Its about time I updated my blog here; I’ve been busy traveling to various community colleges in the tri-state area. This fall has been an exciting time for Transfer Admissions; a 32% increase in enrollment since last fall (received 1400 applications from transfer students for fall 2009). Last week, I was in Northern Virginia visiting NVCC Alexandria and Annandale. This week, I visited CCBC- Catonsville and Baltimore City Community College. There has certainly been continued interest in Stevenson University! Here’s why:
- Generous transfer merit-based scholarships; amounts range between $3-$14,000, contingent on number of credits and cumulative GPA. Eligibility starts at 28 credits and a 2.8 cumulative GPA. An additional $2,000 incentive is awarded to students who are in an honors society or program. These scholarships are renewable for a total of four years.
- Generous transfer of credit; no one wants to waste time transferring! Stevenson accepts as many as 90 credits from four year institutions, and 70 credits from community colleges. Always consult with an adviser at your school, as well as with a counselor at Stevenson to ensure the best transfer of credit.
- New housing; dorms are no older than five years old – and they are pretty posh, to say the least.
- Personalized education; 13:1 student/teacher ratio, and an average class size of 17 students means professors can appreciate individual students for their strengths and needs.
Transfer students – it is not too late to apply! November 1st is the best time to apply by, to receive optimum consideration for housing and scholarships.
Oh….and an Open House tomorrow….hope the rain holds off! We’re still working on the climate control on campus..:-P
The medical technology program applies biology and chemistry to the world of medicine and clinical science; medical technologists devise, conduct, and measure laboratory tests while coordinating with other health care professionals. Medical technologists work in chemistry, microbiology, blood banking, hematology, molecular biology, and immunology. While the majority of medical technologists work in a private laboratory or hospital setting, many also find employment in pharmaceutical companies, fertility centers, and education. Many also pursue advanced degrees in medicine, dentistry, and other health professions. Students who graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology are eligible to sit for the national certification examination by the American Society for Clinical Pathology or National Certification Agency, in order to become a Clinical Laboratory Scientist/Medical Technologist. Stevenson University also offers the 13 month categorical training program for students who already have a degree in either chemistry or biology.
Because of a national staffing shortage in laboratory science, medical technologists are in great demand; indeed, the United States graduates only about a 1/3 of the medical technologists needed to fulfill the demand for laboratory services. Because of this staffing shortage, there are ample financial aid opportunities intended to facilitate participation in this program. In addition to Stevenson’s merit-based transfer scholarships, medical technology students are eligible for private grants and scholarships through the American Society for Clinical Pathology, American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science, and Maryland Hospital Association.
The medical technology program is the only one in the state to feature a management practicum in the senior year of study. Indeed, medical technology is a “3+1″ program, because students complete three years of study at Stevenson, and later complete a one year practicum at Sinai Hospital. In the first two years of study, students take several prerequisite courses consisting of basic sciences and liberal arts requirements. In order to progress to the junior year, students must maintain a 2.8 cumulative GPA and apply for full-admission into the medical technology program. Students must demonstrate several non-academic qualities as well; check our web page for a complete list of admission requirements. Only ten students are selected by the Medical Technology Admissions Committee to continue into the junior year. Once admitted into the junior year of study, students continue taking liberal arts classes and begin introductory courses in laboratory medicine. The academic standards of the medical technology program are designed to simulate real-world responsibilities of medical technologists; because mistakes are too critical in a lab setting, students are trained to be as meticulous as possible in their academics.
The practicum rotation at Sinai Hospital is designed to expose students to chemistry, hematology, and blood banking; students are matched up with hospital management, and learn to appreciate the administrative side of hospital work. Stevenson University’s medical technology program is the only one in the state to feature a managerial practicum in the senior year. Students maintain inspections of labs and meet with hospital management in order to develop an understanding of how hospitals are organized.
