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2014-2015 Graduate Catalog
at
Augsburg College
Graduate Catalog
2014-2015
Official Publication of Augsburg College
2211 Riverside Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55454
The Augsburg College Graduate Catalog contains information about academic program requirements and academic and
student policies...
Show more
2014-2015 Graduate Catalog
at
Augsburg College
Graduate Catalog
2014-2015
Official Publication of Augsburg College
2211 Riverside Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55454
The Augsburg College Graduate Catalog contains information about academic program requirements and academic and
student policies and procedures for fall semester 2014 - summer semester 2015. It is subject to change without notice.
The catalog is intended to complement other College publications including the Student Guide and College website. It is
important for students to be familiar with all College policies and procedures. Students are strongly encouraged to
consult their advisor(s) at least once each semester to be certain they are properly completing degree requirements.
Published 2014
Phone: 612-330-1000
www.augsburg.edu
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A Greeting from the President
I am pleased to know of your interest in Augsburg College’s exciting and innovative graduate programs. You are part of a
select and discerning group of professionals who seek to find a graduate program that combines an excellent
curriculum, a values-based approach to work, a talented and experienced faculty, and program formats that meet the
needs of busy and successful people. Augsburg College’s graduate-level programs in Business Administration, Creative
Writing, Education, Leadership, Nursing, Physician Assistant Studies, and Social Work are distinguished by the
opportunities they provide students to expand decision-making and strategic skills.
Augsburg College is characterized by a strong mission: Augsburg College educates students to be informed citizens,
thoughtful stewards, critical thinkers, and responsible leaders. The Augsburg experience is supported by an engaged
community that is committed to intentional diversity in its life and work. An Augsburg education is defined by excellence
in the liberal arts and professional studies, guided by the faith and values of the Lutheran church, and shaped by its
urban and global settings.
For our graduate programs, this mission helps to shape an innovative educational experience that features an expansive
perspective on social responsibility, economic realities, business initiative, and environmental sustainability.
At Augsburg College we believe that our distinctive educational purpose is to help you find your calling, at work and in
the world. Augsburg graduate programs are designed to offer you quality educational experiences, personal attention,
and opportunities to expand your personal and professional talents and skills. We are confident that our graduates are
prepared for leadership in our ever-changing global society, the hallmark of an Augsburg degree.
Sincerely,
Paul C. Pribbenow, Ph.D.
President
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Greetings from the Academic Affairs Office
Welcome to graduate studies at Augsburg College. We are committed to education that prepares people for leadership
in their communities and places of work. We believe that learning based upon intentional integration of the liberal and
professional arts and sciences provides the best preparation for living in the fast-paced, changing, and complex world of
today and tomorrow.
We expect our graduate students to achieve tangible and measurable outcomes from their studies at Augsburg:
specialized knowledge in a field of study, applied and collaborative learning, advanced intellectual skills (especially in
engaging diverse perspectives and communication fluency), and demonstrated civic and global learning.
When you join Augsburg, you become part of a community that offers lifelong learning opportunities in state-of-the-art
physical and online classrooms with accessible libraries and dedicated faculty and staff. Our locations in vital
metropolitan areas and the opportunities we provide for international travel offer exciting and challenging real-life
learning. Cities and countries become extended campuses for Augsburg students. Additionally, the diversity in our own
campus community ensures that our graduates are prepared for the range of experiences and perspectives that
characterize today’s global environment.
All of our graduate programs share distinctive qualities, including our commitment and mission to be of service, with
one another and to our neighbors. Inspired by the faith of our Lutheran founders to be inclusive to the early immigrants
who came to Augsburg’s doors, we welcome a diversity of cultures and faiths. And, we encourage interdisciplinary
courses and opportunities for you to study with colleagues across disciplines.
At the same time, each graduate program also has its own “neighborhood” and unique features. You join a body of
experienced people that expands your network of employer connections and career opportunities. We encourage our
alumni to become your mentors and build on our city and global connections through public events, including our
convocations and our annual, internationally-recognized Nobel Peace Prize Forum.
We are companions on your journey in fulfilling your dream of a graduate degree and we cannot wait to meet you.
Sincerely,
Lori A. Peterson
Assistant Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean of Graduate and Professional Studies
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About Augsburg
At Augsburg College, we believe that graduate education should prepare gifted people for positions of leadership in
their communities and places of work. Augsburg graduates will be able to demonstrate not only the mastery of a major
field of study, but also the ability to apply critical thinking, problem solving, and advanced communication skills in a
collaborative approach within that discipline, thereby engaging others with diverse perspectives in the work of
advancing civic and global initiatives critical for a sustainable future.
The heart of an Augsburg education is the Augsburg mission, informed by the liberal and professional arts and sciences,
to serve our neighbors in the heart of the city and out into the world with faith-based, ethical values. We welcome
students from a diversity of backgrounds and experiences. Also, our programs look to the world through international
courses and cultural exchanges.
Mission Statement
Students who graduate from Augsburg are well prepared to make a difference in the world. They stand as testaments to
the College motto, “Education for Service,” and mission:
Augsburg College educates students to be informed citizens, thoughtful stewards, critical thinkers, and responsible
leaders. The Augsburg experience is supported by an engaged community that is committed to intentional diversity in its
life and work. An Augsburg education is defined by excellence in the liberal arts and professional studies, guided by the
faith and values of the Lutheran Church, and shaped by its urban and global settings.
Augsburg Today
Augsburg was the first seminary founded by Norwegian Lutherans in America, named after the confession of faith
presented by Lutherans in Augsburg, Germany, in 1530. Augsburg opened in September 1869, in Marshall, Wisconsin,
and moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1872. A Rochester, Minnesota campus was added in 2002. A short history of
Augsburg College can be found at www.augsburg.edu/about/history.
Today, Augsburg continues to reflect the commitment and dedication of its founders who believed:
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Education should have a solid liberal arts core at the graduate level; this focus centers on the ability to think critically
and broadly about the world and the work we do in it.
An Augsburg education should be preparation for service in community and centers of faith.
The city—with all its excitement, challenges, and diversity—is an unequaled learning environment.
The vision of the College’s work today is lived out in the phrase, “We believe we are called to serve our neighbor.”
Through common commitments to living faith, active citizenship, meaningful work, and global perspective, Augsburg
prepares its students to become effective, ethical citizens in a complex global society.
Degrees Offered
Augsburg offers the following graduate degrees:
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Master of Arts in Education*
Master of Arts in Leadership
Master of Arts in Nursing*
Master of Business Administration*
Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing
Master of Music Therapy
Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies
Master of Social Work
Doctor of Nursing Practice* (with tracks in Transcultural Nursing and Family Nurse Practitioner)
Augsburg offers the following dual degrees:
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Bachelor of Arts in Accounting/Master of Arts in Leadership
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Master of Arts in Leadership/Master of Business Administration
Master of Social Work/Master of Business Administration
Master of Social Work/Master of Arts in Theology, with Luther Seminary
*Programs offered at both of Augsburg’s campuses (Minneapolis and Rochester, MN)
A Community of Learners
Essential to the goals of Augsburg’s graduate programs is participation in a community of adult learners. This community
is enriched by the presence of men and women with a variety of work and life experiences. To facilitate this kind of
community interaction, Augsburg encourages students to make use of all College facilities, whether a student in
Minneapolis or Rochester, and to participate in College activities such as music and dramatic presentations and
lecture/speaker events.
Graduate Faculty
The heart of any educational institution is its faculty, and Augsburg College is particularly proud of the excellence and
commitment of its professors. Most faculty hold the doctorate or other terminal degree, and all consider teaching and
service to be the focus of their activity at the College. Faculty are involved in social, professional, and a variety of
research activities, but these support and are secondary to their teaching. Faculty are actively involved in a dynamic
faculty development program that introduces them to best practices in teaching and learning techniques and theories.
Augsburg’s small classes encourage its tradition of close involvement between professors and students. Faculty act as
academic advisors and participate regularly in campus activities.
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Locations
Minneapolis Campus
Augsburg College is located in the heart of the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota. The campus is
bordered by Riverside Avenue and Interstate 94, near the University of Minnesota West Bank campus and the University
of Minnesota Medical Center.
Downtown Minneapolis is just minutes away, providing access to internships and careers with some of the country’s
leading companies as well as entertainment, arts, sports venues, shopping, dining, and transportation. The campus is
blocks from the Hiawatha light rail line and the Central Corridor line, which provide easy access to Minneapolis, St. Paul,
and the Minneapolis International Airport.
Rochester campus
Augsburg’s branch campus in Rochester was established in 1998 as a natural extension of the College’s mission and its
expertise in teaching working adults. Degrees offered on the Rochester campus include the Master of Business
Administration, Master of Arts in Nursing*, Master of Arts in Education*, and Doctor of Nursing Practice*, as well as
several undergraduate majors.
The Rochester campus classrooms and offices are located at Bethel Lutheran Church (ELCA), a few blocks south of the
heart of the city, which is home to about 100,000 residents. Rochester is a city that enjoys a rich ethnic diversity and
superior technological resources.
Augsburg classes in Rochester meet on a semester schedule with classes taking place on weekday evenings and on
occasional Saturdays, making them accessible to working adults. Students may also take courses within their program at
the Minneapolis campus.
Students at the Rochester campus are Augsburg College students. They are supported through an array of e-learning
resources ranging from access to Lindell Library databases to the use of online course management software.
Information about the Rochester campus is available at www.augsburg.edu/rochester or by calling the Rochester office
at 507-288-2886.
*Program includes some Minneapolis courses
Abroad Locations
Augsburg is enhanced by its global centers in Namibia, Mexico, and Central America. Students can perform research,
take courses, or consult with faculty in those locations to gain new perspectives on their disciplines.
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Facilities
Instruction facilities and student housing at Augsburg are conveniently located near each other. A tunnel/ramp/skyway
system connects the two tower residence halls, the five buildings on the Quadrangle, plus Music Hall, Lindell Library,
Oren Gateway Center, and the Foss, Lobeck, Miles Center for Worship, Drama, and Communication.
Instruction facilities and student housing at Augsburg are conveniently located near each other. A tunnel/ramp/skyway
system connects the two tower residence halls, the five buildings on the Quadrangle, plus Music Hall, Lindell Library,
Oren Gateway Center, and the Foss, Lobeck, Miles Center for Worship, Drama, and Communication.
Admissions Office—The Office of Admissions is located on the lower level of Christensen Center.
Anderson Hall (1993)—Named in honor of Oscar Anderson, President of Augsburg College from 1963 to 1980, this
residence hall is located at 2016 8th Street. Anderson Hall contains four types of living units and houses 192 students, as
well as the Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies; Center for Global Education; and the Office of Marketing
and Communication.
Counseling and Health Promotion—The Center for Counseling and Health Promotion (CCHP) offers programs and
services that enhance student learning by promoting personal development and well-being.
Christensen Center (1967)—The College center, with the Admissions Office, student lounge and recreational areas, the
Strommen Center for Meaningful Work, the Commons dining facility and Einstein Bros. Bagels, two art galleries, copy
center, and offices for student government and student publications.
Edor Nelson Field—The athletic field, located at 725 23rd Avenue, is the playing and practice field of many of the
Augsburg teams. An air-supported dome covers the field during winter months, allowing year-round use.
Foss, Lobeck, Miles Center for Worship, Drama, and Communication (1988)—The Foss Center is named in recognition
of the Julian and June Foss family. The Tjornhom-Nelson Theater, Hoversten Chapel, and the Arnold Atrium are also
housed in this complex, which provides space for campus ministry, the drama and communication offices.
Ice Arena (1974)—Two skating areas provide practice space for hockey and figure skating, and recreational skating for
Augsburg and the metropolitan community.
Kennedy Center (2007)—Completed in 2007 as a three-story addition to Melby Hall and named for Dean (’75) and Terry
Kennedy, it features a state-of-the-art wrestling training center, fitness center, classrooms for health and physical
education, and hospitality facilities.
The James G. Lindell Family Library (1997)—This library and information technology center houses all library functions
and brings together the computer technology resources of the College. It also houses the Gage Center for Student
Success. The library is located on the corner of 22nd Avenue and 7th Street and the Center for Learning and Adaptive
Student Services (CLASS).
Luther Hall (1999)—Named for theologian Martin Luther, Luther Hall is a three-story apartment complex along 20th
Avenue, between 7th and 8th Streets that houses juniors and seniors in units from efficiencies to two-bedroom suites.
Melby Hall (1961)—Named in honor of J. S. Melby (dean of men from 1920 to 1942, basketball coach, and head of the
Christianity Department). It provides facilities for the health and physical education program, intercollegiate and
intramural athletics, the Hoyt Messerer Fitness Center, and general auditorium purposes. The Ernie Anderson Center
Court was dedicated in 2001.
Mortensen Hall (1973)—Named in honor of Gerda Mortensen (dean of women from 1923 to 1964), it has 104 one- and
two-bedroom apartments that house 312 upper-class students, the Department of Public Safety and a lounge area.
Music Hall (1978)—Contains Sateren Auditorium, a 217-seat recital hall, classroom facilities, two rehearsal halls, music
libraries, practice studios, and offices for the music faculty.
Old Main (1900)—Home for the Department of Art and the Department of Languages and Cross-Cultural Studies, with
classrooms used by other departments. Extensively remodeled in 1980, Old Main combines energy efficiency with
architectural details from the past. It is included on the National Register of Historic Places.
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Oren Gateway Center (2007)—Named for lead donors and alumni Don and Beverly Oren, it is home for the StepUP
program, Institutional Advancement offices, the Alumni and Parent and Family Relations Offices, Bernhard Christensen
Center for Vocation, the Master of Business Administration Program, the Master of Arts in Leadership program, the
Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing program, and substance-free student housing. It also houses the Barnes & Noble
Augsburg Bookstore, Nabo Café, Gage Family Art Gallery, and the Johnson Conference Center.
Science Hall (1949)—Houses classrooms; laboratories for biology, chemistry, and physics; mathematics; a medium-sized
auditorium; faculty offices, administrative offices, and various other program offices.
Sverdrup Hall (1955)—Named in honor of Augsburg’s fourth president, it contains the Enrollment Center, as well as
classrooms and faculty offices.
Sverdrup-Oftedal Memorial Hall (1938)—Built as a residence hall and named in honor of Augsburg’s second and third
presidents, it contains the President’s Office, Human Resources, and other administrative and faculty offices.
Urness Hall (1967)—Named in honor of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Urness, this tower provides living quarters for 324 firstyear students. Each floor is a “floor unit,” providing 36 residents, housed two to a room, with their own lounge, study,
and utility areas.
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Accreditation, Approvals, and Memberships
Augsburg College is accredited by:
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The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)
Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA)
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) (bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees)
Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) (bachelor’s and master’s degrees)
American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) (bachelor’s and master’s degrees)
Augsburg’s programs are approved by:
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American Chemical Society
Minnesota Board of Teaching
Minnesota Board of Nursing
National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS)
National Association of Schools of Music
Augsburg College is an institutional member of:
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American Association of Colleges and Universities (AACU)
American Association of Colleges of Teacher Education (AACTE)
American Association of Higher Education (AAHE)
American Music Therapy Association, Inc.
Association of Writers & Writing Programs (AWP)
Campus Compact
Council of Independent Colleges (CIC)
Lutheran Education Council in North America (LECNA)
National Association of Schools of Music (NASM)
National Society for Experiential Education (NSEE)
Physician Assistant Education Association
Associated Colleges of the Twin Cities (ACTC)
Higher Education Consortium for Urban Affairs (HECUA)
Minnesota Private College Council MPCC)
Twin Cities Adult Education Alliance (TCAEA)
Augsburg College is registered with the Minnesota Office of Higher Education. Registration is not an endorsement of the
institution. Registration does not mean that credits earned at the institution can be transferred to other institutions or
that the quality of the educational programs would meet the standards of every student, educational institution, or
employer.
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Policies
Non-Discrimination Policy
Augsburg College, as affirmed in its mission, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national or
ethnic origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, status with regard to
public assistance, or disability in its educational policies, admissions policies, employment, scholarship and loan
programs, athletic and/or school-administered programs, except in those instances where there is a bona fide
occupational qualification or to comply with state or federal law. Augsburg College is committed to providing reasonable
accommodations to its employees and students. (Approved by the Augsburg Board of Regents Executive Committee on
June 16, 2010).
For inquiries or grievances in any of the following areas, contact the director of Human Resources, ground floor,
Memorial Hall 19, 612-330-1058.
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Affirmative Action—for matters based on race, creed, national, or ethnic origin
Section 504—for matters based on physical or mental handicap
Title IX—for matters based on gender or marital status
Employment—All correspondence should be addressed to the Office of Human Resources at Augsburg College, 2211
Riverside Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55454.
The Director of Human Resources serves as the Title IX officer and may be reached at 612-330-1058.
Deputy Officer for Students:
Dean of Students
Sarah Griesse
612-330-1489
griesse@augsburg.edu
Deputy Officer for Athletics:
Kelly Anderson Diercks
Assistant Athletic Director
612-330-1245
diercks@augsburg.edu
Deputy Officer for Employees:
Interim AVP, Human Resources
Dionne Doering
612-330-1602
doering@augsburg.edu
Any questions concerning Augsburg’s compliance with federal or state regulations implementing equal access and
opportunity can be directed to the Affirmative Action Coordinator, Human Resources, CB 79, Augsburg College, 2211
Riverside Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55454, 612-330-1058.
The College and its faculty subscribe to the Statement of Principles on Academic Freedom as promulgated by the
American Association of University Professors and the Association of American Colleges.
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA), as amended, provides certain rights to students
regarding their education records. Each year Augsburg College is required to give notice of the various rights accorded to
students pursuant to FERPA. In accordance with FERPA, you are notified of the following:
Right to inspect and review education records
You have the right to review and inspect substantially all of your education records maintained by or at Augsburg
College. The student must request to review their education records in writing with their signature. The College will
respond in a reasonable time, but no later than 45 days after receiving the request.
Right to request amendment of education records
You have the right to seek to have corrected any parts of an education record that you believe to be inaccurate,
misleading, or otherwise in violation of your right to privacy. This includes the right to a hearing to present evidence that
the record should be changed if Augsburg decides not to alter your education records according to your request.
Right to give permission for disclosure of personally identifiable information
You have the right to be asked and to give Augsburg your permission to disclose personally identifiable information
contained in your education records, except to the extent that FERPA and the regulations regarding FERPA authorize
disclosure without your permission. One such exception which permits disclosure without consent is for disclosure to
school officials who have legitimate education interests. A school official is a person employed by the College in an
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administrative, supervisory, academic or research, or support staff position (including law enforcement unit personnel
and health staff); person or company with whom the College has contracted (such as an attorney, auditor, or collection
agent); a person serving on the board of regents, or a student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or
grievance committee, or assisting another school official performing his or her tasks. A school official has a legitimate
educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional
responsibility.
Right to withhold disclosure of “directory information”
FERPA uses the term “Directory Information” to refer to those categories of personally identifiable information that may
be released for any purpose at the discretion of Augsburg College without notification of the request or disclosure to the
student.
Under FERPA you have the right to withhold the disclosure of the directory information listed below. Please consider
very carefully the consequences of any decision by you to withhold directory information. Should you decide to inform
Augsburg College not to release Directory Information, any future request for such information from persons or
organizations outside of Augsburg College will be refused.
“Directory information” includes the following:
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The student’s name
The student’s address
The student’s telephone number
The student’s e-mail address
The student’s date and place of birth
The student’s major and minor field of study
The student’s academic class level
The student’s enrollment status (FT/HT/LHT)
The student’s participation in officially-recognized activities and sports
The student’s degrees and awards received (including dates)
The weight and height of members of athletic teams
The student’s dates of attendance
Previous educational agencies or institutions attended by the student
The student’s photograph
Augsburg College will honor your request to withhold all Directory Information but cannot assume responsibility to
contact you for subsequent permission to release it. Augsburg assumes no liability for honoring your instructions that
such information be withheld. The Registrar’s Office must be notified in writing of your intent to withhold your Directory
Information.
Right to complain to FERPA Office
You have the right to file a complaint with the Family Policy Compliance Office, US Department of Education, 400
Maryland Ave. SW, Washington, DC, 20202, concerning Augsburg’s failure to comply with FERPA.
Reporting Educational Information
Letters of reference must be requested in writing and explicitly indicate what information may be reported in the letter.
Clery Act
The Clery Act Annual Report for Augsburg College contains statistics on reported crimes on and near Augsburg property
and campus, as well as institutional policies concerning campus security and crime. The report is available online at
www.augsburg.edu/dps. For a printed copy, contact Augsburg’s Department of Public Safety at 612-330-1717.
Copyright Policy
Augsburg College Graduate Programs follows the norms of the US Copyright Law in granting exclusive rights under the
Copyright Act to faculty and student authors to reproduce their original works, to use them as the basis for derivative.
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Student Rights
The College has adopted a statement of student rights and responsibilities and has provided for due process in the
matter of disciplinary action, grievances, and grade appeal, as outlined in the Augsburg Student Guide, at
www.augsburg.edu/studentguide.
Official Notices
Students will receive official notices via the student campus mail system (student campus box), the A-Mail publication,
and the student’s Augsburg e-mail account. Students should check their campus mailbox and their student e-mail
account regularly. The A-Mail is a daily online publication on Inside Augsburg.
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Graduate Admissions
All graduate programs require students to have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally-accredited four-year institution or
an equivalent degree from outside the US.
All graduate students must submit completed applications. Each graduate program also has additional program
requirements, which may include coursework, professional experience, testing, etc. See the program sections for these
additional requirements.
Please refer to each individual program’s catalog section (below) for additional instructions and for detailed information
on applying to graduate programs, refer to the Graduate Admissions website at www.augsburg.edu/grad.
Readmission
Graduate students who have not registered for courses at Augsburg College for two or more semesters, must apply for
readmission through the Registrar’s Office to resume attendance. Students who have attended other institutions during
their absence from Augsburg must have an official transcript sent from each institution to the Registrar’s Office.
Returning students do not pay the application fee.
The last day to receive approval for readmission to the College and register for classes is the Friday prior to the start of
the term. Pending approval by the graduate program, students who left on probation or who were dismissed from the
College must have their readmission application and file reviewed by the program director. (Please consult with
individual programs for information regarding readmission process).
Special Student Admission
Students who are non-degree-seeking, but wish to enroll for academic credit in courses within a graduate degree
program, may be considered for admission as special students (non-degree). Special students (non-degree) can enroll on
a space-available basis. Registration dates are included in the College’s Academic Calendar. Admission requires program
director approval, and the student must be in good standing at all previously attended institutions.
To be considered for admission as a special student (non-degree), the items listed below must be submitted to the
Admissions Office. Some programs may have additional requirements.
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Completed special-status application for admission
An official transcript of undergraduate and/or last degree earned. A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited
institution is the minimum requirement for admission. Students who have earned a degree outside the US must
have their transcript evaluated to confirm it is equivalent to a US bachelor’s degree or greater.
If a non-degree seeking student is pursuing regular admission status into the program; he or she should submit an
application requesting regular admission to that program and submit the additional materials needed for regular
admission to that program. Special student status is conferred for only one term of enrollment. Additional terms require
reapplication as a special student (non-degree). Students may count up to 6-8 semester credits earned as a special
student (non-degree) toward an Augsburg College degree with approval of the program director.
International Students Admission
Augsburg College graduate programs encourage qualified applicants from other countries to apply.
An F-1 student is a nonimmigrant who is pursuing a “full course of study” to achieve a specific educational or
professional objective at an academic institution in the United States that has been designated by the Department of
Homeland Security (DHS) to offer courses of study to such students, and has been enrolled in SEVIS (Student and
Exchange Visitor Information System).
A student acquires F-1 status using form I-20, issued by a DHS-approved school through SEVIS. Status is acquired in one
of two ways:
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If the student is abroad, by entering the United States with the I-20 and an F-1 visa obtained at a US consulate.
If the student is already in the United States and not currently in F-1 status, by sending the I-20 to USCIS (United
States Citizenship and Immigration Services) with an application for change of nonimmigrant status.
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A student who is maintaining valid F-1 status may transfer from another DHS-approved school to Augsburg by following
the transfer procedures set forth in the F-1 regulations.
In addition to fulfilling all general admission requirements for a particular graduate program, prospective F-1 students
must also comply with the following:
English Proficiency Requirements for International Graduate Applicants
To meet Augsburg College admission requirements, you must provide evidence of a sufficient command of both written
and spoken English to study college courses conducted entirely in English. Below is a list of the tests and programs
Augsburg College accepts as evidence for English proficiency.
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TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
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IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
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www.ielts.org/
Score report of 6.5.
MELAB (Michigan English Language Assessment Battery)
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www.toefl.org/
Score report of 80 on the Internet-based TOEFL (iBT) with a subscore of 20 on the written and 20 on the
speaking sections. (The Augsburg College TOEFL code is 6014.)
www.cambridgemichigan.org/melab
Score report of 80, and score report must be accompanied by an official letter from the testing coordinator.
Successful completion of a previous undergraduate or graduate degree at an accredited college or university in the
US, the United Kingdom, Ireland, English-speaking Canada, New Zealand, or Australia.
Score reports must be sent to Augsburg directly from the testing center. Score reports must not be more than two years
old.
Foreign Credential Evaluation
Augsburg requires foreign credential evaluation for any transcript(s) from an institution outside of the United States.
This evaluation should include the following:
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Analysis of credentials to determine if your degree is equivalent to an accredited US bachelor’s degree
Verification the degree is equivalent, at a minimum, to a four-year US bachelor’s degree is required.
Course-by-course evaluation to show your complete course listing with credit values and grades received for each
course, may also be required for specific programs.
Calculation of grade point average to demonstrate your cumulative grade point average using the standard US
grading system, i.e., A=4.0, B=3.0, C=2.0, D=1.0, F=0.0.
Translation to English (if applicable)
The evaluation report must be sent directly to Augsburg’s Office of Admissions. Refer to World Education Services at
www.wes.org for information on how to obtain a foreign credential evaluation.
Proof of Financial Support
International applicants must provide reliable documentation that they have financial resources adequate to meet
expenses for the duration of their academic program, which include tuition and fees, books and supplies, room and
board, health insurance, personal expenses, and living expenses for dependents (if applicable).
Funds may come from any dependable source, including scholarships, fellowships, sponsoring agencies, personal funds,
or funds from the student’s family. Documentation of scholarships and fellowships may be in the form of an official
award letter from the school or sponsoring agency; documentation of personal or family funds should be on bank
letterhead stationery, or in the form of a legally binding affidavit. Government Form I-134, Affidavit of Support, or
Augsburg’s Financial Sponsorship form can be used to document support being provided by a US citizen or US legal
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permanent resident. All financial documents such as bank statements must be dated within three months prior to the
date of application.
Health Insurance
All F-1 international students and their dependents (if applicable) are required to have adequate health insurance
coverage for the duration of their program. International students will be enrolled in the Augsburg international student
plan unless they fill out a waiver verifying proof of coverage through an alternative provider for the same period.
15
Financing Your Education
Costs for Graduate Studies
The Board of Regents approves the costs for the academic year. The board reviews costs annually and makes changes as
required. The College reserves the right to adjust charges should economic conditions necessitate.
Program Tuition and Fees
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Master of Arts in Nursing (MAN)
Master of Arts in Education (MAE)
Master of Arts in Education Tribal (MAET)
Master of Arts in Leadership (MAL)
Master of Fine Arts (MFA)
Master of Social Work (MSW)
Master of Business Administration (MBA)
Master of Arts in Music Therapy (MMT)
Master of Science in Physician Assistant (MPA)
$894 per 1.0 credit
$683 per 1.0 credit
$550 per 1.0 credit
UMD Rate
$776 per 1.0 credit
$604 per 1.0 credit
$648 per 1.0 credit
$776 per 1.0 credit
$775 per 1.0 credit
$716 per 1.0 credit*
Tuition:
Students are charged per credit. All associated costs must be paid by the beginning of each semester to avoid accruing
finance charges, unless you have enrolled in an official payment plan through Student Financial Services.
Fees:
The standard semester fees are the Student Activity Fee and the Wind Energy Fee. Specific courses or programs may
have additional fees associated with them, such as lab or supply fees.
Payments
Semester Charges
Prior to the start of each semester a statement of estimated charges showing charges and financial aid credits
designated by the Student Financial Services Office is sent to the student via e-mail. All statements are available online
through Augnet’s Records and Registration site. Payments can be made online at
www.augsburg.edu/studentfinancial/make-a-payment/. Augsburg may charge late fees and interest on delinquent
accounts. Review the full policy regarding past due balances online at www.augsburg.edu/studentfinancial/disclosure/
Payment Options
Augsburg College offers payment plan options for all students. Information about payment plans is available online at
www.augsburg.edu/studentfinancial/policies/disclosure/.
Financial Aid
All students who wish to be considered for financial assistance must establish financial aid eligibility on an annual basis.
This includes completing the application process as outlined below and making satisfactory academic progress. In order
to maintain eligibility in financial aid programs, students must make satisfactory academic progress toward the
attainment of their degree or certificate as stipulated in the College catalog.
Financial assistance awarded through Augsburg may be a combination of grants and loans. The College cooperates with
federal, state, church, and private agencies in providing various aid programs.
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps determine the amount of assistance for which a student is
eligible. This analysis takes into account such family financial factors as current income, assets, number of dependent
family members, other educational expenses, retirement needs, and special considerations.
16
Types of Aid
A student applying for aid from Augsburg applies for assistance in general rather than for a specific scholarship or grant
(except as noted).
Institutional Grants/Discounts
Augsburg offers grants/discounts for a variety of different students. Specific information about the different grants and
scholarships, along with eligibility requirements, can be found online at
http://www.augsburg.edu/studentfinancial/payment-plans-and-discounts/
Loan Assistance
Graduate students must be enrolled at least half-time in order to receive federal loans. Three semester credits per term
is considered half-time. Six semester credits per term is considered full-time.
•
Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Student Loan
o
•
Interest begins accruing on the date of disbursement and the borrower is responsible for all interest. The
borrower may choose to make payments while in school or may defer payments and allow interest to accrue
and be capitalized (added to the balance of the loan).
Federal Graduate Loan Program (PLUS)
o
Graduate PLUS is a loan program to help graduate students meet college costs. Students may borrow up to the
cost of attendance (minus all other student financial aid).
Further information about loan programs can be found online at http://www.augsburg.edu/studentfinancial/.
Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy
Federal regulations require that all higher education institutions establish and implement a policy to measure whether
students [1] receiving financial aid [2] are making satisfactory academic progress toward the completion of a degree.
The purpose of this policy is to make sure that students who receive financial aid are using this money wisely. It is meant
to curtail the use of financial aid by students who fail to successfully complete their course work. Failure to meet the
following standards makes a student ineligible for all institutional, federal, and state financial aid.
Standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress
1) Minimum GPA requirements
Undergraduate Students
Students must maintain a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA based on the entire academic record.
Graduate Students
Students must maintain a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA based on the entire academic record.
2) Minimum Credits Completed
Undergraduate Students
Students must earn a cumulative 67% of the credits attempted based on the entire academic record. A completed credit
has a grade of 4.0 – 0.5 or P. Credits earned and completed will include accepted cumulative transfer credits as defined
by the Registrar’s Office. Unsatisfactory grades “W (Withdrawn),” “I (Incomplete),” “F (Zero),” and “N (Not Passing)” are
counted towards the cumulative attempted credits. Repeat Courses and remedial courses are not counted towards the
cumulative attempted credits.
Graduate Students
Students must earn a cumulative 67% of the credits attempted based on the entire academic record. A completed credit
has a grade of 4.0 – 2.5 or P. Credits earned and completed will include accepted cumulative transfer credits as defined
by the Registrar’s Office. Unsatisfactory grades “W (withdrawn),” “I (Incomplete),” “F (Zero),” and “N (Not Passing)” are
counted towards the cumulative attempted credits. Repeat Courses and remedial courses are not counted towards the
cumulative attempted credits.
17
3) Maximum Time Frame
Undergraduate Students
To demonstrate academic progress, undergraduate students must complete their degree objective within 150% of the
length of the program. In the CORE Curriculum, a student needs a minimum of 32 credits to graduate with a bachelor’s
degree. For those under the CORE Curriculum, they may not exceed attempting 49 credits. For students under the
Perspectives and Skills Curriculum, a student cannot exceed attempting 52 credits.
A student who reaches the 150% maximum time frame to complete their degree due to a change in major will need to
notify the Student Financial Services Office in order to continue to receive financial aid.
Graduate Students
To demonstrate academic progress, graduate students must complete their degree objective within 150% of the length
of the program.
Requirements to Meet Satisfactory Academic Progress Standards
1) Cumulative GPA
Undergraduate Students
Students who are not meeting the GPA SAP standard will need to follow the Academic Probation standards set forth by
Augsburg College Registrar’s Office. The student must maintain a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA or higher.
Graduate Students
Students who are not meeting the GPA SAP standard must maintain a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA or higher.
2) Minimum Credits Attempted
Undergraduate and Graduate students earning less than 67% credits attempted must be enrolled at least half-time,
must earn all attempted credits, cannot withdraw from any of the courses, and must achieve a minimum grade of 2.0 or
better in each course.
3) Maximum Time Frame
Undergraduate and Graduate students must complete and attain their degree within the 150% of the length of the
program.
Monitoring and Evaluating Progress
In order to ensure SAP standards are being met, the office of Student Financial Services will evaluate and monitor the
students’ academic achievement at the end of each term. After the student’s record is evaluated and the Student
Financial Services Office determined the student to be unsatisfactory, the student will be placed on Financial Aid
Warning or Financial Aid Probation. Students will be notified through their Augsburg email if they fail to meet SAP
standards.
Financial Aid Warning
A student who fails to meet SAP standards will be placed on Financial Aid Warning for the following term of enrollment.
Students placed on Financial Aid Warning will still be eligible to receive financial aid. A student on Financial Aid Warning
must work with the designated Financial Aid Counselor to submit an academic plan. Financial Aid Warning will conclude
when the student meets SAP standards, or guidelines set forth in the academic plan. Students currently on Financial Aid
Warning who do not meet the standards at the end of the term will be placed on Financial Aid Probation. Students can
continue to be placed on Financial Aid Warning for periods longer than one term on a case by case basis and/or as
determined by the Student Financial Services Office.
