Widener offers new ed. cert., nursing school gets honor
CHESTER » The Widener University Center for Education is accepting applications for its new Higher Education Leadership and Practice certificate. The online certificate is another option for educators looking to earn graduate credits and work toward career advancement in a cost- and time-effective way.
The 15-credit graduate certificate gives students the flexibility of online courses, while allowing them to acquire new knowledge and develop skills in the area of higher education. Students in the program will learn how the field of higher education is organized and studied, best practices in institutional effectiveness, and how to integrate data and theories into decision-making practices.
The courses, scheduled to begin in the fall semester, can transfer into the higher education leadership master or doctoral programs, but are significantly discounted at $400 per credit. Therefore, students interested in a longer degree program can test the courses first without fully committing to a multi-year master’s or doctorate program.
“This is a great opportunity for professionals to advance in their careers or pursue a new career in higher education leadership,” said Dr. John Flynn, director of Graduate Education. “This certificate, as well as the others offered at Widener, are a way for students to earn part of a degree at a discounted rate, before they decide whether to continue with an advanced degree.”
The Center for Education also offers certificate programs in K-12 teacher leadership and K-12 Pennsylvania Department of Education certifications including reading specialist and special education- assistive technology.
To learn more about the Center for Education’s certificate programs, or to apply, visit Widener’s website or contact Flynn at jcflynn@widener.edu or 610-499-4490.
School of Nursing recognized
The School of Nursing at Widener University is pleased to announce that it has again earned the National League of Nursing’s prestigious designation as a Center of Excellence in Nursing Education for 2017-2021.
Widener University is one of 16 schools that have achieved Center of Excellence designation in 2017. The School of Nursing received its first designation of a Center of Excellence by the National League for Nursing (NLN) in 2013. Widener University remains one of a handful of Center of Excellence designees with a focus on Advancing the Science of Nursing Education.
“The NLN is proud to recognize those schools and organizations that are doing the outstanding work that sets them apart from others,” said NLN president Dr. Anne Bavier. “By publicly acknowledging these best practices,” added NLN CEO Dr. Beverly Malone, “we promote the preparation of a diverse, culturally competent nursing workforce to deliver safe, effective patient care in our complex, dynamic health care environment.”
The Center of Excellence program was inaugurated in 2004 and, with this year’s awardees, there are now 62 schools and organizations that have attained Center of Excellence status. Schools of nursing apply for status based on demonstrated and sustained excellence in faculty development, nursing education research, or student learning and professional development. Applicants must also have a proven commitment to continuous quality improvement.
In keeping with the NLN mission to continually advance quality nursing education, throughout the four years that awardees carry the designation, they are expected to be available to other applicants seeking to move their own programs toward distinction.
“At Widener there is a strong focus on the practice and scholarship that are characteristic of teaching,” said Dr. Laura Dzurec, dean of the School of Nursing. “This honor recognizes just that. We’ve built a culture where people want to learn and where students engage in cutting-edge practices that strengthen opportunities for learning, for scholarship, and for advancing practice.”
Widener University is one of very few schools nationally that encourages doctoral students to focus their dissertation research on the science of nursing education. The School of Nursing has maintained this emphasis since inception of the research doctorate in1983. More than 200 doctoral-prepared nurses have graduated from the program, which transitioned from a Doctor of Nursing Science degree to a PhD in 2008. The School of Nursing also offers master of science degrees in nursing across multiple concentrations, as well as a doctorate of nursing practice degree and several accelerated options for students seeking doctoral preparation.
“It’s because of our faculty’s commitment to, first, supporting the advances in the science of nursing education and, second, exposing students to high-impact educational practices that our graduates are prepared to enhance the wellbeing of people around the world,” Dzurec said.
Widener’s incoming undergraduate nursing classes have been setting record-breaking sizes. As the program continues to grow, Dzurec is confident faculty will continue to meet the needs of the students while retaining its excellent rating.