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Posts from the ‘Academic Programs’ Category

Apr 26

Working through Graduate School Burnout

You’ve started your master’s or doctoral degree program and you’re ready for the challenge! All you can think about is how great your new degree will look on your resume, all the doors it will open for you, and how it’s so awesome you can do it all from your own home.

You put the pedal to the metal for your first three courses, running on a potent mixture of adrenaline, passion for new knowledge, and encouragement from friends and family. You’ve earned a pristine 4.0 GPA to date, and you’re preparing for your next course.

Then you hit it. Your wheels are spinning, but you’re going nowhere.  You never saw it coming, and that brick wall is hard! Welcome to your next challenge – finding a way to break through the wall and emerge on the other side as a graduate.

The proverbial brick wall has the ability to crush any unsuspecting student, but those who prepare for it will prevail. So, take a few mental notes from these quick tips and file them away for when that wall suddenly pops up for you, whether it’s during your coursework, while working on your dissertation, or simply trying to balance your life responsibilities with school.

Mix Up Your Study Style

While the study nook in the corner of your living room may have played host to some of your greatest academic achievements to date, the brick wall has moved in and is cramping your style! Take your studies to the park, the library, or even just try a new corner. The change in scenery might just inspire you.

Slow Down, Enjoy the Ride

Your degree program is a marathon, not a sprint. Try taking a step back, focusing on one assignment at a time, and rewarding yourself each time you click the ‘Submit’ button. Breaking it down in to manageable goals gives you small celebrations to enjoy along the way.

Start the Countdown

Remember the feeling you got in high school when your summer vacation countdown finally hit zero? Bring that emotion back by starting a countdown to graduation. Count down courses, assignments, weeks, or days – whatever motivates you. As your number gets smaller, you’ll find yourself accelerating toward the finish line.

Apr 25

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What You Need to Know about the Doctoral Dissertation Milestones

Have you heard the statistic that says only about 50 percent of doctoral students in the U.S. actually finish? I’m going to go out on a limb and say it’s not by choice. While a select few may be satisfied with passing their Doctoral Comprehensive Examination and joining the ABD Club (all but dissertation), most are committed to beginning the dissertation writing process with the goal of conducting research and defending their dissertation to earn a coveted doctoral degree.

With that in mind, we touched base with Dr. Eve Mika, assistant dean of The Graduate School at Northcentral University, to help shed some light on each of the doctoral dissertation milestones and what you can expect from the process.

Concept Paper (CP)

The Concept Paper is the first dissertation milestone document and is basically a “pre-proposal.” “The CP gives students the opportunity to obtain feedback about the feasibility and worthiness of their dissertation topic,” explains Dr. Mika. “Students are expected to highlight the scholarly research that has been published on the topic to-date, document a research-worthy problem based on this literature base, and then outline a basic methodology for data collection and analysis.” Depending on whether you are pursuing an applied doctorate or PhD, your topic should make either a theoretical (PhD) or practical (applied) contribution to your field.

Dissertation Proposal (DP)

“The Dissertation Proposal builds on the initial concept,” continues Mika, “and it is here that students explain the methodology and design they plan to use to implement their study in greater detail.”  In other words, the DP is the basis of your actual research and demonstrates your research design in a way that anyone who reads it would be able to replicate your study.

Institutional Review Board (IRB) Application and Approval

Upon final approval of the DP, the candidate applies to the Institutional Review Board (IRB). All research endeavors involving human subjects must be approved by an IRB committee to ensure the study is ethical. “This process is designed to protect researchers and their affiliated institutions from undue risk and ensure the safety, welfare, rights and dignity of all research participants,” she notes. No data may be collected until IRB approval is obtained.

Dissertation Manuscript (DM)

“Once IRB approval is obtained, students can begin collecting data,” reveals Mika. “It is this data and the analysis of the data that helps make up the final elements of the Dissertation Manuscript (the bulk of chapters 1-3 is from the DP).” The DM includes the study findings and the student’s recommendation for future research as well as practical applications. 

