Graduate programs meet variety of interests
Campus Times
December 6, 1996
Those interested in furthering their college education can find four
graduate programs at the University of La Verne that offer a variety of
specialties.
The University has graduate work in the fields of public administration,
health services, business management and education.
The graduate program is set up to be most accessible to individuals,
"involved in a field, and aspire to climb the ladder," said Dr.
William Cook, vice president academic affairs.
The majority of classes are offered during the evening hours and weekends,
as to better meet the needs of full-time working students.
Graduate course work can be taken at various locations besides the main
La Verne campus. There are three Southern California locations: Riverside,
Orange, and Oxnard. An additional three centers are set up on U.S. Military
bases in California: Point Mugu, North Island and Vandenberg AFB. Three
locations in Alaska, on U.S. Military bases: Eielson, Ft. Wainwright and
Elmendorf. As well as two international centers in Naples, Italy and the
University's affiliate, La Verne College of Athens, Greece.
Compared to other institutions, La Verne offers smaller class sizes,
to appeal to a more personal experience, as well as lower costs per unit.
Students can enter the graduate program anytime during the year, at
the start of every semester as well as interterm and summer sessions. Up
to six units can be taken before an application needs to be submitted. And
before 12 units are completed, students need to be accepted. The requirements
for each program are different.
The School of Business and Economics offers master's of business administration,
master's of business administration for experienced professionals, master's
of business administration with concentrations in marketing, international
management and health care administration and master's of science in operations
management.
Some of the requirements of the Business and Economics programs are:
a GPA of 3.0, if lower GPA, a score of 480 on the GMAT, and grades of "C"
or better in related courses, and a bachelor's degree from an accredited
college or university.
The School of Business and Economics "offers a program with a lot
of flexibility for the student to tailor a program to their work and needs,
that supports their career aspirations," said Dr. Emile J. Pilafidis,
of the School of Business and Economics.
The University's largest graduate program is within the Education Department,
with 400 students enrolled in various programs throughout, including the
credential program.
Programs are offered in child development, child life, school counseling,
elementary and secondary teaching, special education and reading.
The Education Department's graduate program believes in the "philosophy
that stresses interpersonal relationships, and working well with people,"
according to Dr. Tom McGuire, professor of education.
The requirements for entrance into the education program are: completion
of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, minimum
GPA of 2.56, completion of an application, including a statement of purpose
used as a sample writing piece and three letters of recommendation.
For individuals who are already working in the health care profession,
and want to improve their skills in management and administration, the University
offers a graduate program in health service management.
The program provides an understanding in: managing personnel in more
effective ways, critically analyzing problems, financial planning and cost
management, and efficient communication in health service organization;
along with enhancing the skills of administrators and professionals within
the health care profession who are involved and want to be further involved
in management development.
La Verne's Health Service Management Program is one of the largest in
Southern California.
Dr. Carmel Marti Day, professor of health service management, feels
that students leave the program with, "more competence and confidence
in whatever work environment in which they find themselves."
The program also consist of a research center that provides current
information to the students.
Prerequisites for entrance into the health service management program
are a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, minimum
GPA of 2.5, and GPA of 3.0 for any graduate work, three positive references,
and demonstration of writing ability.
Public administration focuses on city management, and is designed for
individuals holding administration in the community: social workers, police
officers, city officials.
The program is unique compared to other universities in the fact that
it is a small program and offers a lab twice a week to the students, according
to Jo Nell Baker, assistant director of graduate services.
The program prerequisites are a bachelor's degree in any area from an
accredited college or university, a minimum GPA of 2.5, and three letters
of recommendation.
Graduate students pay $315 per unit for business/economics and $345
per unit for the other programs.
For more information on individual graduate programs call Graduate Student
Services at ext. 4503.