The Grad Review
Morehead State University Graduate School
Dean's Message
As 2015 begins, the Grad Review features our new Master of Science in Space Systems Engineering. Do you know what Kentucky’s top export is? No, it’s not bourbon or thoroughbreds, its aerospace products and we’re excited about the potential of our innovative new graduate program to support this emerging industry. Your Graduate School is also pleased to welcome Ms. Gera Jones as Graduate Completion Coordinator. Gera brings an excellent energy to her new role and we look forward to her contributions on behalf of our students. I’m also happy to announce that planning is currently underway with our colleagues in Communications & Marketing to get the word out like never before about the outstanding graduate programs at Morehead State. If you have any thoughts or suggestions along these lines, please let me know and I will make sure they are discussed.
Just a reminder – April 22nd will mark the 10th Anniversary edition of the Celebration of Student Scholarship, MSU’s showcase for student research. Although originally an undergraduate event, this will be the second year that Graduate Students will be eligible to present their work as well. Thank you faculty, for encouraging your graduate students to participate!
COE Helps Students SOAR
Gov. Steve Beshear and U.S. Rep. Hal Rogers, co-chairs of Shaping Our Appalachian Region (SOAR), joined educators from 22 eastern Kentucky school districts to help kick-off an education initiative aimed at building a STEM-based (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) workforce by creating new opportunities for teachers through National Board Certification.
Morehead State University has partnered with several area organizations to provide 64 teachers in 22 of the highest unemployment, highest poverty SOAR counties with National Board Teaching Certification (NBTC). The selected teachers started the three-year program in July of this year. Along with obtaining the certification, teachers will receive a master’s degree with an emphasis on leadership at regional teaching centers close to their homes, plus rank change and salary increase, all provided at no cost to them or their school districts.
The program encourages teachers to be trained in STEM education through National Board Certification. The goal is for educators to prepare students for the workforce. “Our vision is to prepare students for postsecondary education and ultimately careers in fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics” said Belinda Hitch, project manager. “Creating a skilled, knowledgeable and dedicated workforce that can fill high-wage, high-demand jobs, drawing employers to the region.”
The vision for the SOAR-STEM project is to create economic opportunities that do not currently exist while fostering transformational change that can only be achieved through preparing a future workforce. Morehead State University’s College of Education is pleased to be part of this change.
Featured Program: Master of Arts in English
A Master’s in English is available in universities all over the Commonwealth and the United States; however, what makes the Master of Arts in English at Morehead State unique is that students from as nearby as the next county and as far away as the Pacific Rim have the ability to study with the MSU English graduate faculty. The program, which can be taken entirely online, takes advantage of the convenience of the current curricular technology which permits students to enter classes on Blackboard at any time of day. In addition, students receive a wealth of communication from faculty and have access to library databases which assists them to engage daily with the rapidly evolving digital world of literature and its scholarship.
Students take courses in British and American Literature and Technical and Creative Writing. Writing a scholarly or creative thesis is an option, though students may also choose a non-thesis option. The faculty are all active scholars and writers committed to bringing the fruits of their classroom experience to their online courses. Graduates of the program go on to earn PhD’s in Literature and Composition and MFA’s in Creative Writing. What’s more, the program is ideal for teachers seeking to earn a Master’s or attain sufficient graduate credits either to teach dual credit courses or courses at the community college level. Courses are offered in fall, spring, two summer sessions and the upcoming winter term.
Spring and fall commencement bring great excitement for our faculty and students, as it presents an opportunity for both to meet each other IRL (“in real life”) for the first time after years of getting to know one another through email and discussion posts. Further, each year the department selects an outstanding graduate student who is honored at the Caudill College Awards Convocation. Combining the best of traditional face-to-face programs with the ease of internet technology, the Master of Arts in English at Morehead State is truly blazing a trail forward. Come join us, virtually, that is. For additional information, contact Dr. Tom Williams, Chair of the English department. And, to learn more about the program, visit our website.
Early Grad School Offers a Jump-Start
Do you know an undergraduate student who is close to completing their Bachelor’s degree and is needing classes to fill their schedule? Are you advising a student who is interested in graduate school, but is not sure if they have what it takes? Or, does one of your students want a jump-start on their Master’s degree? The Early Graduate School at Morehead State University is the perfect solution for these dilemmas!
Since fall 2013, a total of 41 Morehead State University undergraduate students have participated in the Early Graduate School. Of those, 27 students have earned a Bachelor’s degree, and 19 (or 71%) have become matriculating graduate students at Morehead State University. With 12 credits of graduate course work completed, Early Graduate School students gain valuable momentum and are close to half-way finished with their graduate degree (depending on the program) by the time they earn a Bachelor’s degree!
Drew Kelly, pictured to the right, was one of the first students to complete a graduate degree having previously participated in the Early Graduate School program. Kelly took full advantage of the opportunity to enroll in twelve graduate credit hours in his senior year of undergraduate school. Not only did this give him a jump-start on his master’s degree, it also allowed him time to adjust to graduate school courses at his own pace. Another huge benefit for Kelly was that the graduate hours, which he took as an early graduate student, were billed at the undergraduate tuition rate—a huge savings!
If you would like to explore the benefits of Early Graduate School and how it can accelerate your graduate education, please contact Gera Jones at the Graduate School at (606) 783-9580.
The Graduate School
Dr. Michael C. Henson, Dean of the Graduate School
Dr. Susan W. Maxey, Director of the Graduate School
Gera L. Jones, Graduate Programs Completion Coordinator
Ollie J. Floyd, Graduate Recruitment & Retention Senior Assistant
Michelle Emrick, Graduate School Admissions Specialist
Email: graduate@moreheadstate.edu
Website: http://www.moreheadstate.edu/gradschool/
Location: 701 Ginger Hall Morehead, KY 40351
Phone: (606) 783-2039
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/msugradschool
Twitter: @MSU_gradschool
MSU Grad School will be on site to visit with students regarding graduate programs. The $30 application fee will be waived for any student who submits an application during the specified time period.
MSU Grad School will sponsor the 2015 Education Grad School Virtual Fair in conjunction with CareerEco and NAGAP. The $30 application fee will be waived for any student who submits an application during the specified time period.