Sinai Hospital has its own mini-campus, which includes a student lab, lecture rooms, and a medical library. Pathologists and medical technologists serving as adjunct faculty instruct students with the most current medical procedures in the field. Because of the staffing shortage of certified medical technologists, the one-year practicum at Sinai facilitates excellent job placement for medical technology graduates at Stevenson. Indeed, while 96% of all students at Stevenson have found a job or gone on to grad school within six months of graduation for the past five years, 100% of medical technology graduates have landed a job or gone onto graduate school. For students interested in applying to dental or medical school, medical technology features a premedical track, which incorporates required courses into the medical technology curriculum. Students work closely with a health professions adviser, as well as their academic adviser to map out courses that will further prepare them for graduate programs.
Like other programs at Stevenson, medical technology students have participated in the Learning Beyond initiative through various one credit option opportunities. In one service learning opportunity, medical technology students met with state government legislators to discuss medical technology bills which affect health care. Given the occasion, students spent an entire day drilling one another, as they prepared to articulate the right questions and research the right issues pertaining to the meeting. This opportunity showed students that as a profession, medical technology is very much affected by outside forces at the national level. As future medical technologists, students who participated learned to be self-informed, and to value activism as a means to promote efficiency in their occupation.
It is a work in progress, folks; more articles to follow soon!
The biology program at Stevenson University offers an extensive foundation in the biological sciences, including cellular, organismal, molecular, and environmental biology. Students complete coursework in all of these fields, and select a focus according to their personal and professional interests. Because of this versatile background, students studying biology often progress to graduate, medical, dental, veterinary, physical therapy, and other health profession schools following graduation from Stevenson. Some 150 students currently comprise the biology program.
Biology faculty are trained professionals who bring personal experience to the classroom; faculty members include physicians, medical assistants, and research faculty from other institutions. According to Dr. Meredith Durmowicz, department chair of the biology department, each faculty member “incorporates elements of research at all levels” because of their experience outside of the classroom. It is this professionalism that further prepares biology students seeking advanced degrees.
Indeed, a mandatory research or internship capstone experience in the senior year of study facilitates school or job placement following graduation. Research is done both on and off campus; students have conducted research projects at University of Maryland School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins, and the National Institutes of Health – the federal government’s primary medical research agency, under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Internships have placed biology students in clinical, educational, governmental, and legal positions. One recent internship opportunity involved conducting field studies for the Maryland Department of Natural Resources; the DNR is responsible for wildlife conservation and enhancement.
Biology students have entered a variety of graduate schools to receive advanced degrees in their fields of interest. For a complete list of graduate schools which biology students have been accepted into, visit our webpage.
In addition to research opportunities and internships, the biology program offers some exciting one credit options (OCO’s) . As part of a one credit option assignment, one student gave an ecological presentation to a panel of researchers from Soldiers Delight, a natural environment area based in Owings Mills. Students have also traveled to participate in the American Society for Microbiology Conference, held annually at various locations in the United States. Some students have also traveled to attend the Southeastern Deer Research Conference, to present findings on Lime Disease and its relationship with the deer population in Maryland. Because the Deer Tick can carry Lime Disease, the students tracked movements of deer and assessed population management techniques in certain areas of Maryland for presentation at the conference.
Up next: Biotechnology and Medical Technology.
Students studying education at Stevenson University are diligent, organized, and open to improving their skills; just as they are passionate about learning, they relish the opportunity to teach others. the Education Department at Stevenson University offers three categories of education; early childhood education, elementary education, and middle school education. With some 240 students currently studying education at Stevenson, it is one of the top five programs on campus. Perhaps one of the most popular features of the education program is the personal assistance which characterizes the relationship between student and teacher; education faculty go above and beyond to help their students, many of whom possess experience as administrators and teachers in public schools. It is the one on one relationship between faculty member and student that contributes to the close knit community found in the education department.
