en-us http://southwesterncollege.org.com/ Southwestern College Professional Studies News http://southwesterncollege.org/news-detail.cfm?id=22 Winfield, Kan., Sept. 29, 2008 - Southwestern College's enrollment has set a record this year, with an official count of 1,823 undergraduate and graduate students enrolled on the Winfield campus and in professional studies programs. Professional studies classes are offered in Wichita, Junction City, Midwest City (Okla.), and online. This "head-count" (a snapshot of the 20th day of classes) includes both undergraduate and graduate students. Last years fall head-count was 1,703. The class of incoming freshman was especially strong  at 159, it is 15 per cent over last falls 138. College president Dick Merriman attributes the college's growth  its enrollment has doubled in the past 10 years  to the colleges ability to understand and address the needs of distinctive student populations. "Residential students on our main campus want a learning experience that is very different from that desired by working adults who are completing degrees on a part-time basis and at a distance. As the college's people have listened, learned, and responded, weve grown," Merriman says. Also measured in the federal government's official 20th day counts are number of full-time equivalent (FTE) students. This number is calculated by dividing the total credit hours taken by 15 (a full-time class load). The residential Winfield campus posted an FTE of 589, with 318 FTE in professional studies on-ground and online. (Professional studies programs are designed for working adults, and most learners in these programs are part-time students.) This total FTE of 907 is nearly 18 per cent higher than last year's total of 770. Southwestern College is a private institution granting undergraduate and graduate degrees and is affiliated with the United Methodist Church. Students attend classes at the main Winfield campus, at five professional studies sites in two states, or online around the world. http://southwesterncollege.org/news-detail.cfm?id=22 http://southwesterncollege.org/news-detail.cfm?id=21 In honor of Constitution Day 2008, please test your knowledge of the US Constitution. The prize for correctly completing the quiz is the satisfaction of informed citizenship! http://southwesterncollege.org/news-detail.cfm?id=21 http://southwesterncollege.org/news-detail.cfm?id=20 The Southwestern College teacher education program has received a recommendation for continued full accreditation from the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) as well as the Kansas Department of Education (KSDE). the recommendation will be finalized by NCATE and KSDE later this year. The accreditation is good for seven years. David Hofmeister, director of teacher education at Southwestern College, says that members from NCATE and the Kansas State Department of Education were on campus in January to evaluate the program. "The teacher education program has met all six national standards," Hofmeister says. "(National accreditation) really speaks to the quality of the program." The SC education in faculty includes Rich Bicker, coordinator of elementary education; Pam Green, coordinator of secondary education; Dean Johnston, director of special education; and Nili Luo, coordinator of early childhood education. "We have a well-qualified faculty," Hofmeister says. "The relationship between Southwestern College and the public schools is wonderful. It is helping our future teachers accomplish what they need to know and do to become a quality teacher." http://southwesterncollege.org/news-detail.cfm?id=20 http://southwesterncollege.org/news-detail.cfm?id=19 Winfield, Kan., March 6, 2008  Southwestern College Professional Studies continues to help adults in the West Wichita area achieve their goals of completing bachelors degrees, and has moved its west Wichita Professional Studies operation to 3460 N. Ridge Rd., Suite 50. A ribbon-cutting and open house at the facility is set for Friday, March 14, from 4 to 6 p.m. with the official ribbon-cutting occurring at 5 p.m. While the college has had a location in west Wichita for 10 years, this new location was chosen because of its easy access and convenience for learners, says Karen Pedersen, vice president for professional studies at Southwestern. One of our top priorities is to allow our learners to focus on their educational experience, and to do this we make the logistics as simple as possible, says Karen Pedersen, vice president for professional studies. Learners can speak to an advisor, choose classes, apply for financial aid, enroll, pay their tuition bill, and attend classes at the same location. Established in 1885, Southwestern has become a leader in adult education, with its Professional Studies featuring 15 career-oriented majors leading to bachelors degrees, seven masters programs, and a variety of certificate and certification preparation courses. Adults with some college education (typically at least 30 hours) enroll in classes that meet once each week for six weeks. Many choose to take advantage of online classes, offered exclusively through the internet. The west Wichita center offers classes in its facility leading to majors in business administration, business