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TheAtlanta Journal-Constitution Thursday,Nov. 7, 2013 Anadvertisingpublication

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Growth in health careadministration field

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How to find the schoolthat fits you best

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On-site day care letsparents attend school

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Train to become anonprofit executive

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Thursday, Nov 07, 2013 EDUCATION 2XSST2Cyan Magenta Yellow Black

Filename: 2-EDUCAT-XSST1107-XSST-S Date/Time created: Nov 8 2013 8:03:43:270AM Username: SPEEDDRIVER13

How to find the school that fits you best

EDU Atlanta AN ADVERTISING SPECIAL SECTION

CONTACT US

EDU Atlanta is amonthly advertisingspecial section about postsecondaryeducation in metro Atlanta.

EDITORIALJohn Brieske: [email protected],404-526-5664

ADVERTISINGAliceWilliams: [email protected],404-526-2507

ONLINEFor online versions of the articles anda PDF of the complete section, go towww.ajc.com/go/eduatlanta. EDU Atlantawill also run in the AJC’s e-Edition on Nov.10 and Nov. 17.

THE COLLEGE SEARCH

By Laura RainesFor EDU Atlanta

Decidingwhere to go to college can beoverwhelming. There aremore than4,000 schools in the United States

alone, and your task is to narrow down thesearch to the ones that will give you thebest education for your future goals.

Sound likemission impossible? Notif you have the help of an expert guide.Katherine Cohen, LinkedIn higher edu-cation expert and founder and CEO ofIvyWise, a leading independent educationcounseling service, says students shouldstart broadly.

“We advise clients to apply to 12 to 15institutions that are a good fit academi-cally, socially and financially,”Cohen said.“We’re seeing students apply tomoreschools because the applicant pool hasswollen and the competition can be stiff.Even being academically qualified doesn’tmean you’ll get in.”

The list should include reach schools,on-target schools and some safe choiceswhere you’re almost sure of acceptance.If you complete thorough research andfigure out what youwant to study at eachschool, you should have a dozen optionsthat would be a good fit.

Cohen offers the following best prac-tices and tips.

Start online searches early.Ninth or 10th-graders can begin

exploring college websites. Juniors andseniors should go deeper to look at eachschool’s programs, study abroad oppor-

tunities, traditions and the surroundingcommunity, Cohen said.

“Read campus newspapers and blogsto see what’s happening andwhat issuesconcern students,” she said.

Gain inside information on LinkedIn.“LinkedIn recently lowered its age

limit to 14, and has launched UniversityPages where students can engagewithfaculty, staff, alumni and students to gainmore insight about a school’s culture andstrengths,”Cohen said.

Find out where alumni in your intend-ed field work and talk to them about theircareer paths. Youmight discover a betterjob focus for yourmajor and could evenbegin building a career support network,she said.

Learningmore about a career fromthose whowork in it is especially valuablefor nontraditional students aiming for anew field.

Take advantage of college fairs orvisits fromcollege representatives toyour high school.

This is a chance to ask questionsface-to-face and to contrast and com-pare schools.MBA fairs allow prospec-tive students to see the various programsavailable for degree candidates.

Visit colleges early on.“Attend the official information ses-

sion and tour becausemany schools willtrack your ‘IQ’ or interest quotient,”Cohen said.

A campus visit could be a positive fac-tor when it comes to admission selection,but the best reason is to get a first-handlook at a school, its setting and the stu-dents.

Communicatewith admission of-ficers.

“Engage the person giving the infor-mation session and find out who readsapplications from your area. Contact thatperson by e-mail to express your interestand get additional information,”Cohensaid.

Talk to the student who leads the tour.You’ll learnmore reasons why youmightwant to attend the school,whichwillhelp with writing application essays later.Follow your interests and requestmeet-ingwith coaches or faculty in relevantdepartments. Follow upwith thank-younotes.

Ask your high school counselor for the

FOTOLIA

College search continued on Page 12

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Continuing educationprograms providestudents with toolsto use in their careers.By Laura RainesFor EDU Atlanta

Do you needmore skills and training forthe workplace but don’t have the timeormeans to earn a college degree?Many

colleges and universities offer shorter-term,targeted education through their continuingand professional education departments.

Market-driven, often industry-specific,

After his employer asked if he wantedmore information technology duties, Toby Miller enrolled in a certificate program at Southern Polytechnic State University’s Continuing Education Center. NICK ARROYO / SPECIAL


COVER STORY

and highly competitive, these programs spe-cialize in education you can use.