Financial Aid Probation
A student who fails to meet either the minimum GPA requirement or minimum credits attempted while on Financial Aid
Warning will be placed on Financial Aid Probation. A student on Financial Aid Probation is ineligible to receive any form
of financial aid. A student on Financial Aid Probation may submit an appeal to reinstate their financial aid, and if the
18
appeal is approved, the student must work with the designated Financial Aid Counselor to submit an academic plan.
Financial Aid Probation will conclude when the student meets SAP standards, or guidelines set forth in the academic
plan. Students can continue to be placed on Financial Aid Probation for periods longer than one term on a case by case
basis and/or determined by the Student Financial Services Office.
Financial Aid will be suspended when a student placed on Financial Aid Probation does not meet SAP standards. Because
grades may not be available before the beginning of the next scheduled term, it is possible that financial aid may be
disbursed to a student before the review can be conducted. In the event that a student is found to be ineligible for the
financial aid that has been disbursed due to a failure to meet one of the Standards, the aid that was disbursed will be
canceled, and returned to the appropriate program(s).
Right to Appeal
Students who have had their financial aid suspended may submit the SAP Appeal Form to the Student Financial Services
Office. The appeal must be submitted within 7 days of notification of unsatisfactory status or by the due date given on
the appeal letter. The SAP Appeal Form must be completely filled out, along with any additional documents required by
the Committee. The appeal should state reasons why the student failed to meet SAP standards, and what changed for
the student that will allow the student to demonstrate progress towards meeting SAP standards. The appeal will be
decided by the SAP Committee. All decisions made by the Committee are final.
[1] Include all degree seeking students in both the Undergraduate Day and Augsburg for Adults, and all Graduate
programs.
[2] Financial Aid is defined as: Augsburg Institutional Aid, Federal Title IV funding, and Minnesota State Financial Aid
programs.
Financial Policies
Registration is permitted only if the student’s account for a previous term is paid in full or if the student is making
scheduled payments in accordance with an approved payment plan.
Augsburg College will not release student academic transcripts or graduation diplomas/certificates until all student
account charges are paid in full or, in the case of student loan funds administered by the College (Federal Perkins
Student Loan), are current according to established repayment schedules and the loan entrance and exit interviews have
been completed.
Tuition Refund Policy
Students are eligible for a 100% tuition refund for any courses they drop without notation through the date labeled “Last
day to drop without a ‘W’ grade & 100% refund – Full Semester class” on the Academic Calendar. After this date,
students are no longer eligible for any refund of tuition unless they withdraw from all of their courses. This policy is
effective whether or not a student has attended classes.
Students withdrawing from all of a term’s courses may receive a 50% tuition refund when they withdraw by the date
labeled “Last day to withdraw with 50% refund – Full Semester class” on the Academic Calendar.
Students are responsible for cancelling courses through the Registrar’s Office (or online) in order to be eligible for any
refund. Students who unofficially withdraw (stop attending) but do not complete the drop/add form are responsible for
all charges. Financial aid may be adjusted based on the student’s last recorded date of attendance. Refund calculations
are based on the date that the drop/add form is processed.
Medical Refund
If a student is forced to withdraw from one or more courses in a term due to illness or an accident, a request for a
medical refund should be made through the Financial Petition Committee. Petition forms are available through the
Registrar’s Office website. An extra medical refund may be granted by the committee upon submission of
documentation from the attending doctor, on letterhead, verifying the medical circumstances.
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Unofficial Withdrawal
Federal regulations require that records of financial aid recipients who earn failing grades in all their classes be
reviewed. If courses are not completed (e.g., unofficial withdrawal, stopped attending), the College is required to refund
financial aid to the appropriate sources according to federal or Augsburg refund policies based on the last recorded date
of attendance. Students are responsible for the entire cost of the term including the portion previously covered by
financial aid should they stop attending. Students are strongly urged to follow guidelines for complete withdrawal from
college. If there are extenuating circumstances, a petition to have the cost of tuition refunded can be made. Petition
forms are available online through the Registrar’s Office website.
A student who registers, does not attend any classes, and does not withdraw may petition to withdraw retroactively.
The student must petition within six months of the end of term and provide proof of non-attendance. Proof can include,
but is not limited to, statements from each instructor that the student never attended, or documentation of attendance
for the term at another college or university. If approved, grades of W will be recorded and tuition charges for the term
will be replaced with an administrative cancellation fee of $300.
Financial Aid Policy
Financial aid such as federal, state, and institutional grants and scholarships are awarded based upon the total number
of registered credits on the “Last day to add with faculty signature – Full Semester class” as noted on the Academic
Calendar. Students must register for internships, Time 2 classes, and ACTC classes before the “Last day to add with
faculty signature-Full Semester class”. Financial aid will not be adjusted for classes added after this date.
Students must earn the financial aid they are awarded each semester by actively attending and participating in classes
throughout the semester. Financial aid is recalculated when students do any of the following: drop classes without a “w”
grade, fail to begin classes, cease to attend classes, fail all classes, or fully withdraw from all classes.
Financial Aid-Return of Aid Policy
Students must earn the financial aid they are awarded each semester. A student can earn their aid by attending classes,
or in the event of hybrid/online courses, be an active participant in the course.
Federal/State Aid Adjustments
Augsburg is required to return unearned federal/state aid for students who fully withdraw from their courses. Student
are eligible to keep more aid the longer they attend their courses. After 60% of the term has passed, students are
eligible to keep all of their federal/state aid. See the dates below. If you are planning to completely withdraw from your
courses, please see a Student Financial Services counselor to determine what aid may need to be returned.
Institutional Aid Adjustments
Augsburg will return institutional aid for students who partially withdrawal or fully withdraw from courses if the student
received. If students withdraw from their courses they will receive a 50% tuition refund and 50% of their institutional aid
will be removed. If a student withdraws after the last day to receive a tuition refund, there will be no adjustment to their
institutional aid.
Credit Refund Policy
Augsburg students may be eligible to receive a credit refund if their financial aid exceeds tuition and fee charges for a
term. Credit Refunds are issued within two weeks after the last day to drop courses without recorded notation. Financial
Aid needs to be finalized (You can verify your financial aid status online through Track Your Financial Aid and applied to a
student’s account (Check your Transaction History online to verify all of your financial aid has been applied to your
account and nothing is left pending) before the Credit Refund can be issued.
Changes in enrollment status, housing status, and program status may affect financial aid eligibility and credit refunds.
Students who are enrolled less than half-time (less than 6.0 credits for undergraduates, less than 3.0 credit for
graduates) may not be eligible for financial aid; however, students may apply for private alternative loans. Registration
changes made from the first week of the term through midterm may require a return of financial aid funds. Students
who drop courses may receive a tuition refund, but some forms of financial aid may have to be adjusted before a refund
will be available. Financial aid return of funds may take up to 30-45 days to be processed.
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Bookstore Policy
Students who are registered for the upcoming term will be allowed to charge up to $600 to their student account.
Students DO NOT need to request a bookstore account this year.
Please plan ahead and purchase books and supplies before the scheduled cut off dates; be planful for courses that start
midterm as you will be unable to charge anything to your student account after the cut-off date.
Student’s accounts will be billed for only what was spent on their bookstore account before credit refunds are issued. If
your bookstore charges creates a balance on your account you need to make payments in accordance with your
statement. Bookstore purchases charged to a student’s account are intended for students who have excess financial aid
funds to cover their tuition, fees, AND their books or supplies. Please contact Student Financial Services before you
purchase books if you need to discuss payment options.
Due to the financial aid cycle, you can only charge expenses to your bookstore account during specific times.
Third Party:
If you are expecting a third party to cover the cost of your books, you will need to turn in an itemized receipt of your
purchases to the Student Financial Service’s office along with your invoice request.
Additional Funds:
If the cost of your textbooks and supplies are above $600 in one term, you have enough financial aid to cover the
additional costs, and you would like to charge the additional amount to your student account please send the following
information to Student Financial Services (studentfinances@augsburg.edu). All requests need to be in writing.
Subject: Request for additional funds
Full Name:
Student ID number:
Additional request:
Students will receive an e-mail when the additional request has been processed. Accounts are opened as quickly as
possible, but it could take up to two business days for activation.
Consumer Information
LOSS OF FINANCIAL AID ELIGIBILITY DUE TO A DRUG OFFENSE
A student, who is convicted of a state or federal offense involving the possession or sale of an illegal drug that occurred
while the student was enrolled in school and receiving Title IV aid, is not eligible for Title IV funds. [An illegal drug is a
controlled substance as defined by the Controlled Substance Act and does not include alcohol and tobacco.
A borrower’s eligibility is based on the student’s self-certification on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid
(FAFSA). Convictions that are reversed, set aside or removed from the student’s record, or a determination arising from
a juvenile court proceeding do not affect eligibility and do not need to be reported by the student.
A student who is convicted of a drug-related offense that occurred while the student was enrolled in school and
receiving Title IV aid loses Title IV eligibility as follows:
For the possession of illegal drugs:
First offense: one year from the date of conviction.
Second offense: two years from the date of the second conviction.
Third offense: indefinitely from the date of the third conviction.
For the sale of illegal drugs:
First offense: two years from the date of conviction.
Second offense: indefinitely from the date of the second conviction.
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A school must provide a student who loses Title IV eligibility due to a drug-related conviction with a timely, separate,
clear, and conspicuous written notice. The notice must advise the student of his or her loss of Title IV eligibility and the
ways in which the student may regain that eligibility.
Regaining Eligibility after a Drug Conviction
A student may regain eligibility at any time by completing an approved drug rehabilitation program and by informing the
school that he or she has done so. A student regains Title IV eligibility on the date he or she successfully completes the
program. A drug rehabilitation program is considered approved for these purposes if it includes at least two
unannounced drug tests and meets one of the following criteria:
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•
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The program received or is qualified to receive funds directly or indirectly under a federal, state, or local government
program.
The program is administered or recognized by a federal, state, or local government agency or court.
The program received or is qualified to receive payment directly or indirectly from a federally or state licensed
insurance company.
The program administered or recognized by a federally or state-licensed hospital, health clinic, or medical doctor.
Policies may change throughout an academic year if necessary to comply with federal, state, or institutional changes or
regulations.
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Student Resources/Academic and Support Services
Library and Information Technology Services
The James G. Lindell Family Library opened in 1997. The four-level, 73,000-square-foot facility houses the library and
information technology functions of the College as well as the Gage Center for Student Success. In addition to its large
collection of print volumes, e-books, and e-journals, Lindell Library includes special collections and archives, a curriculum
library, a computer lab and student computing help desk, a library instruction classroom, and facilities for media viewing
and listening. Skyways link the library to Oren Gateway Center and Sverdrup Hall.
Learning Commons
Within Lindell Library, a Learning Commons provides assistance in research and the use of technology as well as spaces
for collaborative learning. In the Learning Commons multimedia lab, students can create digital audio and visual
projects.
Library Resources
Students can search a wide variety of local, regional, national, and international databases. They have access to 27,000
e-journals, 18,000 e-books, and 190,000 print volumes within Lindell Library and, through a daily courier service, access
to the library holdings of six other private liberal arts colleges in the Twin Cities. In addition, Lindell Library has a large
collection of media resources. A service-oriented staff provides students and faculty with research assistance and
instruction in the use of information resources. Arrangements are made for access by students with physical limitation
and special needs.
Information Technology Resources
Augsburg College has built a reputation as a leader in its commitment to provide students with relevant and timely
access to information technology and training. Visit the Student Technology website, inside.augsburg.edu/techdesk, for
more on Information Technology at Augsburg.
Computing
Students have access to more than 250 on-campus computers. Both PC and Macintosh desktop computers are available
in the Lindell Library Learning Commons and computer lab, and in the 24-hour Urness computer lab. The College has five
computer classrooms, 41 technology-enhanced classrooms and one video conferencing-enabled classroom. The
circulation desk in Lindell Library has 40 wireless laptops available for use in the library.
Several computer clusters are available for more specific student use within academic departments. A high-speed fiber
optic campus network provides access to AugNet online services, printing, and to the internet. Network-ready student
machines can connect to the campus network from residence hall rooms or any building on campus using WiFi. All of the
AugNet online services are available securely on- and off-campus.
Center for Learning and Accessible Student Services (CLASS)
The Center for Learning and Accessible Student Services (CLASS) provides individualized accommodations and academic
support for students with documented learning, attention, psychiatric, and other cognitive disabilities, and for students
with physical disabilities which may include TBI, chronic illness, mobility impairments, and vision, hearing or speech
impairments, and temporary disabilities. CLASS has been recognized as a leader in its field, helping these students gain
access to the college curriculum. Its mission is a reflection of Augsburg’s commitment to providing a rigorous and
challenging, yet supportive, liberal arts education to students with diverse backgrounds, preparations, and experiences.
Each term, Disability Specialists work directly with students to discuss their disabilities and determine a plan for
academic access. Typically, meetings are held weekly and discussions may include:
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•
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Accommodations for testing and coursework (e.g., extended time, note-taking)
Referrals to other campus resources (e.g., tutoring, student technology assistance, academic advising, counseling,
financial aid)
Training and use of assistive technology through the Groves Accommodations Laboratory
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•
•
Assistance with academic, organizational, and time management skills
Campus living accommodations
The Disability Specialists may also consult with instructors, academic advisors, and other members of the College faculty,
staff, or administration to support each student as they work toward success. Taking advantage of these opportunities
and services, however, remains the student’s responsibility.
Any Augsburg student who wants to establish eligibility for accommodations and services should schedule a meeting
with a Specialist to discuss appropriate documentation. CLASS also provides informal screenings for students who
suspect they may have a learning-related disability. These screenings are meant only to help students determine
whether they should seek a thorough evaluation by a qualified professional.
Academic accommodations are intended to ensure access to educational opportunities for students with disabilities and
may not fundamentally alter the basic nature or essential curricular components of an institution’s courses or programs.
CLASS services are made possible in part through endowment support provided by the Gage family and the Groves
Foundation.
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Academic Programs and Policies
Academic Calendars
All of our graduate programs meet on a semester calendar. Academic Calendars can be found at
www.augsburg.edu/registrar. All academic calendars are subject to change without notice.
Academic Policies
The College and its faculty subscribe to the Statement of Principles on Academic Freedom as promulgated by the
American Association of University Professors and the Association of American Colleges.
Academic Honesty
A college is a community of learners whose relationship relies on trust. Honesty is necessary to preserve the integrity
and credibility of scholarship by the Augsburg College community. Academic dishonesty, therefore, is not tolerated. As a
College requirement, student course projects, papers, and examinations may include a statement by the student
pledging to abide by the College’s academic honesty policies and to uphold the highest standards of academic integrity.
(See Augsburg’s Academic Honesty Policy in the Student Guide at www.augsburg.edu/studentguide)
Evaluation and Grading
Evaluation of academic performance in each program will be based on number grades using a 4.0 point scale, where 4.0
achieves highest standards of excellence. See each program for details of field study and special projects. Students must
achieve a 3.0 GPA in order to graduate; Physician Assistant students must consult the PA Program Progression Standards
Policy. Grading option cannot be changed from traditional (0.0 - 4.0) to Pass/No Credit.
Explanation of grades for Graduate Studies:
Grade
4.0
3.5
3.0
2.5
2.0–0.0
FN
P
N
V
W
I
X
Explanation
Achieves highest standards of excellence
Achieves above acceptable standards
Meets acceptable standards
Meets minimum standards
Unacceptable performance
Unacceptable performance
Represents work at 3.0 or higher (not counted in grade point average)
No credit (not counted in grade point average)
Audit
Withdrawn
Incomplete
In progress, extended beyond term of registration
Auditing Courses
Students who wish to take courses without credit or grade may do so by registering for Audit (V) on a space-available
basis. Graduate students will be charged an audit fee of $1,000. The written permission of the instructor is required to
register an audit. Students who audit a course should confer with the instructor within two weeks of the beginning of
the term to determine expectations, attendance, and any other requirements. If expectations have been met, the
course will be listed on the transcript with a V grade. If expectations have not been met, the course will be listed with a
grade of W. Audited courses do not count towards graduation.
Withdrawal Grade
A course is given a grade of W (withdrawn) when it is dropped after the deadline for dropping classes without a W grade
and before the last day to withdraw.
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Incomplete (I) Grades
An incomplete grade (I) may be awarded when the instructor grants permission after determining that a student
emergency may delay completion of coursework. Students who receive an incomplete grade should be capable of
passing the course if they satisfactorily complete outstanding course requirements. To receive an incomplete grade, a
student must file an Application for Incomplete Grade form with the Registrar’s Office that states the reasons for the
request, outlines the work required to complete the course, and includes the course instructor’s signature. The
instructor may stipulate the terms and conditions that apply to course completion; however, students may not attend
the same course (or a portion of the same course) in a following term with an incomplete grade. The student must
complete the outstanding work in enough time to allow evaluation of the work by the instructor and the filing of a grade
before the final day of the following academic term in the student’s program. If the work is not completed by the
specified date of the following academic term, the grade for the course becomes 0.0.
Extension (X) Grades
Internships, independent studies, and directed studies may sometimes last longer than one term. When this is the case,
they must be completed by the grading deadlines within one year from the beginning of the first term of registration. A
grade of X (extension) is given by the instructor to indicate that the study is extended. It is expected that students given
X extensions will continue to communicate with their instructors and demonstrate that satisfactory progress is being
maintained. A final grade will be issued at the end of the term in which the work is completed and evaluated (but not
longer than one year). An instructor has the right to not grant an extension where satisfactory progress is not
demonstrated. If the course is not completed, a grade of 0.0 will be assigned.
Repeated Courses
A course in which a grade of 0.0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, or N has been received may be repeated for credit. Courses in which
higher grades have been earned may not be repeated for credit and a grade, but may be audited. All courses taken each
term and grades earned, including W and N, will be recorded on the academic record. Only the credits and grades
earned the second time, for legitimately repeated courses, are counted toward graduation and in the grade point
average. Courses completed at Augsburg College must be repeated at Augsburg to be included in the repeat policy.
Grade Point Average
The grade point average (GPA) is based on final grades for all work at Augsburg. It does not include credit and grade
points for work transferred from other colleges. Courses taken on the P/N grading option are recorded, but not
computed in the GPA. The formula for computing the GPA is:
GPA = Total grade points divided by number of credits attempted, i.e., courses with 0.0 to 4.0 grade assigned.
Attendance
Attendance and participation are critical to the success of any course. Evaluation of the level and quality of participation
may be incorporated into the course grade. We view attendance as a joint commitment of both instructors and students
to our professional development. Each instructor has the authority to specify attendance and participation requirements
to address the needs of particular courses, individual students, or various learning styles.
Lack of attendance may result in a failing grade and the requirement to repeat the course. Students must notify the
professor in advance of any expected absence. In the case of emergency, when prior notification is not possible,
students must notify the professor of an absence as soon as possible.
Non-Attendance/Non-Participation
Attendance/participation in class is important for academic success and financial aid. Therefore, students are dropped
for non-attendance/non-participation after the 10th business day of the term if reported by the instructor. Students are
ultimately responsible for dropping classes if they no longer plan to attend/participate. Students who have been
dropped and wish to re-enroll must submit and Academic/Financial Petition.
Graduate Continuation Policy
Students registering for the final project course must complete the Final Project Registration/Graduate Continuation
Contract by the last day to add with faculty signature for a Full Semester class as noted on the Academic Calendar. Upon
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receipt of the contract, the Registrar’s Office will enroll the student in the Continuation Program for 13 semesters. Entry
into the Continuation Program maintains students’ active status in the graduate program, including library and AugNet
Services.
Students can request an extension of up to 3 semesters beyond the initial 13 semesters to the program director by
completing the Graduate Continuation Extension Contract. Approval of the extension is at the discretion of the program
director. If a grade is not received and an extension has not been granted by the grading deadline of the 13th semester,
the grade will change from X to N. Students who wish to complete the final project after receiving a failing grade must
meet with the program director to evaluate readmission to the College and program. Students who are readmitted may
need to complete additional coursework and will need to pay tuition and fees for any additional courses. If/when the
final project course is completed, the new grade would replace the previous N grade.
Students may withdraw from the College, and thus from the Continuation Program and the final project course, at any
point during the continuation period and receive a W notation on the transcript for the final project course. Following a
withdrawal, students are welcome to meet with the program director to evaluate readmission to the College and
program. Students who are readmitted may need to complete additional coursework and will need to pay full tuition
and fees for any additional courses. If/when the final project course is completed, the new grade would replace the
previous W grade.
Credit and Contact Hours
Augsburg’s credit hour policy follows the federal guidelines in defining a semester credit hour as one fifty-minute period
of instruction and 100 minutes of out-of-class work per week for fifteen weeks, or the equivalent amount of student
work completed over a different time frame or via a different delivery method.
All Augsburg programs follow the semester calendar with semester lengths from 14-16 weeks. Augsburg offers a
summer semester which follows the same format as both fall and spring semester. Students must take at least 3 credits
to be considered half-time, and 6 or more credits to be considered full-time. Students may take up to 22 credits.
Degree Requirements
To be conferred the graduate degree, all graduate students must achieve the following:
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Successful completion of all required courses
A cumulative GPA of 3.0; Physician Assistant students must consult the PA Program Progression Standards Policy.
Successful completion of all degree requirements within the stipulated period of matriculation or a signed
continuation agreement with Augsburg College.
Probation and Dismissal
Graduate students must maintain a 3.0 cumulative grade point average. If a student falls below a 3.0 average, the
student will be placed on academic probation for the following term. A 3.0 cumulative grade point average must be
restored in order for a student to be removed from probation. Graduate students in the Physician Assistant must consult
the PA Program Progression Standards Policy.
A student whose GPA falls below the required GPA for his/her graduate program (3.0 in most programs) in two or more
terms may be subject to probation or dismissal. A plan for the student to continue in the program may be worked out
with the program director.
Students may also be dismissed for violation of standards of behavior defined by their profession, their program, or the
College.
Dismissal Appeals Process
A student may appeal a program’s dismissal decision using the College’s program dismissal appeals process. Appeals are
limited to procedural errors that the student can demonstrate negatively affected the outcome.
The student initiates the appeal process by submitting a hard copy of the statement of appeal to the Assistant Vice
President of Academic Affairs and Dean of Graduate Studies (AVP-Graduate Studies); email is not acceptable. The
statement must identify each procedural error and state how each error negatively affected the outcome. The
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statement of appeal will be the only basis of the student’s appeal. The AVP-Graduate Studies must receive the student’s
statement of appeal within 14 calendar days of the date on the department’s written notification of dismissal.
The AVP-Graduate Studies will send a copy of the statement of appeal to the program chair/director. The program must
submit a response to the student’s statement of appeal within 15 business days of the date that the statement was
received by the AVP-Graduate Studies’ office. A hard copy of the program’s response should be submitted to the AVPGraduate Studies. The AVP-Graduate Studies will send a copy of the program’s response to the student.
The AVP-Graduate Studies will convene the Program Dismissal Appeals Committee, which will include the AVP-Graduate
Studies as a non-voting chair and three program faculty members (one from programs not named in the appeal:
Business, Creative Writing, Education, Leadership, Nursing, Physician Assistant Studies, Social Work). The Program
Dismissal Appeals Committee will schedule its hearing within 15 business days of receipt of the program’s statement of
response. The Committee will meet with the student and a program representative to review the procedures and ask
questions of both the student and the program representative. The student and program representative may each bring
a third party to the review meeting (limited to an Augsburg College faculty member, staff member, or student). The role
of the third party representative is to provide support to the student or the program representative, not to serve as an
advocate during the meeting.
Dropping or Withdrawing
Courses may be dropped or withdrawn online through AugNet Records and Registration or with a Registration Form. To
see the drop and withdrawal deadlines, see the Academic Calendar at www.augsburg.edu/registrar.
Independent Study
Students may request to complete an independent study course as an addition to the required coursework. A faculty
sponsor is required for an independent study project, and project proposals must be approved by the program director
in order to receive credit. Normally, independent study may not be used as a replacement for a standard course offered
in the curriculum, with the exception of the general elective (if approved). A special independent study registration form
is required and is available on the Registrar’s Office website.
Term Off
Students may take a term off for up to two semesters and have continued access to Augsburg e-mail and AugNet
Services. If a student is not registered after 10th day of the third semester, the student’s file will be deactivated and the
student will need to submit an Application for Readmission to re-enroll.
For an absence of any length, students should coordinate with their program director prior to leaving. Due to a variety of
program schedules and cohorts for some degrees, it is required that students meet with their advisor and obtain the
advice of their director.
Evaluation of Transfer Credit
Students may petition the program director for transfer credit to apply to program requirements. The transfer of credit
will be evaluated on an individual basis. Students will be asked to provide appropriate documentation regarding
previous coursework, including but not limited to an official transcript, course description, and syllabus. In order to be
considered for transfer, a course must be from a regionally-accredited college or university institution and graded 3.0/B
or better. Courses must have been taken at the graduate level and course content must be comparable to program
requirements at Augsburg.
The maximum number of semester credits that can be transferred is:
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•
•
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Master of Arts in Education (6)
Master of Arts in Leadership (6)
Master of Arts in Nursing (9)
Master of Business Administration (18)
Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing (12)
Master of Music Therapy (Contact program director)
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•
•
•
Master of Science, Physician Assistant Studies (Contact program coordinator)
Master of Social Work (22)
Doctor of Nursing Practice (Contact program director)
Augsburg credits are calculated in semester hours. If you completed courses at other institutions that are quarter hours,
they will be converted to semester hours. One quarter hour equates to two-thirds of a semester hour.
Courses and credits that are accepted in transfer are recorded on the student’s transcript. Grades and grade points from
other institutions are not transferred to Augsburg and are not included in the student’s cumulative grade point average.
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Master of Arts in Education
Augsburg has a long history in teacher education with alumni of our programs teaching throughout Minnesota and
elsewhere. The Master of Arts in Education (MAE) program combines our excellent undergraduate licensure program
with a master’s level focus on teacher leadership, preparing teachers to serve K-12 students effectively and to nurture
healthy change within schools and school systems.
Our Philosophy
The Education Department program themes include relationships, reflection and inquiry, diversity and equity, and
leadership. One of these themes is lived out within the MAE program —leadership. As this program theme suggests, we
expect our students to leave our programs as responsive, knowledgeable teachers prepared to exercise leadership in the
classroom and, eventually, the school and community.
Our urban setting provides yet another dimension to our programs through a combination of course content, field
experiences, and classroom instructors. Our goal is that students will leave our programs as collaborative and capable
teachers committed to educating all learners in a diverse and changing world.
Our Faculty
Augsburg faculty members who teach in the MAE program are a mix of full-time and adjunct instructors, all of whom
have K-12 teaching experience. Many adjunct instructors are currently teaching in K-12 settings; all full-time faculty
members are frequent visitors to K-12 settings through student teaching and field experience supervision, volunteer
work, and/or in-service education. We understand the importance of what we do and what you hope to do. We value
good teaching and, most especially, we value good teachers.
Our Accessibility
We realize that although teaching is your dream, your reality most likely includes work, family, and personal
responsibilities. Because we understand the demands adult students face, we offer flexible scheduling. A majority of
licensure and graduate-level courses are taught in the evenings to allow you to manage these responsibilities while
pursuing your goals. You will need to be available during the weekday for the challenge and responsibility of field
experiences, but education coursework is accessible through the evening schedules*.
As a student in Augsburg’s Master of Arts in Education licensure and degree program, you will find yourself among
interesting students and dedicated professors who believe that all children deserve a good, highly-qualified teacher—
the teacher you can become.
*As of Fall 2014 our programs are transitioning from a weekend to an evening schedule. New students will be in the
evening program. For the time being, end of program MAE degree completion options will remain on the weekend
schedule.
Education Department Mission
The mission of the Augsburg Education Department is to develop responsive, knowledgeable teachers committed to
educating all learners in a diverse and changing world.
Program Themes
Responsive, knowledgeable teachers understand the dynamic interaction among relationships, reflection and inquiry,
diversity and equity, and leadership. These four interrelated program themes provide lenses through which we filter our
practice.
Relationships
Learning is relational and communal. Responsive teachers create significant relationships with their students,
colleagues, and community partners by developing learning communities. These nurturing learning communities provide
safe, trustworthy places where challenging and engaging questions can be considered. We model the kinds of learning
communities that we expect our graduates to create. We share with our students a learning model that connects
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content, theory, and practice in an ongoing cycle. Students and their learning are the focus for responsive teachers.
Therefore we embrace and foster a progressive and constructivist orientation.
Reflection and Inquiry
Responsive teachers are reflective practitioners who are students of teaching and learning. Providing numerous
frameworks through which to filter our experience encourages intentional and thoughtful inquiry. Through field
placements, service learning, generative questions, and classroom experiences, students and faculty develop their
perspectives about teaching and learning. Critical reflection allows us to examine content, theory, and practice in ways
that transform our practice. We think it is important to understand and learn how to manage the many polarities
inherent in the teaching and learning process.
Diversity and Equity
Responsive teachers embrace diversity and intentionally work to ensure that all learners, especially those who for some
reason have been marginalized, learn and develop in powerful ways. We continually reflect on what it means to be a
“school in the city.” We recognize that each student is unique, shaped by culture and experience; therefore,
differentiating instruction is essential. The perspective of multiple intelligences, learning style theory and teaching for
understanding help us differentiate and enable us to provide choice, variety, and flexibility. Responsive teachers believe
that all students can learn. They also have a sense of efficacy and believe that they can help all students learn.
Leadership
Responsive teachers recognize that becoming a learning leader is a developmental process, which begins in pre-service
education and continues throughout one’s career. Teachers serve as leaders within the classroom, and with experience,
increased confidence, and professional development become leaders within the school, the district, and the community.
Teacher leaders view themselves as lifelong learners. They become role models committed to their profession as a
vocation rather than a job. Emerging teacher leaders keep student learning at the center of their work while advocating
for instructional innovation, constructivist curricular development, and systemic change.
Master of Arts in Education Conceptual Framework
Teacher leadership is the theme that threads through our graduate licensure and degree completion program. The
Augsburg Education Department believes that teachers are leaders in their classrooms and should be leaders in their
institutions and communities.
The leadership focus plays out in three ways. First, the additional work required in the graduate versions of the
combined undergraduate/graduate courses focuses on providing graduate students the chance to exercise leadership as
well as extend their knowledge beyond the basic requirements. Second, in the degree completion component, students
are required to include coursework focused on leadership and study aspects of leadership as part of their degree
program. Third, the final project—be it an action research, a leadership application project, or performance assessment
—gives students the opportunity to study an issue of concern and, supported by research, define a means for addressing
it.
Three Teacher Leadership Aspirations inform our program. They are as follows:
Aspiration 1: Teacher leaders value learning for personal and professional growth. Teacher leaders share knowledge
effectively with colleagues. We believe that teacher leaders are comfortable with their knowledge and expertise,
neither flaunting it nor hiding it, but sharing it with others generously. They work to build bridges with a full range of
colleagues, but they don’t let recalcitrant colleagues stop their own development. They see learning as a continuous
endeavor and seek it throughout their careers.
Aspiration 2: Teachers leaders think big—beyond the classroom to the broader context of education and community.
We believe that teacher leaders see systems and the “big picture” and are able to put their classrooms, schools, and
communities into a broader context. They understand the link between policies, politics, and education and participate
in change efforts at the macro and micro levels. They seek to work with administrators to establish school and district
policy that improves life for everyone. If this involves political action, they are prepared to engage in it. Teacher leaders
also understand that teaching and learning are dynamic and that change within school systems is an ever-present
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phenomenon. They are informed decision-makers predisposed to take on the challenge of change when they think it
benefits students, teachers, and/or community.
Aspiration 3: Teacher leaders possess courage and an orientation to action. We believe that teacher leaders help
others not be afraid. They are able to help people to take warranted risks and step outside their comfort zones. They
have the courage to bring people together to see the bigger picture and then help people get there. Teacher leaders
accept both power and accountability. They understand that responsibility without power diminishes potential for
effectiveness. They believe that accountability is a fair trade for the power to take effective action. They operate from a
foundation of self-efficacy.
Program Overview
The Master of Arts in Education (MAE) is designed to provide a teaching license as part of a master’s degree program. K12 initial teaching licenses offered at Augsburg include:
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Elementary education (K-6), with or without a middle school content area endorsement in math, communication
arts, social studies, or science. Also available is the pre-primary endorsement to the elementary license. Subject
matter courses for these endorsements may need to be taken in the weekday schedule or at a community college
when unavailable through evening course work.
Secondary education (5-12 and K-12) in social studies, communication arts/literature, visual arts, health,
mathematics, music, and physical education; and 9-12 in biology, chemistry, and physics. Subject matter courses for
these licenses may need to be taken in the weekday schedule or at a community college when unavailable through
evening course work.
K-12 English as a Second Language
K-12 Special Education: Academic Behavior Strategist
Teachers who are already licensed can work towards the MAE degree through the following four licensure endorsement
options:
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•
•
K-12 English as a Second Language
K-12 Special Education: Academic Behavior Strategist
K-12 Reading
Pre-Primary (This is an endorsement only to K-6 elementary licenses)
All teachers seeking licensure through Augsburg must take and pass all tests required by the state of Minnesota for
licensure.
Accreditations and Approvals
Augsburg College Teacher Education programs are accredited and approved by:
•
•
National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)
Minnesota Board of Teaching. (MN BOT)
Augsburg College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and
Schools. For a complete list of Augsburg’s accreditations, approvals, and memberships, see the listing in the
Accreditation, Approvals, and Memberships section of this catalog.
Program Structure
The Master of Arts in Education (MAE) program is made up of a core of education licensure courses at the graduate level
coupled with a degree completion option. Courses in the degree completion phase are drawn from the Master of Arts in
Leadership (MAL) and graduate courses in education. Most students in the MAE program pursue a K-12 teaching license
as part of their program plan.