quality management, computer operations technology, computer programming technology, and human resource development. Southwestern College learners also can complete online undergraduate majors in business administration, business quality management, computer operations technology, computer programming technology, criminal justice, early childhood education, human resource development, nursing (R.N. to B.S.N.), "http://www.southwesterncollege.org/undergrad-programs.cfm":http://www.southwesterncollege.org/undergrad-programs.cfm operations management, pastoral studies, security management, strategic leadership, and youth ministry, along with seven masters degrees. Check the Web site "http://www.southwesterncollege.org":http://www.southwesterncollege.org for up-to-date degree information. Instructors are chosen based on a combination of academic credentials and real-world experience, Pedersen says, and classroom instruction is tailored to be immediately useful in the workplace. Our faculty members typically are professionals currently practicing the subjects they are teaching, Pedersen explains. All have graduate degrees, but we believe this real-life experience gives them an edge as they work with professional studies learners. In addition to its Professional Studies programs, Southwestern College has a main campus in Winfield, Kan., where students study in a traditional residential setting. For more information on Southwestern Colleges Professional Studies programs, check the colleges Web site at "www.southwesterncollege.org":http://www.southwesterncollege.org. Southwestern College is a private institution granting undergraduate and graduate degrees and is affiliated with the United Methodist Church. More than 1,900 students attend classes at the main Winfield campus, at five professional studies sites in Kansas and Oklahoma, or online around the world. http://southwesterncollege.org/news-detail.cfm?id=19 http://southwesterncollege.org/news-detail.cfm?id=18 Southwestern College continues to see strong enrollment numbers from AU ABC. Southwestern College has seen a continued growth of enrollments from the Air Force because of the education initiative...AU ABC. Southwestern College has 10 bachelor's degree programs available in the Air University Associate-to-Baccalaureate Cooperative Program (AU ABC) for Community College of the Air Force(CCAF) graduates. All Southwestern College bachelor's degree programs are connected to CCAF career fields and require completing only an additional 60 semester hours (all programs are AU ABC- Category 1 programs). For more information about Southwestern College's Air University ABC programs contact: Heather Kesterson Coordinator of Military Education military@sckans.edu 405.733.3301 ext. 301 or 866.342.3301 ext. 301 Fax:405.733.1254 Air University ABC bachelor's degree programs include: *Business Administration *Business Quality Management *Computer Operations Technology *Computer Programming Technology *Criminal Justice *Human Resource Development *Operations Management *Pastoral Studies *Security Management *Strategic Leadership Southwestern College is pleased to participate in the Air University ABC vision of providing bachelor's degree opportunities for airmen. As a regionally accredited "military friendly" college, Southwestern College will work one-on-one with airmen to realize their educational, personal, and professional goals. Southwestern College is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association (www.ncahlc.org), 312.263.0456. http://southwesterncollege.org/news-detail.cfm?id=18 http://southwesterncollege.org/news-detail.cfm?id=17 Air University ABC goes live for Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) graduates on June 15, 2007. Southwestern College has 10 bachelor's degree programs available in the Air University Associate-to-Baccalaureate Cooperative Program (AU ABC) for Community College of the Air Force(CCAF) graduates. All Southwestern College bachelor's degree programs are connected to CCAF career fields and require completing only an additional 60 semester hours (all programs are AU ABC- Category 1 programs). For more information about Southwestern College's Air University ABC programs contact: Heather Kesterson Coordinator of Military Education military@sckans.edu 405.733.3301 ext. 301 or 866.342.3301 ext. 301 Fax:405.733.1254 Air University ABC bachelor's degree programs include: *Business Administration *Business Quality Management *Computer Operations Technology *Computer Programming Technology *Criminal Justice *Human Resource Development *Operations Management *Pastoral Studies *Security Management *Strategic Leadership Southwestern College is pleased to participate in the Air University ABC vision of providing bachelor's degree opportunities for airmen. As a regionally accredited "military friendly" college, Southwestern College will work one-on-one with airmen to realize their educational, personal, and professional goals. Southwestern College is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association (www.ncahlc.org), 312.263.0456. http://southwesterncollege.org/news-detail.cfm?id=17 http://southwesterncollege.org/news-detail.cfm?id=16 Southwestern College continues to be a first-tier institution in the latest rankings released by U.S.News and World Report. The rankings are reported in the magazine's Aug. 28 edition of "America's Best Colleges," which can be seen at local newsstands . "This ranking in a national magazine confirms the college's status as a top choice in higher education," says President Dick Merriman. "We're especially proud of our fine academic reputation, and the fact that our graduation rates are the best of any institution in the state of Kansas." Southwestern College also was noted on a list of 10 colleges in its category that had the highest percentage of small class sizes.