After doing some research, TobyMiller, 44,found an IT certificate program close to homeat Southern Polytechnic State University’sContinuing Education Center inMarietta.Nostranger to fitting an education around aworkschedule,Miller earned a bachelor’s degree inpolitical science fromGeorgia State Universityin 2002while he was enlisted in the Army and,afterward, serving in the Georgia NationalGuard.

Amidst deployments,Miller has worked asa registrar for the Institute for Professionals inTaxation for 15 years. Recently, the nonprofitorganization asked him if he’d like to assumemore information technology duties.

“Of course I said yes. Themore you know,the better, and I appreciated their wanting to

invest inme, but I knew I needed new skills,”Miller said.

He enrolled in the basic fundamentals ofinternet technology certificate program atSPSU.

“There were a lot of online programs, butI preferred being in class with a teacher andgetting hands-on experience,” he said.

Miller has completed three of the 10required courses and is alreadyworking onthe company’s website and helpingmaintainits communication systems. The Institute forProfessionals in Taxation is paying for tuitionand books.

“One of the advantages of this program isthat I can apply the certificate courses towarda bachelor’s degree if I choose to pursue it.

Learning continued on Page 10

Learning thatgoes towork

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Campusday careBy Clare MorrisFor EDU Atlanta

For some students, getting accepted into a postsecond-ary program requires overcoming an array of hurdles,from passing entrance exams to applying for financial

aid. Some students have another complication to consid-er:Whowill watch their childrenwhile they’re in class?

Obtaining consistent and reliable child care was amajor concern for January Boydwhen she decided to goback to school three years ago. TheMabletonmother hadtried to take courses before, but each time it was difficultto find a good sitter for her daughter, September.

During her third week of studying cosmetology andbarbering at Atlanta Technical College she learned thatthe school had an on-site child care center.

“When I heard about this program, I checked it out,”Boyd said. “I liked that it is a safe program right here,where I canwalk out ofmy classroom at any time andcheck onmy daughter. And it’s really convenient that weboth go to the same place at the same time.”

Boyd’s daughter was 2 when she began attending thecenter, a lottery-funded pre-k program for children from7months to 5. Last year, Atlanta Tech’s programwas ac-

On-site facilities help parentsget back in the classroom.

January Boyd, a barbering/cosmetology student at Atlanta Technical College, visits her daughter, September, in the Early Childcare Center atAtlanta Technical College. Childcare center coordinator MarshaWhittle (left) reads a book to preschoolers. Photos by LEITA COWART / SPECIAL


STUDENT SERVICES

Day care continued on Page 12

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Timehas comefor nonprofitsBy Clare MorrisFor EDU Atlanta

One of the fastest-growing job sec-tors in the country isn’t in the boardroom or the factory, though those are

often the benchmarks bywhich economichealth is gauged. Surprisingly, recentaccounts in U.S.News&World Reportand on CNN report that amajor sourceof job creation lies in the area of nonprof-its— organizations whosemissions andobjectives aren’t always about the bottomline.

According to CNN, the United States ishome to about 1.5 million nonprofits, fromglobal giants— such as Atlanta-basedHabitat for Humanity and CARE— tosmall local agencies. The news agencyalso reports that nonprofits spend about$1.5 trillion each year and employ 13.5million people,making that segment thecountry’s third-leadingwork force.

“Nonprofits’ time has come,” said Pa-tricia Chase, director of CentralMichiganUniversity’sMaster of Science in Admin-istration (MSA) program.“It’s predictedto be an areawith 27 percent growth in thenext three to five years. Talk to communi-ty foundations in any area, and they’ll tellyou a new nonprofit starts almost everyday. The ones that are well-managed andhave a desire to do it right will hire peoplewho are qualified to run them.And that’sa niche that needs to be filled.”

Training the work force to fill thatniche is the goal of a new program thatwill soon be offered by CentralMichiganUniversity’s Global Campus. Beginningin January, online courses will be avail-able for anMSAwith a concentration inphilanthropy and fundraising, a programcreated specifically with the needs of thenonprofit sector inmind.

New program will trainexecutives for sector.

Patricia Chase, director of Central MichiganUniversity’s Master of Science in Administrationprogram, says the school is launching its newMSAprogramwith a concentration in philanthropy andfundraising tomeet the needs of the nonprofitsector. CENTRALMICHIGAN UNIVERSITY


GRADUATE EDUCATION

Chase said interest in the program hasbeen strong since it was announced inSeptember. “Within the first week,we had100 inquiries from all over the country,which is the cool thing about a globalprogram.”

