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Programs within the School of Professional Studies

Addiction Studies
Applied Professional Studies
Business
Early Child Development
Intercultural Child Development
Liberal Studies
Psychology
Teacher Education
Master's Degree in Education
Masters in Clinical Psychology

Addiction Studies: Dr. Steven Stiles, Program Director
Dr. Steven Stiles

The Addiction Studies major offers students a degree which prepares them to serve as counselors in a variety of programs serving individuals who have drug and alcohol related issues. The program is designed to meet the requirements of the California Association of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors (CAADAC). Candidates complete the Certification Program in Addiction Counseling (CPAC) as part of their major requirements.

Mission Statement: The addiction studies program is committed to providing quality instruction, guidance, and connections with field sites to facilitate student success as addiction counselors.

Philosophy: The faculty and staff involved in supporting the major believe that all individuals are valuable to God and society and should be provided quality resources to facilitate a productive life of service.

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Applied Professional Studies: Dr. Sharon Anderson, Program Director
Dr. Sharon Anderson

The Applied Professional Studies major is structured to allow students to personalize a degree program to meet their needs. It is particularly appropriate for students who have a large number of transfer units, or who have changed majors and are re-entering school after an extended absence.

Mission Statement: The Applied Professional Studies faculty and staff are committed to providing professional service and support to students needing a personalized academic program.

Philosophy: The Applied Professional Studies faculty and staff believe in serving students to ensure the development of a quality educational program which serves the goals of the student and meets the mission of the College.

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Business: Joseph Childs, Program Director
Joseph Child

Department Mission: At Bethany University, business majors learn the principles of business within the context of a Christian-world view . The program integrates a variety of learning experiences to ensure graduates are competent and confident to operate with integrity in today's competitive global business environment.

The Bethany Advantage: Because our main campus is located near the heart of Silicon-Valley, Bethany business majors are able to avail themselves to internship opportunities at leading organizations. Graduates have gone on to work at companies such as Hewlett-Packard, General Dynamics, Cisco Systems, Sun Microsystems, and Seagate Technologies. Others have taken positions at leading financial institutions, small-businesses, and at non-profit organizations. Some have started their own companies. The program also provides foundational courses for those wishing to pursue an MBA, law school, or other advanced degrees.

At Bethany you will be more than a student ID number. Our low student-faculty ratio enables mentoring, access and interaction with instructors who have real-world experience in their teaching specialties.

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Certification Program in Addiction Counseling (CPAC): Dr. Steven Stiles, Program Director

This program is a certificate program which prepares students with the professional skills needed in addiction counseling. The program is designed to meet the requirements of the California Association of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors (CAADAC).

Mission Statement: Under the auspices of the Mission Statement of Bethany University, the CPAC program endeavors to provide addiction education which meets the standards of the California Association of Drug and Alcohol Counselors (CAADAC) California Association of Alcohol and Drug Educators (CAADE), the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and will prepare students to become counselors, administrators and specialized workers in the addictions field.

Philosophy: CPAC is committed to the provision of addiction counseling training with an emphasis on the centrality of academics, professionalism, as well as integration of personal and Christian growth and the Twelve Step Tradition.

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Early Child Development: Dr. Sharon Anderson, Program Director

The Early Child Development Program offers students a program which prepares them with the knowledge and skills necessary to teach and administrate in early childhood programs, both public and church-related. The program consists of specific courses related to the teaching of young children, and the administration of programs for young children. Students may obtain either an Associate of Arts degree or a Bachelor of Arts degree.

Mission Statement: The Early Child Development Program is committed to providing excellent education, training and practice with an intercultural emphasis in the field of early childhood education, both on campus and off-site. It is further committed to developing teachers and leaders for the development and implementation of education programs for children.

Philosophy: The primary philosophy of the ECD program is that early childhood is the cornerstone from which a Christian world view might grow. With the knowledge that education in early childhood is the foundation on which later learning is formed, teachers who are prepared with a strong Christian influence in developmental principles and appropriate teaching strategies can effectively meet the educational challenge in a variety of settings.

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Intercultural Child Development: Dr. Sharon Anderson, Program Director

The Intercultural Child Development major is designed to prepare students to teach and minister to children in any culture around the world, as well as to develop and administrate programs. The major includes specific courses in teaching young children, program administration, as well as courses in anthropology and missiology.

