UCOs Graduate School Announces New Programs for Fall 2012

Spring 2012 

http://www.uco.edu/graduate/ 405.974.3341 Nigh University Center Rm 404 

Inside this Issue 

New Programs............. 1 

CEPS Programs........... 1 

CLA Programs.............. 4 

CMS Program............. 5 

Swansea Univ............. 5 

GC News.................... 6 

Faculty Exchange......... 9 

UCO’s Graduate School Announces New 

Programs for Fall 2012 Semester 

The Colleges of Education and Professional Studies, Liberal Arts and 

Mathematics and Science have added new master’s degree programs 

which will be accepting students this fall with the possible exception of 

the Nursing master’s program in Mathematics and Science. 

They are the Master of Education in Bilingual Education/Teaching English as a Second 

Language in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Master of Education 

in Secondary Education in the Department of Professional Teacher Education and a 

new major in Forensic Pscyhology, M.A. in the Department of Psychology, Master of 

Public Administration, M.P.A. in the Department of Political Science, Gerontology, 

a Master of Arts in the Department of Sociology and Substance Abuse, and Human 

Communication, a Master of Arts in the Department of Mass Communications and 

finally, a Master of Science in Nursing in the Department of Nursing 

Fall 2012 

Graduate College 

Events Schedule 

Apply for Fall Graduation..Sep 15 

Grad Council meeting......Sep 18 

Fall break................. Oct. 18-19 

Grad Council mtg............ Nov. 6 

Spring priority regis.........Nov. 14 

Thanksgiving............Nov. 21-25 

Grad Council mtg............ Dec. 4 

(see Graduate Calendar for 

further details) 

College of Education and Professional Studies 

Adult and Higher Education (Program Name Change from Adult 

Education) 

• New Majors include: Interdisciplinary Studies, Adult and Higher Education, 

Student Personnel, (Training is a program curriculum change under renamed Department 

and program). 

Adult and Higher Education, M.Ed. (New Major) 

This major provides students with preparation to work in teaching positions in higher 

education institutions, such as community colleges and four-year colleges. Anticipated 

interest groups for Adult and Higher Education are persons wanting to teach as their 

major responsibilities and who have approximately 18 credit hours in the subject area 

and/or licensure they want to teach (e.g., business, sociology, foreign language, etc.). 

This program is also geared to act as a spring board into similar doctoral programs at 

terminal degree granting institutions. 

1

Jackson College of Graduate Studies Newsletter 

Sring Semester 2012 2 

Interdisciplinary Studies, M.Ed. (New Major) 

This major provides the student with preparation to work in a variety of disciplines that allow a non-specific master’s 

degree and desire an area of specialization. This major allows students to develop expertise in a subject area (e.g., 

Safety, English, History, etc.). 

Student Personnel, M.Ed. (New Major) 

This major provides the student with preparation to work in non-teaching positions in higher education institutions, 

such as community colleges, four-year colleges, and state agencies. Examples of interest groups for Adult and 

Higher Education - Student Personnel include persons desiring careers such as the following: 

• Director of Housing 

• Director of Campus Activities 

• Employees involved in Distance Education, Global/Multicultural Initiatives, and Commuter Services 

• Employees in Student Counseling/Advising/Enrollment Services and Financial Aid 

• Directors of Facilities Management 

• Employees in Academic Affairs 

• Administrators in Student Affairs such as Student Conduct and Student Organizations. 

Training, M.Ed. 

This major provides the student with preparation to work in industry training, and government service oriented 

environments. These may include public school adult programs, adult basic education, career technology education, 

corporate training, and non-profit community services programs. The program is also geared to act as a springboard 

into similar doctoral programs at terminal degree granting institutions. Anticipated interest groups for Adult Education 

– Training: 

• Adult Education teachers and counselors 

• Business and Industry Trainers 

• Administrators of Adult Education and Training programs in technology centers, business, industry, churches, 

municipalities, military services, etc. 

• Educational Consultants 

• Students planning doctoral work in Adult Education 

• External Trainers and Consultants 

• Career and Technology students 

Dr. Frank Nelson, Professor of Occupational and Technology Education, is the Program Director. He can be 

reached at fnelson@uco.edu or 405-974-5804. 

Bilingual Education/TESL - Teaching English as a Second Language, M.Ed. (NEW 

PROGRAM) 

The Master of Education degree in Bilingual Education/Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) major 

is designed to prepare teachers to work with the ever increasing number of non- and limited-English-proficient 

students in Oklahoma’s schools. The program provides already-certified teachers the training to better assist K-12



English language learners who are struggling to survive and succeed academically. Graduates of the UCO bilingual 

Education/TESL Program are expected to become leaders who can apply their knowledge, skills, and dispositions 

in the classroom setting, professional settings, and the community. The focus of the program coursework includes 

foundations of research, second language acquisition theory, cultural influences, historical and philosophical foundations 

of educational practices related to language minorities, current instructional and assessment practices across 

the curriculum, and grounding in English language structure and usage. Graduate students not holding Oklahoma 

teaching certification, but otherwise eligible for admission, will be required to complete alternative prerequisites. 