Oral Defense/Presentation

The oral defense (presentation for applied doctorates) is the final formal step prior to completion of the doctorate. “The student presents to their doctoral committee the highlights of the study, key findings and limitations,” she explains. “The student must demonstrate expertise on their dissertation topic and research design, and field questions from their committee. The committee then decides whether the student has sufficiently completed the requirements for a doctorate.”

It’s important to keep in mind that while dissertations are a staple for doctoral programs, each college or university more than likely has its own requirements for different portions of the dissertation, including length, review, research methods and committee assignments. The best thing you can do as you’re preparing to begin the dissertation process is find out everything you can about your institution’s requirements and don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it.

Apr 9

Get to Know Dean Henline

Meet Dr. Branden Henline, dean of NCU’s School of Marriage and Family Sciences.

How would you describe yourself in 140 characters?
I am an easy-going family man who likes the outdoors and is committed to integrity and excellence in marriage and family therapy training.

What is your favorite weekend activity?
Camping, when possible, and good movies with my wife.

What is your favorite comedy movie of all time?
Brian Regan’s I Walked on the Moon.

What is your favorite place you have ever visited?
Thailand or swimming with the stingrays in the Cayman Islands.

How do you keep a healthy work-life balance?
I exercise in the morning, work diligently during the day, and spend time with my family in the evening. That, and my wife and I are planning a cruise in the near future. It’s important to take vacations from time to time.

What advice would you give to students or those already working in the field of psychology or marriage and family therapy?
Being a good student or therapist requires a commitment to continuous improvement. That means you need to keep learning and be willing to accept and follow feedback when it is given.

What do you think will change about the marriage and family therapy curriculum over the next five years?
We hope to add new specializations in the doctoral program, formalize elective options in the master’s program to fit unique state licensure requirements, and possibly add new degree programs outside of marriage and family therapy.

How would you describe the difference between the practices of marriage and family therapy and psychology?
A marriage and family therapist is a mental health professional that focuses on the whole system. Psychology tends to be focused on individuals and often on severe mental illness. Marriage and family therapists work with individuals with severe mental illness, but the difference is in the worldview that is taken, particularly the focus on systems.

Mar 28

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Peace Requires Action

Meet Alumnus Rabbi Daniel Schonbuch (MAMFT, 2012)

The Shalom Task Force located in Brooklyn, New York, was created as the first domestic violence and family enrichment organization in the Orthodox Jewish community. The institute helps teenagers in over 50 schools by promoting healthy dating relationships in addition to providing premarital education. It also oversees a national domestic violence hotline.

The man behind this work is Executive Director Rabbi Daniel Schonbuch (MAMFT, 2012).

In 2008, Schonbuch (a father of six) was working as the full-time foundation director when he decided to add Marriage and Family Therapist to his resume. His neighbor recommended Northcentral University’s program.

“I really loved Northcentral’s MFT,” relates Schonbuch. “For me, it was all about the flexibility – I was able to study during the day, at my office, late nights, or on the weekends – so I was able to fit this tremendously engaging coursework into my already hectic life.”

Schonbuch completed his initial practicum, the first required 250 hours of clinical experience and training, at a very unique inner-city clinic in Brooklyn, the Interborough Developmental and Consultation Center. Schonbuch was immersed in a diverse culture consisting of people from the Caribbean and Orthodox Jews.

“Here I am, an Orthodox Jew with a big beard, and suddenly, I’m counseling people from a world away, Jamaicans and Haitians, but it was a wonderful human experience,” laughs Schonbuch. “It was a busy clinic and I learned so much about my community, having been exposed to so many complex family issues, poverty and violence. I was able to treat people coming out of social service agencies and hospitals and the experience proved invaluable.”

He was also exposed to Emotionally Focused Therapy or EFT, championed by therapist Sue Johnson. As a result, Schonbuch has become the go-to person for marriage counseling in his neighborhood. Schonbuch also credits Ivan Böszörményi-Nagy and his books on Contextual Family Therapy for helping to shape his current practice.

Schonbuch completed his second internship at the same clinic before receiving his Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy at NCU last year. Not one to rest on his laurels, Schonbuch is currently applying for licensure, and he hopes to one day open his own clinic for couples and families.