Mission Statement: The Intercultural Child Development Program is committed to providing excellent education, training and practice with an intercultural emphasis in the field of early childhood missions and education, both on campus and off-site. It is further committed to developing teachers and leaders for the development and implementation of education programs for children with a missions emphasis.

Philosophy: The primary philosophy of the ICD program is that early childhood is the cornerstone from which a Christian world view might grow. With the knowledge that education in early childhood is the foundation on which later learning is formed, teachers who are prepared with a strong Christian influence in developmental principles and appropriate teaching strategies can effectively meet the educational challenge at home and abroad.

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Psychology: Dr. William Snow, Program Director
Dr. William Snow

The Psychology major offers students a program of study which includes field experience. It is designed to prepare students for graduate study and to provide them the opportunity to integrate theology and psychology. The major best prepares student who desire to: 1) continue their education in graduate psychology and counseling programs; 2) pursue a variety of occupations, such as law or business, in which a broad psychology and social science background is helpful; and/or 3) enter a variety of ministry fields, including missions, church staff positions, and chaplaincy positions.

Mission Statement: The department of psychology at Bethany University seeks to provide excellent academic, professional, and human service training, based upon a Christian worldview, on a continuous basis to the church and society, in both traditional and non-traditional educational formats.

Philosophy: The Department of Psychology at Bethany University values the responsible integration of Christian faith and ethics with the knowledge base and practice of the field of psychology.

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Teacher Education Program: Dr. Marilyn Abplanalp, Program Director
Dr. Marilyn Abplanalp

The Teacher Education Program (TEP) includes several components. For undergraduates the Teacher Education Program offers the Liberal Studies Major with various specified concentrations as a program approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC)*. This major prepares students for teaching in an elementary school classroom and meets the subject matter competency requirements specified by the CCTC. The Teacher Education Program also includes a credential program for professional preparation coursework which is approved by the CCTC*, and a Master of Arts program.

Mission Statement: The Teacher Education Program personnel are committed to providing qualified Christian individuals with the training necessary to be leaders in the field of education, both public and non-public, and who demonstrate Christian principles in their lives by serving students, families, and society with integrity and in a culturally sensitive, competent, caring manner.

Philosophy: The philosophy of the Teacher Education Program personnel is to serve the credential and Master of Arts students and the private and public school communities. They will serve by instilling a commitment to life-long learning with an emphasis on exemplifying Christian qualities in serving the needs of the educational world, a commitment to respect for differences, and a commitment to meeting the needs of each individual student.

Liberal Studies Major (with designated concentrations)
Bethany University offers one major, Liberal Studies, which has been approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing*. The Liberal Studies major is designed to provide students desiring a solid background, in various disciplines, a quality education. The coursework develops an appropriate background for students seeking to enter a variety of graduate programs, including law and education. Candidates desiring to teach elementary school should complete the requirements for the Teacher Education Program-Liberal Studies* major in order to satisfy their subject matter competency requirement.

Mission Statement: The advisors and faculty providing services to the individuals desiring to teach elementary school or to have a broad educational base for a graduate degree, will provide ongoing assistance and training with an emphasis on excellence to develop individuals having a broad educational base and depth of experience in one emphasis area.

Philosophy: The advisors and faculty providing services to the students seeking a Liberal Studies major with a teacher education emphasis believe in providing quality education, ongoing support and availability, with an attitude of serving the student?s best interests both for the present, and as they develop toward a career of their choice.
During their freshman year, students desiring to complete the Liberal Studies major in order to meet their subject matter competency must complete a special application process. The special application and the description of the process are available through the Liberal Studies advisor. If students do not complete the special application and process and/or are not accepted as a student into the major for subject matter competency, they will be required to change majors.

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To verify subject matter competency the student must:

  1. Complete all coursework specified in the Teacher Education Program - Liberal Studies degrees plan with the designated area of concentration.
  2. Have ALL program modifications (including general Education course) approved by the program advisor and provided to the Registrar.
  3. Take ALL coursework for letter grades unless the college catalog specifies the course is only available with CR/NCR.
  4. Receive a grade of "C" or higher in all coursework for the degree.
  5. Take the Future Teachers Seminar class during their freshman or sophomore year (may repeat as often as desired).
  6. Write a senior thesis which meets the standards of the TEP Liberal Studies major advisor and the English department.
  7. Develop and give an oral presentation related to their senior thesis to an audience including their peers and an interdisciplinary panel of faculty.
  8. Compile a portfolio which:
    1. Documents their academic competence in each of the following areas:
      *science *children?s literature (evaluation and genre)
      *math *human development
      *history *linguistics and grammar
      *cultural awareness
    2. Documents their professionalism and readiness for being a teacher with two faculty references.
    3. Provides evidence of their skills in working with children which includes evaluations from public school classroom teachers.
    4. Provides a written statement of their philosophy of education.
    5. Other items as specified by the Liberal Studies advisor and/or as deemed relevant by the student.
      Subject matter competency is determined by more than completion of the designated coursework. Competency must be verified by the Teacher Education Program academic advisor. This verification may require additional documentation of competency. This documentation may include an interview by a panel, a presentation, portfolio, and/or other demonstration of competence as designated by the academic advisor.
      The Teacher Education Program faculty evaluate students on their performance and behavior, usually at the end of the sophomore year. This evaluation requirement is one aspect of the Program?s commitment to providing for excellence in its candidates and in so doing supporting excellence in the education profession. This evaluation provides the faculty with necessary information to advise students appropriately in terms of their future academic and career goals, as well as providing information on program effectiveness.

Accelerated Liberal Studies Major with Level I Credential
Students having a clear goal of becoming an elementary school teacher and seeking a California teaching credential, may apply to the Teaching Credential Program early for acceptance into the Accelerated Liberal Studies-Preliminary Credential Program. Students desiring to complete this program, and who are accepted, need to begin no later than their sophomore year, due to the sequence of courses within the program. There are specific entrance requirements including a minimum of a 3.0 G.P.A. during their freshmen year and completion of various other requirements for the application process (see Teaching Credential Program section on page 110 for details).
This program allows the student to complete all the requirements for the B.A. degree and all of the California Level I Credential requirements within 4 and one-half academic years. It is a rigorous program, and requires a commitment to attend school in the summers.
For further information and an application packet, contact the Liberal Studies advisor and refer to the Teaching Credential Program section on page 110 of the catalog.

Teaching Credential Program
The Teaching Credential Program is comprised of the professional coursework and field requirements designed to meet the standards established by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC) for being recommended for a California teaching credential. In addition to coursework and field requirements candidates must meet the professional behavior requirements commensurate with being recommended for becoming a public school teacher. Students who complete the program may choose to teach in either public or private schools.

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Master's Degree in Education: Dr. Marilyn Abplanalp, Program Director
Dr. Marilyn Abplanalp

The Master's Degree in Education is designed to prepare students to complete independent research in relation to the field of education. In addition the teaching credential requirements are included in the program's professional coursework.

Mission Statement: The Teacher Education Program Personnel are committed to providing qualified Christian individuals with the training necessary to be leaders in the field of education, both public and non-public, and who demonstrate Christian principles in their lives by serving students, families, and society with integrity and in a culturally sensitive, competent, caring manner.

Philosophy: The philosophy of the Teacher Education Program Personnel is to serve the credential and Master of Arts students and the private and public school communities. They will serve by instilling a commitment to life-long learning with an emphasis on exemplifying Christian qualities in serving the needs of the educational world, a commitment to respect for differences, and a commitment to meeting the needs of each individual student.

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Masters in Clinical Psychology: Dr. Heather Kelly, Program Director

The Master of Science degree in Clinical Psychology is designed to prepare men and women for front-line work in the helping professions. While widely applicable, the program is intensely practical and skill-oriented. Bethany's program incorporates the minimum educational requirements set forth by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences and prepares people for licensure as a Marriage and Family Therapist.

Bethany's Masters in Clinical Psychology provides an intimate, efficient, and quality graduate education that is Christian, WASC accredited, and BBS approved

Mission Statement: Our mission is to prepare competent and caring professionals in the discipline of clinical psychology. In addition to professional excellence, our mission is to view the discipline of clinical psychology from the lens of the Christian faith.

Philosophy: We perceive that intimacy, accountability, and self awareness are vital characteristics of Christian mental health professionals. Our training program is intentionally designed to model these qualities and foster them in our students.

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Bethany University is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, 985 Atlantic Avenue, Suite 100, Alameda, CA 94501, (510) 748-9001. Students attending Bethany can choose from sixteen undergraduate majors, one certificate program, two associate programs and three graduate programs.

Bethany University



Bethany University