A huge part of the education program is career preparation, which is woven into the academic curriculum. Students complete a variety of field experiences as well as a one year internship in a professional development school. As early as the Sophomore year, education students spend one morning a week in a classroom environment in a professional development school to observe the class while reinforcing concepts learned at Stevenson. By Junior year, students spend a day in a professional development school, and can observe or assist teachers in a classroom environment. In the senior year, students complete a one year internship in which they intern at a professional development school; students teach two days a week in the fall semester, and five days a week in the spring.
Education students remain in the same professional development school for a year, for each field experience and internship; the one year internship is designed to mimic a typical school year in the same professional development school, and it enables interns to monitor the progress of the same children throughout the academic year. Field experiences and internships are arranged through agreements with various professional development schools in Baltimore, Carroll, and Harford Counties; visit our webpage for a complete list of partnerships with various public and private schools in the area.
The education department has separate admission standards from that of the University; in order to progress to the Sophomore year, education students must maintain at least a 2.5 cumulative GPA. Following their Sophomore year, students must complete Praxis I with a passing score of at least 527. Upon graduation, students must also have passed Praxis II, before they are eligible for teaching certification in the state of Maryland. By the time students progress onto the one year internship their senior year, they must have a cumulative GPA of at least a 3.0.
For transfer students coming from community colleges, it is strongly recommended to complete an AAT program (Associate of Arts in Teaching) prior to transferring into Stevenson’s education program. Articulation agreements with numerous Maryland community colleges specify that the best transfer of credit for the education program can be achieved by completing the AAT program. Because internships are cyclical and only start in the fall semester, transfer students who enter the education program with an AAT in the fall may complete their degree in 2 years, while those starting in the spring would complete their degree in 2 1/2 years. However, students who start in the fall as full-time students typically carry between 15-18 credits each semester; by starting in the spring, students may opt to carry fewer credits (12-15) with the benefit of an extra semester to space coursework out more. Without an AAT, the education program may take closer to 3 years to complete. The transfer of credit from four year institutions into Stevenson may vary depending on departmental standards and course compatibility.
As always, keep checking my blog for updates about the other programs here at Stevenson! More to follow soon…
The psychology program at Stevenson University prepares students for a variety of fields, including counseling psychology, forensic psychology, human resource management, clinical psychology, and social work. Students not only take 50 credits in psychology, but an additional 68 credits in biology, math, sociology, and information systems. The diverse application of the psychology program not only enables students to customize their academic experience, but also prepare for graduate programs and employment in their field of interest. Some 150 students currently comprise the psychology program, and 18 students graduated in spring 2009 with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology.
Half of all graduating psychology students go on to graduate school after receiving their degree from Stevenson; psychology students have entered law schools, medical schools, and a variety of masters and doctoral programs. To help students get admitted into a particular graduate program, many students opt to complete a field placement in order to better define their personal interests and professional objectives; psychology students have worked at the Psychiatric Unit at University of Maryland School of Medicine as well as at the Adult Psychiatric Unit at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center to apply classroom instruction in a clinical setting. Field placements are designed to expose the student to a real world setting, and reinforce a student’s classroom instruction with hands-on experience. Following graduation from Stevenson University, psychology students have pursued advanced degrees from many institutions, including:
- University of Maryland – Baltimore County
- Loyola College
- University of Baltimore
- Florida International University
- Adelphi University
- Johns Hopkins University
In addition to field placements, instructors within the psychology program sometimes offer a three credit class with a one credit service learning component. Many different types of service learning opportunities have been offered by the psychology faculty, depending on the class and subject area. Students studying biological psychology have visited neuroscience laboratories and attended research conferences. Similarly, students studying psycholopathology have visited local treatment facilities to learn about treatment methods for various mental health issues. Thus, students not only receive three credits for completing work in the classroom, but they also receive one credit for working in the greater community; the extra credit appears on students’ transcripts, and stands out to prospective employers.
