| Graduate Student Frequently Asked Questions |
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How will the program make me more marketable? |
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Employers want employees who are leaders -- people who can manage change, work in teams, think systemically, communicate, and resolve conflicts. Leadership is not only for those with certain titles. In the dynamic organizational climates of today, leadership can and must be exercised by people at all levels committed to moving forward. The Professional Leadership program recognizes this need and provides the theoretical and practical skills to develop leadership potential. As graduates' comments show, learning by integrating theory with practice builds skills that employers recognize, as well as increases confidence and professionalism needed to move forward in one’s career. The opportunity to network with a diverse group of peer professionals and faculty actively working in their fields is also a career plus. |
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How long will it take to complete my master’s degree? |
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The 32-credit program is typically completed in two years. A 16-week internship/seminar session follows eight eight-week accelerated sessions. One course is taken per accelerated session. |
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May I take more than one course per session in order to finish sooner? |
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The single-course-per-session format is recommended, at least initially, since the accelerated courses are quite demanding. With this experience as a foundation, possibilities for an additional course might be discussed with your advisor. It is very unusual to take more than one course per session, although it has been done in certain circumstances. |
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May I take fewer courses than the typical five per year? |
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Yes; you can work with the program director to address your needs. The program tries to provide flexibility along with structure. |
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What is the academic calendar? |
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The program can be started in mid- to late-August (Fall Term) or in early January (Spring Term). There are five accelerated eight-week sessions per year with classes meeting one night per week from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Breaks include six weeks in the summer, about two and one-half weeks in December, and about a week between the remaining sessions. |
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Is Carlow just for women? |
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No. Men make up about 10-12 percent of the student body. |
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Do I have to take any entrance exams such as the GRE? |
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No. The validity of such tests has long been debated for predicting success in graduate study especially for returning adult learners. Instead, an individualized assessment employing such methods as personal essay, letters of reference, and interview is conducted to determine the "fit" between the program and prospective students’ goals and skills. |
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Where are courses offered? |
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The program is offered at the Carlow University Oakland campus. It has also been offered at Carlow sites in Cranberry and Greensburg, depending on enrollment requests. |
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How large are the classes? |
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Class size is typically 12 to 15 students. |
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How are classes conducted? |
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Classes are generally conducted in seminar format facilitated by experienced faculty who are also professionals in their fields. Small class size and adult learning philosophy promotes lively interchange among diverse students and an emphasis on the application of theory to practical problems and issues. |
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Who are typical students? |
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Most are working adults, predominantly women, ranging in age from twenties to sixties who come from a wide variety of fields and backgrounds. Whatever their current occupation or organizational level, they are united in a common desire to further develop their leadership skills in order to make a difference in their organizations or communities. Many are returning for their master’s degrees after a significant period of time away from a college classroom. |
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How are students graded? |
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Generally, learning is assessed through papers, individual and group projects, and oral presentations. Tests are typically not employed in evaluation. |
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How much time may I expect to spend on each of the Professional Leadership graduate program courses? |
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Professional leadership students report they typically spend 12 hours per week on their course work in addition to class time. |
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Is a thesis required? |
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No. In conformance with the professional nature of the degree, the program culminates with an internship. However, a thesis is an option. |
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What does the internship for the Professional Leadership graduate program entail? |
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The Professional Leadership program internship is a field-based course. It is a supervised work experience involving a project or set of activities in a field identified by the student as an area of interest for applying theoretical knowledge to experiential learning. Reflecting the program’s philosophy of adult learning, student interns exercise self-direction, self-knowledge, and creativity. Faculty mentors serve as coaches and resource persons. Students are responsible for setting goals and documenting their progress, integrating and thinking critically about what they are learning, and conducting self-evaluation as they move through the internship.
A minimum of 160 hours is required to complete the four-credit internship, including research, observation, participation in a task force, facilitation of a change process, preparation of written materials, and on-site activity. Depending upon the particular project or set of activities, much of the 160-hour work requirement can be performed away from the internship site. The internship, accompanied by a three-credit seminar that meets about eight times over sixteen weeks, is designed to be the capstone experience of the degree. It culminates with a final paper, oral presentation and portfolio. |
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Is the program or any part of it offered on-line? |
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The program values face-to-face interpersonal and group dynamics for leadership development. However, several courses are web-enhanced. |
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What is the difference between an MBA and the MS in Professional Leadership? |
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An MBA is a business degree focusing on traditional functional areas of management such as planning, organizing, and controlling, usually with an emphasis on quantitative skills and analytical tools. The Professional Leadership master’s degree emphasizes the development of leadership skills that empower people and organizations to accomplish their missions. These skills include managing change, systems thinking, teamwork, and persuasive oral and written communication. Each of the two concentration areas—Training and Development and Management for Non-Profits— builds on this foundation with knowledge and skills specific to each professional arena. For more details on the concentration areas, please see curriculum. |
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Is financial aid available? |
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Aid is available primarily in the form of loans. A Graduate Financial Aid Brochure is available, which lists possible resources for grants/scholarships. Many master’s students take advantage of the Stafford Loan Program, a low interest loan underwritten by the federal government. For further details, contact Carlow University Financial Aid Office at 412 578-6058, finaid@carlow.edu.
Many working students' employers offer tuition reimbursement; check with your human resources department. Carlow alumnae and employees of certain "partner" organizations may be eligible for tuition reduction. Contact the Graduate Admissions Office at 412-578-8764 or e-mail gradstudies@carlow.edu for more information. |
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I’m interested. How do I obtain more information on the Professional Leadership master’s program? |
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If you have more questions and/or would like to have an information packet mailed to you, call Graduate Admissions at 412-578-8764, or e-mail gradstudies@carlow.edu. |
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