The MAE degree is also open to students who do not want a teaching license but do want a background in education
and leadership. See the MAE program director for details.
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The MAE degree requires ten or eleven Augsburg graduate level courses, depending on the degree completion option. In
addition, several courses at the undergraduate level are required for licensure. Only courses taken at the graduate level
apply towards the MAE degree.
Credit
MAE graduate level courses are offered for 3 semester credits. Each course is comprised of 37.5 instructional hours with
the expectation of about 75 hours of independent study outside of class.
Schedule
The majority of the education courses in the MAE licensure and degree programs are offered through the evening
schedule. Courses during the evening meet face to face every other week with online instruction during the alternate
weeks. A few education courses and many undergraduate content area courses are offered in a face to face, classroom
based format, meeting weekly in the evenings. The MAL and education degree completion courses are offered primarily
in a weekend schedule through a mix of face-to-face and online instruction. Summer session courses are offered
primarily weekday evenings. Summer courses are offered in a mix of formats from all online to all face-to-face.
The following teaching licenses are available entirely through the evening and summer schedule: elementary education,
pre-primary endorsement, 5-12 social studies, 5-12 communication arts, K-12 art, K-12 special education, and K-12
English as a second language. For the time being, the K-12 Reading Teacher endorsement and degree completion
courses are offered in hybrid form through a weekend framework.
Additional licenses in the following areas are available through a combination of weekday, weekday evening, summer
schedules, and, occasional off-campus courses: biology, chemistry, health, mathematics, music, physical education, and
physics. For these licenses, the education and degree completion courses are taken weekday evenings and summer
while some, if not all, of the content area courses are taken during the weekday and/or off-campus.
The weekday evening schedule is comprised of two semesters spread from early September through late April. In
general, classes are held every other week, face to face with online instruction in the intervening week. The weekday
schedule is also comprised of two semesters spread from early September through late April. Classes offered during the
weekday meet one to three times per week. Classes offered jointly between weekday and weekend meet on a weekly
basis in the evening. The official academic calendars can be found at http://www.augsburg.edu/registrar/.
Curriculum—Teaching Licenses
K-6 Elementary Education
This program is designed to prepare teachers for grades K-6. Optional endorsements in middle school specialty areas of
math, science, social studies, and communication arts and in pre-primary can be pursued along with or separately from
the K-6 license. The teaching license and some endorsements are offered at both undergraduate and graduate levels
through a mix of undergraduate courses and combined graduate and undergraduate courses. Graduate-level licensure
coursework (500 and above) is available to students who already hold a bachelor’s degree and have been admitted to
the MAE program.
All of the following courses must be taken for K-6 elementary licensure. Up to seven courses may be taken at the
graduate (500) level and applied toward the MAE degree.
EDC 200/522 - Orientation to Education in an Urban Setting*
EDC 206/566 - Diversity/Minnesota American Indians
EDC 310/533 - Learning and Development in an Educational Setting*
EDC 410/544 - Learners with Special Needs*
EDC 490/580 - School and Society
EED 225/524 - Foundations of Literacy
EED 325/525 - K-6 Methods: Literacy*
EED 350/550 - K-6 Methods: Math
EED 360/560 - K-6 Methods: Science
EDC 591 - Topics
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To complete the license, the following undergraduate requirements must be completed:
HPE 115 - Chemical Dependency Education
EDC 220 - Educational Technology
EED 326 - Elementary Reading K-6 Field Experience* (taken concurrently with EED 325/525)
EED 311 - K-6 Methods: Health
EED 312 - K-6 Methods: Physical Education
EED 336 - Advanced Literacy Methods*
EED 341 - K-6 Methods: Art
EED 370 - K-6 Methods: Social Studies/Thematics
EED 380 - Kindergarten Methods*
EED 386 - K-6 Methods: Children’s Literature
EED 481, 483, 485 - Student Teaching: Elementary K-6
EED 488 - TPA and Student Teaching Seminar
*Field experience hours are required in these courses. Students spend 20 or more hours per term in field experiences.
These experiences occur in K-6 classrooms during the weekday. If more than one course with field experience is taken in
a given term, field experience requirements expand accordingly (i.e., two courses with 20 hours of field experience each
require a total of 40 hours).
Undergraduate Liberal Arts Requirements
The number of supporting content area courses required for licensure depends upon the courses completed as part of
the bachelor’s degree and/or other coursework. Requirements are determined by Minnesota licensure standards for
specific college-level coursework in math, biology, physics, and earth science for all students seeking elementary
licensure. Specific requirements are on file in the Education Department.
Minnesota licensure standards allow for optional subject area endorsements in communication arts/literature, social
studies, math, and science. Subject matter courses for these endorsements will be available through a combination of
weekday, evening and off-campus courses. The optional pre-primary endorsement is also available. Specific
requirements for these endorsements are on file in the Education Department.
Previous coursework can be accepted into the licensure program if it meets Minnesota standards and if a grade of C or
better was achieved. The Education Department and the content area departments determine the courses that are
accepted. Transcripts, course descriptions, and course syllabi are used to make these determinations. Courses that are
older than five years are judged on a case-by-case basis. Graduate coursework accepted into the licensure program is
not automatically accepted into the MAE degree. The program has limits on the amount and type of courses that are
accepted. Grades of B or better are required for transfer consideration. See the MAE program director for approval of
graduate coursework accepted in transfer.
Preprimary Endorsement for Elementary Licensure
This endorsement can be added to a K-6 elementary license. Required courses include the following:
PSY 250 - Child Development (PSY 105 is a prerequisite for this course)
SOC 231 - Family Systems: Cross Cultural Perspectives
or SPE 490/540 - Parent and Professional Planning (Graduate students take SPE 540.)
ECE 345/545 - Foundations of Preprimary Education
ECE 346/546 - Learning Environments for Preprimary-Aged Children
ECE 347/547 - Immersion and Teaching Competence
ECE 488, 489 - Student Teaching: Preprimary
K-12 and 5-12 Secondary Education
K-12 and 5-12 licenses in several content areas are offered through a combination of graduate and undergraduate
coursework. K-12 licenses prepare teachers to teach a content area across elementary, middle school, and high school.
Licenses for grades 5- 12 prepare teachers to teach at the middle and high school levels. Graduate-level licensure
coursework (500 and above) is available to students who already hold a bachelor’s degree and meet MAE admissions
criteria.
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Subject matter courses in the following majors are offered on weekday evenings and summer: English, communications
(for communication arts), history or economics or psychology (for social studies), art. Students seeking 5–12 licensure in
social studies must complete a broad-based core of courses in the social studies in addition to a social science major.
Education courses for these licenses are also taken during weekday evenings and summer.
The following content area majors are offered primarily or entirely through the weekday program: biology, chemistry,
physics, health, physical education, music, and mathematics. Students seeking licensure in any of these areas typically
will need to take additional content courses in the weekday schedule and off-campus. Students can obtain a 9-12 license
in physics, chemistry, or biology and have the option of adding the 5–8 general science to the 9-12 license. Students also
can obtain the 5–8 general science license without the 9–12 license. Education courses for these licenses are taken
during weekday evenings.
Licensure Requirements
The following requirements are offered at both the undergraduate and graduate level. All courses must be taken for
licensure; four to seven of them also may be taken at the graduate level and applied toward the master’s degree in
education.
EDC 200/522 - Orientation to Education in an Urban Setting*
EDC 206/566 - Diversity/Minnesota American Indians
EDC 310/533 - Learning and Development in an Educational Setting*
EDC 410/544 - Learners with Special Needs*
EDC 490/580 - School and Society
ESE 325/525 - Creating Learning Environments
ESE 300/500 - Reading and Writing in Content Area*
EDC 591 - Topics
To complete the license, students also will need to complete the following requirements at the undergraduate level:
HPE 115 - Chemical Dependency Education
EDC 220 - Educational Technology
ESE 3XX - K-12 or 5-12 Methods (in the content area)*
ESE 481, 483, 485 - Student Teaching: Secondary
ESE 488 - TPA and Student Teaching Seminar
*Field experience hours are required in these courses. A minimum of 100 hours in classrooms and education-related
settings is required prior to student teaching. Students spend approximately 20 hours per term in field experiences.
Undergraduate Content Area Requirements
The equivalent of a major in the licensure content area is required for K-12 and 5-12 licenses. Students who have
majored in a field in which we offer licensure must have their previous coursework evaluated by the major department
at Augsburg. Two or more content area courses tied to Minnesota licensure standards are generally required, even with
a completed academic major.
Previous coursework is evaluated by the content area department and accepted if it meets Minnesota licensure
standards and if a grade of C or better was achieved. Coursework older than five years is judged on a case-by-case basis.
Specific course requirements for each content area are on file in the Education Department.
Graduate coursework accepted into the licensure program is not automatically accepted into the MAE degree program.
See the MAE program director for approval to use graduate level transfer courses in the degree program.
Special Education
Augsburg College offers licensure in K–12 Special Education: Academic Behavioral Strategist (ABS). This program
qualifies students to teach in special education programs and positions working with students with mild to moderate
disabilities in the areas of emotional/behavioral disabilities, learning disabilities, autism spectrum disabilities,
developmental and cognitive disabilities and other health disabilities. This program is built on an inclusive education
model. Under this model, students learn how to work closely with both special and general educators to facilitate
35
inclusion of special education students into the regular education classroom. Five years after being licensed, teachers
must extend their license in one of the above categories through additional coursework.
Also available is the Naadamaadiwin Tribal Special Education Cohort—this graduate licensure program in Special
Education: EBD/LD is designed and taught from an American Indian perspective. It is offered in collaboration with the
University of Minnesota-Duluth as a hybrid (partly face-to-face and partly online) cohort program. The licensure courses
can be applied towards the MAE degree. See the Education Department and http://www.augsburg.edu/mae/tribalspecial-education for more information.
The ABS licensure program is offered through weeknight and summer schedules. The Naadamaadiwin Tribal Special
Education Cohort program is offered primarily online with weekend sessions at the beginning and end of each semester.
Licensure Requirements
Licensure requirements are offered at both the undergraduate and graduate level. Classes will include both
undergraduate and graduate students, with graduate students having additional course responsibilities. Graduate
courses are taken at the 500 level. All courses must be taken for licensure, and up to seven courses may also be applied
toward the master’s degree in education. The following courses for the ABS license are offered at both the
undergraduate and graduate levels:
EDC 200/522 - Orientation to Education in an Urban Setting*
EDC 206/566 - Diversity/Minnesota American Indians
EDC 310/533 - Learning and Development in an Educational Setting*
EDC 410/544 - Learners with Special Needs*
EED 225/524 - Foundations of Literacy
EED 325/525 - K-6 Methods: Literacy*
EED 350/550 - K–6 Methods: Math*
EED 360/560 - K–6 Methods: Science*
SPE 410/510 - Implementing Assessment Strategies*
SPE 411/511 - Etiology and Theory of Mild to Moderate Disabilities
SPE 415/515 - Theory to Practice*
SPE 425/525 - Transition and Community*
SPE 430/530 - Instructional and Behavioral Practices*
SPE 490/540 - Parent and Professional Planning
EDC 591 - Topics
To complete the ABS license students will also need to complete certain requirements at the undergraduate level:
HPE 115 - Chemical Dependency Education
MAT 137 - Mathematics for Elementary Teachers I
EDC 220 - Education Technology
EDC 330 - Building the Public Good: Public Achievement and Organizing
EDC 331 - Practicum in Public Achievement
EED 326 - Elementary Reading K-6 Field Experience* (taken concurrently with EED 325/525)
SPE 481,483 - Student Teaching: Elementary Special Education
SPE 485, 487 - Student Teaching: Secondary Special Education
SPE 488 - TPA and Student Teaching Seminar
*Field experience required as part of this course.
This program is based on an innovative internship model that allows students employed in special education classrooms
to fulfill a portion of their special education field experience requirements while they work. Students not employed in
these settings are expected to complete a significant number of volunteer hours in special education settings. All must
complete field placements or student teaching in classrooms serving these populations. Hours must be completed
across elementary, middle school, and high school and include experiences with the five areas of disability that are part
of this license. Specific information on field experience requirements is available from the Education Department.
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Licensure Requirements—EBD/LD–Naadamaadiwin Special Education Tribal Cohort
This program is available only at the graduate level. Courses are taught in a hybrid fashion, partially face-to-face and
partially online. Courses are available only to those admitted to the special education tribal cohort program.
SPE 501 - Historical and Contemporary Issues in American Indian Education
SPE 503 - Assessment of American Indian Learners
SPE 504 - Working with American Indian Families and Communities
SPE 505 - The Manifestation of Multigenerational Trauma and Internalized Oppression
SPE 506 - Indigenous Learners
SPE 507 - Indigenous Methods of Instruction: Practical Application
SPE 508 - Professional Issues and Development
SPE 509 - Literacy Instruction for American Indian Learners with Exceptionalities
SPE 481, 483 - Student Teaching: Elementary Special Education
SPE 485, 487 – Student Teaching: Secondary Special Education
EDC 591 - Topics
K-12 English as a Second Language (ESL) License
The K-12 English as a Second Language license is available as an initial license as well as an endorsement to an existing
license. This license qualifies teachers to work with K-12 students for whom English is a second language across a range
of subject areas. The K-12 ESL licensure program is comprised of both undergraduate and graduate courses; up to seven
of the graduate courses can apply to the completion of the MAE degree. Graduate-level licensure coursework (500 and
above) is available to students who already hold a bachelor’s degree and have been admitted to the MAE program. A
pre-requisite to program admissions is two years of high school level or one year of college level language instruction.
The K-12 ESL program is offered in a hybrid format which means that courses are a mix of face to face and online
instruction. Classes are offered during the academic year in the evening semester framework and during summer
session to make them accessible to working adults. This license is also offered as an undergraduate major to Augsburg
Undergraduate (AU) students seeking a baccalaureate degree.
The following requirements are offered at both the undergraduate and graduate level. All courses must be taken for
licensure, and up to seven also may be taken at the graduate level and applied toward the master’s degree in education.
EDC 200/522 - Orientation to Education in an Urban Setting*
EDC 206/566 - Diversity/MN American Indians
EDC 310/533 - Learning and Development in an Educational Setting*
EDC 410/544 - Learners with Special Needs*
EED 325/525 - K-6 Methods: Literacy*
ESE 325/525 - Creating Learning Environments*
ESL 330/510 - History and Structure of the English Language
ESL 340/520 - ESL Literacy*
ESL 490/530 - Language, Culture, and Schools
ESL 420/540 - ESL Methods*
EDC 591 - Topics
To complete the license, students also will need to complete the following requirements at the undergraduate level:
HPE 115 - Chemical Dependency Education
EDC 220 - Educational Technology
EED 326 - Elementary Reading K-6 Field Experience (taken concurrently with EED 325/525)
ESL 310 - Second Language Acquisition
ESL 320 - Introduction to Linguistics
ESL 410 - ESL Testing and Evaluation
ESL 481, 483 - Student Teaching: Elementary
ESL 485, 487 - Student Teaching: Secondary
ESL 488 - TPA and Student Teaching Seminar
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*This course has a 20 hour field experience attached to it.
K-12 Reading Teacher Endorsement
The K-12 Reading Endorsement provides teachers with existing teaching licenses an opportunity to expand their
knowledge and practice in the area of reading instruction and potentially provide leadership within schools and districts
in reading instruction. Candidates for this license will complete five classes that have been designed to meet the
requirements established for this license by the Minnesota Board of Teaching. Students may use these courses to fulfill
requirements for the Master of Arts in Education degree.
The K-12 Reading Teacher Endorsement program is offered in a hybrid format which means that courses are a mix of
face-to-face and online instruction. Classes are offered during summer sessions and within the weekend format during
the academic year. The endorsement program is designed to be completed within 12 months in a cohort model. Field
experiences at elementary, middle school and high school levels are required; student teaching is not required.
Required courses include:
EDC 500 - Reading Leadership in the K-12 Schools
EDC 506 - Readership, Literature, and New Literacies
EDC 515 - Reading Leadership: Reading Theory and Research*
EDC 535 - Reading Leadership: Assessment and Instruction with Elementary Readers*
EDC 545 - Reading Leadership: Assessment and Instruction with Middle and High School Readers*
*Field experience required
Student Teaching
Students are required to complete student teaching for initial and additional licenses (unless otherwise indicated). In the
MAE program, student teaching is generally completed before finishing the degree. Students can apply for licensure at
this point and finish the degree later. Student teaching for elementary, secondary, and K-12 initial licenses lasts 12-14
weeks, depending on licensure scope. During that time, students work full-time as student teachers and are supervised
by an Augsburg faculty member. Students register for eight to twelve semester credits of student teaching and a two
semester credit edTPA and student teaching seminar. They meet at Augsburg College for student teaching seminars
several times during the term. Most student teaching placements are in the Minneapolis/St. Paul metropolitan area and
Rochester. However, students do have the opportunity to student teach abroad, where students complete a 10-week
student teaching experience in the metro area and then complete another student teaching experience abroad.
Opportunities to teach abroad are available around the world, and it is a wonderful way to build a global perspective in
education. Additional information is available through the Education Department.
Student teaching for special education is 12 weeks in length for initial licenses and 7 weeks for those who already hold a
license. For students who are working in a special education setting appropriate to the ABS license, a student teaching
placement at that site may be possible, pending district approval. Additional information is available through the
Education Department.
Student teaching for ESL is 14 weeks in length and requires two placements, elementary and secondary. A single seven
week placement is required for those who already hold a license. See the Education Department for more information.
Student teaching is required for the preprimary endorsement and middle school endorsements. See the Education
Department for more information.
Curriculum—Graduate Degree Completion Options
Students take graduate coursework as part of the licensure program. This coursework forms the Master of Arts in
Education licensure core, with between four to seven Augsburg graduate-level licensure courses fulfilling master’s
requirements. Students bringing fewer than seven graduate-level licensure courses or 21 semester credits into the
degree program must complete additional Master of Arts in Leadership (ML) or education graduate courses to reach the
required 30-33 semester credits for the MAE degree.
To finish out the master’s degree, students will need to complete one of the following options.
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Action Research Degree Completion Option (Minimum 30 credits)
This degree completion option requires a minimum of three classes totaling at least nine semester credits: a Master of
Arts in Leadership (ML) elective, EDC 592 Action Research 1, and EDC 593 Action Research 2. The action research courses
guide the student through completion of a long-term action research project, typically conducted in the student’s
classroom and focused on a question or concern identified by the student. The research is presented at an action
research symposium and a formal written report of the research is placed in Lindell Library. The coursework for action
research is designed to be completed in two semesters; the project itself is done once the research is presented at an
action research symposium and the paper is accepted for placement in Lindell Library. Additional terms beyond those in
which the courses are completed are available through continuing registration for up to 13 semesters at no further
charge.
Leadership Application Project (LAP) Degree Completion Option (Minimum 30 credits)
This option is currently suspended until further notice.
This degree completion option requires a minimum of three classes totaling at least nine semester credits: an ML
elective, EDC/ML 514 Research Methods - Education focus or ML 514 - Research Methods and EDC 585 - Leadership
Application Project. Students electing this degree completion option do so because they are interested in developing an
educational product that meets an identified need or because they are interested in conducting an independent
research project with the assistance of a faculty advisor. To be successful in this option, students must be self-directed
and able to maintain momentum without the structure of an actual course. The goal for the project varies, depending on
the type of LAP. There are two options within the LAP.
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The goal for those developing an educational product is to identify an issue or problem related to their practice, and
after researching available literature, develop a solution to the problem or issue. The solution might be developed in
the form of a curriculum, a workshop, a set of informational materials, a website, an article for publication or other
appropriate educational product.
The goal for those conducting independent research is also to identify an issue or problem to investigate; but in this
case, the investigation is through an independent research project. For those conducting independent research, it is
especially important to have a clear vision in mind for the research and have an advisor who is willing to provide
support throughout the project. Students need a research background beyond what is provided within the MAE
program to be successful with this option.
Both options are completed through a final oral presentation and placement of the final paper in the Lindell Library.
Additional terms beyond those in which the courses are completed are available through continuing registration for up
to 13 semesters at no further charge.
Performance Assessment/Teacher Leadership Degree Completion Option (Minimum 33 credits)
This degree completion option focuses on the theme of the MAE degree program - teacher leadership - and requires a
minimum of the following four classes:
EDC 570 - Teacher Leadership
EDC/ML 514 - Research Methods (ML 514 can be substituted if necessary)
EDC 594 - Performance Assessment Project
One ML leadership-focused course, preferably from this list:
ML 510 - Visions of Leadership (when taught with an emphasis on leadership rather than literature)
ML 531 - Dynamics of Change
ML 535 - Organizational Theory and Leadership
ML 540 - Political Leadership: Theory and Practice
ML 545 - Decision Making and Leadership
ML 565 - Women and Leadership
Additional courses may also be used with approval of the MAE Director.
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Students electing this degree completion option do so because they are especially interested in considering leadership
within the context of education and themselves as potential change agents. EDC 594 must be taken as the last course in
this sequence. Students finish their degree through this option with the successful completion of these four classes.
Alternate Settings—MAE in Rochester
In step with Augsburg College’s excellent reputation in the field of education, the Master of Arts in Education program is
also offered in Rochester, MN. Licenses are available in elementary education and special education: ABS. Classes
primarily meet weekday evenings and summer at Bethel Lutheran Church in Rochester.
Elementary education
The K-6 elementary education license allows students to teach in grade K-6. Augsburg College offers this license at the
graduate level to students who already hold a bachelor’s degree and meet admissions requirements. Courses for this
license are available in Rochester.
Special education
The K-12 Academic Behavior Specialist (ABS) program is designed for students currently working with or planning to
work with students with mild to moderate special needs. The program leads to Minnesota teaching licensure in special
education and the ability to work with students whose special needs are categorized as EBD, LD, DCD, ASD, and/or OHI.
All courses for these licenses are available in Rochester.
The Performance Assessment degree completion option is offered in Rochester as needed, typically every other year.
MAL Elective Courses
At least one elective must be taken from the Master of Arts in Leadership courses. The following are recommended, but
others may also be used. Course descriptions can be found in the MAL portion of the graduate catalog.
ML 510 - Visions of Leadership: A Historical and Literary Journey
ML 511 - Creativity and the Problem-Solving Process
ML 520 - Self-Identity, Values, and Personal Growth
ML 530 - Ethics in Communication
ML 531 - The Dynamics of Change
ML 545 - Decision Making and Leadership
ML 550 - Communication, Decision Making, and Technology
ML 560 - Cultural Competence and Effective Leadership
ML 565 - Women and Leadership
ML 599 - Topics
For a complete list of courses and descriptions, see the Course Description Search.
Admission to MAE
Admission Requirements
Students admitted into the MAE licensure and degree programs must have:
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Bachelor’s degree from a regionally-accredited four-year institution
Cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher (required for full admission for the graduate licensure option and
degree program). Students with a cumulative grade point average of 2.5-2.99 may be admitted conditionally into the
graduate licensure program. To be admitted to the MAE degree completion program, all students must have a 3.0 or
better Augsburg GPA.
Application Checklist
The following items must be sent to the Augsburg Office of Admissions:
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Completed application form - www.augsburg.edu/admissions/mae/admissions
$35 non-refundable application fee
Personal summary outlining your tentative educational objectives and reasons for wanting to attend Augsburg
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Official academic transcripts from all previously attended post-secondary institutions (including colleges,
universities, vocational/technical schools, and PSEO institutions) sent directly to the Admissions Office.
Admission as an International Student
International applicants must submit the required application materials listed above. Refer to the additional
requirements outlined in Admission of International Students.
Transfer Policy
Acceptance of previous education coursework completed at institutions other than Augsburg College is limited. Most
courses that have not been completed in the last seven years are considered to be too old to transfer and need to be
completed as part of one’s program at Augsburg. EDC 310/533 - Learning and Development, EDC 220 - Education
Technology, and ESE 3XX - K-12/5-12 Special Methods in Content Area are courses which may have a shorter acceptance
time frame. Additional information on the transfer policy is available through the Education Department.
Credit Evaluation: An official transfer credit evaluation of previous academic work will be completed as part of the
admissions process. Education coursework is evaluated by the Education Department. For secondary licenses, content
area coursework is evaluated by the content area department. This process is initiated as part of the admissions process.
Generally, the requirement is that two or more classes in the content area must be taken at Augsburg, even with an
undergraduate major in the field. In all cases, previous undergraduate courses must have received a grade of C or better
to be eligible for transfer. Previous graduate coursework must have received a grade of B or better to be considered.
Content area departments determine when courses are too old to be counted towards licensure.
Acceptance into the MAE Program
Application files are reviewed by the MAE director. Applicants are notified of the admission decision by the Office of
Admissions, usually within one to two weeks after the application file is complete. Applicants whose cumulative
undergraduate GPA is below 2.5 will not be admitted into the MAE program; however, these applicants can be
reconsidered when additional undergraduate coursework raises the cumulative undergraduate GPA to 2.5 or above. An
exception to this occurs when the applicant has completed an advanced degree with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better.
Under these circumstances, the applicant can be considered for full admission into the MAE degree and licensure
programs.
Advising and Registration
Admitted students are able to participate in academic advising and the registration process. Typically, first-term
registration occurs with intake advising. After the first term, students generally are able to register online through
Records and Registration. All students are assigned an Education Department advisor early in the first semester of
courses.
Academic Policies
Application to the Education Department
Once accepted to the College and the MAE program, students may take designated courses in education and content
areas. Prior to beginning the methods courses within a program, students must be admitted to the Education
Department. This admissions process is outlined in the EDC 200/522 - Orientation to Education and in admissions
handbooks, which are available through the Education Department.
Academic Achievement
All MAE students are expected to achieve and maintain 3.0 or better GPA in their Augsburg course work. Students
whose cumulative GPA falls between 2.5 and 2.99 at the end of their licensure program are able to complete the license
but are not eligible for the degree. Students with cumulative GPA’s below 2.5 may not student teach and are subject to
academic probation and possible dismissal.
In all cases, a cumulative GPA on the Augsburg graduate transcript must be at 3.0 or better to be admitted to the degree
completion component of the MAE degree. Students who are ready to begin the degree completion component must
file an Intent to Complete form (available through the MAE coordinator) at which point a transcript review is completed
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to confirm the 3.0 or better GPA and to determine the completed courses that apply to the degree and the courses that
remain.
Minimum Grade Policy
Students who fail to maintain a cumulative 2.5 GPA in a given term are notified that they must raise their GPA to the
required level. Students who receive below a 2.0 in any undergraduate course or 2.5 in any graduate course required for
licensure are expected to repeat the course as soon as possible and raise the grade to the appropriate level.
Dismissal from Licensure and Degree Program
Students may be dismissed from the licensure program prior to and during student teaching for failure to maintain
appropriate academic and teaching-based performance standards, for gross violation of College policy, and/or for
conduct in violation of professional ethics. Dismissal occurs within the context of established department procedures
described in the Education Department Handbook available through the Education Department. Students have the right
to appeal dismissal from the licensure program on the grounds of procedural error, using the College’s program
dismissal appeals process. Information about the program dismissal appeals process is available in the Augsburg Student
Guide. Students who fail to complete the license may have the option to finish the degree.
Fieldwork Requirements
Fieldwork experiences are tied to several licensure courses. In most cases, these experiences are conducted within a
service-learning framework, providing service to the school and classroom while also providing students’ opportunities
for focused reflection linked back to course objectives. In general, students should plan for a minimum of 20 hours field
experience per term. When multiple courses with field experience are taken in the same term, the requirements expand
accordingly. Students in field experiences are evaluated by their host K-12 teachers on the basis of criteria drawn from
the Minnesota Standards of Effective Practice. Evaluations are kept in the students’ Education Department files and
used in decisions regarding progress through the program and student teaching. A full description of field experience
requirements is available in the Education Department Handbook.
Readmission and Withdrawal
Students in good standing who fail to register for courses for two terms (not including summer) are withdrawn from the
MAE program. To be readmitted to the College and the MAE program, students file a Readmission form through the
Registrar’s Office.
Program Costs
In addition to tuition, students in this program can expect to pay a data maintenance fee upon admission to the
department, as well as liability insurance at the student rate during student teaching and the cost of a background check
for licensure and, possibly, field experience. In addition, optional international travel courses have associated costs
above and beyond the charge for tuition.
Full-time Faculty
Elizabeth M. Ankeny, Associate Professor of Education. BA, Augustana College; MAT, Morningside College; PhD,
Colorado State University.
Christopher R. Brown, Field Experience Coordinator/Charter School Liaison; Instructor of Education. BS, Bemidji State
University; MEd, University of Sydney, Australia.
Renae Ekstrand, Assistant Professor of Education. BS, Bemidji State University; MS, Winona State University; EdD, Bethel
University (expected May 2014).
Joseph A. Erickson, Professor of Education. BA, MA, College of St. Thomas; MA, Luther-Northwestern Theological
Seminary; PhD, University of Minnesota.
Margaret J. Finders, Associate Professor of Education. BA, University of Iowa; MA, University of Iowa; PhD, University of
Iowa.
Jeanine Gregoire, Associate Professor of Education. BS, MA, PhD, University of Minnesota.
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Audrey Lensmeier, Assistant Professor of Education. BA Indiana University; MAT National Louis University; PhD
University of Minnesota.
Gregory Krueger, Instructor of Education. BA, Southwest Minnesota State University; MA, Hamline University.
Rachel M. Lloyd, Assistant Professor of Education. BS, Carleton College; MA, University of Minnesota; PhD, University of
Minnesota.
Susan O’Connor, Associate Professor of Education. BS, University of Minnesota; MS, PhD, Syracuse University.
Vicki L. Olson, Professor of Education and Director of the MAE Program. BS, MA, PhD, University of Minnesota.
Donna Patterson, Assistant Professor of Education. BA, MEd, University of Minnesota.
Barbara Short, Associate Professor of Education. BA Augustana College; MS Illinois State University; EdD Illinois State
University.
Christopher Smith, Assistant Professor of Education. BS Purdue University; MS Purdue University; PhD University of
Minnesota.
Diane C.Vodicka, Assistant Professor of Education. BEd, North Park College; MEd, Georgia Southwestern College.
Barbara West, Instructor of Education, Faculty Coordinator of Teacher Placement/Licensing. BS, St. Cloud State
University; MS, Syracuse University.
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Master of Arts in Leadership
MAL Mission
The purpose of the Master of Arts in Leadership (MAL) program is to develop leaders for organizations, the community,
and society. Organizations seek leaders who possess:
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An ethically and morally responsible vision
An understanding of how change occurs and how it can be managed
A sensitivity to the complex problems of organizations and an ability to find solutions consistent with their mission
Cultural competence and sensitivity to the needs of a diverse population
The ability to inspire and motivate people to work toward a common goal
The Augsburg leadership development model provides a framework through which the program recruits its students and
develops their skills.
Program Overview
The study of leadership is central to Augsburg College. The College mission statement says, “Augsburg College educates
students to be informed citizens, thoughtful stewards, critical thinkers, and responsible leaders.” The Master of Arts in
Leadership is quintessentially Augsburg. The integrated liberal arts perspective on leadership education is what we think
of as the “Augsburg difference.”
The Master of Arts in Leadership is the core program of Augsburg’s Center for Leadership Studies (CLS). Developed and
launched in 1987, it is Augsburg’s oldest graduate degree and one of the oldest leadership graduate degrees in the
United States. The program responds to the leadership development needs of both for-profit and not-for-profit
organizations. MAL has a deep theoretical base in leadership studies, yet also offers its students practical approaches to
leadership that can be applied in the workplace and society.
Leadership Development Model
The MAL program promotes leadership as a process that:
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Inspires cooperation among people who must compete for limited resources
Promotes productivity within and beyond the organization
Works toward progress for the individual and the organization
To accomplish this, individuals aspiring to positions of leadership must possess three key attributes: a sense of vision,
the ability to persuade, and the ability to direct action. Underlying these attributes are abilities and awareness, outlined
in the Leadership Development Model, which serve as specific outcomes for the MAL program. Augsburg’s model of
leadership development is designed to assess, promote, enhance, and refine these capabilities within the individual.
Learning Goals and Outcomes
The MAL program is designed to support students in developing the knowledge and skills to:
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Explore the nature and practice of leadership in a wide variety of dynamic organizational and community settings
Develop a personal understanding and philosophy of leadership
Aspire to be responsible leaders who are informed citizens, critical thinkers, and thoughtful stewards
Enhance knowledge of self and the capacity to be reflective learners
Analyze and navigate increasingly complex changing environments
Formulate and articulate a shared vision in order to inspire others to achieve desired goals
MAL Courses
Each course encourages pursuit of the designated outcomes and uses a variety of learning techniques appropriate to
adult learners. Instructional techniques include case studies, debate, written and oral presentations, and group activity.
These techniques develop targeted leadership abilities and understanding. Students are encouraged to see abilities and
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understandings as cross-disciplinary and to view content areas as integrated. The program reflects the view that the
world in which we operate is complex and that dealing with it successfully requires well-developed integrative abilities.
Plan of Study
Accommodating the Full-Time Work Schedule
Designed to meet the needs and preferences of working adults, the MAL program is based on the assumption that the
students who enroll are career-oriented, self-disciplined, and well-motivated individuals seeking a balance of classroom
experience, group interaction, and individual study. Courses are organized as seminars with the opportunity for
discussion and dialogue.
The program features classes taught by faculty from multiple disciplines and offers two formats to allow students to
choose the option that works best for them. Both formats offer a combination of classroom and online learning styles in
different proportions. The classic classroom format emphasizes face-to-face instruction augmented by online work. The
integrated hybrid format combines online and intensive learning experiences with occasional sessions in a traditional
classroom setting.
Two Convenient Formats: Classic Classroom and Integrated Hybrid Cohort
Overview Classic Classroom Format
For more than 25 years, our classic classroom format has featured a flexible choice model that allows students to select
courses that focus on individual goals, interests, and learning style. Students can also determine the pace at which they
move through the program. This format offers numerous electives and allows for individualized studies. Some online
work is incorporated into this format.
Schedule
During fall and spring semesters, classes usually meet every other Saturday morning or afternoon for four hours.