Nationally accredited by the Teachers of English for Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) and aligned with the 

TESOL P-12 Standards for Teacher Preparation, the UCO Bilingual Education/TESL Program objectives are designed 

to develop the several areas of competency. 

Program Coordinator/Advisor is Dr. April Haulman, Professor of Curriculum and Instruction, and can be reached 

at ahaulman@uco.edu or 405-974-5139 

Secondary Education, M.Ed. (NEW PROGRAM) 

The Secondary Education major is designed for professional educators who seek a broader cultural and professional 

learning experience than is possible on the undergraduate level. The curricular program enhances knowledge of 

content-areas and specific pedagogical techniques and skills which will be required in professional work. 

Students have the opportunity to study a specific curricular area; to explore the American educational system; to 

demonstrate their knowledge of educational research procedures and methods, sources and formats, and critical 

reviews of research reports; and to prepare and defend a research proposal and its results. Other areas of advanced 

learning include: The development of adolescence and social forces on adolescence and their implications for the 

classroom; student learning styles and behavior both individually and in classroom settings; and, professional relationships 

with students, parents, teachers, administrators, and other pertinent individuals. 

The program is aligned to the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS), and program assignments 

simulate activities which teachers complete while pursuing National Board Certification. In fact, program 

students may be granted elective credit, under certain conditions, for successful completion of National Board Certification. 

The program accommodates both traditionally trained and certified teachers with undergraduate education degrees 

and others holding bachelor’s degrees and seeking alternative certification. For this latter group, the program 

offers courses in managing classrooms, designing instruction, meeting students’ needs, and assessing students’ 

performances. 

Program Coordinator/Advisor is Dr. Mike Nelson, Professor of Professional Teacher Education and can be reached 

at mnelson15@uco.edu or 405-974-5411. 

Psychology – Forensic Psychology, M.A. (New Major) 

The Forensic Psychology major prepares students for careers in intelligence analysis and criminal investigation at 

the local, state, and federal levels of law enforcement. The program emphasizes scientific research in experimental



psychology and applications to forensics issues. This is a nonclinical program that trains students in quantitative 

methods of scientific inquiry. 

Program Coordinator/Advisor is Dr. Robert Mather, Professor of Psychology, and can be reached at rmather@uco. 

edu or 405-974-5474. 

College of Liberal Arts 

Master of Public Administration, M.P.A. (NEW PROGRAM) 

The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education recently approved the Master of Public Administration program. 

This program is an applied management and policy degree that prepares students for careers and positions 

of leadership in local, state, tribal, and federal governments, private firms doing business with governments, and 

nonprofit organizations. 

The objectives of this MPA program are to help students develop their abilities to (1) lead and manage in public 

governance and nonprofit administration in order to improve the quality of life of communities, states, and regions 

within the context of a globalized environment, (2) make substantive contributions to the public policy process 

through active and meaningful participation, (3) make effective and timely administrative decisions based on sound 

critical analysis, (4) articulate and apply ethically sound public service ideals and perspectives informed by credible 

theory and evidence-based research, and (5) communicate and engage productively with a diverse and changing citizenry 

and public workforce. For more information, please contact Dr. Jan Hardt, jhardt@uco.edu, or 405-974-5840. 

Master of Arts Gerontology (NEW PROGRAM) 

The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education also recently approved the Master of Arts Gerontology, a specialized 

program designed for the individual who wishes to work with adults in a variety of environments. The Gerontology 

program provides the student with a base of information and experiences, in and out of the classroom, for 

dealing with the many aspects of aging. Many of today’s concerns with a more mature population are explored. The 

emphasis in the Gerontology program is the “humanistic” approach, recognizing that aging is a developmental state. 

This program’s curriculum is designed to offer students advanced gerontological knowledge in sociology, psychology, 

and biology disciplines; and gerontology research and application. Classes present both theoretical and practical 

approaches to develop general tools of research, writing, and analysis meeting the provision of in-depth discipline 

knowledge. For more information about this program, please contact Dr. Doug Reed by email at dreed@uco.edu or 

405-974-5803. 

