The Graduate College at Grace University is expanding ministry opportunities and doubling its size with the addition of three new highly sought-after programs.
“We are excited to offer our community more options for Christian higher education at the graduate level,” said Dr. David M. Barnes, president of Grace University. “We want our students prepared for ministries in key career fields, and these graduate programs are an important outreach opportunity.”
Two new offerings in the College of Graduate Studies are opening new doors for those wanting to begin or enhance their teaching careers.
The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) is designed for those seeking initial Nebraska State Teaching Certification. It is an accelerated 16-month program for students with a bachelor’s degree, who have never held a teaching certificate, and who want Nebraska Department of Education Certification. The accelerated program enables individuals already possessing a non-educational bachelor’s degree to begin an elementary or secondary education career focused on serving students in business, English, history, mathematics, music or social studies. The MAT integrates classroom management techniques and technology skills with a strong Biblical worldview. Students are prepared to serve locally and internationally in a Christ-honoring manner in public, private, or parochial school environments.
The Master of Science in Education (MSEd) exists to develop servant leaders within the education profession through excellence in biblically integrated instruction and student-focused service learning. The MSEd degree is an accelerated 16-month program for professionals who have already earned a teaching certificate. It is designed for professionals who want to further develop their teaching skills, study the latest research in curriculum and instruction, and earn a Nebraska ESL (English as a Second Language) Endorsement.
Mental health practitioners are in high demand, and the Graduate College has expanded its Counseling Department to include a School Counseling track. The State of Nebraska only allows certified teachers to become school counselors, and this track enables experienced teachers to enhance their career skills. As school counselors, Grace graduates have the opportunity to impact public and private school students in a new way. Graduates of the School Counseling Track receive a 52-Credit Master of Arts degree in Counseling from a biblically integrative perspective with courses in counseling and biblical studies.
The Counseling Department has committed to seeking accreditation from the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs. The CACREP only grants accreditation to counseling programs that meet the highest educational standards. Faculty are engaging in a self-study process with hopes to complete the process in spring 2015. The faculty are excited and committed to this effort; we ask you pray for success in planning and conducting such a tremendous effort.
Grace University is committed to equipping students in the counseling program to help hurting people from a Christ-centered perspective. The Counseling Department has an excellent reputation within the Omaha community for preparing students for practice in a variety of settings. Currently, graduates work in clinical settings including private practice, group settings, and at institutional facilities.
For information on how you can begin this program, contact Emily Jantzen, Adult Admissions Counselor at ejantzen1413@graceu.edu or 402.449.2832.
Grace University, located in Omaha, Neb., is a regionally accredited, private Christian university with more than 40 diverse undergraduate, graduate and adult degree completion programs including education, business, psychology, music, nursing and Christian ministries. The University’s mission is to develop servant leaders for the home, the church and the world through excellence in biblically integrated education.
