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May 16

Northcentral University to Attend NAFSA 2013 Annual Conference

I'm Exhibiting at NAFSA!

If there’s one thing we’ve learned during our 17 years in higher education, it’s that the education field is incredibly diverse. That’s why we’re so excited to join the NAFSA: Association of International Educators community at the NAFSA 2013 Annual Conference & Expo in St. Louis, Missouri, May 26-31.

As a graduate-focused online university serving students and working professionals around the world, Northcentral University shares the goal of providing diverse students with increased access to higher education opportunities. Not only is Northcentral University regionally accredited, but by not requiring physical residencies or in-person sessions, students have the opportunity to earn an advanced degree while working with highly credentialed faculty from all over the world.

“Online education can garner the best of professional minds who cannot gather in one place (Arizona), but can be reached easily through the Internet,” explains NCU Dissertation Chair Dr. Daphne Halkias.  “Most of last year, [my husband and I] lived in a remote location in the desert. Were it not for technology, I wouldn’t be teaching nor doing research.”

Alina O’Connor, senior director of business development at Northcentral University, will be on hand during the conference in booth #301 to share more information about building an alliance with NCU and the benefits of online learning from a global perspective.

“I’m really looking forward to presenting NCU to a global audience,” says O’Connor. “Every institution is so unique, and I enjoy learning what it is that each college or university needs from an alliance, and work with them to help fill those needs, whether it’s educating faculty members who want to earn a doctorate, professional training and development opportunities, and student and alumni benefits.”

May 10

Honoring the Silent Ranks on Military Spouse Appreciation Day

We know there has been a lot of appreciation floating around the nation lately (teachers, nurses), but today is just as important: Military Spouse Appreciation Day!

This day holds special meaning because military spouses play such a huge role in supporting our dedicated men and women in the Armed Forces. They often have little control over things like their location and/or must take on additional responsibilities within the household, which could mean putting their own education and career dreams on hold. They do it willingly, supporting their spouses wherever their military life takes them. It’s an admirable quality, and one we here at Northcentral University admire so much.

Today, we thank YOU for your service.

If you’ve never read the poem The Silent Ranks (some people say the author is unknown, some say it was written by Shiela Gault), we’ve posted it below. It’s a great testament to military spouses and the role they play in the armed forces. Please substitute husband/wife, he/she, his/her, and man/woman as appropriate for your spouse (be advised it won’t rhyme quite the same)!

The Silent Ranks

I wear no uniforms, no blues or army greens.
But, I am in the military, in the ranks rarely seen.
I have no rank upon my shoulders. Salutes I do not give.
But the military world is the place where I live.
I’m not in the chain of command, orders I do not get.
But my husband is the one who does, this I can not forget.
I’m not the one who fires the weapon, who puts my life on the line.
But my job is just as tough. I’m the one that’s left behind.
My husband is a patriot, a brave and prideful man.
And the call to serve his country not all can understand.
Behind the lines I see the things needed to keep this country free.
My husband makes the sacrifice, but so do our kids and me.
I love the man I married. Soldiering is his life.
But I stand among the silent ranks known as the Military Wife.

May 3

Happening Now: Trends in K-12 Education

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, enrollment at post-secondary, degree-granting institutions in the United States hit 21 million students in 2010. Millions of students, from hundreds of cities, thousands of school districts, and countless different schools all with one common goal: the desire to better themselves with higher education.

Right now, you’re wondering what this has to do with K-12 education, and the answer is simple – everything. The foundation for a successful educational career is laid in the halls and classrooms of every K-12 school across the country. In order for that foundation to be as strong as possible, standardization of the years of education spent in preparation for success in higher education – and life in general – is a must.

With this in mind, we took the time to gain insight in to the U.S. Department of Education’s Common Core Standards Initiative from course designer, successful author, and Northcentral University faculty member, Dr. Casey Reason.

Q: What is the Common Core Standards Initiative?
A: Put simply, the Common Core Standards is a national standard for math and language arts performance that allows every state to work in a way that allows every student to be competitive. The goal of this initiative is to bring into alignment the curriculum expectations for the United States.

Q: What makes this superior to previous efforts for standardization in K-12 education across the United States?
A: In the past, we resisted offering a sense of clarity about exactly what educators were supposed to be teaching and how. The Common Core Standards are far more explicit and even go so far as to describe how to get to the articulated standards. This is unprecedented.

Q: Northcentral University’s School of Education has focused its efforts on properly preparing teachers for success in the classroom. In your opinion, how will Common Core Standards impact teacher education?
A: The Common Core Standards will improve our ability to prepare teachers. These standards give us the ability to give teachers the specific tools they need to be successful in the classroom. In addition, Common Core Standards level the playing field between schools, districts and states, giving us the consistency that will make preparing teachers much easier.

