The CalSouthern Sun

From the Desk of Dr. Caroll Ryan, President

The time has finally come, and it is with great pleasure, that I announce our accreditation with the Accrediting Commission of the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC).  The DETC is listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a nationally recognized accrediting agency and is a member of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

This accreditation extends to all currently offered degree programs:

• Associate of Arts in Liberal Studies (AALS)
• Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA)
• Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (BA)
• Master of Business Administration (MBA)
• Master of Arts in Psychology (MA)
• Master of Science in Psychology (MS)
• Master of Science in Law (MSL)
• Juris Doctor (JD)
• Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)
• Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

This marks an historic time for the University and the beginning of a new era of ground breaking innovation and service in online learning for California Southern University.

You can click here to view the official press release.

The Health Professions Education Foundation (HPEF) has announced its next application deadline, March 24, 2010, for the loan repayment program.  Eligible professions include mental health providers and health professions.  Loan repayments, awarded to current health professionals, range from $8,000 to $105,000.  Applicants awarded a loan repayment are required to provide direct patient care in a medically undeserved area for a specified period of time.  For information, please visit www.oshpd.ca.gov.

HPEF encourages mental health providers to participate in one of their upcoming Technical Assistance Calls (TAC).  During these calls, Program Officers will review the Do’s and Don’ts of applying and MFTs will also be able to ask questions on how to complete a successful application. Program Officers will be available to answer all other questions regarding these programs and their eligibility.  The TAC calls are scheduled from 12:00 – 1:00 P.M. on February 10, 2010 and March 2, 2010.  Space is limited for TACs, so if interested, RSVP early to calmazan@oshpd.ca.gov or by calling 1-800-773-1669 or 916-326-3640.

L-R: Sheila McCabe, Dr. Grimes and Dr. Tanimura

CalSouthern would like to welcome Sheila McCabe, M.S.G., as a new undergraduate faculty member for the School of Behavioral Sciences.  Ms. McCabe has an undergraduate degree in Human Development from California State University, Long Beach and a master’s degree in Gerontology from California State University, Fullerton (CSUF).  In addition, Ms. McCabe is presently working on a second master’s in counseling at CSUF. Throughout her educational and professional development Ms. McCabe has incorporated a strong biopsychosocial focus to understanding the process of human development and aging.  She is currently the Mentor for PSY 2408, Current Issues in Psychology and Health, a course that takes an integrative approach to promoting health and preventing illness by examining the biological, psychological and social aspects of a person’s life.

From the Desk of Jennifer Hill, M.S.I., Director of Library Services

The Library’s Journal Meta-Search Tool is now available to all students in the CalSouthern Library.  The tool facilitates locating specific journal titles in all of the Library databases with just one search.  It’s a useful and easy-to-use tool for finding journal titles in the Library’s 40+ databases.  Student can access the tool under the “Find a Journal” link.  Click here to view a sample of the CalSouthern Library’s Journal Meta-Search tool and then log in to open the retrieved records.

From the Desk of Associate Dean Bernadette Agaton, J.D.

All applicants seeking admission to practice law in California must submit an Application for Determination of Moral Character (Moral Character Application) to the Committee of Bar Examiners and receive a positive moral character determination.  The rationale behind the moral character requirement is that only individuals possessing good moral character are fit to practice law.  Under the Admissions Rules, the definition of good moral character “includes but is not limited to qualities of honesty, fairness, candor, trustworthiness, observance of fiduciary responsibility, respect for and obedience to the law, and respect for the rights of others and the judicial process.” Rule 4.40(B).

The determination of moral character is a lengthy process that begins with the Moral Character Application.  The application contains questions that delve into an applicant’s work history and educational background.  The applicant will also be asked to list all residences for the past eight years and provide details of any past arrests and convictions, academic discipline, and litigation, among other things.  The application requires the applicant to provide five personal references; at least one personal reference must be a licensed attorney.  Finally, the moral character determination process requires an applicant to be fingerprinted and the applicant’s consent must be given for a credit check and criminal background check.  After the Moral Character Application is submitted, the Office of Admissions begins its investigation.

It should be noted that an overwhelming majority of all applicants will receive a positive moral character determination.  The Moral Character Application should be filed by students no later than 5-6 months prior to the anticipated graduation date.  More detailed information regarding the Moral Character Application can be found on the State Bar’s official website, http://calbar.xap.com/Applications/CalBar/California_Bar_Moral_Character/default.asp.

Dr. Joshua Taylor presents PTSD: The Danger Within

On January 22, 2010, Dr. Joshua Taylor’s presented: PTSD: The Danger Within at California Southern University. This presentation which was streamed live on the web proved to be extremely valuable for all who participated.  We had an overwhelmingly positive response and are now happy to be able to make the video available online for those who may have missed it.