Though it will have a focus onman-aging the finances of a not-for-profitorganization, the program differs from atraditionalMaster of Business Adminis-tration.

“This degree is an alternative to anMBA; it’s muchmore diverse,more flexi-ble,”Chase said. “It has a solid foundationin theory, but the focus is on application,particularly in philanthropy and fund-raising that are fundamental to nonprofitmanagement.”

Chase,whose own background in-cludes directing a nonprofit children’smuseum, said the program features

Nonprofits continued on Page 11

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Beyond the classroom

By Martha J. FosterFor EDU Atlanta

The line formed early outside EmoryUniversity’s Schwartz Center forPerforming Arts, stretching the whole

length of the sidewalk to Fishburne Lane.The people in line seemed unfazed by thethreat of rain. Every seat would be filled,the audience amultigenerational mixof students, faculty, Emory alumni andguests from the community at large.

Students, alumni andthe community benefitfrom lectures, speakersand conferences.

Legendary singer/songwriter Paul Simon appeared at four events in September during Emory University’s 2013 Richard Ellmann Lectures in Modern Literature. EMORY PHOTO/VIDEO

In October, former U.S. Surgeon General Dr.David Satcher spoke during a conference at theMorehouse School of Medicine that addressedhealth disparities in underserved and at-riskcommunities. He also was the keynote speakerat an event about empowering future physicians.MOREHOUSE SCHOOL OF MEDICINE


CAMPUS LIFE

The occasionwas a free performanceby Paul Simon, culminating hismuch-anticipated, three-day September visitto Atlanta to participate in Emory’s 2013Richard Ellmann Lectures inModernLiterature.

For about an hour, the legendarysinger/songwriter, joined by guitaristMark Stewart and other friends on stage,played guitar and sang selections from hisvast catalog of songs, including “Soundsof Silence,” “Slip-Sliding Away,” “Meand Julio Down by the Schoolyard,” “Mrs.Robinson,” “The Boxer,” “Hearts andBones” and “American Tune.”

During his visit, Simon also gave twolectures and took part in what was billedas a public conversationwith former U.S.poet laureate Billy Collins.

The aim of the biennial Ellmann

Lectures, inaugurated in 1980, is to bringworld-class writers and thinkers to Emoryto deliver a series of lectures onmodernliterature. The lectures are named inhonor of longtime Emory professor Rich-ard Ellmann, a noted biographer of JamesJoyce andOscarWilde. Recent Ellmanlecturers have includedMargaret Atwood,Nobel Prize laureates SeamusHeaneyandMario Vargas Llosa, Umberto Eco,Salman Rushdie and David Lodge. Thelectures are ticketed but free and open tothe public.

“Most people of our generationwhoknow Paul Simon’smusic and paid at-tention to it, respect him as a great poet,”said RosemaryMagee, vice president andsecretary of the university,who is work-

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Prognosis positiveBy Martha J. FosterFor EDU Atlanta

When Belhaven University openedits Atlanta campus in 2011, a directmail postcard promoted adult pro-

grams for busy adults who need to earn alivingwhile they complete a degree, get anew degree to expand their career optionsor earn amaster’s degree.

LaTashaHall, 39, ofMarietta, remem-bers tucking one of the postcards into herwork bag for future reference. It struck achordwith the workingmother,who hadworked her way up through hospital rankswithout a degree.

Hall was 21 when she got her first hos-

Job outlook is strong forgrads of HCA programs.

LaTasha Hall (right) andMarie Marc listen as Belhaven University instructor Joe Simpson teaches abiology class from Chattanooga via Skype. Hall is a student in the bachelor’s degree in health careadministration program. NICK ARROYO / SPECIAL


HOT JOBS

pital job as a housekeeper in Covert,Mich.“I knew that was not where I wanted

to be, but I worked in housekeeping fortwo years,”Hall said. “Every week, I’dvisit the Human Resources Departmentto see what else was available and finallyI was accepted for on-the-job training tobecome an operating room assistant.”

Over the next few years,Hall migratedto a large teaching hospital in GrandRapids,Mich. She earned certification asa sterile processing technician.

Later, she was recruited to work atGwinnettMedical Center andmoved toLawrenceville. Hall’s knowledge and re-sponsibilities expandedwith eachmove.

Then,Hall’s career hit a snagwhen sheapplied for amanager’s position atWell-Star Health System. She knew the hiring

HCA programs continued on Page 11

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Best ofGeorgiaBESTBy Laura RainesFor EDU Atlanta

An impressive academic record andtalent helped KayLynn Samplesget accepted to Brenau University.