Q: What changes, if any, can parents expect?
A: The biggest change for parents will be overcoming the notion that their children are being taught in a manner which is not consistent with the way they were taught as children. Schools who are implementing the Common Core Standards Initiative have to work overtime to let parents know that the approach will be different. Some schools, for example, are asking parents to take classes in the Common Core Standards Initiative so that they are of greater assistance in helping with homework. It will undoubtedly result in some bumpy transitions along the way, but I truly believe that this is progress and we will be better off for it.

Apr 30

Tips for Building a Positive Relationship with Your Online Academic Advisor

Asking for help is not always easy. Online learners tend to be (or at least need to be to some degree) more independent learners. However, this does not negate the importance of forming connections with your fellow online students and faculty members in your field of interest who can serve as great sources for networking and support during your academic program.

However, there’s another person who also plays an important supportive role in your academic journey: your academic advisor.

For online students, academic advisors may help with scheduling, provide insight on faculty, courses and university policy, and serve as a point of communication within the university. While you may think it’s easier just look up a policy in the catalog, or try contacting someone higher up on the food chain to get your issue heard, the reality is that you may be doing yourself a disservice by not reaching out to your academic advisor, whose job it is to help you in these ways.

“A positive working relationship is achieved by both of us (the advisor and the student) communicating on a regular basis with one another,” notes Northcentral University Academic Advisor Donna Bellina. “Sometimes advising is just words of encouragement when the student is struggling. Sometimes it’s giving the student a better understanding of policy, and sometimes it’s going to bat for them to find resolution when they are having issues with their instructor, their course accessibility or just life in general.”

In an online learning environment, it’s easy to get caught up in weekly assignments, without ever thinking that you may find yourself in a situation where you could use the support of an academic advisor. But if you’re the type of person who likes to be prepared, one of the best things you can do is to start building a solid working relationship with your academic advisor right out of the gate.

Try these three tips to help you get started:

  • Reach out early with any concerns regarding your course experience.
  • Don’t be afraid to ask questions.
  • Communicate things that are going on in your personal life that may hinder your academic progress.

Apr 11

NCU Graduation 2013 – The Official Trailer

At Northcentral University, graduation is the highlight of our year! Join us on June 8 as we celebrate the diverse men and women who have taken their careers to a higher degree.

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.

Apr 4

The Value of Programmatic Accreditation

You may think that finding a college or university with regional accreditation is the only assurance of quality and acceptance you need, but if your plan is to become a licensed professional or practitioner, it’s also important to learn if your specific field requires a degree program with programmatic or specialized accreditation.

What does Programmatic Accreditation mean?
Programmatic accreditation focuses on specific programs, departments or schools that are a division of a larger institution. There are programs in education, business, marriage and family therapy and many more that voluntarily request to be reviewed by reputable accreditation bodies in order to be recognized or certified as quality programs in their associated industries.

Because there are many career-related and programmatic accrediting agencies, review processes aren’t exactly the same. However, most require:

  • Self-examination report (including evidence) of its program accomplishments consistent with the standards set by the accreditation organization.
  • Peer review of the prepared materials and written report.
  • Visit and examination sent by the accreditation organization. This delegation is often made up of volunteer peers who have a strong interest in the quality standards of higher education in their associated fields.
  • Continuous review to ensure the program maintains the required accreditation standards.

Who accredits the accreditors?
In addition to the U.S. Department of Education, which recognizes accrediting organizations that have an impact on federal student aid or federal programs, the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) is a “private sector” association that recognizes and maintains a database of higher education accreditors career-related and programmatic accrediting agencies that have met their high standards of eligibility.

CHEA confirms three basic purposes before recognizing an accrediting body:

  • To advance academic quality that emphasizes student achievement and high expectations of teaching and learning, research and services developed within the structure of an institutional mission.
  • To demonstrate accountability by communicating the results of their educational efforts to the public and higher education community and exhibiting a commitment to involve their constituents in accreditation decision making.
  • To encourage self scrutiny and planning for change by focusing on effective ways to achieve their institution and program goals.

Researching a first-class degree program that precisely fits your career needs can be tedious and time-consuming. So first ask if the program is accredited by an agency that is also held to high industry standards and let them do some of the work for you.

Apr 3

Getting to Know Dean Haussmann

Dr Robert Haussmann edit (2)In an effort to acquaint our students and alumni with the Dean of the School of Psychology, we caught up with Dr. Robert “Bob” Haussmann and asked him a few getting-to-know-you questions:

How would you describe yourself in 140 characters?
I wouldn’t. I come from a pre-Twitter/text universe. I’m just not built to process information in 140 character chunks.

What is your favorite weekend activity?
Reading …anything NOT related to psychology.

What is your favorite comedy movie of all time?
Tough question – either Army of Darkness or Airplane!

What is your favorite place you have ever visited?
So far this would have to be the Calgary, Alberta (especially nearby Banff National Park). But if I have my way, one day I’ll convince my family to take an Alaskan Cruise.

How do you keep a healthy work-life balance?
This is still a work in progress. The recent promotion has brought with it more responsibility (read: more work). Thankfully, my wife and daughter help keep me grounded.