Master of Arts in Human Communication (NEW PROGRAM) 

The MA in Human Communication will start in Fall 2012 and will provide an avenue for academic research and 

professional enhancement by engaging students in advanced and contemporary communication theory. Through 

consultation with their primary professor, students will develop a specific academic focus appropriate to their interests 

and goals. Students who wish to pursue a doctoral degree are better prepared by expanding upon the knowledge 

base obtained in their baccalaureate program, thus enabling them to develop research skills necessary to earn a doctorate. 

Students who wish to enhance their professional consulting expertise may specialize in areas such as conflict



management, relational dynamics, family communication, ministry, interpersonal communication training, intercultural/global 

competencies, and mediation. 

An information reception was held on May 15 in LAR 211 from 6:00 – 7:00 PM to answer questions about the 

program. Dr. Steven Pratt, Professor of Interpersonal Communication, is the graduate program director. He can be 

reached at spratt@uco.edu or 405-974-5585. 

College of Mathematics and Science 

Master of Science in Nursing, M.S. (NEW PROGRAM) 

“The Department of Nursing offers a graduate program of study leading to the Master of Science. The MS degree 

requires a minimum of 34 credit hours consisting of core courses and courses in the selected area of specialty that 

build upon the baccalaureate nursing education. Core courses prepare registered nurses for the increasing complexity 

of health care and are designed to prepare graduates for progression to doctoral or advanced practice degrees. 

The Education Option prepares the graduate to assume the roles of faculty in institutions of higher education and/ 

or nurse educators in various health care settings. The Specialty Option provides the graduate the flexibility to work 

with the graduate program advisor to individualize the plan of study to specific educational needs, including (but 

not limited to) areas such as administration, informatics, and forensics.”. 

Program Director is Dr. Linda Rider, Assistant Professor of Nursing, Department of Nursing. She can be reached at 

lrider@uco.edu or 405-974-5176. 

Swansea Ph.D. @ UCO 

The “Swansea Ph.D. @ UCO” launched this year with two students, Katie Shinn (Kevin Hayes, English, advisor) 

and Paula Farley (History, Patti Loughlin, advisor). In October, the four traveled to Swansea to meet with that 

Welsh university’s thesis advisors for orientation, and the students are now collecting data and beginning their writing. 

All involved (these four and the administrators of both institutions) are very pleased with the early efforts. 

Mary Vick, “A Web of Influence: an Examination of How Lloyd’s of London Shaped the Social, Economic, and 

Political Interests of Great Britain, 1784-1835” (History, Jessica Sheetz-Nguyen advisor) and Rose Neal, “The Influence 

of Nineteenth Century Women Writers on Female Education” (English, Pam Washington advisor) have been 

asked to apply to the Swansea program. If Swansea accepts these two students, they will be formally admitted to the 

program in the fall of 2012. 

Swansea is considering expanding the program, perhaps as early as this autumn, but if that happens, it will be without 

co-founder and Swansea director of the program, Dr. Jon Roper (Political Science), who is retiring from Swansea 

to work for a private company involved in Study Abroad. The program will move under the Swansea leadership of



Robert Rhys (Welsh Department, a.ka., Academi Hywel Teifi) in his role as Director of the Graduate Centre, College 

of Arts and Humanities. Dr. John Spurr continues as dean of that college, and Dr. Bernard continues as the 

UCO director of the program. 

Graduate Council News 

Graduate Enrollment 

College 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 % Difference 

CB 164 169 241 221 223 36.0% 

CEPS 949 1017 1035 1159 1,158 22.0% 

CFAD 27 43 46 57 62 129.6% 

CLA 158 178 211 291 302 91.1% 

CMS 77 83 57 60 74 -3.9% 

Undeclared Majors 39 78 51 24 26 -33.3% 

Total 1,414 1,568 1,679 1,850 1,881 33.0% 

New Student Fall Enrollment, 2007-2011 

2007 2011 2007-11 

Applications 751 1,020 36% 

Acceptances 594 737 24% 

Acceptance Rate 79% 72% 

Enrollments 484 539 11%



Enrollment Composition, 2007 and 2011 

2007 2011 

Women 73.4% 71.7% Men growing faster 

PT Students 70.0% 62.1% FT growing faster 

Whites 73.0% 65.7% 

Afro-Americans 7.1% 8.8% 

Domestic 92.5% 89.3% internat’ls growing faster 

Fall Enrollment Change by College, 2007-11 

College Total Total Increase 

2007 2011 2007-11 

CFAD 27 62 130% 

CBA 164 223 40% 

CEPS 949 1,158 22% 

CLA 158 302 91% 

CMS* 77 74 -4% 

*decline due to FSI separation 

3-Year Graduation Rates by Entering Year 

2002, 2003, 2004 Hovered around 65% 

2005 Jumped to peak of 80% 

2006-2007 About 75% - 78% 

2008 About 65%

UCOs Graduate School Announces New Programs for Fall 2012

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