In the meantime, the Shalom Task Force continues to make a difference on a daily basis, while Schonbuch delivers presentations, writes First Aid for Jewish Marriages, on Booksurge, and a bi-weekly column on Marriage and Teens at Risk and Family Matters in The Jewish Press.

Feb 19

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Not Sure About a Career in Marriage and Family Therapy?

Darren Adamson

NCU faculty member Dr. Adamson shares why he switched from a political science major with plans to attend law school to a degree in marriage and family therapy. Read his interview in CareersinPsychology.org.

Feb 14

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SHRM Resources Valuable to HR Professionals

The human resources field has changed dramatically in our contemporary workplace. Once viewed as part of an organization’s bureaucracy, primarily hiring employees, administering payroll and dealing with benefit programs, HR pros today are often seen as strategic partners, relied on by managers and executives to help better serve their customers – by acting as advocates and mentors to the organization’s valuable team members.

Northcentral University has responded by offering dynamic degree programs for HR pros in its School of Business and Technology Management. In fact, now both its Bachelor and Master of Business in Human Resources Management fully align with SHRM’s HR Curriculum Guidebook and Templates.

“Working in HR is a very rewarding profession. It allows me the opportunity to make a difference in helping the University reach its goals, while also making a difference in the lives of others,” relates Michelle DiMaria, MBA, SPHR, HR Business Partner at Northcentral University.

For aspiring HR professionals, DiMaria highly recommends SHRM as a valuable resource. DiMaria points out that as the governing body for the HR profession, SHRM offers HR professionals education and information services, government and media representation, access to research publications, and much more to help educate, advance and enhance work effectiveness.

“We utilize SHRM as a valuable resource for insight into industry best practices, updates in legal matters, keeping abreast of industry developments and much more,” adds DiMaria.

“SHRM takes a very methodical approach to course learning and outcomes, ensuring that the solutions and strategies we deliver to our students prepare them for the real-world challenges that they will encounter in real-world situations,” relates Dr. Beverly Carolann Muhammad, director of curriculum development for Northcentral’s School of Business and Technology Management.

The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) is the world’s largest association devoted to human resource management. Representing about 260,000 members in more than 140 countries, the Society serves the needs of HR professionals and advances the interests of the HR profession. Founded in 1948, SHRM has more than 575 affiliated chapters within the United States and subsidiary offices in China and India.

Apr 3

Hitting a Home Run While the Bases Are Loaded: Earning an Online Advanced Degree Maximizes Career Opportunities

Any good coach knows that to make the game-winning play, sometimes you have to switch it up. Perhaps one of the greatest advantages of an online education is the ability to acquire new skill sets while still working full time. A prime example is the online Master of Education in Athletic Coaching at Northcentral University. The program is designed specifically for education professionals who are seeking opportunities in athletic coaching or for coaches who would like to further develop and enhance their expertise.

The One-to-One faculty mentored approach at regionally accredited Northcentral University also means students have a full team to support them as they get in the game, or enroll in classes. Additionally, the online courses offered in the Athletic Coaching Specialization allow students to understand the issues facing athletes and how coaches can optimize their athletes’ performance.

Specialized courses include topics such as coaching psychology, sport nutrition and ethics. The Coaching Psychology course helps students identify best methods in athlete motivation and how to strengthen athletes’ performance both individually and in a team setting. The course also provides students with a solid background in the study of coaching psychology as a whole, using real-world examples from top athletes, musicians and other performers.

In the Sport Nutrition class, students explore the influence of nutrition at various stages of an athlete’s development, from engaging in an exercise program to training and recovery. Students also gain a greater understanding of the newest research and information regarding nutrition, exercising, carbohydrate and protein intake during training and other issues facing nutrition of athletes.

A look into sport ethics provides students with the opportunity to do in-depth analyses of issues facing interscholastic sports today. Students perform research and engage in a number of reflective writing assignments that will help enable them to develop the self-awareness necessary for effective, character-driven leadership.

These are just a smattering of the courses offered for the Athletic Coaching Specialization. If you would like to find out how you can make the game-changing play in your career, learn more about earning an online Master of Education degree with an Athletic Coaching Specialization here.

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