Thursday, October 28, 2010

Columbus State University Receives New Nursing School Accreditation

Columbus State University has just received approval from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, which is the leading accrediting body for baccalaureate and advanced degree nursing programs.  This accreditation states that Columbus State’s School of Nursing meets or exceeds the nation’s highest standards when it comes to preparing and advancing the training of nursing professionals.
This accreditation comes on the heels of Columbus State’s recent changes to their online master’s of nursing program and two track bachelor’s program.  In addition to these programs Columbus State has recently launched an online undergraduate program for registered nurses as part of its Bachelor of Science in Nursing program.  This online program is offered completely online, with no need to visit the physical campus, year round in 8 to 10 week sessions.  This online program was designed for the full-time working nurses who are looking to advance their careers by earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.
In addition to this new online Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing program, Columbus State is also planning to offer a new online Master of Science in Nursing Education and Administration program.  This new online masters program is still pending University of Georgia Board of Regents approval, but should not have any problem being approved especially after the undergraduate program was awarded this prestigious accreditation.
This new accreditation is great news for Columbus State.  Add in a recent $1 million grant from St. Francis Hospital and Columbus Regional Health care System and Columbus State is well on its way to doing its part in reaching the statewide goal of a 22% increase in registered nurses.  With more Americans looking to start a career in the medical field, these new online nursing courses will make it that much easier for working individuals to meet their own personal goals and start a fulfilling career in the nursing field.


By Sandra Kelly

New Elementary Education Adult Degree Program in Portland Prepares Students to Teach in Oregon

Newberg, Ore. (Vocus) October 28, 2010
George Fox University will introduce an elementary education degree program for working adults at its Portland Center location, with the first cohort scheduled to begin course work in the fall of 2011.
Applications for admission to the part-time bachelor's degree program are now being accepted. The 41-credit-hour major offers course work that prepares students to apply for the Initial I Teaching License, with authorization to teach in Oregon in both public and private schools at the early childhood (ages 3-4) and elementary (grades 3-8) levels.
The program's format is designed to accommodate the schedules of working adults, with classes scheduled one night per week and one Saturday per month at the Portland Center near Tigard, located at 12753 S.W. 68th Ave., Suite 222, in Portland. An information meeting about the program is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 9, at the Portland Center.
Among the admission requirements is the completion of 62 semester hours of transferrable credit made up of general education and electives and passing scores on either the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST) or Praxis 1 Pre-Professional Skills Test (PPST).
Some classes are offered in a hybrid format, which combines face-to-face classroom time with online courses. The curriculum also includes opportunities to work in the field, sending students into elementary schools to provide quality student-teaching experiences.
Those who enroll are a part of a small, supportive cohort consisting of no more than 20 people. Major classes are completed with the same group of students, allowing colleagues to provide motivation and support through the process. Students typically complete the degree in five or six semesters.
As an option, students may add the ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) endorsement to the elementary/early childhood authorization if they meet the testing and course work requirements in a content area and take the required courses.
To learn more about the program, including cost and admissions information, contact admissions counselor Kristie DeHaven at 503-554-2266 or visit the university's adult degree programs website.
George Fox University is ranked by Forbes as the top Christian college in the Pacific Northwest and among the top three Christian colleges in the country. George Fox is the only Christian university in the Pacific Northwest classified by U.S. News & World Report as a first tier national university. More than 3,400 students attend classes on the university's campus in Newberg, Ore., and at teaching centers in Portland, Salem, and Redmond, Ore., and Boise, Idaho. George Fox offers bachelor's degrees in more than 40 majors, degree-completion programs for working adults, five seminary degrees, and 11 master's and doctoral degrees.

By Kristie DeHaven
Admissions Counselor
503-554-2266