-August 30, 2006 http://southwesterncollege.org/news-detail.cfm?id=16 http://southwesterncollege.org/news-detail.cfm?id=14 Wichita, Kan., Oct. 16, 2006 A totally online master's degree in security administration (MSSA) has been launched by Southwestern College, a Kansas-based institution ranked in U.S. News & World Report's Top-Tier of America's Best Colleges' for 2006 and 2007. Designed for mid- to upper-level managers, the six-week courses emphasize the leadership and management skills necessary for those involved in emergency management or any other facet of government, military, public or private security. All instructors are Certified Protection Professionals (CPP), the most prestigious board certification offered by the American Society of Industrial Security (ASIS), the preeminent security management association. In addition to having a CPP denoting their broad knowledge of security principles and practices, the instructors have been selected for their real-world experience as it relates to the courses they teach. Beyond the standard courses covering homeland security; counterterrorism; security management of personnel, physical plants and data; and disaster/contingency planning, Southwestern's curriculum includes: *Organizational Security Investigations, including cyber crime investigation and fraud detection, surveillance, and undercover *Enterprise Risk Management, focusing on assessment and management of organizational risks *By the end of the program, each graduate will have developed a Security Portfolio that includes actual projects and real-world evidence demonstrating his or her competency in specified areas. "The Security Portfolio provides students with tangible evidence supporting their skills and competencies," explains Steven W. McNally, a security professional who designed the program and holds the designations of CPP, PSP, PCI and CFE. "With the Security Portfolio, graduates will have an excellent tool to provide prospective employers, or use for employment advancement." At Southwestern College, there is no pre-set timeframe to complete this master's program, so students can take classes as their schedules allow. There is no graduate entrance exam required for the MSSA. Financial aid is available to those who qualify, and military discounts are offered. No out-of-state tuition fees are charged. For more information on the MSSA, go to www.sckans.edu/graduate. http://southwesterncollege.org/news-detail.cfm?id=14 http://southwesterncollege.org/news-detail.cfm?id=13 Wichita, Kan., Sept., 2006 A new, online master's degree in specialized ministries (MASM) will launch its first classes Sept. 25 at Southwestern College. The graduate program which is designed with an emphasis on youth and young adult ministries is being taught completely online in highly interactive, six week sessions. The non-denominational curriculum includes courses on theology and ethical issues for youth ministry; faith and formation in young adults; and other practical topics to develop leadership skills for those who minister to and promote spirituality among young people. There is no pre-set timeframe to complete this master's program, so students can take classes as their schedules allow. Faculty members have been recruited based on their professional and academic credentials, and all have undergone rigorous training in online instruction. "Our program was developed for those who want to design, implement and energize ministries promoting spiritual maturity in youth and young adults", said Steve Rankin, Ph.D., and professor of religious studies for Southwestern College. "Those who are called to help form Christian disciples, or those who recognize the importance of youth and young adult mentoring in faith formation, will find the program addresses the practical application of theology to the complexity of today's society." "This degree is perfect for working youth ministers who want to challenge and inspire youth and young adults through the doctrines of the Christian faith. It is also particularly relevant to those individuals working in parachurch organizations ministering to youth." The 36-hour program culminates with a six-hour practicum that applies core academic and theological principles to a real-life setting, customized to the student's particular area of interest. Those with bachelor's degrees in any field may apply for the program. There is no graduate entrance exam required. Financial aid is available to those who qualify, and military discounts are offered. No out-of-state tuition fees are charged. For more information on the MASM, go to www.sckans.edu/graduate http://southwesterncollege.org/news-detail.cfm?id=13