ACADEMIC UPDATE
Cincinnati Christian University offers
a growing range of undergraduate professional programs. In recent
years CCU has added programs in psychology, communication arts
and education to its offerings in areas like preaching, youth
ministry, intercultural ministry, Christian education, and music
and worship. In the CALL degree completion program, a major in
management and ethics is offered in addition to the major in ministry
and leadership.
So what has the broadening of degree programs
done to the student body of CCU? The answer can be found in part
in the programs for which students are registered. Despite the
growing number of students in programs like education and psychology,
over half of the students in our traditional undergraduate program
are pursuing degrees focused on church-related vocations. Furthermore,
many who are enrolled in other programs have indicated their intention
to pursue a church-related vocation on graduation. In the CALL
program, 57% percent of students are pursuing the program in ministry
and leadership, with the balance in management and ethics.
All students at CCU are studying to minister,
to serve the Lord in whatever profession they pursue. But the
growing breadth of CCU’s professional programs has in no
way changed the depth of our commitment to preparing those who
will receive their support from the gifts of the church.
Last year CCU was authorized by
the Ohio Department of Education to grant licensure to its graduates
for teaching in public schools in pre-K to third grade. Students
began matriculating through the program this fall. Because some
had completed much of the necessary coursework already, four students
are currently doing their student teaching and will graduate from
the licensure program in May 2005.
Prior to beginning student teaching, these
students were required to pass the PRAXIS II exam, a nationally
administered test that measures students’ knowledge of the
practice of teaching. All four CCU candidates passed both parts
of the exam with scores well above the state requirements. In
fact, three of the four scored 99% or higher on the section of
the test dealing with education philosophy, history and methods.
During last year’s state review of the
CCU licensure program, several examiners said privately to the
CCU faculty that they expected our program to become known in
a few years as one of the best in the state. With this first class
of students, we are beginning to see evidence that they were right.
All with a stake in higher education—students,
parents and supporters—care that they get value for money
from their college or university. Uncle Sam shares that concern,
thanks to the government’s considerable investment in student
financial aid. Therefore, all colleges and universities receiving
federal student financial aid funds must report key statistical
data to the U.S. Department of Education. The USDE then makes
those statistics available to the public.
The latest statistics tell an interesting
story about value for money at CCU. Compared nationally to other
religiously focused schools of similar size, CCU has low expenses
for instruction (29% below the average) and institutional support
(17% below the average), low tuition and fees (7% below the average),
and a much higher rate of graduation (71% of CCU freshman graduate
in six years, versus an average of 45% nationally).
In other words, tuition dollars and gift dollars go much farther
than average at CCU. You can make your own comparisons at http://nces.ed.gov/ipedspas/.
Jon Weatherly
Academic Dean of the College
collegedean@CCUniversity.edu
Center
for Church Advancement