Excellent soft skills are helping hermakethemost of her freshman year.

Samples honed those soft skills byparticipating in the GeorgiaBEST pro-gram during her senior year at ChestateeHigh School in Gainesville.

“I was lucky thatmy high school of-feredwork-based learning experiences,as well as the GeorgiaBEST program; Itook advantage of both,” Samples said.“GeorgiaBEST is a great program thatteaches personal attributes that en-hance an individual’s interactions, jobperformance and career prospects forthe future. It helped prepareme to facetomorrowwith a confident and com-mitted attitude that will propel me toexcellence.”

Launched in January 2012 by theGeorgia Department of Labor, Georgia-

Department of Labor programhonors Brenau freshman.

Georgia Labor Commissioner Mark Butler presents a plaque to Brenau University freshman KayLynnSamples, recognizing her as the GeorgiaBEST Student of the Year. GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF LABOR


STUDENT SUCCESS STORY

BEST grew out of discussions with stateemployers about the skills theywantedto see andweren’t always finding amongyoung job applicants.

“We learned that 69 percent of allfirst-timeworkers lose their jobs for lackof soft skills, so we developed a 10-weeksoft skills certificate curriculum to teachwhat we call ‘employability skills,’ ” saidCindyMorley, GeorgiaBEST director.

The program is flexible, allowing eachhigh school to decide how best to imbedthe curriculum into existing classes. Theprogram has grown from 20 to 200 highschools across the state.

Students learn how dressing to pro-fessional standards, showing up on time,taking responsibility, developing goodcommunication skills, being organizedand practicing good time-managementskills can help them succeed on the job.

Samples,who is interested in a careerinmass communications and broadcast-ing, gained somework experience withthe Lake Lanier Convention and VisitorsBureau. Formost of her senior year,she spent the first three school periodsworking as a receptionist and helpingwith the bureau’s website.

“I was lucky to get to experience workwhile in high school. The people andcommunication skills I learned throughGeorgiaBESTwere especially valuable,”she said. “Most young people stumbleover their words when they have to talkto adults. As a receptionist, I had totalk to everybody. The program taughtus how to dress for success andwhat isconsidered professional andwhat isn’t.It showed important differences betweentheworkplace and everyday life.”

When Samples received her soft skillscertificate on senior awards night, shelearned that someChestatee High Schoolteachers had chosen her as the school’sGeorgiaBEST Student of the Year.

“I decided to try for the next level ofcompetition by filling out the statewideapplication,writing an essay about whatI’d learned in the program and submit-tingmy résumé and letters of recom-mendation,” she said.

In September, the Georgia Depart-ment of Labor named Samples Geor-giaBEST Student of the Year and shereceived a $1,000 college scholarshipfrom the Georgia State Employer Com-

“I was lucky to get toexperienceworkwhile inhigh school. The peopleand communicationskills I learned throughGeorgiaBESTwereespecially valuable.”KayLynn Samples, freshman, BrenauUniversity

mittee. Shewas one ofmore than 5,000students who received soft skills certifi-cation in 2013.

“GeorgiaBEST is a very stringent pro-gram designed to ensure that our futurework force is prepared for the challengesahead of them as they transition fromhigh school to the workworld,” saidMarkButler, Georgia Department of Laborcommissioner. “KayLynn is a perfectexample of the success of GeorgiaBEST.I appreciate her commitment to the pro-gram as a high school senior.”

Samples also put her communicationskills to use when selecting a college.

“I wasn’t sure I wanted to go to awoman’s college, but I’m a competi-tive cheerleader and the coach at Brenaushowed an interest inme,” she said. “Intalkingwith her, I learned that I’d havehands-on leadership opportunities at

Brenau as a freshman. In larger universi-ties, I might have to wait until I was ajunior to participate in activities fully.”

Samples also appreciates the advan-tages of smaller classes.

“My largest class has 20 people in it,and one class has only six students. I getto form real relationships withmy teach-ers, and I love that,” she said.

Samples is already taking classes in hermajor and is participating in a public rela-tions practicum inwhich she helps plancampus events. She’s looking forwardto future practicums that could put herto work at a local radio station and theGainesville Times newspaper.

“I love college and I’m definitely usingall the skills I learned in high school,” shesaid. “I’m glad to hear thatmore highschools are starting a GeorgiaBEST pro-gram. It really helpedme.”

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ing on a collection of short stories andteaches for the CreativeWriting Programat Emory.