Additional instruction time is provided online. Seven Saturday sessions are included in one semester. Some select classes
meet on Monday evenings. Students can take a combination of Saturday and Monday courses.
A sample class schedule in the classic classroom format:
Period I
Saturday
8:00 am to 12:00 pm
Period II
Saturday
1:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Period III
Weeknights
6:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Note: Each class taken commits a student to Period I, Period II, or Period III, an average of two meetings a month. A few
courses are taught on an immersion model, which features fewer but longer sessions.
The MAL program also offers summer semester courses in seven-week, fourteen-week, or special immersion formats.
Curriculum
Four core courses:
ML 505 - Foundations of Leadership
ML 514 - Research Methods
ML 580 - Colloquium on Contemporary Theories of Leadership
ML 585 - Integrating the Theory and Practice of Responsible Leadership (Capstone Course)
Seven electives, selected from more than 20 offerings*
*Students may petition the program to do a thesis in place of two of the elective courses. Students who do the thesis
are required to develop and carry out an in-depth study of some aspect of leadership or of a leadership-related topic
and register for ML 592 Thesis Consultation I and ML 593 Thesis Consultation II. Students electing to write a thesis are
still required to take ML 585 to complete the program.
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Elective courses for the Classic Classroom format
The MAL program requires that seven elective courses be selected from the following course list. All courses are 3
semester credits:
ML 510 - Visions of Leadership
ML 511 - Creativity and the Problem-Solving Process
ML 520 - Self-Identity, Values, and Personal Growth
ML 527 - Spirituality and Leadership in the Workplace
ML 530 - Ethics in Communication
ML 531 - The Dynamics of Change
ML 535 - Organization Theory and Leadership
ML 536 - Facilitating Organizational Change
ML 538 - Communication Skills for Leadership
ML 539 - Communicating a Self in the Modern Organization
ML 540 - Political Leadership: Theory and Practice
ML 545 - Decision Making and Leadership
ML 548 - Coaching and Consulting
ML 550 - Communication, Decision Making, and Technology
ML 553 - Design and Leadership
ML 557 - Language of Leadership
ML 560 - Cultural Competence and Effective Leadership
ML 563 - Leadership in a Global Society
ML 565 - Women and Leadership
ML 570 - Negotiation: Theory and Practice
ML 574 - Strategic Leadership
ML 575 - Constructive Conflict Resolution
ML 576 - Leading Innovation
ML 577 - Universal Responsibility and Leadership: A Nicaraguan Experience
ML 598 - Independent Study
ML 599 - Topics
Overview of Integrated Hybrid Cohort Format
A combination of online, classroom, and experiential learning
The integrated hybrid model is completed in two years with a combination of intensive face-to-face sessions and online
coursework. Students complete the program with a cohort of peers representing many different perspectives. Students
learn from each other and build relationships that will provide support throughout the program and a valuable network
for the future.
Schedule
After starting with a five-day summer experience, classes meet on a semester schedule September through mid-April
(fall and spring semesters) and mid-May through mid-August summer semester). Coursework will be online and
supported by three on-campus class sessions per term.
Curriculum
*ML 505 - Foundations of Leadership
ML 512 - Responsible Leadership for the 21st Century (Intensive)
*ML 514 - Research Methods
ML 520 - Self-Identity, Values, and Personal Growth
ML 523 - Leading Authentically
ML 553 - Design and Leadership
ML 563 - Leadership in a Global Society
ML 574 - Strategic Leadership
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ML 577 - Universal Responsibility and Leadership: A Nicaraguan Experience (or alternative elective)
*ML 580 - Colloquium of Contemporary Theories of Leadership
*ML 585 - Integrating the Theory and Practice of Responsible Leadership (Capstone Course)
* Core courses offered in the integrated hybrid format (required for all students)
A sequenced list of seven electives is prepared for each cohort. In the cohort program, students complete 11 courses,
including a capstone course (ML 585).
MBA/MAL Dual Degree
The dual degree program takes advantage of the intellectual benefits of studying business administration and leadership
in a coordinated program. It leverages Augsburg’s long tradition of graduate leadership training via the MA in Leadership
with the robust demand for business education through our MBA program. The dual degree provides students with the
leadership skills needed to run a business and, at the same time, helps them develop the comprehensive outlook they
need to thrive in today’s interconnected world.
A minimum of 18 Augsburg courses completes the MBA/MA in Leadership dual degree, including at least 7 MBA
courses and 7 MA in Leadership courses.
The following dual degree program requirements must be met.
7 courses are required from MBA courses:
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MBA 510 – Managerial Economics
MBA 520 – Accounting for Managers
MBA 530 – Managerial Finance
MBA 540 – Business and Professional Ethics
MBA 550 – Marketing Management
MBA 570 – Quantitative Decision Making for Managers
MBA 580 – The Field Study
4 core courses are required from MA in Leadership courses with 3 MAL elective courses:
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ML 505 – Foundations of Leadership
ML 514 – Research Methods
ML 580 – Colloquium on Contemporary Theories of Leadership
ML 585, ML 585, ML 588 or ML 597 – Final Project
ML Electives (3)
Three Focus Area Courses
Students will choose one course from each of the focus areas:
Focus Area #1: Organizational Development
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MBA 545 – Organizational Development
ML 535 – Organizational Theory and Leadership
Director approved course with organizational development focus
Focus Area #2: Global/Multicultural Perspective
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MBA 565 – Global Environment for Managers
ML 560 – Cultural Competence and Effective Leadership
Ml 563 – Leadership in a Global Society
Director approved course with global/multicultural focus
Focus Area #3: Strategic Leadership
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MBA 595 – Strategic Management
ML 574 – Strategic Leadership
Director approved course with strategic leadership focus
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One Additional Elective Course
Elective course may be taken in either MBA or MA in Leadership Program
Admission to the Dual Degree Program
Admission for the dual degree program is handled on a “rolling” basis and requires applicants to hold a bachelor’s
degree from a regionally accredited four-year college or university. Official transcripts from all post-secondary
institutions are required as well as a current résumé and two recommendations. An interview with the program director
is also part of the admissions process.
Although we do accept the GMAT and GRE, we also offer candidates an alternative math and writing profile assessment
entitled the Individual Learning Profile (ILP) which provides a picture of candidate’s math and writing (verbal)
competency detailing strengths and areas of improvement. The profile is not an admissions screening instrument and
will be used as a platform to develop a skills improvement plan for students should they need it.
Earning the dual degree during or after the MBA or MA in Leadership program
Students who are currently enrolled in the MBA or MA in Leadership program or alumni who wish to return to
Augsburg may add the dual degree to their existing degree by completing most of the same requirements listed on the
front of this page. Students may use previously completed application pieces and coursework to help meet these
requirements.
Returning students may complete an abbreviated application form after consultation with the MBA or ML program
director. Upon entering the MBA program, a quantitative online profile assessment must also be taken. This is used as a
platform to enhance skills, if needed.
Students with an MA in Leadership who wish to add the dual degree will take a minimum of 7 required MBA courses.
Students will complete one course in each of the 3 focus areas if they did not complete these courses during their MAL
program. Each student’s program will be slightly different based on their prior course selections.
Students with an MBA will complete 4 required and 3 elective MA in Leadership courses. Students will need to complete
one course in each of the 3 focus areas if they did not complete these courses during their MBA program. Each student’s
program will be slightly different based on their prior course selections.
Students in both programs will meet individually with the program directors to determine whether their completed final
project meets the criteria aligned with the dual degree final project. Directors may ask that the project be modified or
added to or ask the student to complete another project. These decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis.
Certificate in Leadership Studies
The certificate program is an attractive option for people who want to develop their leadership skills without
undertaking a full degree program. A certificate is awarded after completion of five Augsburg MAL courses in leadership.
Students pursuing this option take ML 505 - Foundations of Leadership and four additional electives. The normal
application process is used for students who wish to pursue the certificate.
Joint BA in Accounting and Master of Arts in Leadership
A BA in Accounting and an MA in Leadership (MAL) can be earned in this five-year program designed for students who
wish to qualify for CPA certification and obtain a master’s degree. By the end of the fifth year and successful completion
of all requirements, the student receives both a BA in Accounting and an MA in Leadership and will have fulfilled the
150-hour requirement to qualify for the CPA certification. The MAL program offers a large number of courses on a
weekend schedule or Monday evening. Refer to the MAL program schedule for the list of courses each year and to the
accounting program coordinator for a detailed academic plan. Students should meet with both the MAL director and an
accounting advisor to create an effective plan for successful completion of the five-year program.
General Requirements for the Accounting/MAL Program
Accounting students planning to pursue the five-year degree must apply for admission to the MAL program at the end of
their junior year. The application process includes submission of:
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Completed application form
Three letters of recommendation (two from professors and one from an employer)
Personal statement
Example of their writing in an academic paper
GPA of at least 3.30
Interview with a three-person panel from the MAL program
Students must also have faculty endorsement from the Accounting program. Students must complete at least one year
of accounting work experience (either a job or internship) by the time they graduate from the MAL program.
Program Coordinator: Professor Stu Stoller.
For a complete list of courses and descriptions, see the Course Description Search.
Admission to the Master of Arts in Leadership Program
Admission Requirements
Applicants to the program must have:
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Bachelor’s degree from a regionally-accredited, four-year college or university
Minimum cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 and a minimum cumulative grade point average of
3.0 for graduate courses completed at an accredited college or university. Should an applicant not meet the
minimum admission requirements, a conditional admission may be possible as decided on a case-by-case basis.
Applicants to the program must have two years of experience (or equivalent) with one or more organizations in a
position of leadership or position demonstrating leadership potential.
Applicants holding a master’s or other advanced degrees from accredited colleges or universities are admissible.
Decisions about admission to the program will be made on an individual basis by the MAL Admissions Committee.
Admission is handled on a “rolling” basis, with students admitted at the beginning of the fall, spring, and summer
terms. Selection of candidates will be made on the basis of an evaluation of each applicant’s:
o Previous college record
o Letters of recommendation
o Experience and organizational background
o Written statement
o Interview, if requested
Application Checklist
The following materials must be submitted to the Office of Admissions:
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Completed application form
$35 non-refundable application fee (waived if online application is used)
A 1-3 page statement relating the applicant’s career and life goals to leadership aspirations
Recommendation letter and checklist from an immediate supervisor, assessing leadership potential
Recommendation letter and checklist from a work colleague (at the same level) describing the applicant’s work style
and leadership potential
Official transcripts from all undergraduate institutions attended, listing all courses taken and any degree(s)
conferred
Official transcripts from all graduate institutions attended, listing courses taken and degree(s) conferred, if any.
Résumé, if available.
Applicants may be asked to participate in an interview with graduate program faculty and/or staff members.
For further information, contact: Office of Admissions, 612-330-1101, gradinfo@augsburg.edu or
www.augsburg.edu/grad.
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Admission as an International Student
International applicants must submit the required application materials listed above. Refer to the additional
requirements outline in Admission of International Students in the Graduate Admissions section.
Academic Policies
Academic Evaluation
Courses not offered on the numbered grading system are noted in the course descriptions in this catalog as being
graded on P/N basis. In order to receive a grade of P, a student must achieve at least a grade of 3.0. No more than two
courses with a grade below 3.0 will count toward the degree. No more than two courses with a grade of or below 2.5
can be repeated. Only the credits and grades earned the second time are counted in the grade point average. Any
course with a grade of 2.0 or lower will be transcribed as 0.0 academic credit.
In order to graduate, a student must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above. All required courses and the final projects
must be successfully completed. A student registered for a final course may be permitted to participate in
commencement but will not receive a diploma until all courses are successfully completed.
Academic Probation and Dismissal Policies
Students must maintain a 3.0 cumulative grade point average. If a student falls below a 3.0 average, the student will be
placed on probation for the following term. A 3.0 cumulative grade point average must be restored in order for a
student to be removed from probation. If a student receives a grade of N or 0.0 in a course, the student must petition
successfully with the MAL director before being allowed to continue in the program. A plan for the student to follow
would be outlined at that time. If a second grade of N or 0.0 is received, the student may be dismissed from the
program. Students may also be dismissed for behavior detrimental to the program, such as a gross violation of College
policy (as published in the Student Guide). Dismissal would occur only after established procedures were followed.
MAL Program Enrollment Policy
Students normally take either one or two courses per semester. Enrolling in two courses per semester (including
summer semester) enables a student to complete the coursework in the program within two years.
Students who are away from classes for one year or longer must complete an Application for Readmission and submit it
to the Registrar’s Office. Students who have been out of the program for more than two years may, at the discretion of
the program director, be required to take additional courses to refresh their understanding of the field.
Accreditation and Affiliation
Augsburg is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. For a
complete list of Augsburg’s accreditation, approvals, and memberships, in the Accreditation, Approvals and
Memberships section.
MAL Faculty
Andrew Aoki, Professor of Political Science. BA, University of Oregon; MA, PhD, University of Wisconsin.
John Benson, Professor Emeritus of Religion. BA, Augsburg College; BD, Luther Theological Seminary; MA, PhD,
Columbia University.
Thomas Berkas, Instructor of Leadership Studies. BCE, University of Minnesota, PhD University of Minnesota.
Larry Bourgerie, Instructor of Leadership Studies. BS, BA, MA, University of Minnesota. Senior Vice President Human
Resources, TrueStone Financial.
Joseph A. Erickson, Professor of Education. BA, MA, University of St. Thomas; MA, Luther Seminary; PhD, University of
Minnesota.
Stephen K. Erickson, Instructor of Leadership Studies. BA, Augsburg College; JD, University of Minnesota. Vice President
and Advanced Practitioner, Erickson Mediation Institute.
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Garry Hesser, Martin Olav Sabo Professor of Citizenship and Learning. BA, Phillips University; MDiv, Union Theological
Seminary; MA, PhD, University of Notre Dame.
Lucinda Hruska-Claeys, Instructor of Leadership Studies. BS, University of Minnesota; MA, Southern Illinois UniversityCarbondale; JD, University of Minnesota; MAL, Augsburg College. Vice President and Special Accounts
Consultant, Wells Fargo Bank N.A.
Steven Jeddeloh, Instructor of Leadership Studies. BS, Mankato State University; MED in Education and MED in Training
and Organization Development, University of Minnesota; MA, PhD, Fielding Graduate University. President of
Leadership Resources Consulting.
David Lapakko, Associate Professor of Communication Studies. BA, Macalester College; MA, PhD, University of
Minnesota.
Velma J. Lashbrook, Assistant Professor of Leadership Studies. BS, Iowa State University; MS, Illinois State University;
EdD, West Virginia University.
Karen J. Lokkesmoe, Instructor of Leadership Studies. BA, Augsburg College; MPA, PhD, University of Minnesota.
President, Lokkesmoe Consulting, LLC.
Steven Manderscheid, Instructor of Leadership Studies. BS, St. Cloud State University; MS, University of Minnesota; EdD,
University of St. Thomas. Chair, Department of Organizational Management, Concordia University.
Marilyn S. McKnight Erickson, Instructor of Leadership Studies. BA, Augsburg College; MA, St. Mary's University;
President and Advanced Practitioner, Erickson Mediation Institute, Mpls.
Thomas Morgan, Professor of Business Administration. BS, Juniata College; MBA, University of Denver; MS, University of
Oregon; PhD, University of Minnesota.
Norma C. Noonan, Professor Emerita of Political Science and Leadership Studies, former Director of the Center for
Leadership Studies and the MAL Program (1993-2011). BA, University of Pennsylvania; MA, PhD, Indiana
University.
Diane Pike, Professor of Sociology. AB, Connecticut College; PhD, Yale University.
John S. Schmit, Professor of English. BS, St. John’s University; MA, University of New Orleans; PhD, The University of
Texas-Austin.
Kathryn Swanson, Professor of English. BA, St. Olaf College; MA, PhD, University of Minnesota.
Alan Tuchtenhagen, Assistant Professor of Leadership Studies and Director of the Center for Leadership Studies and the
MAL Program. BS, Westmar College; MA, University of Nebraska; DPA, Hamline University.
Joseph Volker, Instructor of Leadership Studies. BA, University of California-Irvine; MA, PhD, University of Minnesota.
Vice President and Practice Area Leader, MDA Leadership Consulting Inc.
Staff
Patty Park, Program Coordinator. BA, University of Minnesota; MA, Augsburg College.
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Master of Arts in Nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice
Welcome to graduate nursing education at Augsburg College. Our classes are made up of students representing a
dynamic mix of cultures, spiritual traditions, and life-ways. It is exciting for us to offer experienced nurses transforming
educational opportunities and engaging transcultural encounters that expand their career choices and advance their
nursing practice.
The increasing diversity of our population today challenges all of us to respond to individual health care needs with
creativity and competence in a variety of emerging care settings. The Master of Arts in Nursing program is designed to
prepare nurses for those evolving contexts of care. Students can choose between two tracks of study: Transcultural
Nursing and Transformational Nursing Leadership. Each track of study emphasizes leadership skills, inter-professional
collaboration and ways to serve persons in a variety of care settings.
The post-master’s Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program builds on the MAN and prepares nurses for innovative
health leadership and advanced nursing practice at local and system-wide levels. Drawing on a transcultural nursing
foundation, the DNP curriculum embraces integrative health care and holistic nursing practice to maximize health for
individuals and communities. Students design their own scholarly paths defined by their unique gifts, interests, and
practice goals. Throughout the DNP program there are a range of opportunities for collaboration across cultures, socioeconomic strata and care systems.
The post-BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) to DNP/Family Nurse Practitioner track of study prepares nurses for
advanced nursing leadership and integrative primary care of families across cultures and care settings. Drawing on a
transcultural nursing foundation, the DNP/FNP curriculum embraces integrative healthcare and holistic nursing practice.
Emphasis is on eliminating health inequities through peaceful, just, and collaborative actions that uphold and improve
human potential. The curriculum emphasizes knowledge, skills and values that foster one’s ability to lead change, while
addressing health needs and concerns of families and communities. Nursing scholarship and advanced autonomous
practice frame the critical exploration of knowledge in transcultural nursing, integrative healthcare practices,
transformational leadership, and health assessment.
Classes in both the DNP and MAN programs are offered on the Augsburg campus and at Bethel Lutheran Church in
Rochester, MN, where our branch campus is located. Video conferencing and online assignments are used for some of
the classes, however, our students and faculty are committed to driving from one site to the other at least once during
each semester to be physically present and together.
Building relationships is important to us. Program faculty and staff are available at both sites and eager to assist
students.
Cheryl J. Leuning
Chair, Department of Nursing
Director, Master of Arts in Nursing Program
and Doctor of Nursing Practice Program
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Master of Arts in Nursing
Mission
The Master of Arts in Nursing program is designed to prepare nurses for transformational leadership and transcultural
nursing practice across care settings with particular emphasis on addressing health inequities. Students select from two
tracks of study—Transformational Nursing Leadership or Transcultural Nursing. Both tracks prepare nurse leaders to
assume a wide variety of roles and responsibilities throughout the healthcare system and in emerging care settings in
communities.
Curriculum
The MAN curriculum is organized into 33 semester credits –15 semester credits in a Nursing Core, in which all students
enroll, and 18 semester credits in one of the two Tracks of Study. Practica are taken concurrently with most courses and
are integrated throughout the program. Each semester credit of practicum is equal to 45 clock hours of practice.
Students select a track of study when applying to the program, however, this is not essential until after one’s first
semester. Students may study full-time (6-8 semester credits per term) or part-time (4 semester credits per term). Time
to degree completion takes an average 22 months when studying full-time, and 32 months when studying part-time.
Nursing Core Courses (15 semester credits)
The core nursing courses integrate a strong foundation of social justice incorporating multiple ways of knowing with
curricular emphasis on nursing science, art, and theory to guide practice.
NUR 500 - Transcultural Health Care (3 semester credits)
NUR 500P - Practicum: Transcultural Health Care (1 semester credit)
NUR 541 - Politics of Health (3 semester credits)
NUR 541P - Practicum: Politics of Health Care (1 semester credit)
NUR 505 - Theoretical Foundations for Advanced Nursing Practice (3 semester credits)
NUR 505P - Practicum: Theoretical Foundations for Advanced Practice Nursing (1 semester credit)
NUR 520 - Research Methods in Nursing (3 semester credits)
Transformational Nursing Leadership Track (18 semester credits)
The Transformational Nursing Leadership track is designed to develop nurse leaders’ ability to critically analyze,
articulate, and develop effective strategies to cope with high level health care disparities. Curricular emphasis is on interprofessional collaboration across care settings. Participation in nursing leadership practica in traditional and emerging
care settings adds depth and meaning to classroom dialogue. Practica also provide opportunities for students to apply
knowledge and gain experience partnering with diverse care providers, populations, and communities to address health
inequities in creative and relevant ways. Transformational Nursing Leadership track courses include:
NUR 501 - Nursing Leadership in Complex Adaptive Systems (3 semester credits)
NUR 501P - Practicum: Nursing Leadership in Complex Adaptive Systems (1 semester credit)
NUR 521 - Transformational Nursing Leadership (3 semester credits)
NUR 521P - Practicum: Transformational Nursing Leadership (2 semester credits)
NUR 523 - Theory, Practice and Research Seminar (3 semester credits)
NUR 523P - Practicum: Theory, Practice and Research Seminar (2 semester credits)
NUR 525 - Graduate Field Project (3 semester credits)
NUR 525P - Practicum: Graduate Field Project (2 semester credits)
Students graduating from the Transformational Leadership Track of the master’s program are eligible to apply to the
American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) for certification as a Nurse Executive, Advanced and to the Transcultural
Nursing Certification Commission (TCNCC) for advanced certification in Transcultural Nursing.
Graduate Field Project in Transformational Nursing Leadership
Students will fulfill their Master of Arts in Nursing through a final practice-focused project, which serves as the capstone
of the master’s program. The last two classes in the curriculum–NUR 523 and NUR 525—emphasize the development
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and articulation of a final field project focused on transformational leadership. Students present their final projects in
NUR 525.
Transcultural Nursing Across Care Settings Track (18 semester credits)
The Transcultural Nursing track in the Master of Arts in Nursing program was designed to prepare nurses for advanced
practice across care settings in culturally diverse communities. The curriculum is grounded in nursing science, theoryguided practice, and transcultural principles. Emphasis is on reaching out to persons and populations that are
underserved by traditional care systems and who exist outside of the social mainstream. As such, the track provides rich
alternative learning opportunities for graduate students locally and internationally. Transcultural Nursing Across Care
Settings track courses include:
NUR 532 - Transcultural Healing Practices and Self Care (3 semester credits)
NUR 532P – Practicum: Transcultural Healing Practices and Self Care (1 semester credits)
NUR 530 - The Power of Ritual and Ceremony for Healing (3 semester credits)
NUR 530P – Practicum: The Power of Ritual and Ceremony for Healing (1 semester credits)
NUR 523 - Theory, Practice and Research Seminar (3 semester credits)
NUR 523P – Practicum: Theory, Practice and Research Seminar (2 semester credits)
NUR 525 - Graduate Field Project (3 semester credits)
NUR 525P - Graduate Field Project (2 semester credits)
Students graduating from the Transcultural Nursing track of the master’s program are eligible to apply to the
Transcultural Nursing Certification Commission (TCNCC) for advanced certification in Transcultural Nursing and
certification in Holistic Nursing through the American Holistic Nurses Credentialing Corporation (AHNCC)
(www.ahncc.org).
Graduate Field Project in Transcultural Nursing
Students will fulfill their Master of Arts in Nursing through a final practice-focused project, which serves as the capstone
of the master’s program. The last two classes in the curriculum—NUR 523 and NUR 525—emphasize the development
and articulation of a final field project focused on transcultural nursing. Students present their final projects in NUR 525.
Practica
Practice experience is emphasized in both tracks in the Master of Arts in Nursing program. Students earn 9 semester
credits of practicum work that is equal to 405 clock hours of practice—45 clock hours per semester credit hour. Practica
are generally semi-structured, experiential, and led by faculty and cultural guides familiar with the communities in which
the practica occur. Some practica are student directed. In all practica, students are encouraged to immerse themselves
in practice settings that serve persons underserved or excluded from mainstream health care, as emphasis in the
program is on cultural diversity and health inequities across health care settings. Practica focusing on experiential
learning with a transformational nurse leader provides students with the opportunity to gain a greater understanding of
organizational dynamics and change through a complexity science paradigm.
Augsburg Central Health Commons & the Inner City
A unique opportunity for students to explore advanced nursing roles and new models and forms of practice is provided
by the Augsburg Central Health Commons, and the Health Commons in the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood. Both Health
Commons are nursing-led drop-in centers dedicated to serving those in need and focused on healthy individuals and
communities. People from diverse backgrounds, who have health experiences grounded in wide ranging cultural
contexts frequent the Health Commons for health support and reassurance. Service and care are based on respect,
relationship, and collaboration that connects health and hope for all participants. Health Commons partners include
Central Lutheran Church in downtown Minneapolis, Fairview Health Services, U-Care, and the East Africa Health Project.
Study Abroad and Away
The Department of Nursing works closely with cultural guides and nurse mentors in various contexts of care in emerging
care settings at home and abroad. The Center for Global Education is a partner with the Department of Nursing in
developing and facilitating study abroad opportunities in Guatemala and Mexico.
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Additional collaborative partners include the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MOHSS) in Namibia, the Pine Ridge
Retreat Center, in Pine Ridge, SD, and a variety of cultural guides and local practitioners throughout England. A detailed
listing of practica and immersion experiences abroad and away can be found at the nursing website
(www.augsburg.edu/nursing).
For a complete list of courses and descriptions, see the Course Description Search.
Admission Requirements
Decisions about admission to the program will be made by the Graduate Admissions Committee on an individual basis.
Admissions are handled throughout the year, with students being admitted at the beginning of the fall (September) and
spring (January) semesters.
Selection of candidates will be made on the basis of an evaluation of the following items:
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An earned Bachelor’s degree in nursing from a regionally accredited college or university, or an Associate of Science
degree in nursing in addition to a non-nursing bachelor’s degree
A cumulative GPA of 3.0 in all previous college coursework
Experience as a registered nurse
Three letters of recommendation
A current, unencumbered nursing license
All required immunizations
Transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
A Criminal Background check
A college level statistics course within the last 7 years is required for progression in the program, but is not
necessary for admission
A written statement describing professional and educational goals
The following items must be sent to the Office of Admissions:
Completed application form—www.augsburg.edu/ma_nursing
$35 non-refundable application fee
A 2-3 page typed statement describing the applicant’s professional and educational goals
Three letters of recommendation (in English) addressing the applicant’s character and ability for graduate study.
(Two of these recommendations must be from professional colleagues)
Evidence of Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) training, and required immunizations
Official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended, listing all courses taken and any
degree(s) conferred
An interview with graduate program faculty and/or staff members may be requested.
Admission as an International Student
International applicants must submit the required application materials listed above. For more information, refer to the
additional requirements outlined in Admission of International Students in the Graduate Admissions section.
Academic Policies
Evaluation of academic performance in the Master of Arts in Nursing program will be based on number grades using a
4.0 point scale. See detailed information in the Academic Programs and Policies
Attendance Policy
Class attendance is expected and should be considered a key responsibility, not only to one’s self, but to one’s
classmates and the course instructor. Instructors may lower grades if attendance and participation is lacking. Individual
syllabi will contain individual instructors’ requirements. Because classes are held in Rochester and Minneapolis, students
must prepare to drive to class at least once per term.
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Academic Probation and Dismissal Policies
Students must maintain a 3.0 cumulative grade point average in the MAN program. If a student falls below a 3.0
average, the student will be placed on probation for the following term. A 3.0 cumulative grade point average must be
restored in order for a student to be removed from probation. If a student receives a grade of 2.0 or less in a course, the
student must petition successfully to the faculty of the Master of Arts in Nursing program before being allowed to
continue in the program. A plan for the student to follow would be outlined at that time. If a second grade of 2.0 or less
is received, the student may be dismissed from the program.
Students may also be dismissed for behavior detrimental to the program, such as a gross violation of college policy as
published in the Student Guide. Dismissal would occur only after established procedures were followed.
Credit for Prior Education
Students may petition the Master of Arts in Nursing faculty for approval of transfer of credit. Transfer credits will
be evaluated on an individual basis. The only courses that will be considered for transfer credit are those earned
from regionally accredited colleges and universities, whose course content is comparable to course content in the
Master of Arts in Nursing program. No more than nine semester credits will be accepted for transfer credit.
Schedules for Classes
Master’s classes are taught in a hybrid format combining in-class and web-based instruction to meet the needs of
working adults. Most classes meet 6 times per semester for 5 hour periods. Video conferencing is used to connect
students in Rochester, MN, with students in Minneapolis. Some driving for class is required, as students from Rochester
will travel to Minneapolis one time per term and students from Minneapolis will travel to Rochester one time per term.
If weather is inclement, video conferencing is used. Classes in Rochester meet at Bethel Lutheran Church at 810 3rd Ave
SE, Rochester, MN.
Practica are additional to courses. Students enroll in practica concurrently with enrollment in courses.
Accreditation and Affiliations
The Master of Arts in Nursing program is fully accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Augsburg is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. For a
complete list of Augsburg’s accreditations, approvals, and memberships, see the listing in the Accreditation Approvals,
and Memberships section.
Department of Nursing Faculty
Pauline Abraham, Assistant Professor of Nursing. BSN, Winona State University; MAN, Augsburg College; DNP, Augsburg
College.
Katherine Baumgartner, Assistant Professor of Nursing. BSN, Minnesota State University; MAN, Augsburg College; DNP,
Augsburg College.
Kathleen Clark, Assistant Professor and Coordinator of the Augsburg Central Nursing Center, BSN University of
Wisconsin-Eau Claire; MAN, Augsburg College; DNP, Augsburg College.
Cheryl Leuning, Professor of Nursing, Chair of the Department of Nursing, and Director of Graduate Programs. BA,
Augustana College; MS-PHN, University of Minnesota; PhD, University of Utah.
Joyce Miller, Assistant Professor of Nursing. ADN, Rochester State Junior College; BSN, Augsburg College; MAN,
Augsburg College; DNP, Augsburg College.
Ruth Enestvedt, Assistant Professor. BSN, St. Olaf College; MSN, PhD, University of Minnesota.
Joyce Perkins, Assistant Professor of Nursing. BS, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH; Nursing Major, College of
St. Teresa, Winona, MN; MA, St. Mary’s College, Minneapolis, MN; MSN, University of MN; PhD, University of
Colorado.
Kaija Freborg, Assistant Professor of Nursing. BSN, University of Wisconsin- Eau Claire; MAN, Augsburg College; DNP,
Augsburg College.
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Lisa Van Getson, Assistant Professor of Nursing, BSN, College of St. Teresa, Winona, MN; MA, St. Catherine University,
St. Paul, MN; MAN, FNP, Winona State University; DNP, Augsburg College.
Staff
Sharon Wade, Nursing Programs Coordinator. BA, Augsburg College.
Linden Gawboy, Nursing Programs Administrative Assistant.
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Doctor of Nursing Practice – Transcultural Nursing Leadership (DNPTCN)
The post-master’s Doctor of Nursing Practice program prepares nurses for innovative health leadership and advanced
nursing practice at local and system-wide levels. Drawing on a transcultural nursing foundation, the DNP-TCN curriculum
embraces integrative healthcare and holistic nursing practice. Emphasis is placed on maximizing health within
populations and communities through peaceful, just and collaborative actions across care settings and cultures, focusing
on eliminating health inequities locally and globally. As a post-master’s program, the DNP-TCN track of study builds upon
the strengths of the Master of Arts in Nursing (MAN) program and prepares nurses for advanced leadership and practice
roles in Transcultural Nursing (TCN) and Holistic Nursing.
Program Goals
Graduates of the Doctor of Nursing Practice program are prepared to:
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Negotiate the complexity of multicultural care settings and care systems to eliminate health inequities among
populations and communities
Challenge conventional knowledge about illness through an ecological approach to social determinants of health
Lead change through building coalitions with marginalized people that are based on mutuality and common cause
Program Structure
The program is structured in a modified cohort model. One cohort a year will be admitted to begin in the fall term.
Students can choose to take full or part-time study. Students taking full-time study take two didactic offerings, two
seminars, and a practicum each semester. Students in full-time study can complete the post-master’s DNP-TCN
curriculum in 20 months, including completion of the capstone project. Students selecting part-time study take one
didactic offering, one seminar and a practicum each semester. As a part-time student, completion of the program is
expected to take 32 months, including completion of the capstone project.
The DNP curriculum is organized into 33 semester credits comprised of didactic classes, experiential practica, and
seminars, with a capstone project completing the degree. As a practice doctorate, the emphasis is on building leadership
and practice skills in knowledge application among diverse population groups. The goal is to improve health and
decrease health inequities that lead to unnecessary morbidity and mortality in communities.
Students graduating from the DNP-TCN track are eligible to apply to the Transcultural Nursing Certification Commission
(TCNCC) for advanced certification in Transcultural Nursing and certification in Holistic Nursing through the American
Holistic Nurses Credentialing Corporation (AHNCC) (www.ahncc.org/).
Didactic
A total of six didactic courses (18 semester credits) constitute the DNP program. One course equals three semester
credits. Courses are taught in an immersion model two days a month—eight hours of class time the first day and four
hours the subsequent morning, followed by an afternoon seminar.
Class attendance is expected and should be considered a key responsibility, not only to one’s self, but to one’s
classmates and the course instructor. Classes are held on Augsburg’s campus in Minneapolis and in Rochester, MN, at
Bethel Lutheran Church (810 3rd Ave SE) the location of Augsburg’s branch campus. Video conferencing is used for some
of the classes, however, students must be prepared to drive to Rochester and/or Minneapolis for class at least once per
semester. If weather is inclement, video conferencing is used.
Practica
Practica are organized to give flexibility and individual choice to students to support their increasing independence and
depth of practice experience at the doctoral level. Students select practicum experiences that are either structured
immersions in a variety of cultural contexts led by nursing faculty or that are student initiated and individually directed
experiences mentored by nursing faculty.
