District Administration - November 2009 - (Page 73)

ADVERTISEMENT Accredited Online Graduate Program Gives School Leaders a Professional Edge Northcentral University School of Education marries convenience and academic rigor for administrator pursuing Ed.D. hen Cindy Berck decided to pursue a doc- specialties: Curriculum and Teaching; Educational Leadertoral degree in education, only one obstacle ship; Educational Technology and E-Learning; English as a stood in her way: no such program existed at Second Language (ESL)/English for Speakers of Other Lanthe time in northern Michigan, where she is guages (ESOL); Exceptional Student Education; Global Traindirector of human resources and grants at Traverse City Area ing and Development; Higher Education Leadership; Instructional Leadership; International Education; and OrganizaPublic Schools. “I knew I needed an online program,” Berck says. She tional Leadership. The university is accredited by The Higher researched online programs to ﬁnd one that married con- Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. venience with other qualities imporThe task of keeping the degree protant to her. She wanted an academically grams on the cutting edge falls to Dr. rigorous, accredited program with Tom Stapleford, director of curriculum highly qualiﬁed professors, easy-to-use and outcomes assessment. He ensures online tools and excellent recommenthat course objectives and assessments dations from graduates. She found all are aligned with each other as well as that and more at Northcentral Univerwith the broader goals and mission of sity, an online university that is based the school—and that learners achieve in Prescott Valley, Ariz., but serves stuthem. “It ensures the currency of dents in more than 80 countries. everything we do on an ongoing basis,” “I like the fact that it’s self-paced,” Stapleford says. she says. “The actual coursework is so At an online university like Northwell organized and so well thought-out central University, professionals can that it’s very clear when you start class upgrade their credentials while balwhat you have to do to complete it.” ancing work and family obligations— One-on-one mentoring is central without sacriﬁcing academic rigor. to Northcentral’s model. By working “For the adult learner, there is from her ofﬁces at home and school, “Being the product of an growing recognition that by coupling and via laptop while traveling, Berck completed 42 of the 51 required credonline experience has been technology with the opportunity to work with a mentor one on one, as is its in 18 months. She is starting the very positive for my work the Northcentral model, we can meet dissertation phase of her degree, an Ed.D. with a specialty in educational as a school administrator.” different learning needs and learning styles,” says Dr. Dennis Lessard, Dean leadership. “It’s heavy reading and of the School of Education. writing, but when I need to move While she studies online for convenience, Berck ﬁnds quickly, NCU is very responsive,” she says. Berck says one of the most valuable aspects of the pro- that it gives her a professional edge. “I’m serving as a role gram is the interaction with other learners. “The fact that model for other learners and teachers in the school district,” I now have access to administrators around the world has she says. “The use of technology is the future of education, brought a new perspective and depth to what I can deliver and being the product of an online experience has been very positive for my work as a school administrator.” here as a school administrator,” she says. Northcentral University offers graduate degrees in education, business and psychology in addition to undergraduate For more information please visit www.ncu.edu or call 866.899.0331. degrees. The School of Education graduate program offers a Master of Education (M.Ed.), a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.), and a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Education. It also awards a certiﬁcate for advanced graduate coursework that doesn’t require a dissertation. The Ed.D. program offers 10 www.DistrictAdministration.com November/December 2009 73 W http://www.ncu.edu http://www.ncu.edu http://www.DistrictAdministration.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of District Administration - November 2009

District Administration - November 2009
Contents
Advertiser Index
From the Editor
Letters
News Update
Facilities & Construction
Stimulus Monitor
Administrator Profile
District Profile
Conversations
Mobile Learning Guide
The New Writing Pedagogy
Staying Ahead in Education
Tightening the Purchasing Process
Minding Your E-mail
New Books
How Well Does This Web Site Work?
Problem Solution
New Products
Professional Opinion
Crisis Response

District Administration - November 2009