“Music asmodern literature is anexpansion of the best literary ideas andideals, and the Ellmann Series highlightsthe great literary traditions that we have.Emory is very proud of that. It’s one of thestars in our crown. It’s located here, butit’s international in scope and people wantto be a part of this,”Magee said. “In addi-tion, they are drawn to Emory because ofthe work andmaterial we have inMARBL(Emory University’sManuscript, Archivesand Rare Book Library).”

Emory’s acquisition of novelist SalmanRushdie’s papers resulted from a casualconversationwith Emory leaders whenhewas the Ellmann lecturer in 2004. Theworks are now part of Emory’sManu-script, Archives and Rare Book Library,an impressive repository of rare books,original letters,manuscripts and rare re-cordings housed in the school’sWoodruffLibrary.

Campus eventsContinued from Page 6

“We have extraordinary special collec-tions atMARBL,”Magee said. “Rushdie isa great example of thematerials we collectin our archives. We havemanuscripts andbooklets, but we have his computer drivesand disks and are workingwith him todeterminewhat is there, how to arrange tomake parts of it accessible to researchers.”

The papers of SeamusHeaney, TedHughes and AliceWalker can be found atMARBL and at the RaymondDonowskiPoetry Library,which has a collection ofmore than 75,000 volumes of English-language poetry.

“We tend to think of these great artistsas having artistic impulses,”Magee said,“but they are also very well groundedin artistic knowledge. To hear Rushdiespeak about Charles Dickens,NatashaTrethewey speak about how the historyof the South intersects with the historyof race and segregation and the historyof poetry allows you see the depth oftheir knowledge. That is one of the thingswe are always pleased to share with ourstudents.”

Mission of advocacyMorehouse School ofMedicine pro-

vided its own forum for high ideals in

October,when hundreds of physicians-in-training gathered in Atlanta for theAmericanMedical Student Association’s“Empowering Future Physicians” confer-ence,with Dr. David Satcher, former U.S.surgeon general, as the keynote speaker.Satcher is now head of the Satcher HealthLeadership Institute at theMorehouseSchool ofMedicine.

The conference, hosted by the schoolofmedicine in cooperationwith GeorgiaHealth Sciences University’sMedicalCollege of Georgia, featured a programdesigned by the future doctors throughAMSA. Session topics included TheHis-tory of Racism in U.S.Health Care, TheExperience of Trans Folk in Health Care,and Advocating forWomen’s Reproduc-tive Health Care Rights and Access.

“The organization includesmedi-cal students and futuremedical stu-dents from across the nationwho cametogether to advocate for patients in need,”said Dr.Martha Elks, senior associatedean for academic affairs and associatedean for undergraduatemedical educa-tion atMorehouse School ofMedicine.“Morehouse was an ideal setting for thisconference, since ourmission since ourfounding has been to address the needs of

themedically underserved.”In 2010, a study published in the An-

nals of InternalMedicine rankedMore-house School ofMedicine first amongmedical schools in the United Statesfor its commitment to social mission— encouraging the training of primarycare doctors whose practices will be dis-tributed inmedically underserved areas— and for training a sufficient number ofminority physicians in the work force.

“We are so skilled in this area atMorehouse,” Elks said. “Intrinsic to ourtraining program is our emphasis notonly on the needs of the underserved, butcurriculum nurtures skills in advocacy.Some schools have amission that sits onawall. AtMorehouse, ourmission sits inour hearts.”

Elks said the conference was a greatopportunity formedical students to net-work and get away from the “informationgrind” that goes with intense studies.

“One of the things about going tomedical school is that sometimes you feellike you are the only one going throughit,” Elks said. “Programs such as these canenergize you to keep up the hardwork ofmedicine, to keep up the process ofmedi-cal school.”

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“One way ourprograms differfrom academicprograms isthat they aremore focused onapplications anddirectly tied tomarket needs,”said Denise Logan,department head,Professionaland PersonalDevelopment forthe University ofGeorgia Centerfor ContinuingEducation. LEITACOWART / SPECIAL


LearningContinued from Page 3

Earning the certificate will helpme seewhich bachelor’s degree would be the bestfit,”Miller said. “In themeantime, I’mhaving fun learning and puttingmy skillsto use immediately.”

SPSU’s continuing education pro-grams are closely tied to the university’sacademicmission. The school offers vari-ous technology certificates (AutoCAD,Cisco,Oracle, etc.) as well as businessprograms such as projectmanagementand Six Sigma.