In a 15-week semester, practicum hours are computed as follows:
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•
•
•
1 semester credit hour =
2 semester credit hours =
3 semester credit hours =
45 clock hours of practicum time per semester
90 clock hours of practicum time per semester
135 clock hours of practicum time per semester
To earn the DNP, students must complete a total of 1,000 practicum hours in their Master’s and DNP programs.
Students will be allowed to transfer up to 600 practicum hours from their master’s in nursing into the Augsburg DNP. As
such, all students will register for at least nine semester credits of practica in the post-master’s DNP-TCN.
Seminars
Seminars focus on integration of conceptual learning with field practice, developing the student’s particular practice
interests. Students are required to participate in a doctoral seminar every semester —fall and spring—until completion
of the DNP degree. Cohorts of students who enter the DNP program together usually progress as a group in the
seminars in which they enroll each term, depending on whether they are studying full-time or part-time. The final
seminar (NUR 841) culminates in the capstone project presentation and completion of the requirements for the DNP
degree.
Final DNP Capstone Project
Final DNP capstone projects must make a significant impact on nursing practice and health outcomes of populations and
communities, demonstrate an evidence-based contribution to existing nursing knowledge, and be suitable for
presentation or publication in a peer-reviewed venue. Through this scholarly project students demonstrate leadership in
synthesizing and applying scientific knowledge to practice challenges in local and/or system wide contexts of care.
Students should begin working on their DNP capstone projects in the early stages of the DNP program and continue
throughout. This scholarly project is planned in collaboration with a major faculty advisor.
For a complete list of courses and descriptions, see the Course Description Search.
Admission to the DNP
Applicants to the Doctor of Nursing Practice program must have:
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An earned master’s degree in nursing from a regionally-accredited institution
A GPA of 3.2 on a 4.0 grading scale in master’s in nursing program
A current unencumbered RN license to practice in the US.
Evidence of a completed graduate research course
Evidence of up-to-date immunizations
Satisfactory results of a certified federal criminal background check
Decisions about admission to the program will be made on an individual basis. Selection of candidates will be made on
the basis of an evaluation of the following items for each applicant:
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A three-page typed, double-spaced essay demonstrating ability to write in a thoughtful, coherent manner
Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended (Applicants with a college or university degree
completed outside of the United States must submit an official evaluation from World Educational Services.)
Three professional references
An interview with program faculty
The number of applicants admitted to the DNP program will be limited and based on availability of faculty members who
share a student’s practice interests and goals. Meeting the minimum admission criteria does not ensure that an
applicant will be admitted to the program.
Applicants who have graduated from a foreign nursing program, should submit their coursework for validation to the
World Education Service (WES) and have the reports sent directly to Augsburg College. Additionally, internationallyeducated applicants may request the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) (www.cgfns.org/) to
forward their educational credentials report to the Minnesota State Board of Nursing. Once their credentials are
verified, applicants must apply for licensure and demonstrate successful passing of the National Council Licensure
Examination (NCLEX).
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Nurses who have previously submitted CGFNS credential verification in a state other than Minnesota, who have passed
the NCLEX, will be considered for admission and must meet the same residency requirements expected of all students.
Applicants whose first language is not English must submit evidence of earning a minimum score of 95 out of a possible
120 (or 250 if previous version was taken) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). See Graduate
Admissions for more information.
Accreditation
The Doctor of Nursing Practice program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), which
has accredited the Master of Arts in Nursing and the Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs at Augsburg. Augsburg is
accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
Augsburg is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. For a
complete list of Augsburg’s accreditations, approvals, and memberships, see the listing in the Accreditation, Approvals,
and Memberships section.
Department of Nursing Faculty
Pauline Abraham, Assistant Professor of Nursing. BSN, Winona State University; MAN, Augsburg College; DNP, Augsburg
College.
Katherine Baumgartner, Assistant Professor of Nursing. BSN, Minnesota State University; MAN, Augsburg College; DNP,
Augsburg College.
Kathleen Clark, Assistant Professor and Coordinator of the Augsburg Central Nursing Center, BSN University of
Wisconsin-Eau Claire; MAN, Augsburg College; DNP, Augsburg College.
Cheryl Leuning, Professor of Nursing, Chair of the Department of Nursing, and Director of Graduate Programs. BA,
Augustana College; MS-PHN, University of Minnesota; PhD, University of Utah.
Joyce Miller, Assistant Professor of Nursing. ADN, Rochester State Junior College; BSN, Augsburg College; MAN,
Augsburg College; DNP, Augsburg College.
Ruth Enestvedt, Assistant Professor. BSN, St. Olaf College; MSN, PhD, University of Minnesota.
Joyce Perkins, Assistant Professor of Nursing. BS, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH; Nursing Major, College of
St. Teresa, Winona, MN; MA, St. Mary’s College, Minneapolis, MN; MSN, University of MN; PhD, University of
Colorado.
Lisa Van Getson, Assistant Professor of Nursing, BSN, College of St. Teresa, Winona, MN; MA, St. Catherine University,
St. Paul, MN; MAN, FNP, Winona State University; DNP, Augsburg College.
Staff
Sharon Wade, Program Coordinator, BA, Augsburg College.
Linden Gawboy, Administrative Assistant
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Doctor of Nursing Practice/Family Nurse Practitioner
The post-BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) to DNP/FNP track of study prepares nurses for advanced nursing
leadership and integrative primary care of families across cultures and care settings. Drawing on a transcultural nursing
foundation, the DNP curriculum embraces integrative healthcare and holistic nursing practice. Emphasis is on
eliminating health inequities through peaceful, just, and collaborative actions that uphold and improve human potential.
The curriculum emphasizes knowledge, skills and values that foster one’s ability to lead change, while addressing health
needs and concerns of families and communities. Nursing scholarship and advanced autonomous practice frame the
critical exploration of knowledge in transcultural nursing, integrative healthcare practices, transformational leadership,
and health assessment.
Program Goals
Graduates of the Doctor of Nursing Practice/Family Nurse Practitioner program are prepared to:
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Negotiate the complexity of multicultural care settings and care systems to eliminate health inequities among
populations and communities.
Challenge conventional knowledge about illness through an ecological approach to social determinants of health.
Lead change through building coalitions with marginalized people that are based on mutuality and common cause.
Provide primary care to persons, families and communities with particular consideration for those who are
underserved and/or marginalized by dominant societal structures.
Program Structure
The program is structured to admit students beginning each fall semester. Students may take courses on a part-time or
full-time basis during the completion of their Masters of Nursing or Doctor of Nursing Practice courses. Full-time study is
required during the didactic and clinical courses in the FNP course sequence during the last two years of the program.
Length of program: The Post-BSN to DNP/FNP track of study leads to eligibility for certification as a Family Nurse
Practitioner (FNP) through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and requires a minimum of 84 semester
credit hours, including 57 didactic credit hours and 23 practicum credit hours.
Didactic
A total of 19 didactic courses (57 semester credits) constitute the DNP/FNP program. Didactic classes, structured
practica, and clinical experiences are taught in a variety of flexible schedules that are responsive to student needs.
Master level classes (NUR 500 level courses) consist of six classes a semester - five hours of class time, in addition to
taking a one credit practicum course associated with the didactic course. The DNP courses (NUR 800 level), are taught in
an immersion model two days a month - eight hours of class time for the first day and four hours the subsequent
morning, followed by an afternoon seminar. The FNP courses (final two years of study) are offered on Mondays
approximately five times a semester, class time hours will vary from 8 to 12 hours. Web-based assignments are
integrated into all classes through Moodle.
Summer meeting schedules will be more condensed. Community practicum experiences may be scheduled during the
class meeting days as well. Additionally, some courses may be taught in an immersion format, where students and
faculty are “immersed” in a unique socio-cultural context and course content and a set number of practicum hours are
condensed into seven to fourteen days.
Class attendance is expected and should be considered a key responsibility, not only to one’s self, but to one’s
classmates and the course instructor. Classes are held on Augsburg’s campus in Minneapolis and in Rochester, MN, at
Bethel Lutheran Church (810 3rd Ave SE) the location of Augsburg’s branch campus or at Hermitage Farm Center for
Healing, 6415 West River Road NW, Rochester, MN. Video conferencing is used for some of the classes, however,
students must be prepared to drive to Rochester and/or Minneapolis for class at least once per semester. If weather is
inclement, video conferencing is used.
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Practica
Practica are organized to give flexibility and individual choice to students to support their increasing independence and
depth of practice experience at the doctoral level. Students select practicum experiences that are either structured
immersions in a variety of cultural contexts led by nursing faculty or that are student initiated and individually directed
experiences mentored by nursing faculty. FNP clinical sites will be arranged by clinical faculty.
In a 15-week semester, practicum hours are computed as follows:
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1 semester credit hour =
2 semester credit hours =
3 semester credit hours =
45 clock hours of practicum time per semester
90 clock hours of practicum time per semester
135 clock hours of practicum time per semester
To earn the DNP/FNP, students must complete a total of 1,035 practicum hours. Students will be allowed to transfer up
to 400 practicum hours from their master’s in nursing. To complete the DNP/FNP, students must complete 630 practica
hours (530 hours of primary care of the adult and 100 hours of primary care of children and women’s health). As such,
all students will register for at least 23 semester credits of practica.
Seminars
Seminars focus on integration of conceptual learning with field practice developing the student’s particular practice
interest. Students are required to participate in a total of four one-semester-credit doctoral seminars during the
DNP/FNP program. The final seminar culminates in the project presentation and completion of the requirements for the
DNP degree.
Final DNP/FNP Capstone Project
Final DNP/FNP capstone projects must make a significant impact on nursing practice and health outcomes of
populations and communities, demonstrate an evidence-based contribution to existing nursing knowledge, and be
suitable for presentation or publication in a peer-reviewed venue. Through this scholarly project students demonstrate
leadership in synthesizing and applying scientific knowledge to practice challenges in local and/or system wide contexts
of care. Students should begin working on their DNP/FNP capstone projects in the early stages of the program and
continue throughout. This scholarly project is planned in collaboration with a major faculty advisor.
For a complete list of courses and descriptions, see the Course Description Search.
Admission to the DNP/FNP
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A completed application form and payment of application fee ($50 fee waived if apply on-line).
An earned baccalaureate degree in nursing (BSN or BAN), master’s degree in nursing, or a doctor of nursing practice
(DNP), from a nationally accredited institution and a nationally accredited nursing program.
A non-refundable check or money order for $950 to be used to hold a place in the DNP/FNP program if accepted. If
not accepted the check or money order will be returned. If accepted the $950 will be applied to the orientation
practicum.
A minimum of five years active and current clinical practice as a Registered Nurse.
Evidence of current unencumbered license as a Registered Nurse. MN license required. Other state licenses will be
required for clinical rotations.
Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended (Applicants with a college or university degree
completed outside of the United States must submit an official evaluation from World Educational Services. All costs
related to document translations and evaluations are applicants’ responsibility.
GPA of 3.0 from previous baccalaureate nursing program; GPA of 3.2 from previous master’s in nursing program or
DNP program.
Three professional letters of recommendation.
A 2-page professional essay responding to the following: Explain why transcultural, holistic and integrative health
education as a Doctorate of Nursing Practice/Family Nurse Practitioner is important in shaping the future of
healthcare.
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Documentation verifying the number of practice hours completed in a nationally accredited graduate nursing
program, if applicable. (A maximum of 400 practice hours may be transferred into the DNP/FNP tract of study from a
nationally accredited master’s in nursing program.)
A current Curriculum Vitae.
Evidence of a completed undergraduate statistics course (within the last 5 years) on an official transcript before
enrolling in the Nursing Research course (NUR520) & the associated practicum (NUR520P1).
Evidence of up to date immunizations per Department/College requirements
A valid passport or proof of application submitted.
Evidence of HIPAA training within the last 2 years.
Satisfactory results of a certified federal criminal background check at time of admission and annually thereafter;
additional testing may be required for clinical placement, e.g., alcohol, drug testing, HIV testing, etc.
Applicants whose first language is not English, must submit evidence of earning a minimum score of 95 out of a
possible 120 (or 250 if previous version was taken) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
Successful personal interview with Augsburg Nursing Faculty.
The number of applicants admitted to the DNP/FNP program will be limited and based on availability of faculty members
that share a student’s practice interests and goals. Meeting the minimum admission criteria does not ensure that an
applicant will be admitted to the program.
The above Admission Criteria are current as of April 2014 and are subject to change.
Applicants who have graduated from a foreign nursing program, should submit their coursework for validation to the
World Education Service (WES) and have the reports sent directly to Augsburg College. Additionally, internationallyeducated applicants may request the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) (www.cgfns.org/) to
forward their educational credentials report to the Minnesota State Board of Nursing. Once their credentials are
verified, applicants must apply for licensure and demonstrate successful passing of the National Council Licensure
Examination (NCLEX).
Nurses who have previously submitted CGFNS credential verification in a state other than Minnesota, who have passed
the NCLEX, will be considered for admission and must meet the same residency requirements expected of all students.
Applicants whose first language is not English must submit evidence of earning a minimum score of 95 out of a possible
120 (or 250 if previous version was taken) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). See Graduate
Admissions for more information.
Accreditation
The Doctor of Nursing Practice program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), which
has accredited the Master of Arts in Nursing and the Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs at Augsburg. Augsburg is
accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
Augsburg is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. For a
complete list of Augsburg’s accreditations, approvals, and memberships, see the listing in the Accreditation, Approvals,
and Memberships section.
Department of Nursing Faculty
Katherine Baumgartner, Assistant Professor. BSN, Minnesota State University; MA, DNP, Augsburg College.
Kathleen Clark, Assistant Professor and Coordinator of the Augsburg Central Nursing Center. BS, MA, Augsburg College.
Ruth Enestvedt, Assistant Professor. BS, St. Olaf College; MS, PhD, University of Minnesota.
Cheryl Leuning, Professor, Chair of the Department of Nursing, and Director of Graduate Nursing Programs. BA,
Augustana College; MS, University of Minnesota; PhD, University of Utah.
Joyce Miller, Assistant Professor. ADN, Rochester Community Technical College; BSN, MA, DNP, Augsburg College.
Joyce Perkins, Assistant Professor. BS, University of New Hampshire; RN, College of St. Teresa; MA, St. Mary’s College
Graduate Center; MS, University of Minnesota; PhD, University of Colorado.
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Lisa Van Getson, Assistant Professor, BSN, College of St. Teresa, Winona, MN; MA, St. Catherine University; MAN, FNP,
Winona State University; DNP; Augsburg College.
Staff
Sharon Wade, Program Coordinator, BA, Augsburg College.
Linden Gawboy, Administrative Assistant
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Master of Business Administration
Embarking on a graduate degree program is an exciting and challenging decision. The Augsburg MBA is a rigorous and
intensive educational experience. The Augsburg MBA is practical and “hands-on,” focusing on applicable skills and
knowledge designed to increase your ability to think, analyze and act. The Augsburg MBA provides students a unique
opportunity to investigate business cultures and practices through a faculty-led international experience. Our curriculum
integrates the global experience of our faculty and reflects Augsburg’s mission of developing leaders grounded in values,
purpose, and vocation.
The Augsburg MBA is a proven accelerated program focusing on practical skills, knowledge, and teamwork; while built
on a foundation of ethical decision-making. The Augsburg MBA additionally offers students the ability to include
enhanced instructions in several professional business disciplines. We invite students to challenge themselves and their
classmates to bring a new and expanded focus through guided reflection and examination.
Augsburg MBA students are chosen because they exhibit purpose and direction in their careers and lives, and positive
engagement with their community and associates. We invite you to become part of a growing community of Augsburg
MBA alumni.
Bruce E. Batten, Ph.D.
Director, Master of Business Administration Program
MBA Mission
To prepare students for professional careers in business by developing their decision-making skills, critical thinking and
by transforming them into effective managers and leaders in service to others. The program aspires to provide an
outstanding student-centered education that produces graduates who are critically astute, technically proficient, and
who understand the moral and ethical consequences of their decisions on their organization and on the world.
Accreditation
The Augsburg MBA is a candidate for accreditation with the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs
(ACBSP).
Augsburg is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. For a
complete list of Augsburg’s accreditations, approvals, and memberships, see the listing in the Accreditation, Approvals,
and Memberships section.
MBA Program Overview
Today’s business leader must be able to quickly analyze situations and information and critically analyze alternatives and
courses of action. The purpose of the Augsburg MBA is to prepare students to accept greater responsibility in
organizations facing this dynamic and fast-evolving business culture. The curriculum of the MBA gives students the
ability to think critically and ethically as they face the increased challenges of a global business environment. Quality,
individual initiative, ethics, and teamwork are hallmarks of the Augsburg MBA. We have a commitment to continually
improve students’ experiences and learning in the program. Our faculty is uniquely qualified to bridge theory and realworld application, giving MBA students opportunities to acquire skills and knowledge in a variety of disciplines. The
Augsburg MBA offers students the flexibility of completing a general MBA or a specialized MBA with a concentration
that matches their interests and career goals.
Plan of Study
The Augsburg MBA is an accelerated, evening program that allows working professionals to complete an MBA degree in
approximately 24 months. This is accomplished by using a cohort model in which students follow a predetermined
schedule with classes meeting one night a week.
Students in a cohort program model stay together as a group through the sequence of classes for the duration of the
program. This provides a continuous, collaborative learning process. The cohort environment fosters a cohesive learning
community where students learn from each another, mentor each other, and peer coach. You’ll share diverse
professional expertise and experience as you work in teams on projects, case studies, presentations, and simulations,
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both inside and outside of class. Working both individually and in small groups enables you to enhance your strengths,
build your skills, expand your business acumen, and improve your decision-making. Together as a community you’ll build
personal, social, and academic abilities.
Adult learners bring a wealth of work and personal life experiences with them into the classroom, multiplying the
opportunities for learning. The personal connections and relationships you build with fellow students and faculty will
extend into an important and valuable network as you take your career to new levels.
Program Requirements
The Augsburg MBA requires 39 semester credits for degree completion, consisting of 11 required courses and two
elective courses. All Augsburg MBA courses are three semester credits. Each course consists of 28-32 hours of in-class
instruction and 5 ½ - 9 ½ hours of online instruction through our web-based electronic course management system.
Up to nine credits may be waived through prior business coursework (with director/faculty approval) or certain
professional credentials (with appropriate documentation).
Courses that can be waived with equivalencies:
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MBA 510 (3 semester credits)
MBA 520 (3 semester credits)
MBA 530 (3 semester credits)
MBA 550 (3 semester credits)
MBA 565 (3 semester credits)
Professional Credentials
Students who have passed the Certified Public Accountants (CPA) or Certified Management Accountants (CMA) exam
may be waived from MBA 520, Accounting for Managers.
Prior Academic Coursework Guideline
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Students with prior academic coursework that meets the following criteria may be waived from eligible core
courses.
Completion of at least two undergraduate courses covering corresponding Augsburg MBA core course material (See
department for Equivalency details).
The most recent of the undergraduate courses was taken within the past five years and a second course within
seven years.
A grade of B (or 3.0 on 4 point scale) or higher was earned in any course considered for a course waiver.
Course(s) must be taken at an approved, regionally-accredited institution.
Acceptance of core course waivers implies the student accepts the responsibility for having the essential knowledge and
understanding of the core course material, and is properly prepared for any future core or elective course for which the
waived course was a prerequisite. Academic credit is not awarded for any waived course, nor will the course appear on
academic transcripts.
Specialized Plan of Study
The Augsburg MBA offers students the flexibility of completing a general MBA or a specialized MBA with a concentration
that matches their interests and career goals. An Augsburg MBA with a concentration consists of 11 required MBA
courses and 3 additional courses that focus on a specific area of interest.
Academic Calendar
The Augsburg MBA is designed as a year-round program. Courses are offered during fall, spring, and summer semesters.
Courses are offered consecutively during each term so students are able to concentrate on one subject at a time. The
program is designed to have students take at least two courses per term.
Official academic calendars and the MBA registration policies can be found at www.augsburg.edu/registrar. The unique
cohort model of the Augsburg MBA requires individual schedules for each cohort. These schedules are provided by the
MBA department.
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The Faculty-Led International Experience
Each year, all current MBA students are offered the opportunity to participate in a faculty-led international experience.
This trip is taken in conjunction with either of these courses: MBA 565 - Managing in a Global Environment or MBA 595 Strategic Management. Students will travel as a group to an international location, visit businesses, participate in faculty
lectures, and learn about the culture and traditions of the countries visited. Each MBA student should have two
opportunities during their matriculation in the program to participate. Costs can vary; but as a minimum, trips normally
include tuition (for the course selected), airfare, lodging, and travel in-country, as well as some meals.
The Augsburg MBA
The 11 required courses of the Augsburg MBA are as follows:
MBA 510 - Applied Managerial Economics
MBA 520 - Accounting for Business Managers
MBA 530 - Managerial Finance
MBA 540 - Business and Professional Ethics
MBA 545 - Organization Behavior
MBA 550 - Marketing Management
MBA 565 - Managing in a Global Environment
MBA 570 - Quantitative Decision-Making for Managers
MBA 580 - The Field Study
MBA 592 - Leadership: Ethics, Service, and Transformation
MBA 595 - Strategic Management
To complete their MBA degree, students must also select two Elective Courses from a pool of courses in the areas of
finance, management, marketing, international business, or health care.
Graduate Concentrations and Certificates
MBA with a concentration
The Augsburg MBA with a concentration requires the successful completion of 14 MBA courses, including the 11
required courses listed above and three required concentration courses. Available concentrations may include: finance,
management, marketing, international business, or health care. A concentration may allow students to become
competitive in a specific career field or, in some cases, it may assist students in achieving professional certification or
accreditation. Availability of concentration courses is dependent on student interest.
Finance Concentration
MBC 532 - Investment Theory and Portfolio Management
MBC 535 - International Finance
MBA 599 - Special Topics: Finance Project
Management Concentration
MBA 596 - Managing Innovation
MBA 576 - Project Management
MBA 599 - Special Topics: Operations
Marketing Concentration
MBA 599 - Special Topics: Marketing Research
MBA 599 - Special Topics: Strategies in E-Marketing
MBC 552 - Marketing Communications
International Business Concentration
MBA 599 - Special Topics: Strategies in Global Marketing
MBA 599 - Special Topics: International Logistics
MBA 599 - Special Topics: Feasibility Project
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Health Care Management Concentration
MBC 547 - Human Resource Issues in Health Care
MBC 537 - Health Care Financing
MBA 593 - Health Care Operations Management
Social Entrepreneurship Certificate
The Social Entrepreneurship Certificate will expose students to the skills, knowledge, and perspectives necessary to
pursue social impact entrepreneurially, effectively, and pragmatically. The program has been designed to serve those
students who aspire at some point in their lives to be social entrepreneurs, executives in social-purpose organizations,
philanthropists, board members, or leading volunteers in their communities and the social sector. The certificate
program will also appeal to students interested in incorporating strategies for social impact into their business and
entrepreneurial careers.
Students wishing to earn a Graduate Certificate in Social Entrepreneurship will complete five graduate-level courses.
Courses include some that focus on the use of business/entrepreneurial skills for social impact in different contexts;
others that focus on skills and knowledge from the MBA, Masters in Social Work or Master of Arts in Leadership that are
particularly relevant for the effective pursuit of social impact; others that focus on field or industry-specific knowledge;
and others that provide opportunities for students to gain practical experience in the social sector.
Three Social Entrepreneurship Courses (required):
MBA 583 – Social Entrepreneurship I: Execution, Planning and Strategy for Social Innovation-based Ventures
MBA 584 - Social Entrepreneurship II: Advanced Topics and Practice in Social Entrepreneurship, or MBA 580 - The Field
Study
or MBA 581, 582 - Management Consulting Project I, II
MBA 599 - Special Topics: Non-Profit Finance, Funding and Enterprise
Two Electives from the following courses:
MBA 592 – Leadership: Ethics, Vision and Transformation
MBA 545 – Organizational Behavior
MBA 550 – Marketing Management
MBA 595 – Strategic Management
(or other director approved courses)
MSW/MBA Dual Degree
Many social service agencies today require that agency managers combine financial and business expertise with social
work practice and policy formation. The MSW/MBA degree enables graduates to function in a workplace that demands
the delivery of quality services with increasingly limited resources. The MSW/MBA dual degree option is available to
MSW students who elect the Multicultural Macro Practice (MCMP) concentration.
MSW/MBA students will spend their first two years taking Master of Social Work courses followed by approximately 15
months of MBA courses. For more information regarding the Multicultural Macro Practice (MCMP) coursework required
for the MSW/MBA dual degree, refer to the Master of Social Work section in this catalog. MSW students who graduated
after June 2002 are required to complete the following eight MBA courses:
MBA 510 - Applied Managerial Economics
MBA 520 - Accounting for Business Managers
MBA 530 - Managerial Finance
MBA 545 - Organizational Behavior
MBA 550 - Marketing Management
MBA 560 - Communication Issues in Management
MBA 575 - Strategic Technology
MBA 595 - Strategic Management
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MSW students who graduated prior to 2002 are required to complete nine MBA courses. This includes the eight MBA
courses listed above as well as MBA 592 - Leadership: Ethics, Service, and Transformation.
MSW students may also be required to adjust their summative evaluation project to meet the requirements of the MSW
and MBA programs.
Students interested in the MSW/MBA program must apply to both programs. See the application guidelines listed under
each individual program.
NOTE: Admission to one program does not guarantee admission to the other.
For a complete list of courses and descriptions, see the Course Description Search.
Locations and Schedules
MBA classes are offered at three locations: Augsburg’s Minneapolis campus, Thrivent Financial in downtown
Minneapolis and Augsburg’s Rochester campus. Cohorts begin three times per academic year at Augsburg’s Minneapolis
campus: September, January, and May. In Rochester, cohorts begin in September and May. Thrivent cohorts begin in
September based on student interest.
Orientation for new cohorts is generally scheduled for one to two weeks in advance of the beginning of classes. For
more information on class schedules, go to www.augsburg.edu/mba or call the Office of Admissions at 612-330-1101.
Admission to the Augsburg MBA Program
Admission to the Augsburg MBA program is determined by a committee decision. The committee may include MBA
program staff, Business Administration Department faculty, and Office of Admissions staff.
Admission Requirements
Applicants to the MBA program must have:
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Bachelor’s degree from a regionally-accredited four-year institution
Minimum of two years of relevant work experience
Personal interview with the MBA program director
Admission checklist
The following materials must be submitted to the Office of Admissions:
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Completed application—Apply online at www.augsburg.edu/mba
$35 application fee
Two personal statements
Official undergraduate/graduate transcripts sent directly to the Augsburg Office of Admissions
Current résumé of work history
Two confidential letters of recommendation
Official GMAT score report (school code 6014)—not required for certificate applicants or completion of the
Individual Learning Profile (ILP)
For information about the ILP, contact the Graduate Admission Department.
Admission as an International Student
International applicants must submit the required application materials listed above. Refer to the additional
requirements outlined in Admission of International Students in the Graduate Admissions section.
Admission as a Transfer Student
Students may apply to Augsburg as a transfer student. Transfer students follow the same procedure as new applicants.
Transfer students may receive up to 9 semester credits in transfer. (See Evaluation of Transfer Credit in Academic
Programs and policies.) Students must complete no fewer than 21 semester credits at Augsburg in order to receive their
MBA degree from Augsburg College. All students must complete the Field Study (MBA 580) or the Management
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Consulting project, (MBA 581/2) to graduate. Eligible coursework must be approved by the MBA program director
before transfer credit will be granted.
GMAT Alternative Option; The Individual Learning Profile (ILP)
Applicants to the MBA program who have not taken the GMAT may instead elect to complete the Individual
Learning Profile (ILP) assessment. This option consists of two parts; an analysis of the applicants quantitative skills
and a writing assessment. Both portions of the assessment are taken online, and the quantitative skills evaluation
also offers the student interactive remedial instruction. The ILP is normally completed as part of the application
process, prior to admittance.
GMAT Waiver Policy
As a general policy, the Augsburg MBA program requires the GMAT of all applicants, due to both the analytical and
critical evaluation components of our accelerated program. The GMAT is used both to evaluate the candidate’s
opportunity for success as well as to indicate areas where remedial work may be necessary. However, the Admissions
Committee will consider, on a case-by-case basis, GMAT waiver requests for the MBA program. Waivers are not
automatic for any candidate, and a brief written request must be submitted outlining the reasons why the Admissions
Committee should grant a GMAT waiver. Current occupation or undergraduate disciplines are not specific grounds for a
GMAT waiver.
Eligibility for GMAT Waivers
GMAT waivers may be offered to:
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Candidates with an appropriate and current GRE score.
Candidates who have been enrolled in a graduate degree program in a technical or quantitatively rigorous discipline
(such as actuarial science, engineering, mathematics, physics, economics, or chemistry) from an accredited
institution and who were in good academic standing with an overall grade point average of 3.0 or better (or the
equivalent of a B average under the system used by that institution). Students should have completed at least four
academic courses within this curriculum to qualify. It is important to note that employment history and current
assignment will be reviewed in addition to the degree requirement.
Candidates who hold the following graduate degrees from an accredited college or university with an overall grade
point average of 3.0 or better (or the equivalent of a B average under the system used by that institution.)
Medical or dental degree (MD, DDS)
Master’s or doctoral degree in an academic discipline that included a significant quantitative, engineering,
mathematics, or statistics component or involved research requiring significant quantitative skills.
Any other quantitatively-based graduate degree from an accredited college or university that the Admissions
Committee believes has highly prepared the candidate for rigorous graduate-level work
Master’s, PhD, EdD, or advanced degrees in disciplines other than those identified, including those granted by
academic institutions outside the US. These will be evaluated by the Admissions Committee. (See grade requirement
above)
Candidates who have completed a graduate program at Augsburg College in the MAL, MAN, MSW, MAE, or PA
programs.
Candidates with current and active CPA designation. If the CPA designation has been inactive and not current for a
period greater than five years, the waiver may not be granted.
GMAT Waiver Checklist
Submit the following documentation to the associate director of the MBA program:
One-page written request outlining reasons why the Admissions Committee should grant a GMAT waiver
Copies of transcripts for all work completed at any college or university, whether or not a degree was granted
(unless previously submitted to the Office of Admissions)
Current résumé (unless previously submitted to the Office of Admissions)
Any other information that you wish to submit to support your request.
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Typically, GMAT waiver decisions are made within one week of receipt of materials. For questions about this checklist or
the waiver policy, contact either the Office of Admissions or the MBA program office.
Academic Policies
MBA Program Enrollment Policy
Students are strongly encouraged to remain in their cohort and complete their MBA program as scheduled. Adjustments
or modifications to the MBA schedule require the approval of the MBA program director.
All students are required to complete all components of the program within five years of matriculation. Extensions
beyond five years will be considered on the basis of petition to the MBA director. Students who leave the program for
more than one semester must request a leave of absence in writing from the MBA program. A leave of absence may be
granted for one calendar year. Students who return to the program after a leave of one year or more must fill out an
Application for Readmission form and submit it to the MBA office. Time spent on an official MBA-approved leave of
absence will not count toward the five-year deadline for degree completion.
Academic Evaluation
Evaluation of academic performance in the MBA program will be based on number grades using a 4.0-scale. For
complete information, see Academic Programs and Policies.
Withdrawal from Class
For information regarding the last date on which students may withdraw from a class and receive a “W” on their
records, refer to the academic calendar at www.augsburg.edu/registrar/.
Attendance Policies
Student attendance at scheduled class meetings is a priority and required. However, MBA faculty understand that MBA
students are working adults with significant responsibilities who, on occasion, face unforeseen situations that may
interfere with attendance. Students should notify the faculty member teaching the course as soon as possible when the
problem is immediate. When the student knows in advance of a class date where a potential conflict exists, they must
discuss the proposed missed class with the faculty member prior to the date of the class. Students are responsible for
the work covered during that class session and for making appropriate arrangements for obtaining handouts, lecture
content, or other materials. Faculty members may assign appropriate independent work to insure that the student
understands the material covered during the class session.
If appropriate and acceptable coordination is carried out by the student, there need not be any grade reduction for a
single missed class session. This may be dependent on assignments due on the date of the missed class; e.g., final
project presentations or team presentations. Point/grade reductions for unexcused absences are the prerogative of the
faculty. Two missed class sessions, unexcused or excused, may be grounds for directing the student to withdraw from
the course. More than two absences, excused or unexcused, require that a student withdraw from the class.
Degree Requirements
To be conferred the MBA degree, students must achieve the following:
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Successful completion of all admission conditions
Successful completion of MBA courses (2.5 or above)
No more than two courses with a grade of 2.5 or below, and with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher at the
completion of the program
Successful completion and submission of the management consulting project (capstone)
Students who successfully complete Augsburg’s MBA program will receive a Master of Business Administration degree.
MBA Faculty
William Arden, Assistant Professor of Business Administration. BS, New York University; MS, Northeastern University;
MBA, Boston University.
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Bruce Batten, Assistant Professor of Business Administration, MBA. BS, Davidson College; PhD, Medical College of
Virginia.
Jeanne M. Boeh, Associate Professor of Economics. BS, MA, PhD, University of Illinois.
David Conrad, Assistant Professor of Business Administration. BA, Winona State University; MA, Ed.D, St. Mary’s
University of Minnesota.
George Dierberger, Assistant Professor of Business Administration. BS, University of Minnesota; MA, International
Studies, University of St. Thomas; MBA, Fairleigh Dickinson University; Ed.D, Organization Development,
University of St Thomas.
Stella Hofrenning, Assistant Professor of Economics. BS, University of Maryland; PhD, University of Illinois.
Mark Isaacson, Assistant Professor of Business Administration. BA, St. Olaf College; MS, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
Marc McIntosh, Assistant Professor of Business Administration. BS, DePaul University; MBA, Harvard University; DBA,
Argosy University.
Magdalena Paleczny-Zapp, Associate Professor of Business Administration. BA, MA, Central School for Planning and
Statistics, Warsaw; PhD, Akademia Ekonomiczna, Krakow.
David G. Schwain, Assistant Professor of Business Administration. BBA, University of Cincinnati; MBA, Harvard
University.
Peter J. Stark, Assistant Professor of Business Administration. BS, Northwestern University; MBA, Pepperdine University.