Click here to view the presentation:

CalSouthern Master Lecture Series with Dr. Joshua Taylor

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1. There are many different M.B.A. structures from the various universities that offer the program, but for the career-driven student who has additional responsibilities, the online M.B.A. degree program is the best option to successfully graduate.
2. According to the U.S. Dept of Education’s research study conducted from 1996 to 2008, by itself “online education is more effective than face-to-face-learning” alone. (U.S. Department of Education, “Evaluation of Evidence-Based Practices in Online Learning: A Meta-Analysis and Review of Online Learning Studies.” 2009.)
3. A recent GetEducated.com online poll discovered that “more than 90 percent of respondents say cost is extremely or very important in selecting the best online college.”
4. According to the Graduate Management Admission Council, “students with a full-time M.B.A. reported a 73% increase in salary post-graduation. Students with a master’s in a business-related subject reported a 26% increase.” (TheWallStreetJournal.com, “The Alternative M.B.A.” December 15, 2009.)
5. Many companies offer Tuition Assistance Programs (TAP) for employees seeking advanced degrees in business-related curriculum from an accredited institution.
6. Section 127 of the Internal Revenue Code provides that an employer may provide up to $5,250 in employer education assistance benefits for undergraduate or graduate courses tax-free each year.  As such, many employers opt to provide up to this amount to their employees.
7. The U.S. Department of Education’s Institute of Education Sciences determined that the average annual employee tuition assistance was $2,942.52 for undergraduate studies and $5,131.55 for graduate-level education. (National Center for Education Statistics at the U.S. Department of Education, “2007-08 National Postsecondary Student Aid Study.” November 6, 2009.)
8. There is generally no difference in the curriculum of an on-campus M.B.A. program and an online M.B.A. program.  Graduation requirements for most business programs usually include 36 semester credits, taking into consideration the core business courses and the student’s choice of business concentration.  The main difference between online and on-campus is that online programs offer the flexibility to accelerate and complete the program faster than average or to set one’s own pace based around personal or professional time restrictions.
9. CalSouthern offers 5 business concentrations in the M.B.A.:  Management, Financial Management, Human Resources Management, International Business, and Project Management.
10. The tuition for the CalSouthern M.B.A. is only $5,310 per year for the 2-year program.

The devastation in Port-au-prince, Haiti

On January 12, 2010, a massive earthquake struck Haiti.  It was the worst earthquake Haiti has experienced in over 200 years. Since this dark day, images of the suffering that the Haitian people are experiencing are in the news.  It is hard to see hope during these devastating times.  Then some information trickles in that makes you realize that hope is still alive and as strong as ever.

California Southern University students span the globe and provide knowledge and expertise in many areas, professionally and personally.  Recently, CalSouthern received reports from students who are lending a hand in the efforts to rebuild Haiti. Some are contributing through their occupations, i.e. the military, while others are volunteering their clinical expertise or engaging in missionary work.  On behalf of the University, we would like to thank our students and commend them for making such significant impacts.

To help in the efforts to rebuild Haiti and provide the necessary assistance to the Haitian people, a few organizations participating in the relief effort are: World Vision, The Haitian Health Foundation, K.I.D.S, The American Red Cross, Music for Relief, Healing the Children, Clinton Bush Haiti Fund, UNICEF, Operation USA, Save the Children, IRC Haiti Crisis Fund, United Way, United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund, The Salvation Army, The American Refugee Committee, and Mercy Corps.

The great use of life is to spend it for something that outlasts it.  ~William James, psychologist and philosopher

March 25 – 27, 2010:  FACES Awakening to Mindfulness Buddhism & Psychology Conference

San Diego Hilton Bayfront, San Diego, CA

http://www.facesconferences.com

CalSouthern will be hosting a booth at this event. Remember to mark these important dates on your schedule. We would love to meet with you in person when we come to your neighborhood. Stop by the booth or call us today at (800) 477-2254 Ext. 1 to set up an appointment ahead of time to meet with an Enrollment Advisor during the event.

March 18 – 22, 2010:  American Counseling Association (ACA) Conference & Exposition

Pittsburgh Convention Center, Pittsburgh, PA

http://www.counseling.org/Convention

CalSouthern will be hosting a booth at this event. Remember to mark these important dates on your schedule. We would love to meet with you in person when we come to your neighborhood. Stop by the booth or call us today at (800) 477-2254 Ext. 1 to set up an appointment ahead of time to meet with an Enrollment Advisor during the event.