“We develop high-quality, in-depthcourses that cover all the bases for careerchangers andworkers who need addition-al skills to advance in their job or succeedin themarketplace,” said Denise Stover,director of SPSU’s Continuing EducationCenter. “There is an even greater needfor these programs today. In lean times,training is one of the first things compa-nies cut from their budgets, but peopleneed to stay current with their skills.”

By developing shorter-term noncreditprograms, continuing education de-partments have the flexibility to deliverdirectly tomarket needs.One example isSPSU’s health information technologycertificate program.

“We saw a tremendous need for theseskills as health care organizations wererequired tomove to electronicmedi-cal records,” Stover said. “Since all ourprograms require project work or passing

an exam to earn the certification, employ-ers value themerit of these programsstrongly.”

Last year, SPSU started a Fast Track toEmployment Program to help job seekersand career changers succeed in the work-place. Instructors teach students aboutInternet tools (like LinkedIn), résuméwriting, interviewing and networking.Some classes are free and other seminarsandworkshops are available at aminimalcost.

What Stover likes about the fast trackprogram is that it serves the communityand, likemost continuing education pro-grams, it produces quick results.

“People who didn’t think theywereemployable get new skills and find jobs.Others attain goals that they’ve beenreaching for a long time. It’s so gratify-ing,” she said.

No longer awell-kept secretShirley Chesley, program developer,

Professional and Personal Developmentfor the University of Georgia Centerfor Continuing Education at GwinnettCampus, knowswhen a program is suc-cessful. The slots fill repeatedly— likethe Spanish/English and Korean/Englishmedical interpreter certificates or theprofessional gerontology program forpeople whoworkwith the elderly popula-tion.Other examples are the paralegaland the eventmeeting andmanagementprograms that have been popular for 13years.

Once awell-kept secret, UGA’s Gwin-nett campus in Lawrenceville has become

increasingly well-known throughmar-keting andword-of-mouth endorsementsfrom satisfied students, Chesley said.

“Customer service is very dear to us. Ifyou don’t treat students as adult learn-ers and help themmeet their long-termgoals, then your programswill have nobenefit,”Chesley said.

It’s also important to changewith themarket. Some newly developed programsincludeweb analytics and search enginemarketing; certificatemanagement ac-countant test preparation; agile projectmanagement; coaching skills forman-agers; and a Lean Six Sigma green beltprogram for health care workers.

The role of continuing education isincreasing as businesses and organiza-tions are looking for workers who have thehard and soft skill sets to hit the groundrunning, said Denise Logan, departmenthead, Professional and Personal Develop-ment for the University of Georgia Centerfor Continuing Education.

“Oneway our programs differ fromacademic programs is that they aremorefocused on applications and directly tiedtomarket needs. Academic courses aremore theory and research-focused, but ineither case you’ll be getting the credibilityof the UGA name and reputation,” Logansaid.

In an age of increasing competitionand choices in continuing education,evaluating the quality of the institutionand the provider are important. Using keywords in online searches related to thetopic you’re seeking should bring upmul-tiple schools and programs, Logan said.

“Customerservice isvery dearto us. If youdon’t treatstudents asadult learners and helpthemmeet their long-termgoals, then yourprogramswill have nobenefit.”Shirley Chesley,program developer,Professional and Personal Developmentfor the University of Georgia Centerfor Continuing Education at GwinnettCampus

“Anybody canwrite an enticing overalldescription. Look at the learning objec-tives, course work and outcomes,” Logansaid. “Ask yourself what youwant fromthis program.Drill down to see who’steaching it and his credentials and experi-ence. Call and ask questions. If you don’tget the answers you need or want, go in adifferent direction. This is your continu-ing education, so it’s important that youget what youwant out of it.”

“One of theadvantages ofthis programis that I canapply thecertificate courses towarda bachelor’s degree ifI choose to pursue it.Earning the certificatewill helpme seewhichbachelor’s degreewould bethe best fit.”TobyMiller, student, SouthernPolytechnic State University ContinuingEducation Center

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“I have never pushedmyself as hard in my life as I have now. I havelearned to be a critical thinker and problem solver in the workplace,and it has givenme a different way of looking at things,” saidLaTasha Hall, a student in the bachelor’s degree in health careadministration program at Belhaven. NICK ARROYO / SPECIAL


HCA programsContinued from Page 7

INFORMATION SESSION

Belhaven University will hold an event for prospectivestudents on Dec. 4 at 7 p.m. at the school’s Atlantacampus (4151 Ashford Dunwoody Road, Suite 130, Atlanta,GA 30339). For information, call 404-425-5590 or go towww.atlanta.belhaven.edu.

manager, she had excellent experience and references, butshe didn’t have the required college degree.