Steven M. Zitnick, Assistant Professor of Business Administration, BA, Shimer College: MS, Economics, University of
Utah.
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Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing
MFA Mission
The Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing is a two-year, low-residency program designed as a vibrant literary
community for writers who wish to deepen and broaden their artistic sensibilities, discover a close-knit cadre of fellow
writers, enjoy individual attention from an accomplished and forward-thinking faculty, and prepare themselves for the
future of creative writing.
Program Overview
Summer Residencies
The Augsburg Low-Residency MFA includes 10-day summer residencies on the Augsburg campus in Minneapolis,
offering daily workshops, readings, and mini-courses that focus on literary craft as well as career skills in teaching,
editing, publishing, book arts, marketing, translation, and adaptation. The full degree program includes three summer
residencies, featuring visits by distinguished writers in each genre as well as editors, agents, publishers, and literary
entrepreneurs.
Fall and Spring Semesters
The first two residencies are followed each year by fall and spring off-campus semesters. During those terms, students
work with faculty mentors in virtual classrooms that make use of online and other technologies. Each semester, MFA
candidates enroll in one Mentorship section and one section of Critical and Creative Reading. Although MFA learning
objectives call for demonstrated expertise in at least one genre by graduation, twenty-first century writers compose
their work in an environment in which genre has permeable boundaries and lines between genres are often erased.
With this in mind, cross-genre work will be encouraged, with students working in a genre other than the declared
specialty, usually during the second off-campus semester.
Semester Mentorships
The Mentorship is a one-on-one experience with a faculty mentor who guides the student’s production of work and
study of craft. This one-on-one creative studio experience is focused on the MFA candidate’s own writing and growth as
a writer.
Critical and Creative Reading in an Online Classroom
This is a reading-as-writers course that provides an opportunity to work with your professor and a community of peers,
considering craft, criticism and aesthetics. Meetings are online in the electronic classroom. The format may include
online discussion boards, Skype or video chats, and teleconferences with mentors and fellow learners. The online
classroom offers an opportunity to continue conversations begun during the residency with members of the MFA
community.
Students may repeat mentorship courses (ENL 511, 513, 521, and 523) and critical and creative readings courses (ENL
512, 514, 522, and 524), subject to the permission of the program director.
Genres and Concentrations
Genres include Fiction, Creative Nonfiction, Poetry, Screenwriting and Playwriting.
The program also includes concentrations in teaching, translation, and publishing. Concentrations require additional
coursework. With the program director’s consent, students may enroll in concentration courses simultaneously with
MFA studies. Candidates enrolled in the publishing concentration will be the staff of a new publishing house, Howling
Bird Press, that will select and publish one book each year. The book prize is open to submissions nationally.
Plan of Study
Students may select a completion plan for the MFA:
The Traditional MFA in Creative Writing, in which the student chooses one genre as the designated field of study but is
encouraged to work outside the designated field of study for one term.
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The Mixed Genre Option, in which the student selects a primary genre and works in that genre for at least three
mentored and reading terms. The student also competes two mentored and reading terms outside the designated field
of study.
The Career Concentration Option, in which the student also enrolls in electives in teaching, translation and/or
publishing. This plan may be added to both the Traditional and Mixed
Genre options.
Accommodating Writers Who Work Full-Time and Those Who Live Outside of Minnesota
Augsburg’s Traditional MFA in Creative Writing can be completed in eleven courses (three summer residencies and four
off-campus electronic semesters of two courses each). A typical plan of study in the Traditional Low-Residency MFA will
work like this:
First Year
Summer Residency I, including genre workshops, writing seminars, readings and lectures, ten days on the Minneapolis
campus, with assignments before and after residency.
Fall Semester I, electronic classroom including one Mentorship studio and one Creative and Critical Reading course.
Spring Semester I, electronic classroom including one Mentorship studio and one Creative and Critical Reading course
(generally “out-of-genre” term).
Second Year
Summer Residency II, including genre workshops, writing seminars, readings and lectures, ten days on the Minneapolis
campus, with assignments before and after residency.
Fall Semester II, electronic classroom including one Mentorship studio and one Creative and Critical Reading (craftbased academic paper term).
Spring Semester II, electronic classroom including one Mentorship studio (thesis completion term) and one Creative and
Critical Reading (lecture/presentation preparation term).
Third Year – Residency Only
Summer Residency III, including genre workshop, writing seminars, readings and lectures. Final term for graduating MFA
candidates. Graduates give a public lecture/presentation and a reading from thesis work. Ten days on the Minneapolis
campus, with assignments before and after residency.
Coursework
ENL 510 - Residency in Creative Writing I
ENL 511 - Mentorship I
ENL 512 - Critical and Creative Reading I
ENL 513 - Mentorship II
ENL 514 - Critical and Creative Reading II
ENL 520 - Residency in Creative Writing II
ENL 521 - Mentorship III
ENL 522 - Critical and Creative Reading III
ENL 523 - Mentorship IV
ENL 524 - Critical and Creative Reading IV
ENL 530 - Residency in Creative Writing III
Concentrations:
ENL 525 - Teaching Writing: Practice and Theory
ENL 526 - Literary Translation Practicum
ENL 527 - Publishing I
ENL 528 - Publishing II
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For a complete list of courses and descriptions, see the Course Description Search.
Admission to MFA
Admission Requirements
Qualified applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally-accredited college or university with a cumulative
GPA of 3.0 or higher for all undergraduate coursework. Students with a GPA of 2.5-3.0 may be admitted conditionally
into the program based on the strength of their writing samples.
Applications Must Include
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Completed online application
$50 application/reading fee for each genre
Two letters of recommendation
A personal essay
A writing sample:
o Fiction or Creative Non-Fiction, 20 pages, double-spaced
o Poetry, 15-20 pages, single-spaced
o Screenwriting or Playwriting, up to 30 pages in script format
Admission as an International Student
International applicants must submit the required application materials listed above. Refer to the additional
requirements outlined in Admission of International Students in the Graduate Admissions section.
Academic Policies
Credit
All Augsburg MFA courses carry four semester credits. To earn the MFA, candidates must complete 44 semester credits,
write a critical/creative paper, deliver a public lecture/presentation, give a public reading/staging, and complete a book
length manuscript of publishable quality (fiction, nonfiction and poetry), a screenplay/calling card script (screenwriting),
or a full-length play of producible quality (playwriting).
To include a concentration in Teaching or in Translation/Adaptation in the MFA, students must complete 12 courses or
48 credits. For the MFA with a concentration in Publishing, students must complete 13 courses or 52 credits.
Transfer
Augsburg’s low-residency MFA includes in-person and online elements that help us maintain a strong community and
create a culture in which our writers thrive.
This studio degree is the terminal degree in writing and because of the unique features of a terminal, low-residency,
studio degree, the final decision on transfer credit will depend on review by the Augsburg College MFA Program. A
maximum of eight semester credits from traditional residency MFA programs and from MA programs in creative writing
or English literature may be accepted. The MFA Program Director will review and may offer up to four additional credits
in transfer for equivalent residency or workshop experience completed in another program. The maximum transfer
credits allowed is 12 credits.
Academic Evaluation
Grading
The MFA Program uses fine arts studio grading practices, formative in nature and designed to be an element of the
teaching curriculum. A narrative transcript composed of comments on those elements that the particular student writer
is working on during a particular term will be used to assess progress in the mentorship courses. These are formative
and qualitative assessment elements and professors’ responses will vary as professor/artists and student/artists
approach student work with the student’s individual artistic aims in mind. In addition to the fine arts formative and
qualitative assessment, students will be assessed in light of their success in meeting learning objectives of the course
while completing work assigned.
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MFA in Creative Writing Courses are graded on a Pass/No Credit basis, using the Augsburg graduate grading model scale
as described below:
P – Represents work at 3.0 or higher and meets acceptable standards.
N – No credit, not counted in grade point average.
Alignment of Course Outcomes
MFA courses are aligned with the Program Hallmarks of the Association of Writers and Writing Programs (AWP), the
national professional organization for writing programs and the writers who teach in those programs.
Participation
Students are expected to fully participate in Summer Residencies, attending workshop sessions and scheduled meetings
with mentors as well as a majority of readings, lectures and other scheduled sessions. Participation in off-campus
coursework is expected to occur during the designated time for each Mentorship studio critique session and “time
away” for creative work. Students are also expected to take part in synchronous and asynchronous sessions with
mentors and demonstrate “presence” in the Creative and Critical Reading courses through regularly scheduled
exchanges with faculty and peers.
Academic Honesty
Augsburg’s high expectations for academic honesty will be applied to this class. Please refer to the Student Guide at
www.augsburg.edu/studentguide/academic-honest-policies/ if you have any questions.
Affiliation
The Augsburg College MFA Program is a member of the Association of Writers and Writing Programs (AWP) and
curriculum is based on the AWP Hallmarks of an Effective Low Residency MFA Program in Creative Writing.
A complete list of Augsburg’s accreditation, approvals, and memberships, is available in the Accreditation, Approvals,
and Memberships section.
Mentor Faculty
Nicole Brending, MFA Mentor. BA, Wells College; MFA, Film Program, Columbia University.
Stephan Clark, Assistant Professor of English, MFA Mentor. BA, University of Southern California; MA, University of
California, Davis; PhD, Literature and Creative Writing, the University of Southern California.
Cass Dalglish, Professor of English, MFA Mentor and Program Director. BA, St. Catherine University; MFA, Creative
Writing, Vermont College of Fine Arts; PhD, Creative Writing, Archetypal and Ancient Women’s Writing, The
Union Institute and University.
Heid E. Erdrich, MFA Mentor. BA, Dartmouth College; MA, The Johns Hopkins University Writing Seminars; PhD, Creative
Writing and Native American Literature, The Union Institute and University.
Jack El-Hai, MFA Mentor. BA, Carleton College; MFA, Creative Writing and Literature, Nonfiction, Bennington College.
John Gaterud, Publishing Mentor. BA, University of Northern Colorado; MA, the University of Oregon; PhD, The Union
Institute and University. Publisher, Blueroad Press; Editor in Chief, Howling Bird Press.
Christina Lazaridi, MFA Mentor. BA, Princeton University; MFA, Screenwriting, Columbia University.
Sarah Myers, Assistant Professor of Theatre Arts, MFA Mentor. BS, Northwestern University; MFA, Playwriting and
Drama and Theatre for Youth & Communities; PhD, Performance as Public Practice, the University of Texas at
Austin.
Cary Waterman, Assistant Professor of English, MFA Mentor. BA, the University of Denver; MA, Poetry Thesis,
Minnesota State University-Mankato.
Steven Wingate, MFA Mentor. BA, University of Massachusetts, Boston; MFA, Film and TV production, Florida State
University.
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Faculty Associates
Robert Cowgill, Associate Professor of English, Academic Writing Faculty. BA, MA, PhD, University of Minnesota.
D.E. Green, Professor of English. Academic Writing and Teaching Faculty. BA. Amherst College; MA, PhD, Brown
University.
Michael Kidd, Associate Professor of Languages and Cross-Cultural Studies, Translation and Adaptation Faculty. BA,
Pomona College; PhD, Cornell University.
John Schmit, Professor of English, Academic Writing and Teaching Faculty. B.S., St. John’s University; MA, University of
New Orleans; PhD, The University of Texas.
Frankie Shackelford, Professor of Languages and Cross-Cultural Studies, Translation and Adaptation Faculty. BA, Texas
Christian University; PhD, University of Texas.
Kathryn Swanson, Professor of English, Academic Writing and Teaching Faculty. BA, St. Olaf College; MA, PhD, University
of Minnesota.
Visiting Writers
Ed Bok Lee, Poetry
Sue William Silverman, Creative Nonfiction
Ben Percy, Fiction
Alex Lemon, Poetry and Memoir
Deborah Blum, Creative Nonfiction
Pam Houston, Fiction
Kristoffer Diaz, Playwriting
Bill Wheeler, Screenwriting
Staff
Kathleen Matthews, Administrative Assistant
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Master of Music Therapy
MMT Mission
To prepare students to be leaders in the field, while fostering their passion to serve clients and families, and offer unique
learning experiences that allow them to discover and realize their full potential. To engage students in life changing
experiences, rich in experiential learning, collaborative in nature, fostering a holistic view of the use of music in health,
healing and well-being. To advance the practice of music therapy by preparing students through a hybrid master’s
degree program that is innovative, flexible and possesses breadth and depth, designed to meet the changing demands
of healthcare.
Program Overview
Degree requirements
The MMT degree program is designed for music therapists who are currently board certified and who wish to continue
their education and advance their level of practice. The program is a
36 credit program with core music therapy courses, courses focused on the practice of music therapy in healthcare and
medicine, and elective courses of interest.
Core Music Therapy Courses – 24 credits
MUS 510 - Advanced Music Therapy Theory (3 credits)
MUS 511 - Advanced Music Therapy Practicum (0 credit)
MUS 515 - Advanced Music Therapy Clinical Practice I (3 credits)
MUS 520 - Advanced Music Therapy Clinical Practice II (3 credits)
MUS 525 - Cross Cultural Awareness in Music Therapy (3 credits)
MUS 530 - Music Therapy Ethics (2 credits)
MUS 535 - Music Therapy Supervision and Professional Development (2 credits)
MUS 540 - Music Therapy Research I (3 credits)
MUS 545 - Music Therapy Research II (3 credits)
MUS 595 - Thesis (2 credits) OR MUS 596 Final Project (2 credits)
Music Therapy in Healthcare Courses – 6 credits
MUS 550 - Music Psychotherapy (3 credits)
MUS 555 - Music Therapy, Spirituality and Well-being (2 credits)
MUS 560 - Music and Imagery I (3 credits)
MUS 565 - Advanced Music Therapy with Infants, Children and Family Centered Care (2 credits)
MUS 570 - Music, Neurology and Physiology (3 credits)
MUS 575 - Music Therapy in Palliative Care (2 credits)
MUS 576 - Music Therapy in Trauma Informed Care (2 credits)
MUS 578 - Music Therapy Technology (2 credits)
Electives – 6 credits
MUS 580 - Transcultural Music Therapy (6 credits) (global educational experience)
MUS 585 - Advanced Music Therapy in Group Work (3 credits)
MUS 590 - Interdisciplinary Research Methods (3 credits)
Related courses also available in Leadership, Nursing or Social Work
Thesis or Final Project
Completion of a thesis or final project is required as a part of the degree program. The thesis and final project are both
subject to approval by program director.
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Thesis: A scholarly paper utilizing historical, philosophical, descriptive, experimental or mixed methods research.
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•
Final Project: A supervised clinical project that is comprehensive and designed to develop and advance an area
of one’s clinical practice.
The Equivalency Plus Master of Music Therapy will complete the courses outlined above in addition to any courses
needed to accomplish their equivalent status. The Equivalency Plus MMT is 65 credits plus the clinical internship and is
designed to be completed in two and a half years. The equivalency courses include the following:
MUS 271 - Introduction to Music Therapy (2 credits)
MUS 340 - Music Therapy Methods I (4 credits)
MUS 474 - Music Therapy Practicum (0 credits)
MUS 345 - Music Therapy Methods II (4 credits)
MUS 475 - Music Therapy Practicum (0 credits)
PSY 105 - Principles of Psychology (4 credits)
MUS 372 - Psychological Foundations of Music I (4 credits)
BIO 103 - Human Anatomy & Physiology (3 credits)
PSY 262 - Abnormal Psychology (4 credits)
EDC 410 - Learners with Special Needs (4 credits)
Plan of Study
There are two tracks for the Master of Music Therapy program. The first is for individuals who hold a bachelor’s degree
in music therapy, they follow the master of music therapy track. The second track is for individuals that hold a bachelor’s
degree in music, they follow the Equivalency Plus Master of Music Therapy track.
Admission to MMT
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Online Application
All college transcripts
2 letters of recommendation (can be submitted online through the application-please have your
recommenders email addresses when you begin the application).
Proof of Board Certification
An Audition (this can be taped or live) ten minutes of your best instrument.
Essay-(can be submitted as part of the online application) no longer than three pages addressing the following
questions.
o Describe your goals as a music therapist and how an MMT degree will help you reach those goals.
o Tell about a moment that helped encourage you to begin a career in music therapy.
o As a music therapist you will help people from all walks of life and with a variety of needs and illnesses, how are
you qualified (physically, mentally, and emotionally) to assist these people in improving their quality of life?
Please note that you can upload your essay directly into the online application. You may also input the names and emails
of your recommenders and the system will send them a link to directions and the checklist we request they fill out for
you.
If not submitted with the online application, materials need to be sent to:
Augsburg College
Graduate Admissions, CB 65
2211 Riverside Ave S.
Minneapolis, MN 55454
or emailed to gradinfo@augsburg.edu
For Academic Policies, please see Academic Policies.
Accreditation and Affiliation
Augsburg is regionally accredited by:
The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
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National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)
The Master of Music Therapy Program is accredited by:
National Association Schools of Music (NASM)
American Music Therapy Association (AMTA)
MMT Faculty
Annie Heiderscheit, Assistant Professor, Director of Master of Music Therapy. BME, Wartburg College; MS, Iowa State
University; PhD, University of Minnesota.
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Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies
Mission
The mission of the Augsburg College Department of Physician Assistant Studies is based on a foundation of respect and
sensitivity to persons of all cultures and backgrounds and oriented toward providing care to underserved populations.
Students are well educated in current medical theory and practice, and graduates are encouraged to work in primary
care settings. The program promotes dedication to excellence in performance, with the highest standards of ethics and
integrity, and commitment to lifelong personal and professional development.
Accreditation
The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) has granted Continued
Accreditation to the Physician Assistant Program sponsored by Augsburg College. Continued accreditation is an
accreditation status granted when a currently accredited program is in compliance with the ARC-PA Standards.
Continued Accreditation remains in effect until the program closes or withdraws from the accreditation process or until
accreditation is withdrawn for failure to comply with the Standards. The approximate date for the next comprehensive
review of the program by ARC-PA will be September 2018.
About PA
A physician assistant (PA) is a dependent practitioner of medicine who practices under the supervision of a licensed
physician. The PA can practice in a multitude of settings and specialties of medicine. Common job responsibilities
including taking patient histories, performing physical exams, ordering and interpreting laboratory tests and radiological
studies, formulating diagnoses, and administering treatment.
In the state of Minnesota, a PA is licensed with the Board of Medical Practice. In Minnesota, and most other states, the
PA must be NCCPA (National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants) certified and hold a supervisory
agreement with a licensed physician. Minnesota registered PAs have prescriptive privileges under delegatory supervision
with their physician for prescriptive medications.
Curriculum
The Physician Assistant program at Augsburg is 31 months long with studies beginning each year in the summer
semester (early June). The program accepts up to 30 students for each new class. Graduates will receive a Master of
Science in Physician Assistant Studies and a PA certificate.
The Augsburg PA program includes traditional college “breaks” such as winter holiday break, spring breaks, and summer
breaks. Length of breaks varies depending upon the student’s year in the program; these breaks contribute to the
overall 31 month length of the program.
Studies begin in early June of each year. The first 18 months of study is didactic, or classroom work, including courses in
human gross anatomy, pathophysiology, clinical medicine, pharmacotherapy, history and physical exam skills, research,
and professional issues.
The clinical phase is 13 months in length. The clinical phase of the program is designed to effectively train students for
practice by providing them with rotation experiences in different specialties and different practice settings. To that end,
each student will be required to complete rotations outside the metropolitan area. Each student is required to
successfully complete clinical rotations in family medicine, pediatrics, women’s health, psychiatry, emergency medicine,
internal medicine, surgery, and two elective rotations by choosing from various specialties. The clinical phase will
culminate with a preceptorship in primary care, medical subspecialty or surgical subspecialty. This preceptorship is
designed to solidify the student’s primary care skills, and potentially place them in a setting that might be interested in
recruiting a graduate PA. The majority of established clinical rotation sites are in Minnesota in both rural and urban
locations.
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The clinical curriculum is taught by physicians, and supplemented by physician assistants and other health care
providers. Each student is evaluated by the clinical instructor for the designated rotation. Students will return to
Augsburg College five times during the clinical phase for evaluation and education.
PA Program Sample Calendar
YEAR 1
Summer
PA 501 - Human Anatomy and Neuroanatomy
PA 503 - Human Pathophysiology
Fall
PA 531 - Clinical Medicine I
PA 521 - Pharmacotherapy
PA 511 - History and Physical Exam Skills I
Spring
PA532 - Clinical Medicine II
PA 522 - Pharmacotherapy II
PA 512 - History and Physical Exam Skills II
PA 555 - Research Tools for the Physician Assistant
YEAR 2
Summer
PA 533 - Clinical Medicine III
Master’s Project course, one of the following*:
PA 570 - Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Aging
PA 599 - Directed Study
ML 577 - International Experience
Fall
PA 534 - Clinical Medicine IV
PA 545 - Clinical Phase Transition
PA 542 - Professional Issues
PA 6XX - Clinical Rotations 1, 2
Spring
PA 6XX - Clinical Rotations 3, 4, 5
Summer
PA 6XX - Clinical Rotations 6, 7, 8
YEAR 3
Fall
PA 6XX - Clinical Rotation 9
PA 62X – Preceptorship
PA 690 - Capstone Course
*Other program-approved options may be available
For a complete list of courses and descriptions, see the Course Description Search.
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Admission to the PA Program
Admission Requirements
Complete and current-year admission guidelines can be found on our website at www.augsburg.edu/pa.
Admission to any physician assistant program is a highly competitive process. Augsburg College’s graduate program in
physician assistant studies receives approximately 350 complete, competitive applications for each entering class of 30
students.
Qualified applicants will have:
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Bachelor’s degree (in any major) from a regionally-accredited four-year institution
Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 as calculated by CASPA at the time of application (3.2 or higher strongly
recommended)
Minimum science GPA of 3.0 as calculated by CASPA at the time of application (3.2 or higher strongly
recommended)
Completed the prerequisite courses listed below
Prerequisite Courses
To be an eligible applicant for the physician assistant studies program, you must have completed the prerequisite
courses listed below. These courses must have been completed within 10 years of the year you are applying for
admission.
Applicants completing their first undergraduate degree in the spring term may complete prerequisite coursework in the
summer, fall, and spring term of the academic year they apply as long as the degree and prerequisite coursework will be
completed by the start date for the program. Applicants who already have an undergraduate degree, or who will
complete their degree in a term other than spring, have the summer and fall semesters of the year they apply by which
to complete prerequisites.
All course prerequisites must have been passed with a grade of C (2.0) or higher. Meeting minimum prerequisites does
not guarantee admission into the program.
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One full course of developmental psychology (birth to death lifespan)
One full course of physiology* (human/vertebrate/organ)
One full course of microbiology*
One full course of biochemistry*
One full course of general statistics
One course of medical terminology
*Labs are recommended but not required.
Refer to our “Guide to Prerequisites” on our website to help you with your prerequisite course selections.
The following are strongly recommended but not required:
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Cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher
Science GPA of 3.2 or higher
Direct patient care is the best type of experience to obtain in order to strengthen an application. Direct patient care
experience may be full-time or part-time, paid or volunteer. We recommend at least 750-1000 hours to be
competitive in this category.
Additional science courses such as anatomy, genetics, immunology, other biology courses, and organic chemistry
Demonstration of a commitment to, and involvement with, underserved communities
Note: The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is not required.
PA Studies Application Process
The Augsburg Physician Assistant Studies program has a two-step application process—applying through CASPA and to
Augsburg’s PA Studies Program.
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The Augsburg PA Program participates in the Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA) which is
sponsored by the Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA). All applications to the PA Program for the entering
class must be processed through CASPA, following all guidelines and regulations set forth by CASPA. Application forms
with detailed instructions can be obtained online at portal.caspaonline.org/.
You will be considered an eligible applicant if you have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 at the time of application (as
calculated by CASPA), if you have a minimum science GPA of 3.0 at the time of application (as calculated by CASPA), if
you have completed or will complete your undergraduate degree prior to the start date of the program, and if you have
completed or will complete your prerequisite courses within the timeline specified for your degree status.
Additional Application Details:
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The Augsburg PA Program requires three letters of recommendation submitted through the CASPA process. One
letter must be from an employer/colleague (a professional reference), one letter must be from a professor or
advisor (an academic reference), and one can be from a person of your choice. Be sure that your letter writers are
able to tell the committee about you as well as his/her experiences with you and observations about you.
Your Supplemental Application must be received in the PA Program office on or before the deadline in order to be
considered.
We use the CASPA “Complete Date” to determine if you have met the application deadline. The “Complete Date” on
your application must be the deadline or prior in order to be considered meeting the deadline. CASPA assigns a
“Complete Date’ when they have received your electronic application, transcripts from all schools attended, 2 of
your 3 letters of reference, and payment. Until those criteria are met, your application will not be given a “Complete
Date.”
Augsburg’s PA Program Supplemental Application can be downloaded from our website at www.augsburg.edu/pa. It is
important for the applicant to determine whether he or she is in fact eligible to apply to the PA Studies Program, as the
supplemental application fee is non-refundable. You will be required to print and sign the supplemental application and
mail it to the program by the application deadline.
Selection Process
All complete files (CASPA and Supplemental Applications that meet requirements) will be reviewed by the admissions
committee. The admissions committee procedures utilize a blinded review, so applicant demographic data is unknown
(e.g., race, age, gender). Each file is reviewed by members of the committee.
The selection committee looks for a balanced application by reviewing many criteria including key criteria of cumulative
GPA, science GPA, and direct patient care experience, along with overall academic record, service to underserved
(meaning disadvantaged, minority, or under-represented populations), knowledge of the profession, fit with the
program goals and mission, and recommendation letters.
Once the committee has completed the file review, a group of candidates is selected for a telephone interview. The
telephone interviews are generally conducted between November and January. Those selected for a telephone
interview are invited to a Candidate Information Session in the program to meet faculty, staff, current students, and to
view the facilities. As telephone interviews are completed, seats in the incoming class are offered. The class of 30
students will be filled between the months of October and January. A list of alternates will be selected in January to fill
seats that accepted candidates may not claim. All applicants are notified of their final status by mid-February.
Accepted applicants must complete and pass a background check prior to matriculation and annually throughout the
program. Failure of the background check could result in dismissal from the program.
Academic Policies
Please see the PA program website at www.augsburg.edu/pa for further details about policies outlined here.
Technical Standards
The Augsburg College Department of Physician Assistant Studies is pledged to the admission and matriculation of
qualified students and wishes to acknowledge awareness of laws which prohibit discrimination against anyone on the
basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age or disability.
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Regarding disabled individuals, the PA department will not discriminate against such individuals who are otherwise
qualified but will expect all applicants and students to meet certain minimal technical standards.
The physician assistant must have the knowledge and skills to function in a broad variety of clinical situation and to
render a wide spectrum of patient care. They must be able to integrate all information received by whatever sense(s)
employed, consistently, quickly, and accurately, and they must have the intellectual ability to learn, integrate, analyze,
and synthesize data.
Candidates for physician assistant certification offered by this department must have, with or without reasonable
accommodation, multiple abilities and skills including: visual, oral-auditory, motor, cognitive, and behavioral/social.
Candidates for admission and progression must be able to perform these abilities and skills in a reasonably independent
manner.
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Visual
o Candidates must be able to observe and participate in experiments in the basic sciences. In order to make
proper clinical decisions, candidates must be able to observe a patient accurately. Candidates must be able to
acquire information from written documents, films, slides or videos. Candidates must also be able to interpret Xray and other graphic images, and digital or analog representations of physiologic phenomena, such as EKG’s
with or without the use of assistive devices. Thus, functional use of vision is necessary.
Oral-Auditory
o Candidates must be able to communicate effectively and sensitively with patients. Candidates must also be able
to communicate effectively and efficiently with other members of the health care team. In emergency
situations, candidates must be able to understand and convey information essential for the safe and effective
care of patients in a clear, unambiguous and rapid fashion. In addition, candidates must have the ability to relate
information to and receive information from patients in a caring and confidential manner. Thus, functional use
of hearing and speech is necessary.
Motor
o Candidates must possess the motor skills necessary to perform palpation, percussion, auscultation, and other
diagnostic maneuvers. Candidates must be able to execute motor movements reasonably required to provide
general and emergency medical care such as airway management, placement of intravenous catheters,
cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and application of pressure to control bleeding. These skills require coordination
of both gross and fine muscular movements, equilibrium and integrated use of the senses.
Cognitive
o In order to effectively solve clinical problems, candidates must be able to measure, evaluate, reason, analyze,
integrate and synthesize in a timely fashion. In addition, they must be able to comprehend three dimensional
relationships and to understand the special relationships of structures.
Social
o Candidates must possess the emotional health required for the full utilization of their intellectual abilities, for
the exercise of good judgment, for the prompt completion of all responsibilities attendant to the diagnosis and
care of patients, and for the development of effective relationships with patients. Candidates must be able to
tolerate physically taxing workloads and function effectively under stress. They must be able to adapt to
changing environments, display flexibility and learn to function in the face of uncertainties inherent in the
clinical problems of patients.
Experiential Learning Policy
The Augsburg Physician Assistant Program does not award academic credit to an individual for experiential learning.
Applicants desiring admission to Augsburg’s PA Program must satisfactorily complete all prerequisite courses.
Experiential learning will be considered separately from prerequisite courses. Experiential learning prior to and during
admittance to the Augsburg PA Program will not substitute for any part of the clinical year or preceptorship.
Employment while in the Program
Program faculty discourage outside employment while in the Physician Assistant Program. Faculty recognize that
employment may be an issue that some students will face. Given this recognition, realize that program obligations will
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not be altered due to a student’s work obligations. It is further expected that work obligations will not interfere with the
physician assistant students’ learning progress or responsibilities while in the program.
Withdrawal and Readmission Policies
Voluntary withdrawal from the Physician Assistant Program may be initiated by a student after submission of a
letter to the program director requesting withdrawal. In the letter, the student should outline the circumstances
and reasons for withdrawal. Students will be requested to conduct an exit interview with the program director
prior to leaving the program. For information on withdrawal, see the Academic Policies section.
Readmission
Students may request readmission after voluntary withdrawal by submitting a letter to the program director stating the
reasons the student wishes readmission and the anticipated date for readmission. The submission of a letter and
previous enrollment does not constitute automatic acceptance and/or reentry into the program. Reapplication to the PA
Program after dismissal from the program will be considered only under extremely unusual circumstances.
For the full readmission policy and reapplication process, please contact the program.
Advanced Placement
The Department of PA Studies does not offer advanced placement to admitted students. All students admitted to the PA
Program must complete the entire curriculum.
Transfer
The Department of PA studies does not accept student transfers from other PA programs.
Costs of the PA Program
For tuition information, go to www.augsburg.edu/pa.
For complete and current payment options go to the Student Financial Services website at
www.augsburg.edu/studentfinancial/.
PA Program Faculty
William Patricio Alemán, Adjunct Professor of Physician Assistant Studies. MD, University of Ecuador; PA-C, University of
California Davis; MEd, University of Minnesota.
Beth Alexander, Associate Professor and Academic Coordinator of Physician Assistant Studies. BS, PharmD, University of
Minnesota.
Eric Barth, Assistant Professor of Physician Assistant Studies. BA, University of St. Thomas; BS, PA Certificate, Trevecca
Nazarene University; MPAS, University of Nebraska.
Annie Berger, Instructor of Physician Assistant Studies. BS, Gustavus Adolphus College; MS and PA Certification,
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences.
Holly Levine, Assistant Professor of Physician Assistant Studies. BA, Northwestern University; MD, Loyola University
Chicago Stritch School of Medicine.
Dawn Ludwig, Assistant Professor and Director, Physician Assistant Studies. BA, MS and PA Certification, University of
Colorado; PhD, Capella University.
Steven Nerheim, Instructor and Medical Director, Physician Assistant Studies. MD, University of Minnesota; MDiv,
Luther Seminary.
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Master of Social Work
You have chosen an exciting way to serve others. The social work profession offers you the rewarding prospect of joining
with others to respond to problems and develop opportunities that benefit individuals, families, groups, and
communities. The MSW degree prepares you for advanced professional practice in the field of social work.
Augsburg’s MSW program prepares you for agency-based practice with individuals, families, groups, and communities,
and with a dedication to system change that reduces oppression and discrimination. Graduates of our program share
how they appreciated the opportunity to learn new ideas as well as learn more about themselves. These graduates
valued our small class size, our cohort structure, and the opportunity to have a mentoring relationship with our faculty
and staff. As a small program, we have high expectations for our students and at the same time offer the flexibility to
help them meet their individual goals.
Attending Augsburg College will transform and develop your professional life in unexpected ways. We have two
concentrations. The first, Multicultural Clinical Practice (MCCP), will prepare you for direct clinical practice with
individuals, families, and groups. The second, Multicultural Macro Practice (MCMP), will prepare you for macro social
work practice with organizations, communities, and other large systems.
We are delighted in your interest in our MSW program and invite you to join us in a lifelong adventure in learning. The
personal and professional growth necessary to become an advanced professional social worker is challenging. We
encourage you to take the challenge with us.
Lois A. Bosch, PhD, LISW
Director, Master of Social Work
MSW Mission
Our mission is to develop social work professionals for advanced practice that promotes social justice and
empowerment towards the well-being of people in a diverse and global society.
Program Overview
The MSW program prepares social work students for agency-based practice in public and nonprofit settings. By working
in the agency setting, social workers collaborate with others to provide holistic, affordable, and accessible services to
individuals, families, groups, and communities. Our challenging MSW curriculum integrates social work theory with
micro and macro practice methods. Students develop skills, knowledge, and values necessary for ethical social work
practice. As you progress through our MSW program, you will:
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Learn how individuals live in and are affected by their social environment
Understand how social policies and programs affect individuals, families, communities, and society
Apply theories and methods of practice through the field practicum experience
Use a range of client-centered approaches to practice with client groups of all types and sizes
Engage in practice informed by sound, scholarly research
Evaluate the effectiveness of your social work practice or social work programs
Advocate for the eradication of oppression and discrimination
Be a responsible and contributing citizen in the local and global community
Accreditation
Augsburg’s MSW program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Your MSW degree must be
accredited by CSWE if you seek licensure with the social work board of your state. For more information on CSWE
accreditation go to www.cswe.org.