Academics aside, psychology students enjoy a close relationship with both the psychology faculty and fellow psychology students through a variety of recreational activities. The Psychology Club is open to students interested in or studying psychology at Stevenson; movie nights, Baltimore Orioles’ ball game outings, and participating in or sponsoring various events which raise awareness of mental health issues always keep members busy. Active Minds, a national organization which also raises awareness of mental health issues, is yet another popular organization that unites psychology students on campus.
Stay tuned for more about our programs! Read more about the psychology program by visiting our webpage.
Chemistry students are problem-solvers by nature; they are not only excited to discover the meaning behind a mathematical concept or puzzle, but they learn to become independent thinkers. Students learn how to keep meticulous notes in a laboratory setting, develop analytical skills, and learn to become assertive through their presentation of scientific data. Approximately 100 students currently study in the chemistry program, and sixteen students graduated in 2009 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry.
Because Stevenson University is a small campus comprised of just over 3,400 students, the chemistry program is the beneficiary of an attentive administration that both purchases and updates lab equipment for the student body. Frequent training rotation enables all students within the chemistry program to become very comfortable with the lab equipment, which includes everything from a 200MHz nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer to a UV-vis spectrophotometer (try saying that ten times over!). You can read more about the equipment on our webpage, underneath Academics.
Faculty members have strong experience in chemistry, and have served in various capacities in addition to being educators; environmental chemists, forensic scientists, dentists, and teachers comprise the chemistry faculty.
The program is very research-oriented; beginning in the sophomore year, students begin research assignments with faculty while completing a variety of chemistry courses. Depending on the individual student’s needs, the chemistry program curriculum may be customized to emphasize personal interests and professional goals. In their senior year, students select a capstone course that consists of either an internship or independent research experience. The capstone experience is the culmination of a student’s classroom instruction, and placement depends on the student’s background; “I think every student is different,” notes department chair Ellen Roskes, a thirteen year faculty member at Stevenson University. Indeed, students have found internships in a variety of chemical/pharmaceutical companies in the Baltimore area, and have completed research opportunities at area medical schools. For students interested in either medical or dental school, the capstone experience can be a potential “foot in the door” for admission into a graduate program. Several students have completed their capstone research assignment at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, where only 15% of Maryland residents who apply are admitted each year. One Stevenson University chemistry student was recently admitted into the School of Medicine, which testifies to the excellent preparation woven into the academic curriculum and to the dedication of the chemistry faculty. Other students have completed their capstone research assignment and have subsequently been admitted into graduate programs at Johns Hopkins University and UMBC. By coordinating with their adviser, it is possible for students to complete research at other schools where students anticipate receiving advanced degrees. Check out the Chemistry Department’s blog, which offers a closer look at the variety of capstone experiences available to students in the chemistry program.
Just as students may customize the program to match their professional goals, there is also a pre-pharmacy track in the chemistry program specifically designed for students interested in pursuing a career in pharmaceuticals. The pre-pharmacy track enables students to complete three years of study here at Stevenson University, and a fourth year of study at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy. The first year at University of Maryland School of Pharmacy articulates as Stevenson University’s fourth year, as per the pre-pharmacy track in the chemistry program at SU. The senior capstone is a 300 credit hour experience in which students assume a managerial position in a pharmacy (CVS Pharmacy); students learn about management, employee relations, and organization while applying classroom instruction in a professional atmosphere.
One track that has recently attracted many chemistry students at Stevenson University is the BS/MS track, which enables students to complete both a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in as little as five years. Chemistry students typically complete their Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, and pursue a Master of Science in Forensic Science. Stevenson University Chemistry students who select this track must first complete 60 undergraduate credits, attain a 3.2 cumulative GPA, and receive permission from the graduate and undergraduate department chairs. Eligible students begin taking six graduate courses (18 credits) in their junior and senior years, while paying the same tuition and receiving the same financial aid and scholarship awards as before. The Forensic Science Program at Stevenson University is closely affiliated with the Maryland State Police Forensic Sciences Division, and offers training from some of the MSP’s top experts in forensics. Students receive field placements in forensics laboratories utilized by Maryland law enforcement, and apply classroom instruction to hands-on experience.