“I had already taken some classes at ChattahoocheeTech, but that’s when I started thinking about Belhavenagain. The postcardwas pretty tattered andworn, but theseed had been planted,”Hall said. “I’d pull it out ofmywork bag and say, ‘Lord, is this the school where youwantme to go?’One particular time I pulled it out ofmy bagand I just knew it was the place I was supposed to be.”

Hall has since been hired byWellStar, running sterileprocessing departments for its Paulding and Douglashospitals, and theWindyHill hospital in Cobb County.

Her classes at Belhavenmeet once per week for fourweeks, plus periodic project teammeetings.Hall is ontarget to earn a bachelor’s degree in health care adminis-tration by early 2015.

Hall’s timing for the degree is good. According to theNational Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment formedical and health servicesmanagers is expected to growby 22 percent from 2010 to 2020, an increase of 68,000jobs during that period.

Jobs are likely to grow atmedical offices and inmedi-cal group practicemanagement, and there should beopportunities in nursing homes administration, clinicalmanager jobs in specific departments, andwork as healthinformationmanagers or assistant administrators.Mostentry-level positions in those settings require aminimumof a bachelor’s degree.

Mike Davis, director of admissions and student servic-es at Belhaven’s Atlanta campus, says the school launchedadult education programs about 25 years ago.

“Theworld around uswas changing. The traditionalset up of 16-week classes during the day didn’t work forthe professional adult, so we started the adult campusesso an adult could get an accelerated degree that didn’tcompromise academic rigor or quality,” he said.

Belhaven’s bachelor’s degree in health administrationis offered both online and on campus. The curriculum isthe same, but online classes accommodate students whomay not be able to attend classes on campus. Belhavenalso offers amaster’s of business administration degreewith a concentration in health administration.

Undergraduate tuition at Belhaven is about $10,800 ayear, based on completion of 27 credit hours, Davis said.Classes are small, usually nomore than 10 to 12 students.Books are provided free and first-year students get aBible to use as a sourcebook throughout their studies atBelhaven.

“A biblical world view helps us build a strong founda-tion for all aspects of our lives, not just our professionallife. It impacts howwe interact withmedical profession-als or the patients with whomwework, howwemarket

the business we supervise, and howwe promote our-selves,”Davis said.

Belhaven is affiliatedwith the Presbyterian USA de-nomination, but the church has no controlling interest inthe school, Davis said.

“We don’t require a faith statement from students, nordowe require anyone to adhere to a denomination,”Davissaid.

Adult learnersBelhaven facultymember LynnDunlap teaches classes

about health care organizations, financial administrationof health care, performance improvements in health careand health care ethics. She said adult students approachlearningmuch differently than recent high school grads.

“Adults want to get things right and theywant toknow how they can utilize what they learn,”Dunlap said.“To them, health care ethics are not pie-in-the-sky. Theywant to know real-world applications for what they arelearning in class, so I don’t give them busywork. I try togive themmeaningful work that they can really sink theirteeth into.”

Transfer credits from core classes taken at other col-legesmay be accepted by Belhaven if the studentmain-tained at least a 2.0 grade point average,which is lowerthan some universities require.

“I’ve thought a lot about that, actually,”Dunlap said.“Sometimes,whenMom andDad have paid for college,students don’t do their best work the first time in college.But, by the timewe get them, they havematurity.”

Hall says her educational experience at Belhaven hasbeen demanding and rewarding.

“I have never pushedmyself as hard inmy life as I havenow,” she said. “I have learned to be a critical thinker andproblem solver in the workplace, and it has givenme adifferent way of looking at things. God is growingme up,and Belhaven plays a big part in that.”

courses that students can immediately transfer to theworkingworld.

“For instance, how do youmanage a nonprofit?Manycome from the kitchen table and have people on thefounding boards whomay not have any business back-ground,”Chase said. “Through this interdisciplinaryprogram, they have courses with an administrative corearound strategic planning, financial management, humanresources and public relations that will prepare them toenter higher-level administration in almost any industry.”

Among the online courses will be offerings in assessingthe financial health of an organization and analyzing howit benefits a community; managing a diverse andmulti-cultural environment; and the function of nonprofits insociety. Additional focus will be on the ethical practicesof fundraising and grant writing, grant administrationandmaking programs sustainable.