Augsburg College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and
Schools. For a complete list of Augsburg’s accreditations, approvals, and memberships, see the About Augsburg College
section of this catalog.
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Plan of Study
Students entering Augsburg’s MSW program with a bachelor’s degree from a discipline other than social work are
classified as foundation students. Full-time foundation students are enrolled in a two year program. Part-time
foundation students are enrolled in a four year program.
Students entering Augsburg’s MSW program with a bachelor’s degree in social work from a CSWE (Council on Social
Work Education) accredited institution are classified as advanced standing students. Advanced standing students are
enrolled in a 16 month program. The part-time option is not generally available for advanced standing students.
All students must complete the MSW degree in no more than 4 years following matriculation.
Academic Calendar
The MSW program meets on a semester calendar, with classes offered September through June. Classes typically meet
every other weekend with an occasional back-to-back weekend. Field practicum hours are generally completed during
weekday hours. If a student lives outside the Twin Cities metro, the field practicum hours can be completed at a
placement near the student’s place of residence. Hours per week vary depending on the agency placement and the
student’s availability. For academic calendars and schedules, go to www.augsburg.edu/registrar.
Class Periods
Classes meet in 3.5 hour blocks on Friday evenings, 6 to 9:30 pm; Saturday mornings, 8:30 am to 12 pm; and Saturday
afternoons, 1:15 to 4:45 pm. Each class meets for 8 sessions in a given semester and for 4 sessions in a summer term
(May-June), with the expectation that students engage in hybrid learning activities between on-campus class weekends.
Time Commitment
Although classes meet on weekends, students spend time on their studies during non-class weekends and weekdays in
accordance with our hybrid learning format. Hybrid learning is a combination of face-to-face class sessions and
online/experiential learning. On a class weekend, the typical student will spend 12 hours in class within a 23-hour
period. For every hour spent in class, a student may expect to spend 3 to 4 hours outside of class working on online
activities, assignments, readings, or group projects. A student may also spend 15 to 20 hours per week in the field
practicum during the fall and spring semesters (a span of 8 to 9 months for each practicum). In the final year of study,
students complete a summative evaluation or a portfolio, which requires significant independent research, analysis, and
writing.
Some MSW students work full-time while enrolled in the program. However, full-time employment is not
recommended. Most students arrange to reduce their work hours or request time away during their graduate studies.
Each student’s situation is unique and must be decided individually. All students must develop strategies for balancing
family, work, and academic responsibilities.
Credit and Contact Hours
MSW courses range from 2 to 4 semester credits. Depending on the number of credits, students will spend 16 to 32
hours in the classroom per course. Students will also be expected to engage in activities and independent study outside
of class.
Cohort Structure
MSW students are admitted to a particular cohort. Cohorts are distinguished by level of admission (foundation or
advanced standing), rate of attendance (full-time or part-time), and chosen concentration (Multicultural Clinical Practice
[MCCP] or Multicultural Macro Practice [MCMP]). Any changes to a student’s cohort selection must be approved by the
MSW director.
Field Practicum
Foundation students complete 920 hours in two field practica; advanced standing students complete 500 hours in one
field practicum. Successful completion of the first field practicum, required for foundation students, is a minimum of 420
hours. Successful completion of the second field practicum, required for both foundation and advanced standing
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students, is a minimum of 500 hours. Each practicum experience is spread over two semesters (fall and spring). These
hours are completed concurrent with enrollment in the fieldwork seminars as well as other MSW courses.
MSW Curriculum Components
Foundation Curriculum
In the foundation courses and field practicum, you are introduced to social work as a profession. You will learn both
historical and contemporary theories and practice methods relating to both the individual and the environment. During
the foundation year, you will study human behavior and the social environment, history of social welfare policy,
research methods, assessment frameworks, family and community diversity, and social work values and ethics.
In the foundation curriculum you will apply this generalist knowledge of theories and practice methods in the generalist
field practicum. The field practicum is completed concurrently with your enrollment in two field seminar courses. The
full foundation curriculum is required of all students, with the exception of those admitted with advanced standing.
Before beginning the concentration curriculum, all foundation coursework and field hours must be successfully
completed.
Concentration Curriculum
After completing the foundation requirements, you will enroll in the concentration curriculum that you selected at the
time of application. You will also complete an advanced field practicum. Augsburg offers two concentrations:
Multicultural Clinical Practice (MCCP) or Multicultural Macro Practice (MCMP). In either concentration, you will deepen
your knowledge of the primary issues affecting families and communities, develop a range of client-centered approaches
to practice, gain a broader understanding of human diversity, develop competencies in practice-based research, and
learn practice or program evaluation techniques.
In the concentration curriculum, you will apply this advanced knowledge of theories and practice methods in the
concentration field practicum. The field practicum is relevant to your chosen concentration and is completed
concurrently with your enrollment in two field seminar courses. As a capstone to your MSW program, you will complete
a portfolio project or a summative evaluation project.
Multicultural Clinical Practice (MCCP) Concentration
Multiculturalism is a process requiring practitioners to have a deep awareness of their social and cultural identities, as
well as the ability to use multiple lenses when working with diverse populations. With person-in-environment as an
organizing perspective, multicultural clinical social work practice addresses the biopsychosocial and spiritual functioning
of individuals, families, and groups. To this end, graduates of the MCCP concentration develop competence in using
relationship-based, culturally informed, and theoretically grounded interventions with persons facing challenges,
disabilities, or impairments, including emotional, behavioral, and mental disorders.
Multicultural Macro Practice (MCMP) Concentration
In the tradition of Jane Addams, the heart of macro social work practice is directing energy toward changing agency,
government, and institutional policies that obscure or oppress people. While many social workers view their role as
focused on individuals and families, social workers must actively seek equality and justice for clients within agencies,
institutions and society. Social work leaders must advocate for social change where necessary to ensure social justice.
Similar to the MCCP concentration, it is important to address macro level social work practice within the context of
cultural understanding and awareness. The Multicultural Macro Practice concentration (formerly Program Development,
Policy and Administration) responds to this demand for leadership.
The macro social work practitioner recognizes the strengths and abilities of individuals and communities to implement
change. The social work macro practitioner works with these individuals to do so. In the MCMP concentration, you will
learn the knowledge and skills necessary to work with others to achieve needed social change. You will also learn to
develop, lead, guide, and administer programs that serve diverse people in a variety of settings.
Portfolio or Summative Evaluation Project
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Portfolio Project (MCCP students)
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The goal of the MCCP Portfolio is to enhance the integration of theory and practice, as well as to offer more
vivid portrayals of a student’s academic and professional experience than traditional assessments. By definition,
portfolios are formative (i.e. designed for guided reflection and self-evaluation). However they are also
summative documents in that they illustrate students’ competencies. All MCCP students are required to create a
portfolio during their final year of study. Items in a portfolio might include videos, process recordings, reflective
statements, writing samples, case analyses, term papers, electronic submissions, policy activities, feedback from
service users, self-evaluations of personal progress, and links to references.
Summative Evaluation Project (MCMP students)
o All social workers must evaluate their practice to determine whether they are helping or harming clients. While
in the concentration practicum, MCMP students will design and implement a program evaluation for their
summative project. This project requires integration and application of knowledge and skills from both the
foundation and concentration curricula. Students develop their research while in their field internship and are
advised by their field seminar professor. Students conduct and present this evaluation/research project during
their final year of study.
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Master’s Thesis
Students in both concentrations have the option of completing a thesis in addition to either the portfolio or summative
evaluation project. Credit for the SWK 699 general elective is given for this option. Students work with a thesis advisor to
develop more in-depth research skills contributing to social work knowledge. To pursue the thesis option, students
should notify the MSW program director by the end of spring semester of the foundation year.
Degree requirements
To be conferred the MSW degree, students must achieve the following:
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Successful completion of any admission conditions (see Admission to MSW)
Successful completion of all required MSW courses
No more than two courses with a grade of 2.5 and with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
Successful completion of 920 hours of approved field practica for foundation students or 500 hours of approved
field practicum for advanced standing students
Successful completion and submission of the portfolio project (MCCP) or the summative evaluation project (MCMP)
Successful completion of all degree requirements within 4 years of matriculation.
State of Minnesota Social Work Licensure
Six months prior to completion of the MSW degree at Augsburg, students may apply to take the Licensed Graduate
Social Worker (LGSW) license exam from the Minnesota Board of Social Work. To achieve LGSW licensure students must
pass the state board exam and complete the MSW degree.
To seek the Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW) license or the Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker
(LICSW) license, one must work two years full-time (or 4,000 hours part-time) as an LGSW under the supervision of an
LISW or LICSW. Upon completion of the supervision requirement, one may take the LISW or LICSW state board exam.
For more information, go to the Minnesota Board of Social Work web page, www.socialwork.state.mn.us.
MSW Course Requirements
Foundation Courses
FALL
SWK 500 - Human Behavior and the Social Environment*
SWK 505 - Practice Methods and Skills 1: Individuals*
SWK 530 - Integrative Field Seminar 1 (taken concurrent with first practicum)*
SPRING
SWK 509 - Human Behavior: Mental Health Assessment and Diagnosis
SWK 506 - Practice Methods and Skills 2: Groups and Families*
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SWK 510 - Advanced Practice Methods (advanced standing students only)
SWK 535 - Integrative Field Seminar 2 (taken concurrent with first practicum)*
SWK 504 - Applied Research Methods (foundation students only)
SUMMER
SWK 501 - History of Social Welfare Policy*
SWK 516 - Practice Methods and Skills 3: Communities and Policies
SWK 536 - Human Behavior and the Macro Social Environment*
SWK 504 - Applied Research Methods (advanced standing students only)
*Course potentially can be waived for advanced standing students (BSW holders).
Concentration Courses
Multicultural Clinical Practice (MCCP) Concentration:
FALL
SWK 610 - Integrative Field Seminar 3: MCCP (taken concurrent with second practicum)
SWK 615 - Diversity and Inequality 1: MCCP
SWK 628 - MCCP with Individuals
SWK 629 - MCCP with Families
SPRING
SWK 611 - Integrative Field Seminar 4: MCCP (taken concurrent with second practicum)
SWK 616 - Diversity and Inequality 2: MCCP
SWK 630 - MCCP Policy Practice
SWK 631 - MCCP with Groups
SUMMER 1
SWK 634 - MCCP Supervision
SWK 639 - MCCP Elective
SWK 640 - MCCP Capstone
SWK 699 - General Elective
Multicultural Macro Practice (MCMP) Concentration:
FALL
SWK 651 - Integrative Field Seminar 3: MCMP (taken concurrent with second practicum)
SWK 657 - Diversity and Inequality 1: MCMP
SWK 660 - Research 2: Program Evaluation
SWK 667 - Organizations/Social Administrative Practice 1
SPRING
SWK 652 - Integrative Field Seminar 4: MCMP (taken concurrent with second practicum)
SWK 658 - Diversity and Inequality 2: MCMP
SWK 668 - Organizations/Social Administrative Practice 2
SWK 670 – Multicultural Macro Practice Policy
SUMMER
SWK 669 - Organizations/Social Administrative Practice 3
SWK 699 - General Elective
SWK 671 – Multicultural Macro Practice Planning
Portfolio or Summative Evaluation Project
Completed and submitted in final year of study.
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SWK 699 General Elective
Students in both concentrations complete at least one general elective course. The following are examples of elective
offerings that rotate each year:
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Parent and Professional Planning
Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Aging
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Social Work Clinical Practice
Spirituality and Social Work Practice
Empowerment of Services Users in Mental Health
Children’s Mental Health
We also offer short-term electives abroad, typically two weeks in length: Exploring Human Services in International
Settings (examples include Mexico, Slovenia, Namibia, South Africa, India, Bolivia, China, and Hong Kong)
Fieldwork and Field Placement
Social work education goes beyond the classroom. Through the field experience, we expect that students will
demonstrate skills to bridge theory and practice. Collaborative efforts between the student, the field agency, and the
MSW program are essential to successful learning. The foundation of the practice includes:
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Ethical, competent professional practice
Problem solving within a systems framework and strengths perspective
Use of advanced practice theories in Multicultural Clinical Practice or Multicultural Macro Practice settings
Evaluation of the effectiveness of program or practice activities
An understanding of and respect for diverse peoples and cultures
Responsibility and service to the local and global community in the interest of social justice
A commitment to oppose oppression of all forms
Field Education Format
Under the instruction and supervision of professionally-trained, MSW-level, and program-approved field instructors,
foundation students will spend a minimum of 920 hours in two field practica. Advanced standing students will spend a
minimum of 500 hours in one field practicum. Both the foundation and concentration practica are spread over 2
semesters (fall and spring). Both practica are concurrent with enrollment in integrative field seminars, as well as other
MSW coursework.
The fieldwork education of the MSW program is divided into two components:
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Foundation Practicum
o The foundation practicum, or generalist practicum, puts emphasis on developing competence as a professional
generalist social worker. It requires a minimum of 420 hours and is completed by students admitted at the
foundation level. Students spend an average of 15 hours per week during the fall and spring semesters in this
practicum.
Concentration Practicum
o The concentration practicum places emphasis on advanced practice skills and leadership qualities related to the
chosen concentration. It requires a minimum of 500 hours and is completed by all students, including those
admitted with advanced standing. Students spend an average of 18 hours per week during the fall and spring
semesters in this practicum.
Process for Field Practicum Selection
Field practica begin in the fall, but the selection process begins the previous spring in collaboration with two other Twin
Cities MSW programs. Students attend a field orientation before beginning their search. Augsburg College and the
University of Minnesota - School of Social Work jointly host a field fair where students meet a large number of agencies
and potential field instructors. Practicum selection involves interviews at approved sites, arranged by the student, and a
matching process conducted collaboratively by the field coordinators at the three MSW programs in the Twin Cities.
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In some instances, students can petition to complete a field practicum at an agency not on the approved list or at their
place of employment. Students who wish to do so work with the MSW field coordinator for such proposals.
Field Practicum Settings
The Augsburg field faculty are committed to the success of each student in a stimulating and challenging field practicum.
Our current list of approved clinical and community practice field sites includes agencies in the following areas of
practice:
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Family and children
Child welfare
Mental health
Crisis intervention
Senior resources
Family social policy
Health and human services
Corrections and probation
Public and independent schools
Youth services
Hospitals
Developmental disabilities
American Indian family services
Chronic and persistent mental illness
Chemical dependency
Court services
Immigrant, migrant, refugee services
Victims of torture
Faith-based social services
Neighborhood services
Legislation advocacy
Housing services
Employment services
Community organizing
Research centers
Dual Degree in Social Work and Theology (MSW/MA, Theology)
Augsburg College’s Department of Social Work (Minneapolis) and Luther Seminary (St. Paul) offer a dual degree: Master
of Social Work and Master of Arts in Theology (MSW/MA). The dual degree has been approved by both institutions and
by the Council on Social Work Education. If you are interested in combining a Master of Social Work with a Master of
Arts in Theology, we recommend you begin the Luther Seminary program first and identify yourself as seeking the dual
degree. For application information to Luther Seminary, visit their website at www.luthersem.edu/admissions/.
Purpose
The dual degree focuses on meeting the educational interests of people planning to serve the spiritual and social needs
of families, individuals, and communities in both rural and urban settings. Both institutions have a commitment to social
and economic justice and to teamwork in the pastoral and human service settings. This joint program is ecumenical in its
admission policies as well as its academic outlook.
Objectives
Three primary objectives have been established:
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To educate practitioners in social work and ministry who can combine the values, skills, and knowledge of both
theology and social work to serve people in more holistic ways
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To generate the partnerships necessary to serve the complex needs of communities and people experiencing
transition in their lives, including the change of government support for those in poverty
To prepare practitioners to seek the strengths of interdisciplinary teams in the human service and pastoral settings.
Enrollment
We recommend that dual degree students enroll in Luther Seminary courses first. Upon completion of this first year of
courses, students then enroll in Augsburg courses for a second and third year (full-time). In the dual degree, Luther
Seminary offers nine courses which can be completed in one year if pursued full-time. The remaining Luther Seminary
course requirements are waived and replaced by the Augsburg MSW curriculum. At Augsburg, dual degree students
complete the entire MSW curriculum with the exception of the SWK 699 general elective.
Course Format and Field Practicum
Luther Seminary courses are offered on a weekday schedule and Augsburg College courses are offered on a weekend
schedule. The field practicum is incorporated into the Augsburg curriculum and will be in a setting reflective of the dual
degree program, such as congregational multidisciplinary teams, nursing home chaplaincy, and social work teams. The
Luther Seminary program and the Augsburg College program are both full-time; it is not feasible for students to do both
programs simultaneously.
Summary of MSW/MA Theology Dual Degree Requirements
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9 courses at Luther Seminary
All required MSW courses at Augsburg College
MSW field practica credit hours (see guidelines under field practicum)
MSW portfolio or summative evaluation project
Admission to the Dual Degree
It is the responsibility of dual degree students to be aware of application deadlines for both institutions. Applicants must
apply to each program separately. Please note: admission to one institution does not guarantee admission to the other.
To request the catalog and application materials, you must contact each program separately. Financial aid is also a
separate process.
Dual Degree in Social Work and Business Administration (MSW/MBA)
Augsburg College offers a dual MSW/MBA degree in social work and business administration. Students enrolled in the
dual degree program learn to create better managed and financially sound service organizations to serve diverse
communities, both locally and globally.
Purpose
Many social service agencies today require that agency managers combine financial and business expertise with social
work practice and policy formation. The MSW/MBA dual degree prepares graduates to function in a workplace that
demands the delivery of quality services with increasingly limited resources.
Concentration
The MSW/MBA dual degree includes an accelerated third year of study for MSW students who elect the Multicultural
Macro Practice (MCMP) concentration. In this concentration, students learn to effect positive change in social service
systems through their work with communities, organizations, and social policy makers. Prior Augsburg MSW graduates
who have completed the necessary Multicultural Macro Practice (MCMP) coursework are eligible to return to complete
the MBA portion of the dual degree.
Schedule
Years 1 and 2 (September through June)
MSW classes meet on alternating weekends—Friday evenings, Saturday mornings, and Saturday afternoons—and
students engage in hybrid learning activities between class weekends.
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Year 3 (12–16 months)
MBA classes meet one night per week. The MBA program includes a summer term. See the MBA section for required
courses for the dual degree.
Curriculum
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Foundation or advanced standing coursework
Either 920 hours (foundation) or 500 hours (advanced standing) MSW field practicum experience
The MSW summative evaluation project may be accepted by the MBA program as partial fulfillment of the MBA
project.
Complete a minimum of eight MBA courses for students who completed the MSW degree 2002 and beyond;
complete a minimum of nine MBA courses for students who completed the MSW degree prior to 2002
For more information regarding the MBA coursework required for the MSW/MBA dual degree, see the MBA section.
MBA Admission
MSW/MBA dual degree applicants may apply to both programs at the same time or admitted MSW students may wait
to apply to the MBA program until their concentration year. The GMAT is waived for MSW/MBA dual degree applicants.
MBA application materials include: completed application, two short essays, an updated resume, two letters of
recommendation, and a personal interview with the MBA program director. Admission to one program does not
guarantee admission to the other.
For a complete list of courses and descriptions, see the Course Description Search.
Admission to MSW
The Augsburg College MSW program promotes the widest possible diversity within its student population. Therefore,
the admission policies ensure that educational opportunities are provided to persons with a range of abilities,
backgrounds, beliefs, and cultures.
Listed below are general descriptions for the application process. Refer to the online MSW application documents for
details regarding specific application requirements.
Admission Requirements
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Bachelor’s degree from a regionally-accredited college or university
Cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher
Liberal arts coursework in the social sciences, humanities, biology, and statistics
Application Checklist
The application deadline is January 15 each year for matriculation in the following academic year. All application
materials noted below are due by the application deadline. For more information go to www.augsburg.edu/msw or call
612-330-1101.
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Completed application form
$35 application fee
One official transcript from each previously-attended postsecondary institution. This includes colleges, universities,
vocational/technical institutions, and PSEO institutions.
Liberal arts prerequisite coursework including four social sciences, three humanities, one biology, and one statistics
course. These courses must be completed prior to enrollment.
Completed BSW course equivalency checklist (for advanced standing applicants)
Three recommendation checklist forms, with letters attached, submitted online
Typed personal statement responding to the questions noted on the application form
Results of the TOEFL language tests, if applicable
Official international credit evaluation course-by-course review (for degrees completed outside of the United States)
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Admission as an international student
International applicants must submit the required application materials listed above. Refer to the additional
requirements outlined in Admission of International Students in the Graduate Admissions section.
Admission as a transfer student
Students may apply to Augsburg as a transfer student. Transfer students follow the same procedure as new applicants.
Transfer students may receive up to 22 transfer credits. (See Evaluation of Transfer Credit in the Academic Programs and
Policies section of this catalog.) Eligible courses must be from a CSWE-accredited MSW program and students must have
received a grade of B (3.0) or higher. Students must complete no fewer than 23 credits at Augsburg in order to receive
their MSW degree from Augsburg College.
We do not grant academic credit for work or life experience.
Admission with Advanced Standing
Advanced standing is an application category open to those with a bachelor’s degree in social work from a program that
is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Advanced standing applicants may seek waivers for the
following eligible MSW courses: Human Behavior and the Social Environment, History of Social Welfare Policy, Practice
Methods and Skills 1 and 2, and Integrative Field Seminars 1 and 2 (which include 420 field practicum hours). Advanced
standing applicants must offer an equivalent BSW course for each with a grade of B (3.0) or higher in order to receive a
waiver.
Academic Policies
Academic Achievement
Students must maintain at least a 3.0 cumulative grade point average in the MSW program. If a student falls below a 3.0
average, the student will be placed on academic probation. A 3.0 cumulative grade point average must be restored in
order for a student to be removed from probation. If the cumulative grade point average again falls below 3.0, the
student may be dismissed from the program. Students are retained in the program who can:
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Maintain expected grade point average (3.0 or higher)
Complete course requirements of the program and field placement in a timely manner
Complete the program within four years
Abide by the department’s Standards for Social Work Education and the NASW Code of Ethics
No more than two courses with a grade of 2.5 will count toward the degree. Courses with a grade below 2.5 must be
repeated. No more than two courses can be repeated. Only the credits and grades earned the second time are counted
in the grade point average. If a student receives a grade below 2.5 in a field course, the MSW director will initiate a Level
3 review, as outlined in section 3.2 of the Standards for Social Work Education.
Evaluation of Student Field Performance
The criteria for evaluating field performance can be found in the MSW Field Manual, which is distributed to newlyadmitted students at our field orientation prior to seeking the field placement.
Four-Year Limit
All students are required to finish the degree within four years of matriculation. See the Academic Programs and Policies
section of this catalog for policy on continuation of coursework or final thesis.
Leave of Absence
Students who interrupt their program enrollment must request a leave of absence through the MSW program in order
to maintain their admitted status. The request must be made in writing or via the student’s Augsburg email account. A
leave of absence typically requires a full year away from the program in order to return to classes in sequence.
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Prerequisite Courses
All foundation courses are prerequisite to the concentration courses. Students may not enroll in the concentration
courses until successfully completing all foundation courses. In addition there are individual courses that are
prerequisite to other individual courses in the MSW curriculum. These are listed in the MSW Handbook.
Program Costs
In addition to tuition fees, MSW students can expect to a pay a facilities fee and a field program fee. Students can also
expect to purchase textbooks and student liability insurance when in a field placement. There may also be additional
fees associated with short-term electives abroad.
Graduate Scholarship Search Tips
As you may know, graduate students do not have access to many of the financial aid opportunities open to
undergraduates. Because of this, we strongly encourage you to spend time doing your own independent research into
graduate funding available locally, nationally, and internationally.
The simplest way to begin a search for graduate funding is to look online. There are many scholarship search engines
online. The following websites may provide a good starting point for your search:
www.naswfoundation.org
www.gradloans.com
www.cswe.org
www.gradschools.com
www.mnssa.org
www.fastweb.com
www.aauw.org
www.gradview.com
www.finaid.org
www.petersons.com
www.studentaid.ed.gov
Examples of Social Work Graduate Scholarships
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Carl A. Scott Book Scholarship
o Two $500 scholarships offered each year to students from ethnic groups of color. Applications due in May (go to
www.cswe.org.)
Gosnell Scholarship Funds
o Ten awards ($1,000-$4,000) offered to social work students interested in working with American Indian/Alaska
Native and Hispanic/Latino populations or in public and voluntary nonprofit agency settings. Applications due in
August (see www.naswfoundation.org).
Vern Lyons Scholarship
o One award ($2,000) offered to students interested in health/mental health practice and a commitment to the
African American community. Applications due in August (see www.naswfoundation.org).
American Board of Examiners in Clinical Social Work
o Several awards ($1,000 each) offered to students who demonstrate excellence in preparation for clinical social
work practice. Applications due in March (see www.abecsw.org).
MSSA Diversity Educational Scholarship
o One $500 award offered to students from African-American, American Indian, Asian, LGBT, Hispanic and
Immigrant Cultures in completing their education in the Human Service Field. Applications due in June (see
www.mnsocialserviceassoc.org).
Marjorie J. Carpenter Scholarship
o One $1,500 award offered to students seeking education in the human service field so they may enhance their
professional and/or technical skill development. Applications due in June (see www.mnsocialserviceassoc.org).
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Augsburg Scholarships
Augsburg’s Social Work Department offers several scholarships each year. Students who are enrolled in the first year of
the program are eligible to apply. Awards range in amount from $300 to $1,500.
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Phyllis M. Baker Memorial Scholarship
Edwina L. Hertzberg Scholarship
Arvida Norum Memorial Scholarship
Steen Family Scholarship Fund for Minority Social Work Students
Edwin Yattaw Memorial Scholarship
Bodo F. Suemning Memorial Scholarship
Blanca Rosa Egas Memorial Scholarship
AmeriCorps Tuition Discount
Augsburg offers a tuition discount to students who are or have been AmeriCorps volunteers—25% off the tuition cost of
one course per semester. This would apply to all semesters of your MSW program. Contact the Enrollment Center for
more information.
Augsburg Partnership Grant
The Augsburg Partnership Grant applies to new enrolling students only and allows employees of partner institutions to
receive a 10% tuition discount. Application fees of $35 are also waived. If a student enrolls in an Employer Tuition
Reimbursement Payment Plan, the $20 processing fee is also waived. Contact the Enrollment Center for more
information.
Military Discount
See description in the Financing Your Education section of the catalog.
MSW Forum
All MSW students are invited to participate in the student-run organization, the MSW Forum. The purpose of the forum
is to facilitate communication between social work students and the social work department, as well as to provide the
opportunity for student participation in departmental governance, curriculum development, and program
improvements. As such, forum members are invited to attend Social Work Department meetings via representatives.
The forum has historically been volunteer based. Any student may serve on the forum, provided the student can make a
commitment to attend the meetings and share in the efforts. The MSW director and MSW program coordinator also
serve on the forum. Other faculty may be invited as permanent members or as guests.
Past forum members established these guidelines:
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Provide an avenue for students to share and discuss ideas and/or concerns related to the MSW educational
experience with the Social Work Department
Encourage constructive dialogue among students, faculty, and department and College administrators
Make recommendations to the department regarding program improvements
Receive and give feedback on expectations of faculty, students, and the College
Plan and coordinate MSW student events, lectures, discussions
Organize social action projects
MSW Faculty
Laura Boisen, Professor of Social Work, MSW Field Coordinator. BS, Wartburg College; MSSW, University of Wisconsin;
MPA, Iowa State University; PhD, University of Minnesota.
Lois A. Bosch, Professor of Social Work, MSW Program Director. BA, Northwestern College; MSW, University of Iowa;
PhD, University of Illinois-Urbana-Champaign.
Mauricio Cifuentes, Assistant Professor of Social Work. JD, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogota, Colombia; MSW
Loyola University; PhD, Loyola University.
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Ankita Deka, Assistant Professor of Social Work. BA, Delhi University; MSW, Tata Institute of Social Sciences; PhD,
Indiana University.
Christina Erickson, Associate Professor of Social Work, Field Education Coordinator. BS, University of Minnesota; MSW,
University of Minnesota-Duluth; PhD, University of Illinois-Chicago.
Annette Gerten, Associate Professor of Social Work, BSW Field Coordinator. BA, College of St. Catherine; MSW,
University of Michigan; PhD, University of Minnesota.
Melissa Hensley, Assistant Professor of Social Work. BA, MSW, PhD, Washington University in St. Louis; MHA, University
of Missouri–Columbia.
Bibiana Koh, Assistant Professor of Social Work. BA, Hartwick College; MA, Columbia University; MAT, School for
International Training; MSW, Smith College; PhD, University of Minnesota.
Barbara Lehmann, Associate Professor of Social Work, BSW Program Director. BA, Knox College; MSW, Tulane
University; PhD, Case Western Reserve University.
Terrence Lewis, Assistant Professor of Social Work. BA, The Catholic University of America; MSW, University of
Kentucky; PhD, Boston University.
Nancy Rodenborg, Associate Professor of Social Work. BA, Indiana University; MSW, University of Minnesota; MIA,
School of International Training; PhD, University of Arizona.
Michael Schock, Associate Professor of Social Work, Department Chair. BA, University of Washington; MSW, University
of Minnesota; PhD, University of Washington.
MSW Staff
Doran Edwards, BSW Program Assistant Director
Erika McCreedy, Administrative Assistant
Courtney Zaato, Field Assistant
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Augsburg College Board of Regents
For more details, go to www.augsburg.edu/regents.
Andra Adolfson
Dan W. Anderson ‘65
Ann B. Ashton-Piper
Jennifer P. Carlson, J.D.
Bishop Rick Hoyme, ex-officio
Karen A. Durant ’81
Matthew K. Entenza, J.D.
Mark A. Eustis
Alexander J. Gonzalez ‘90
Norman R. Hagfors
Jodi L. Harpstead
Rev. Rolf Jacobson, Ph.D.
Eric J. Jolly, Ph.D.
Wayne D. Jorgenson ‘71
Toby Piper LaBelle ‘96
The Honorable LaJune Thomas Lange ’75, J.D.
André J. Lewis ’73, Ph.D.
Dennis J. Meyer ‘78
Pamela Hanson Moksnes ‘79
Paul S. Mueller ’84, M.D., Chair
Jeffrey M. Nodland ’77
Lisa M. Novotny ’80
Paul C. Pribbenow, Ph.D.
Curtis A. Sampson
Bishop Ann M. Svennungsen, ex-officio
Gary A. Tangwall ’80
Rev. Norman W. Wahl ’76, D.Min.
Bonnie Wallace
Steven J. Wehrenberg ‘78
Rev. Mark N. Wilhelm, Ph.D., ex-officio
ELCA Congregational and Synodical Mission
Executive Director
The Rev. Dr. Stephen Bouman
Program Director for Schools
The Rev. Dr. Mark Wilhelm
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Title
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Augsburg College Graduate Catalog, 2013-2014
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Collection
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Course Catalogs
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Search Result
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2013-2014 Graduate Catalog
Master of Arts in Education
Master of Arts in Leadership
Master of Arts in Nursing
Master of Business Administration
Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing
Master of Music Therapy
Doctor of Nursing Practice
Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies
Master ...
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2013-2014 Graduate Catalog
Master of Arts in Education
Master of Arts in Leadership
Master of Arts in Nursing
Master of Business Administration
Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing
Master of Music Therapy
Doctor of Nursing Practice
Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies
Master of Social Work
at
Augsburg College
Graduate Catalog
2013-2014
Official Publication of Augsburg College
2211 Riverside Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55454
The Augsburg College Graduate Catalog contains information about academic program requirements and academic and
student policies and procedures for fall semester 2013 - summer semester 2014. It is subject to change without notice.
The catalog is intended to complement other College publications including the Student Guide and College website. It is
important for students to be familiar with all College policies and procedures. Students are strongly encouraged to
consult their advisor(s) at least once each semester to be certain they are properly completing degree requirements.
Published 2013
Phone: 612-330-1000
www.augsburg.edu
1
A Greeting from the President
I am pleased to know of your interest in Augsburg College’s exciting and innovative graduate programs. You are part of a
select and discerning group of professionals who seek to find a graduate program that combines an excellent
curriculum, a values-based approach to work, a talented and experienced faculty, and program formats that meet the
needs of busy and successful people. Augsburg College’s graduate-level programs in Business Administration, Creative
Writing, Education, Leadership, Nursing, Physician Assistant Studies, and Social Work are distinguished by the
opportunities they provide students to expand decision-making and strategic skills.
Augsburg College is characterized by a strong mission: Augsburg College educates students to be informed citizens,
thoughtful stewards, critical thinkers, and responsible leaders. The Augsburg experience is supported by an engaged
community that is committed to intentional diversity in its life and work. An Augsburg education is defined by excellence
in the liberal arts and professional studies, guided by the faith and values of the Lutheran church, and shaped by its
urban and global settings.
For our graduate programs, this mission helps to shape an innovative educational experience that features an expansive
perspective on social responsibility, economic realities, business initiative, and environmental sustainability.
At Augsburg College, we believe that our distinctive educational purpose is to help you find your calling at work and in
the world. Augsburg graduate programs are designed to offer you quality educational experiences, personal attention,
and opportunities to expand your personal and professional talents and skills. We are confident that our graduates are
prepared for leadership in our ever-changing global society, the hallmark of an Augsburg degree.
Sincerely,
Paul C. Pribbenow
President
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Greetings from the Academic Affairs Office
Welcome to our graduate studies at Augsburg College. We are committed to education that prepares people for
leadership in their communities and places of work. We believe that the liberal and professional arts and sciences form
the best preparation for living in the fast-paced, changing, and complex world of today and tomorrow.
Our locations in the vital metropolitan areas of Minneapolis/St. Paul and Rochester offer exciting and challenging field
experiences for courses that include real-life learning through academic internships, experiential education, and cultural
enrichment. The Twin Cities and Rochester become extended campuses for Augsburg students. Also, the diversity in our
campus community ensures that our graduates are prepared for the range of experiences and perspectives that
characterize today’s global environment.
