Division of Professional Studies

Faculty

Division Chair: Jennifer Mattingly

Program Chairs: Cliff Boggs, Karen Love, Rani Mathai, Kimberly Schellin-Rog, Terrecia Stein-Merrill

The Division of Professional Studies offers comprehensive programs for non-traditional learners to complete an Associate of Arts, Bachelor of Arts, Master of Business Administration or Master of Arts degrees. Courses are accelerated, with the majority lasting six weeks. Each course is taught by Judson University faculty, and may be available on the Elgin campus and the branch campus in Rockford, as well as online. Students in the undergraduate programs complete an orientation course designed to introduce or re-introduce students to learning in an accelerated, higher education setting.

Mission Statement

You are the salt of the earth...You are the light of the world. (Matt. 5:13-14)

The Division of Professional Studies seeks to develop students to become leaders in their field. Core values of the Division are based on Matthew 5:13-14:

• God's Word is our foundation
• Real-world application of theory is our educational practice
• Lifelong learning is our expectation
• Student-focused learning is our commitment
• Being salt and light is our aspiration

Statement of Purpose

The Division of Professional Studies seeks to educate students in a faith-integrative, academically rigorous, accelerated environment. Programs within the Division are designed to meet the needs of non-traditional learners, and are offered in a flexible, convenient, and accessible environment allowing students to achieve their educational and career goals.

Undergraduate Programs

Programs offered through the Division of Professional Studies foster both cognitive and life skill development:

Cognitive Skill Development:

• Theory-based, practical, relevant curriculum
• Critical reading, writing, and thinking skills
• Appreciation of culture---both one's own and others'
• Preparation for academic work at the next level (AA-BA-MA-PhD)
• In-depth study in a major field

Life Skill Development:

• Ethical behavior
• Oral and written communication skills
• Effective use of technology
• Lifelong learning
• Collaborative learning

Graduate education at Judson University further provides students with advanced learning and skills within a specialized discipline. Graduate students create original work that is rigorously evaluated by professors and peers, demonstrating breadth of scholarship and integrative critical thinking skills. Graduate students demonstrate a high degree of self-motivation in their studies and creatively contribute knowledge and skills to their field.

Graduate Programs

Graduate education provides students with:

• Advanced learning in a specialized discipline to promote expertise
  • Academic- centered on generating original research in a particular discipline
  • Professional- developing skills and knowledge for a specific profession
• Advanced skills as applied to an area of study
• Rigorous evaluation of student work by professors and peers
• Opportunity to create original work
  • Breadth of scholarship
  • Ability to think and study independently

Graduate education requires:

• High degree of self-motivation of creating, doing, and advocating
• Original research or experience (internships)
• Creative and effective communication
• Movement from receiving knowledge to enhancing, creating, and owning knowledge
  • Articulate and assume responsibility for own work
  • Demonstration of integrative, independent, critical thinking
• Varied roles, from student, to researcher, teacher, mentor
• Creative contribution to field
  • Collaborative and responsible participation in society
• Familiarity with principal techniques and important literature in the field
• Apply quantitative, qualitative, and creative models of inquiry appropriately
• Demonstrate depth, breadth, and synthesis of learning, and ability to reflect on the significance of that learning