“Most people have never had a grant, and if they arelucky enough to get one for their nonprofit, how theymanage it may affect them getting another one down theroad,”Chase said. “Youwon’t find that in amore gen-eral business program; it’s very specialized. By puttingit online we can extend the reach to people all over thecountry, since there are so few programs like this.”

But Chase also expects that continued growth in thenonprofit sector will spawnmore programs like theMSAat other institutions.

“We are a giving society, but wewant tomake sure ourmoney is used theway it was intended; wewant someoneto be accountable,” she said. “When I was a nonprofitdirector, I would have loved to have had a program likethat could have answered all the questions I had. There’san end point to what you can learn on your own, and thisprogram fills the need to knowmore.”

NonprofitsContinued from Page 5

“I was lucky to getto experience workwhile in high school.The people andcommunication skillsI learned throughGeorgiaBEST wereespecially valuable.”Patricia Chase,director, Central Michigan University’sMaster of Science in Administration program

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“Knowing what youwant to do and refiningyour career path canhelp you decide if youneed a degree andwhat kind, or if youcould upgrade yourskills with a certificateor professionaleducation. There aresomany ways to learn,” said Katherine Cohen,LinkedIn higher education expert and founderand CEO of IvyWise. SPECIAL

names of former graduates who attendyour prospective colleges.

Talking to someonewho comes fromyour high school or community can bringvaluable insight into a college. Youmightevenmake a friend and be able to visit himor her on campus.

Consult professionals.Older students returning to school or

changing careers can benefit from talkingto career counselors, college counselorsand other professionals.

Consult those experts on the types ofdegrees that lead to in-demand jobs, aswell as job outlook, average salaries andprogram requirements. LinkedIn and pro-fessional associations are good resources.

“Knowingwhat youwant to do andrefining your career path can help youdecide if you need a degree andwhat kind,or if you could upgrade your skills witha certificate or professional education.There are somanyways to learn,”Cohensaid.

Do ROI research.With rising tuition costs and a tough

jobmarket, questions about your returnon investment should be part of everycollege search. Checkwith a school’s ca-reer services office and LinkedIn Univer-sity Pages to find out where alumswork,what they do, howmuch they earn andwhatmajors got them there. Ask aboutinternships and other opportunities toexpand your education.

Take time with applications.Try to give admissions staff asmuch

information as possible in your list ofactivities and essays.

“If using the common application,give special attention to the supplementsrequired by individual schools. Forgettingto fill them out or rushing through themcould be a deal breaker,”Cohen said.

Apply strategically.Use early-decision plans to improve

your chance of acceptance.

College searchContinued from Page 2

September Boyd, 5, attends the Early ChildcareCenter when her mother, January, goes to classesat Atlanta Technical College.

MarshaWhittle, coordinator of the Early Childcare Center at Atlanta Technical College, reads a book to preschoolers. The center also provides opportunities forthe college’s educationmajors to observe and get hands-on experience working with children. Photos by LEITA COWART / SPECIAL


Day careContinued from Page 4

credited by the National Association forthe Education of Young Children, a non-profit that recognizes high-quality earlychildhood education programs.

While Boyd has attended class from 9a.m. to 3 p.m.,Mondays through Fridays,September has gotten a jump start on herown education.

“The program has taught her a lot,evenwhen she came in at 2 years old,”Boyd said. “I was really surprised and veryhappy about how theyworkedwithmydaughter. They’ve set a good foundationfor her.”

The preschool program,which hasbeen in place since 1974, serves 84childrenwhose parents are among the4,700 students at the college in southwestAtlanta. Alongwith being a safe place forchildrenwhile their parents are in class,the facility is also a teaching center forAtlanta Tech’s educationmajors.

“We have an observation labwherestudents can come in and look into theclassrooms,” saidMarshaWhittle,whohasmanaged the facility for four years.“They often come inwith assignmentsfrom their teachers to look for certainbehaviors.We also have interns workinghere who get hands-on experience eachday. They become part of the teachingsituation and learn how to become childcare providers right here on campus.”

The Early Childcare Center is openfrom 7:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. and also pro-vides before- and after-hours care. Thecost,which varies by a child’s age, rangesfrom $120 to $140 per week and includesbreakfast, lunch and snacks.

Themost valuable part of the program,said Boyd, is the care her child receives ina facility run by education experts.

“The staff here is just great; they reallycare aboutmy daughter,” she said. “Dr.Whittle really trains the students to go outthere and love these children. It’s a greatexperience for the people in the earlychildhood education program and for thechildren as well.”

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