The chemistry program has even taken the student’s learning experience outside of the classroom, far away in San Diego, California. One faculty member had received a summer grant and conducted research with a small group of students. The professor and students planned to fly out to San Diego to present their findings at a Biochemistry Convention there. Although the professor managed to leave Baltimore on time, the students missed their flight (although their baggage somehow wound up on the plane bound for San Diego)! The professor managed to secure the students’ bags, and was rewarded with several curious looks for claiming a dozen suitcases. Several hours later, the students and professor were reunited, and they successfully presented their findings in San Diego.
Stay tuned for more information about Stevenson University’s other exciting programs! You can learn more by visiting www.stevenson.edu and reviewing our twenty two undergraduate programs listed underneath “Academics.” You can also start the application process by clicking “Apply Now.”
So it has been a little while since I updated my blog! Sorry about that – been kind of busy around the office here, what with phone calls about missing information, fall registration, and so much more! We just started registering accepted transfer students for the fall semester – we had over 200 confirmed students, although we anticipate more coming in July for those students who applied later in May or had to reschedule their appointments.
We are still accepting applications for the fall semester, but here’s the deal: we are after the May 1 priority deadline, which means scholarships and housing are available on a first come, first serve basis. Whatever we have leftover is being distributed, but eligibility for either merit-based scholarships or housing does not guarantee you’ll receive them, since it is after the recommended May 1st deadline. In sum, complete the application as soon as possible – you can always roll back to the spring start term if need be. Also, get your FAFSA squared away, if you haven’t already done so. 90% of our student body receives some sort of financial aid, and we want to make sure you try every avenue as an applicant!
Even though Transfer Tuesday information sessions have concluded for the spring, there is still one more “A Closer Look at Nursing” information session, scheduled on May 19th at the Greenspring Campus, from 6-8 p.m. If you are currently working on prerequisites, have already completed all or most of them, or are just curious, please register online and meet our nursing faculty and program coordinators.
http://www.stevenson.edu/admissions/events/events_detail.asp?eventID=578
So anyway. Yesterday the School of Business was officially named the Howard S. Brown School of Business, named after local businessman Howard Brown. Read about it here:
http://www.stevenson.edu/admissions/news/news_story.asp?iNewsID=554&strBack=%2FDefault.asp
It was a fun occasion! Lots of food and games – even the Maryland Army National Guard came by. They brought this nifty humvee with a computer game console in the trunk. I’m not even kidding!
I can’t believe how fast the spring 09′ semester has gone by! We have one more Open House, on April 25th, which I strongly encourage all fall and future applicants to attend, since it is a great opportunity to meet faculty and staff, tour the campuses, and enjoy a lunch on us! Also, there is one more “Closer Look at Nursing” information sessions, for all applicants interested in the traditional option for the BSN Program here at SU; it is being held Tuesday, May 19th from 6-8 p.m.
For all you National Guard Veterans out there, I’m swinging by the 5th regiment armory on 4/25, to discuss how Stevenson U. can help you advance or begin a career path!
Hey folks!
I had tons of fun meeting prospective students in Montgomery County last week! I visited the Takoma Park, Germantown, and Rockville campuses. Next week I visit Hagerstown and Frederick Community Colleges – be there or be square!
Anyway, the real reason I am writing is to encourage all accepted students to RSVP to the annual Presidential Celebration on Saturday, April 4th. It begins around 1:30 . It is a great way to meet other students in your program of study (and learn more about your program by meeting faculty), touring both campuses, and…well…eating free food. RSVP by March 27th!! Sign up at:
http://www.stevenson.edu/admissions/visiting/pres-celeb/index.asp
See ya there, and congratulations for being accepted into Stevenson University!