What advice would you give to students or those already working in the field of psychology or marriage and
family therapy?
You’ve picked a wonderful field to be in. It’s one of the few areas projected to see significant growth in the coming years. The careers are as varied as they are exciting – difficult yet extremely rewarding.

What do you think will change about the psychology curriculum over the next five years?
It will definitely grow more rigorous and will have a research component that is integrated earlier in the program, [which aims] to provide students with a stronger background in their dissertation work. Of course, the specifics will be influenced by student demand.

Apr 2

Virtual Student? How to Connect with other Virtual Students

As a student, building social networks with your peers and instructors is an important part of the education experience. The only problem is you’re a virtual student—and proud of it—but you still crave the social connections that are common in a traditional higher education environment. What can you do?

Social Media
Social media is no longer reserved for giggly teenagers who engage in poke wars and party pumping coeds. There is legitimate value and quality connections to be had.

Facebook
Your school’s Facebook page is a great place to connect with your fellow students and alumni. Your school might also post information about the latest events and news, which can help you feel more connected and “in the know.” Another great Facebook feature is Groups. Whether it’s a large group for all students or a smaller study group for students in a specific program, joining or starting a Facebook group for your school can help you build those important connections.

LinkedIn
As of December 2012, this go-to network for working professionals has more than 200 million members in over 200 countries and territories. Like Facebook, your school may have a LinkedIn profile and/or group for students, alumni and faculty, but the overall tone of the network is more professional and networking-focused.

School Communication Tools
Discussion Boards
Many online schools rely on discussion boards for group assignments and course communication; however, you may be able to use this tool outside the classroom as well. Whether you have a question about an assignment, want to discuss your latest research or just need to vent, you may find fellow students who can offer some much-needed encouragement or insight.

Email
Take the initiative to email your instructors and classmates if you have questions or just want to reach out. You can’t expect them to come to you. If you want to make social connections, you may need to make the first move.

Professional Associations
You probably won’t use this tool to connect with other online students at your school, but joining a professional organization is a great way to network with people in your field. “Professional organizations offer students many benefits, including networking, socialization into the profession, workshops, exposure to “hot off the press” research findings and career assistance,” explains Northcentral University’s Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Heather Frederick. Need some ideas? Ask your instructors if they are members of any organizations or have any suggestions.

Alumni Association
Are you getting ready to graduate and think you’ve missed the boat on forming these social connections? Don’t worry. Most colleges and universities have an alumni association that offers a way to stay connected long after you’ve graduated. You may also find career resources and mentoring opportunities.

Mar 27

1 Comment

Changing Lives by Teaching Families a New Waltz

catherine newellMeet NCU Alumna Catherine J. Newell (MAPsy, 2007)

In 2004, Catherine Newell and her family moved to Hawaii. Once she settled into her new home, Newell decided she wanted to complete her master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy, but there were few programs offered by Hawaiian universities. Instead, she enrolled in the Masters of Arts in Psychology with a concentration in Marriage and Family Therapy at Northcentral University.

In 2007, she became the first graduate of the program. “I did my research and Northcentral offered great courses that met my needs. I had exceptional instructors, and Dr. Branden Henline is terrific – he’s the type of detail oriented person that you look for in a leader,” laughs Newell, a LAMFT with 23 years of experience in problem resolution. “My master’s degree from NCU has taken my career from a steady point to skyrocketing.”

Today, Newell specializes in working with couples and families to maintain marital integrity and offers useful tools to support personal growth as well as family closeness. She uses empirically supported methods of family systems dynamics along with individualized therapy to meet each family’s unique needs.

“I really like to think that I fix the troubles that families get stuck in,” relates Newell. “Families have a ‘waltz’ that they do, the dynamics that they go through as a unit – and I’m all about teaching those ‘new steps.’ It can be painful and involve a lot of discomfort on the front end of the process, but it can also really help shake things up and change families in a positive way,” adds Newell.

She currently teaches parenting, communications and childhood development classes along with psychology courses at Mesa Community College, in Mesa, Ariz. Newell emphasizes that the work of a MFT really is like “rocket science,” and not just some philosophy based on opinions.

“Of course there can be frustrations, and you can feel pretty beat up, especially when families prematurely withdraw from therapy. You tend to take it personally and it can be extremely hard on the therapist,” relates Newell. “The up side is that there are tremendous rewards and peoples’ lives are constantly being changed for the better through therapy.”

Newell highly recommends NCU’s MFT program, but she also notes that you have to be self-driven to succeed. She also counsels that students should constantly be mindful of passing licensing exams.

“Know and understand the state that you want to practice in… [don’t] rush your studies… because the state board exams are often a rigorous evaluation of what you’ve learned and what you need to know to effectively practice.”

Newell recently accepted a position at Family Strategies and Coaching in Mesa, Ariz., where she is excited to continue her lifelong journey of helping families heal.

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