | 3 |
| EDU 624 | Issues and Innovation in Education | 3 |
| EDU 625 | Instructional Leadership | 3 |
| EDU 628 | Advanced Instructional Strategies | 3 |
| EDU 631 | Individual Instruction | 3 |
| EDU 634 | Designing Instruction | 3 |
| EDU 636 | Supervision of Instruction | 3 |
| Memphis Campus Required Core: |
||
| Course # | Title | Credit |
| EDU 610 | Research Methods and Procedures | 3 |
| EDU 612 | Curriculum Planning and Organization | 3 |
| EDU 620 | Reading and Writing Across the Curriculum | 3 |
| EDU 621 | Assessing Student Learning | 3 |
| EDU 623 | Technology in Education | 3 |
| EDU 625 | Instructional Leadership | 3 |
| EDU 628 | Advanced Instructional Strategies | 3 |
| EDU 630 | Diagnostic and Remedial Strategies | 3 |
| EDU 634 | Designing Instruction | 3 |
| EDU 636 | Supervision of Instruction | 3 |
| EDU 639 | Ethical Issues in Education | 3 |
| Orlando Campus Required Core: |
||
| Course # | Title | Credit |
| EDU 610 | Research Methods and Procedures | 3 |
| EDU 612 | Curriculum Planning and Organization | 3 |
| EDU 620 | Reading and Writing Across the Curriculum | 3 |
| EDU 621 | Assessing Student Learning | 3 |
| EDU 623 | Technology in Education | 3 |
| EDU 625 | Instructional Leadership | 3 |
| EDU 628 | Advanced Instructional Strategies | 3 |
| EDU 636 | Supervision of Instruction | 3 |
| EDU 639 | Ethics in Education | 3 |
| Required Courses for Elementary Concentration (Grades 4 - 6): | ||
| Course # | Title | Credit |
| EDU 622 | Teaching Reading Skills and Comprehension | 3 |
| EDU 630 | Diagnostic and Remedial Strategies | 3 |
| Required Courses for Secondary Concentration (Grades 7-12): | ||
| Course # | Title | Credit |
| EDU 631 | Individualized Instruction | 3 |
| EDU 634 | Designing Instruction | 3 |
NOTE: Students seeking teaching certification must assume responsibility for fulfilling all state requirements. Completion of the Master of Education does not guarantee licensure. See teacher education handbook for specific requirements for comprehensive exam process and licensure.