When you join Augsburg you become part of a community that offers lifelong learning opportunities in state-of-the-art
physical and online classrooms with accessible libraries and dedicated faculty and staff. You join a body of experienced
people who quickly form your network of employer connections and career opportunities. We encourage our alumni to
become your mentors and build on our city connections through public events, including our convocations and Advent
Vespers.
All of our graduate programs share distinctive qualities, including our commitment and mission to be of service, with
one another and to our neighbors. We expect our graduates to have their eyes on the world as they develop their
identity as global citizens, with a sense of responsibility to participate in socially- and economically-sustainable
development. We hope that at some time during your degree, you’ll explore the opportunities to participate in an
international learning experience—for example, travel seminars to our global campuses in Central America, Mexico, and
Namibia, and opportunities to meet visiting students and faculty members from our partner institutions in Norway,
Germany, Finland, and Slovenia. Inspired by the faith of our Lutheran founders to be inclusive to the early immigrants
who came to Augsburg’s doors, we welcome a diversity of cultures and faiths.
Although each graduate program has its own “neighborhood” and unique features, we encourage interdisciplinary
courses and opportunities for you to study with colleagues across disciplines. We encourage both “horizontal”
initiatives—i.e., cross-program collaboration—as well as “vertical” initiatives—engaging our undergraduate students to
consider graduate work. This means that sometimes you may be encouraging classmates who are just beginning to
imagine a graduate degree.
We are companions on your journey in fulfilling your dream of a graduate degree and we cannot wait to meet you.
Sincerely,
Lori A. Peterson
Assistant Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean of Graduate and Professional Studies
3
About Augsburg
At Augsburg College, we believe that graduate education should prepare gifted people for positions of leadership in
their communities and places of work. Augsburg graduates will be able to demonstrate not only the mastery of a major
field of study, but also the ability to think critically, solve problems, act ethically and communicate effectively in a global
world. The heart of an Augsburg education is the Augsburg mission, informed by the liberal and professional arts and
sciences, to serve our neighbors in the heart of the city with faith-based, ethical values. We welcome students from a
diversity of backgrounds and experiences. Also, our programs look to the world through international courses and
cultural exchanges.
Mission Statement
Students who graduate from Augsburg are well prepared to make a difference in the world. They stand as testaments to
the College motto, “Education for Service,” and mission:
Augsburg College educates students to be informed citizens, thoughtful stewards, critical thinkers, and responsible
leaders. The Augsburg experience is supported by an engaged community that is committed to intentional diversity in its
life and work. An Augsburg education is defined by excellence in the liberal arts and professional studies, guided by the
faith and values of the Lutheran Church, and shaped by its urban and global settings.
Augsburg Today
Augsburg was the first seminary founded by Norwegian Lutherans in America, named after the confession of faith
presented by Lutherans in Augsburg, Germany, in 1530. Augsburg opened in September 1869, in Marshall, WI, and
moved to Minneapolis in 1872. A short history of Augsburg College can be found at www.augsburg.edu/about/history.
Today, Augsburg continues to reflect the commitment and dedication of its founders who believed:
• Education should have a solid liberal arts core at the graduate level; this focus centers on the ability to think critically
and broadly about the world and the work we do in it.
• An Augsburg education should be preparation for service in community and centers of faith.
• The city—with all its excitement, challenges, and diversity—is an unequaled learning environment.
The vision of the College’s work today is lived out in the phrase, “We believe we are called to serve our neighbor.”
Through common commitments to living faith, active citizenship, meaningful work, and global perspective, Augsburg
prepares its students to become effective, ethical citizens in a complex global society.
Degrees Offered
Augsburg offers the following graduate degrees:
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Master of Arts in Education
Master of Arts in Leadership
Master of Arts in Nursing
Master of Business Administration
Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing
Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies
Master of Social Work
Doctor of Nursing Practice
Augsburg offers the following dual degrees:
• Bachelor of Arts in Accounting/Master of Arts in Leadership
• Master of Social Work/Master of Business Administration
• Master of Social Work/Master of Arts in Theology, with Luther Seminary
4
A Community of Learners
Essential to the goals of Augsburg’s graduate programs is participation in a community of adult learners. This community
is enriched by the presence of men and women with a variety of work and life experiences. To facilitate this kind of
community interaction, Augsburg encourages students to make use of all College facilities such as Lindell Library, the
Kennedy Center, and the Christensen Center, and to participate in College activities such as music and dramatic
presentations and athletic events.
Graduate Faculty
The heart of any educational institution is its faculty, and Augsburg College is particularly proud of the excellence and
commitment of its professors. Most faculty hold the doctorate or other terminal degree, and all consider teaching and
service to be the focus of their activity at the College. Faculty are involved in social, professional, and a variety of
research activities, but these support and are secondary to their teaching. Faculty are actively involved in a dynamic
faculty development program that introduces them to best practices in teaching and learning techniques and theories.
Augsburg’s small classes encourage its tradition of close involvement between professors and students. Faculty act as
academic advisors and participate regularly in campus activities.
5
Locations
Minneapolis Campus
Augsburg College is located in the heart of the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota. The campus is
bordered by Riverside Avenue and Interstate 94, near the University of Minnesota West Bank campus and the University
of Minnesota Medical Center.
Downtown Minneapolis is just minutes away, providing access to internships and careers with some of the country’s
leading companies as well as entertainment, arts, sports venues, shopping, dining, and transportation. The campus is
blocks from the Hiawatha light rail line and the future Central Corridor line, which provide easy access to Minneapolis,
St. Paul, and the Minneapolis International Airport.
Rochester Campus
Augsburg’s branch campus in Rochester was established in 1998 as a natural extension of the College’s mission and its
expertise in teaching working adults. Degrees offered on the Rochester campus include the Master of Business
Administration, Master of Arts in Nursing*, Master of Arts in Education*, and Doctor of Nursing Practice*, as well as a
variety of undergraduate majors.
The Rochester campus classrooms and offices are located at Bethel Lutheran Church (ELCA), a few blocks south of the
heart of the city, which is home to about 100,000 residents. It is a city that enjoys a rich ethnic diversity and superior
technological resources.
Augsburg classes in Rochester meet on a semester schedule with classes taking place on weekday evenings and on
occasional Saturdays, making them accessible to working adults. Students may also take courses within their program at
the Minneapolis campus.
Students at the Rochester campus are Augsburg College students. They are supported through an array of e-learning
resources ranging from access to Lindell Library databases to the use of online course management software.
Information about the Rochester campus is available at www.augsburg.edu/rochester or by calling the Rochester office
at 507-288-2886.
*Program includes some Minneapolis courses
Abroad Locations
Augsburg is enhanced by its global centers in Namibia, Mexico, and Central America. Students can perform research,
take courses, or consult with faculty in those locations to gain new perspectives on their discipline.
6
Facilities
Instruction facilities and student housing at Augsburg are conveniently located near each other. A tunnel/ramp/skyway
system connects the two tower residence halls, the five buildings on the Quadrangle, plus Music Hall, Lindell Library,
Oren Gateway Center, and the Foss, Lobeck, Miles Center for Worship, Drama, and Communication.
Instruction facilities and student housing at Augsburg are conveniently located near each other. A tunnel/ramp/skyway
system connects the two tower residence halls, the five buildings on the Quadrangle, plus Music Hall, Lindell Library,
Oren Gateway Center, and the Foss, Lobeck, Miles Center for Worship, Drama, and Communication.
Admissions Office—The Office of Admissions is located on the lower level of Christensen Center.
Anderson Hall (1993)—Named in honor of Oscar Anderson, President of Augsburg College from 1963 to 1980, this
residence hall is located at 2016 8th Street. Anderson Hall contains four types of living units and houses 192 students, as
well as the Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies; Center for Global Education; and the Office of Marketing
and Communication.
Counseling and Health Promotion—The Center for Counseling and Health Promotion (CCHP) offers programs and
services that enhance student learning by promoting personal development and well-being. The center occupies the
house located at 628 21st Avenue.
Christensen Center (1967)—The College center, with the Admissions Office, student lounge and recreational areas, the
Strommen Center for Meaningful Work, the Commons dining facility and Einstein Bros. Bagels, two art galleries, copy
center, and offices for student government and student publications.
Edor Nelson Field—The athletic field, located at 725 23rd Avenue, is the playing and practice field of many of the
Augsburg teams. An air-supported dome covers the field during winter months, allowing year-round use.
Foss, Lobeck, Miles Center for Worship, Drama, and Communication (1988)—The Foss Center is named in recognition
of the Julian and June Foss family. The Tjornhom-Nelson Theater, Hoversten Chapel, and the Arnold Atrium are also
housed in this complex, which provides space for campus ministry, the drama and communication offices, and the
Center for Learning and Adaptive Student Services (CLASS).
Ice Arena (1974)—Two skating areas provide practice space for hockey and figure skating, and recreational skating for
Augsburg and the metropolitan community.
Kennedy Center (2007)—Completed in 2007 as a three-story addition to Melby Hall and named for Dean (’75) and Terry
Kennedy, it features a state-of-the-art wrestling training center, fitness center, classrooms for health and physical
education, and hospitality facilities.
The James G. Lindell Family Library (1997)—This library and information technology center houses all library functions
and brings together the computer technology resources of the College. It also houses the Gage Center for Student
Success. The library is located on the corner of 22nd Avenue and 7th Street.
Luther Hall (1999)—Named for theologian Martin Luther, Luther Hall is a three-story apartment complex along 20th
Avenue, between 7th and 8th Streets that houses juniors and seniors in units from efficiencies to two-bedroom suites.
Melby Hall (1961)—Named in honor of J. S. Melby (dean of men from 1920 to 1942, basketball coach, and head of the
Christianity Department). It provides facilities for the health and physical education program, intercollegiate and
intramural athletics, the Hoyt Messerer Fitness Center, and general auditorium purposes. The Ernie Anderson Center
Court was dedicated in 2001.
Mortensen Hall (1973)—Named in honor of Gerda Mortensen (dean of women from 1923 to 1964), it has 104 one- and
two-bedroom apartments that house 312 upper-class students, the Department of Public Safety and a lounge area.
Music Hall (1978)—Contains Sateren Auditorium, a 217-seat recital hall, classroom facilities, two rehearsal halls, music
libraries, practice studios, and offices for the music faculty.
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Old Main (1900)—Home for the Department of Art and the Department of Languages and Cross-Cultural Studies, with
classrooms used by other departments. Extensively remodeled in 1980, Old Main combines energy efficiency with
architectural details from the past. It is included on the National Register of Historic Places.
Oren Gateway Center (2007)—Named for lead donors and alumni Don and Beverly Oren, it is home for the StepUP
program, Institutional Advancement offices, the Alumni and Parent and Family Relations Offices, Bernhard Christensen
Center for Vocation, the Master of Business Administration Program, the Master of Arts in Leadership program, the
Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing program, and substance-free student housing. It also houses the Barnes & Noble
Augsburg Bookstore, Nabo Café, Gage Family Art Gallery, and the Johnson Conference Center.
Science Hall (1949)—Houses classrooms; laboratories for biology, chemistry, and physics; mathematics; a medium-sized
auditorium; faculty offices, administrative offices, and various other program offices.
Sverdrup Hall (1955)—Named in honor of Augsburg’s fourth president, it contains the Enrollment Center, as well as
classrooms and faculty offices.
Sverdrup-Oftedal Memorial Hall (1938)—Built as a residence hall and named in honor of Augsburg’s second and third
presidents, it contains the President’s Office, Human Resources, and other administrative and faculty offices.
Urness Hall (1967)—Named in honor of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Urness, this tower provides living quarters for 324 firstyear students. Each floor is a “floor unit,” providing 36 residents, housed two to a room, with their own lounge, study,
and utility areas.
8
Accreditation, Approvals, and Memberships
Augsburg College is accredited by:
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The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education
Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA)
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) (Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees)
Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) (bachelor’s and master’s degrees)
Augsburg’s programs are approved by:
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American Chemical Society
Minnesota Board of Teaching
National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS)
National Association of Schools of Music
Augsburg College is an institutional member of:
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American Association of Colleges and Universities (AACU)
American Association of Colleges of Teacher Education (AACTE)
American Association of Higher Education (AAHE)
American Music Therapy Association, Inc.
Campus Compact
Council of Independent Colleges (CIC)
Lutheran Education Council in North America (LECNA)
National Association of Schools of Music (NASM)
National Society for Experiential Education (NSEE)
Physician Assistant Education Association
Associated Colleges of the Twin Cities (ACTC)
Higher Education Consortium for Urban Affairs (HECUA)
Minnesota Private College Council MPCC)
Twin Cities Adult Education Alliance (TCAEA)
Augsburg College is registered with the Minnesota Office of Higher Education. Registration is not an endorsement of the
institution. Registration does not mean that credits earned at the institution can be transferred to other institutions or
that the quality of the educational programs would meet the standards of every student, educational institution, or
employer.
9
Policies
Non-Discrimination Policy
Augsburg College, as affirmed in its mission, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national or
ethnic origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, status with regard to
public assistance, or disability in its educational policies, admissions policies, employment, scholarship and loan
programs, athletic and/or school-administered programs, except in those instances where there is a bona fide
occupational qualification or to comply with state or federal law. Augsburg College is committed to providing reasonable
accommodations to its employees and students. (Approved by the Augsburg Board of Regents Executive Committee on
June 16, 2010).
For inquiries or grievances in any of the following areas, contact the director of Human Resources, ground floor,
Memorial Hall 19, 612-330-1058.
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Affirmative Action—for matters based on race, creed, national, or ethnic origin
Section 504—for matters based on physical or mental handicap
Title IX—for matters based on gender or marital status
Employment—All correspondence should be addressed to the Office of Human Resources at Augsburg College, 2211
Riverside Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55454.
The Director of Human Resources serves as the Title IX officer and may be reached at 612-330-1058.
Deputy Officer for Students:
Dean of Students
Sarah Griesse
612-330-1489
griesse@augsburg.edu
Deputy Officer for Athletics:
Kelly Anderson Diercks
Assistant Athletic Director
612-330-1245
diercks@augsburg.edu
Deputy Officer for Employees:
Interim AVP, Human Resources
Dionne Doering
612-330-1602
doering@augsburg.edu
Any questions concerning Augsburg’s compliance with federal or state regulations implementing equal access and
opportunity can be directed to the Affirmative Action Coordinator, Human Resources, CB 79, Augsburg College, 2211
Riverside Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55454, 612-330-1058.
The College and its faculty subscribe to the Statement of Principles on Academic Freedom as promulgated by the
American Association of University Professors and the Association of American Colleges.
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA), as amended, provides certain rights to students
regarding their education records. Each year Augsburg College is required to give notice of the various rights accorded to
students pursuant to FERPA. In accordance with FERPA, you are notified of the following:
Right to inspect and review education records
You have the right to review and inspect substantially all of your education records maintained by or at Augsburg
College. The student must request to review their education records in writing with their signature. The College will
respond in a reasonable time, but no later than 45 days after receiving the request.
Right to request amendment of education records
You have the right to seek to have corrected any parts of an education record that you believe to be inaccurate,
misleading, or otherwise in violation of your right to privacy. This includes the right to a hearing to present evidence that
the record should be changed if Augsburg decides not to alter your education records according to your request.
Right to give permission for disclosure of personally identifiable information
You have the right to be asked and to give Augsburg your permission to disclose personally identifiable information
contained in your education records, except to the extent that FERPA and the regulations regarding FERPA authorize
disclosure without your permission. One such exception which permits disclosure without consent is for disclosure to
school officials who have legitimate education interests. A school official is a person employed by the College in an
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administrative, supervisory, academic or research, or support staff position (including law enforcement unit personnel
and health staff); person or company with whom the College has contracted (such as an attorney, auditor, or collection
agent); a person serving on the board of regents, or a student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or
grievance committee, or assisting another school official performing his or her tasks. A school official has a legitimate
educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional
responsibility.
Right to withhold disclosure of “directory information”
FERPA uses the term “Directory Information” to refer to those categories of personally identifiable information that may
be released for any purpose at the discretion of Augsburg College without notification of the request or disclosure to the
student.
Under FERPA you have the right to withhold the disclosure of the directory information listed below. Please consider
very carefully the consequences of any decision by you to withhold directory information. Should you decide to inform
Augsburg College not to release Directory Information, any future request for such information from persons or
organizations outside of Augsburg College will be refused.
“Directory information” includes the following:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
The student’s name
The student’s address
The student’s telephone number
The student’s e-mail address
The student’s date and place of birth
The student’s major and minor field of study
The student’s academic class level
The student’s enrollment status (FT/HT/LHT)
The student’s participation in officially-recognized activities and sports
The student’s degrees and awards received (including dates)
The weight and height of members of athletic teams
The student’s dates of attendance
Previous educational agencies or institutions attended by the student
The student’s photograph
Augsburg College will honor your request to withhold all Directory Information but cannot assume responsibility to
contact you for subsequent permission to release it. Augsburg assumes no liability for honoring your instructions that
such information be withheld. The Registrar’s Office must be notified in writing of your intent to withhold your Directory
Information.
Right to complain to FERPA Office
You have the right to file a complaint with the Family Policy Compliance Office, US Department of Education, 400
Maryland Ave. SW, Washington, DC, 20202, concerning Augsburg’s failure to comply with FERPA.
Reporting Educational Information
Letters of reference must be requested in writing and explicitly indicate what information may be reported in the letter.
Clery Act
The Clery Act Annual Report for Augsburg College contains statistics on reported crimes on and near Augsburg property
and campus, as well as institutional policies concerning campus security and crime. The report is available online at
www.augsburg.edu/dps. For a printed copy, contact Augsburg’s Department of Public Safety at 612-330-1717.
Copyright Policy
Augsburg College Graduate Programs follows the norms of the US Copyright Law in granting exclusive rights under the
Copyright Act to faculty and student authors to reproduce their original works, to use them as the basis for derivative
11
works, to disseminate them to the public, and to perform and display them publicly. This excludes all proprietary
information.
Student Rights
The College has adopted a statement of student rights and responsibilities and has provided for due process in the
matter of disciplinary action, grievances, and grade appeal, as outlined in the Augsburg Student Guide, at
www.augsburg.edu/studentguide.
Official Notices
Students will receive official notices via the student campus mail system (student campus box), the A-Mail publication,
and the student’s Augsburg e-mail account. Students should check their campus mailbox and their student e-mail
account regularly. The A-Mail is a daily online publication on Inside Augsburg.
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Graduate Admissions
All graduate programs require students to have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally-accredited four-year institution or
an equivalent degree from outside the US.
All graduate students must submit completed applications. Each graduate program also has additional program
requirements, which may include coursework, professional experience, testing, etc. See the program sections for these
additional requirements.
Please refer to each individual program’s catalog section or the Graduate Admission website (below) for additional
instructions.
For detailed instructions on applying to graduate programs, refer to the Graduate Admissions website at
www.augsburg.edu/grad/.
Readmission
Graduate students who have not registered for courses at Augsburg College for two or more semesters, must apply for
readmission through the Registrar’s Office to resume attendance. Students who have attended other institutions during
their absence from Augsburg must have an official transcript sent from each institution to the Registrar’s Office.
Returning students do not pay the application fee.
The last day to receive approval for readmission to the College and register for classes is one business day prior to the
start of the term. Pending approval by the graduate program, students who left on probation or who were dismissed
from the College must have their readmission application and file reviewed by the program director. (Please consult
with individual programs for information regarding readmission process).
Special Student Admission
Students who are non-degree-seeking, but wish to enroll for academic credit in courses within a graduate degree
program, may be considered for admission as special students (non-degree). Special students (non-degree) can enroll on
a space-available basis. Registration dates are included in the College’s Academic Calendar. Admission requires program
director approval, and the student must be in good standing at all previously attended institutions.
To be considered for admission as a special student (non-degree), the items listed below must be submitted to the
Admissions Office. Some programs may have additional requirements.
• Completed special-status application for admission
• An official transcript of undergraduate and/or last degree earned. A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited
institution is the minimum requirement for admission. Students who have earned a degree outside the US must
have their transcript evaluated to confirm it is equivalent to a US bachelor’s degree or greater.
If a non-degree seeking student is pursuing regular admission status into the program; he or she should submit an
application requesting regular admission to that program and submit the additional materials needed for regular
admission to that program. Special student status is conferred for only one term of enrollment. Additional terms require
reapplication as a special student (non-degree). Students may count up to 6-8 semester credits earned as a special
student (non-degree) toward an Augsburg College degree with approval of the program director.
International Students Admission
Augsburg College graduate programs encourage qualified applicants from other countries to apply.
An F-1 student is a nonimmigrant who is pursuing a “full course of study” to achieve a specific educational or
professional objective at an academic institution in the United States that has been designated by the Department of
Homeland Security (DHS) to offer courses of study to such students, and has been enrolled in SEVIS (Student and
Exchange Visitor Information System).
A student acquires F-1 status using form I-20, issued by a DHS-approved school through SEVIS. Status is acquired in one
of two ways:
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• If the student is abroad, by entering the United States with the I-20 and an F-1 visa obtained at a US consulate.
• If the student is already in the United States and not currently in F-1 status, by sending the I-20 to USCIS (United
States Citizenship and Immigration Services) with an application for change of nonimmigrant status.
A student who is maintaining valid F-1 status may transfer from another DHS-approved school to Augsburg by following
the transfer procedures set forth in the F-1 regulations.
In addition to fulfilling all general admission requirements for a particular graduate program, prospective F-1 students
must also comply with the following:
English Proficiency Requirements for International Graduate Applicants
To meet Augsburg College admission requirements, you must provide evidence of a sufficient command of both written
and spoken English to study college courses conducted entirely in English. Below is a list of the tests and programs
Augsburg College accepts as evidence for English proficiency.
• TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
o www.toefl.org/
o Score report of 80 on the Internet-based TOEFL (iBT) with a subscore of 20 on the written and 20 on the speaking
sections. (The Augsburg College TOEFL code is 6014.)
• IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
o www.ielts.org/
o Score report of 6.5.
• MELAB (Michigan English Language Assessment Battery)
o www.cambridgemichigan.org/melab
o Score report of 80, and score report must be accompanied by an official letter from the testing coordinator.
• Successful completion of a previous undergraduate or graduate degree at an accredited college or university in the
US, the United Kingdom, Ireland, English-speaking Canada, New Zealand, or Australia.
Score reports must be sent to Augsburg directly from the testing center. Score reports must not be more than two years
old.
Foreign Credential Evaluation
Augsburg requires foreign credential evaluation for any transcript(s) from an institution outside of the United States.
This evaluation should include the following:
• Analysis of credentials to determine if your degree is equivalent to an accredited US bachelor’s degree
• Verification the degree is equivalent, at a minimum, to a four-year US bachelor’s degree is required.
• Course-by-course evaluation to show your complete course listing with credit values and grades received for each
course, may also be required for specific programs.
• Calculation of grade point average to demonstrate your cumulative grade point average using the standard US
grading system, i.e., A=4.0, B=3.0, C=2.0, D=1.0, F=0.0.
• Translation to English (if applicable)
The evaluation report must be sent directly to Augsburg’s Office of Admissions. Refer to World Education Services at
www.wes.org for information on how to obtain a foreign credential evaluation.
Proof of Financial Support
International applicants must provide reliable documentation that they have financial resources adequate to meet
expenses for the duration of their academic program, which include tuition and fees, books and supplies, room and
board, health insurance, personal expenses, and living expenses for dependents (if applicable).
Funds may come from any dependable source, including scholarships, fellowships, sponsoring agencies, personal funds,
or funds from the student’s family. Documentation of scholarships and fellowships may be in the form of an official
award letter from the school or sponsoring agency; documentation of personal or family funds should be on bank
letterhead stationery, or in the form of a legally binding affidavit. Government Form I-134, Affidavit of Support, or
Augsburg’s Financial Sponsorship form can be used to document support being provided by a US citizen or US legal
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permanent resident. All financial documents such as bank statements must be dated within three months prior to the
date of application.
Health Insurance
All F-1 international students and their dependents (if applicable) are required to have adequate health insurance
coverage for the duration of their program. International students will be enrolled in the Augsburg international student
plan unless they fill out a waiver verifying proof of coverage through an alternative provider for the same period.
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Financing Your Education
Costs for Graduate Studies
The Board of Regents approves the costs for the academic year. The board reviews costs annually and makes changes as
required. The College reserves the right to adjust charges should economic conditions necessitate.
Program Tuition and Fees
Tuition and fees are published online at www.augsburg.edu/studentfinancial/2013-2014-graduate-rates/
Tuition:
Students are charged per credit. The amount is payable at the beginning of each semester or you can set up an official
payment plan through Student Financial Services.
Fees:
Student activity, facilities, wind energy fee. Other special course or program specific fees can be found online at
www.augsburg.edu/studentfinancial.
Books and Supplies: Approximately $150 per course
Audit Fee: $1,000 per course
Payments
Semester Charges
Prior to the start of each semester a statement of estimated charges showing charges and financial aid credits
designated by the Student Financial Services Office is sent to the student via e-mail. All statements are available online
through AugNet Records and Registration. Payments can be made online at www.augsburg.edu/studentfinancial/make
a-payment/. Augsburg may charge late fees and interest on delinquent accounts. Review the full policy regarding past
due balances online at www.augsburg.edu/studentfinancial/disclosure/.
Payment Options
Augsburg College offers payment plan options for all students. Information about payment plans is available online at
www.augsburg.edu/studentfinancial/payment-plans-and-discounts/.
Financial Aid
All students who wish to be considered for financial assistance must establish financial aid eligibility on an annual basis.
This includes completing the application process as outlined below and making satisfactory academic progress. In order
to maintain eligibility in financial aid programs, students must make satisfactory academic progress toward the
attainment of their degree or certificate as stipulated in the College catalog and as published on the Academic Progress
Standards for Financial Aid Recipients webpage, www.augsburg.edu/studentfinancial/sap-policy/.
Financial assistance awarded through Augsburg may be a combination of grants and loans. The College cooperates with
federal, state, church, and private agencies in providing various aid programs. During the 2012-2013 academic year,
more than eight out of ten students at Augsburg received financial assistance.
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps determine the amount of assistance for which a student is
eligible. This analysis takes into account such family financial factors as current income, assets, number of dependent
family members, other educational expenses, retirement needs, and special considerations.
How to Apply
To be considered for the maximum amount of aid, students must apply for financial aid by May 1st. Steps to apply can be
found online www.augsburg.edu/studentfinancial/graduate-financial-aid/ and are updated annually as federal and state
processes change.
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What Happens Next?
Once all documents are received, we review the financial aid application to determine financial aid eligibility for all
available programs. A financial aid award letter will be sent to the student. This letter details the financial aid award and
includes information regarding federal and private loan programs (students must complete a loan application to receive
loan funds).
Types of Aid
A student applying for aid from Augsburg applies for assistance in general rather than for a specific scholarship or grant
(except as noted). The various forms of aid available are listed here for information only.
In addition to aid administered by Augsburg College, students are urged to investigate the possibility of scholarships and
grants that might be available in their own communities. It is worthwhile to check with churches, the company or
business employing parents or spouses, high schools, service clubs, and fraternal organizations for information on aid
available to students who meet their requirements. In addition to these sources, some students are eligible for aid
through Rehabilitation Services, Educational Assistance for Veterans, Educational Assistance for Veterans’ Children, and
other sources.
Institutional Grants/Discounts
Augsburg offers grants/discounts for a variety of different students. Specific information about the different grants and
scholarships, along with eligibility requirements, can be found online at www.augsburg.edu/studentfinancial/payment
plans-and-discounts/
Loan Assistance
Graduate students must be enrolled at least half-time in order to receive federal loans. Three semester credits per term
is considered half-time. Six semester credits per term is considered full-time.
• Federal Stafford Student Loan
o Unsubsidized Stafford Loan; interest begins accruing on the date of disbursement and the borrower is
responsible for all interest. The borrower may choose to make payments while in school or may defer payments
and allow interest to accrue and be capitalized (added to the balance of the loan).
• Federal Parent Loan Program (PLUS)
o PLUS is a loan program to help graduate students meet college costs. Students may borrow up to the cost of
attendance (minus all other student financial aid).
Further information about loan programs can be found online at www.augsburg.edu/studentfinancial.
Financial Policies
Registration is permitted only if the student’s account for a previous term is paid in full or if the student is making
scheduled payments in accordance with an approved online payment plan.
Augsburg College will not release student academic transcripts or graduation diplomas/certificates until all student
accounts are paid in full or, in the case of student loan funds administered by the College (Federal Perkins Student Loan),
are current according to established repayment schedules and the loan entrance and exit interviews have been
completed.
Refund Schedule
Students who withdraw from Augsburg College may be eligible for a refund of a portion of their charges based on the
appropriate refund schedule. Financial aid may also be adjusted for those students who withdraw from the College or
drop one or more courses and receive financial assistance.
For further information view our refund policy online at www.augsburg.edu/studentfinancial/tuition-and-credit-refund/.
Students may appeal refund decisions through the Financial Petition Committee. Petition forms are available online
through the Registrar’s Office website.
Students who wish to withdraw from Augsburg should complete the Withdrawal from College form available online
through the Registrar’s Office website. It must be filled out completely, signed and turned in to the Registrar’s Office.
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Students who properly withdraw or change to part-time, who are dismissed, or who are released from a housing
contract will have their accounts adjusted for tuition and/or room in accordance with the terms of their housing contract
and/or the appropriate tuition refund schedule.
Students are responsible for cancelling courses through the Registrar’s Office (or online) in order to be eligible for any
refund. Students who unofficially withdraw (stop attending) but do not officially drop courses with the Registrar’s Office
are responsible for all charges. Financial aid may be adjusted based on the student’s last recorded date of attendance.
Refund calculations are based on the date that the drop/add form is processed.
Medical refund
If a student is forced to withdraw from one or more courses in a term due to illness or an accident, the refund will
include the normal refund percentage (based on the regular refund schedule). Requests for medical refunds should be
made through the Financial Petition Committee. Petition forms are available through the Registrar’s Office website. This
extra medical refund will be considered upon submission of documentation from the attending doctor, on letterhead,
verifying the medical circumstances.
Unofficial Withdrawal
Federal regulations require that records of financial aid recipients who earn failing grades in all their classes be
reviewed. If courses are not completed (e.g., unofficial withdrawal, stopped attending), the College is required to refund
financial aid to the appropriate sources according to federal or Augsburg refund policies based on the last recorded date
of attendance. Students are responsible for the entire cost of the term including the portion previously covered by
financial aid should they stop attending. Students are strongly urged to follow guidelines for complete withdrawal from
college. If there are extenuating circumstances, a petition to have the cost of tuition refunded can be made. Petition
forms are available online through the Registrar’s Office website.
A student who registers, does not attend any classes, and does not withdraw may petition to withdraw retroactively.
The student must petition within six months of the end of term and provide proof of non-attendance. Proof can include,
but is not limited to, statements from each instructor that the student never attended, or documentation of attendance
for the term at another college or university. If approved, grades of W will be recorded and charges for the term
dropped. The administrative cancellation fee is $300.
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Student Resources/Academic and Support Services
Lindell Library
The James G. Lindell Family Library opened in 1997. The four-level, 73,000-square-foot facility houses the library and
information technology functions of the College as well as the Gage Center for Student Success. In addition to its large
collection of print volumes, e-books, and e-journals, Lindell Library includes special collections and archives, a curriculum
library, a computer lab and student computing help desk, a library instruction classroom, and facilities for media viewing
and listening. Skyways link the library to Oren Gateway Center and Sverdrup Hall.
Learning Commons
Within Lindell Library, a Learning Commons provides assistance in research and the use of technology as well as spaces
for collaborative learning. In the Learning Commons multimedia lab, students can create digital audio and visual
projects.
Library Resources
Students can search a wide variety of local, regional, national, and international databases. They have access to 23,000
e-journals, 17,000 e-books, and 190,000 print volumes within Lindell Library and, through a daily courier service, access
to the library holdings of the seven private liberal arts colleges in the Twin Cities. In addition, Lindell Library has a large
collection of media resources. A service-oriented staff provides students and faculty with research assistance and
instruction in the use of information resources. Arrangements are made for access by students with physical limitation
and special needs.
Information Technology Resources
Augsburg College has built a reputation as a leader in its commitment to provide students with relevant and timely
access to information technology and training. Visit the Student Technology website,
www.inside.augsburg.edu/techdesk, for more on Information Technology at Augsburg.
Computing
Students have access to more than 250 on-campus computers. Both PC and Macintosh desktop computers are available
in the Lindell Library Learning Commons and computer lab, and in the 24-hour Urness computer lab. The College has six
computer classrooms and 41 technology-enhanced classrooms. The circulation desk in Lindell Library has 40 wireless
laptops available for use in the library.
Several computer clusters are available for more specific student use within academic departments. A high-speed fiber
optic campus network provides access to AugNet online services, printing, and to the internet. Network-ready student
machines can connect to the campus network from residence hall rooms or any building on campus using WiFi. All of the
AugNet online services are available securely on- and off-campus.
Center for Learning and Accessible Student Services (CLASS)
The Center for Learning and Accessible Student Services (CLASS) provides individualized accommodations and academic
support for students with documented learning, attention, psychiatric, and other cognitive disabilities, and for students
with physical disabilities which may include TBI, chronic illness, mobility impairments, and vision, hearing, or speech
impairments, and temporary disabilities. CLASS has been recognized as a leader in its field, helping these students gain
access to the college curriculum. Its mission is a reflection of Augsburg’s commitment to providing a rigorous and
challenging, yet supportive, liberal arts education to students with diverse backgrounds, preparations, and experiences.
Each term, Disability Specialists work directly with students to discuss their disabilities and determine a plan for
academic access. Typically, meetings are held weekly and discussions may include:
• Accommodations for testing and coursework (e.g., extended time, note-taking)
• Referrals to other campus resources (e.g., tutoring, student technology assistance, academic advising, counseling,
financial aid)
• Training and use of assistive technology through the Groves Accommodations Laboratory
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•
•
Assistance with academic, organizational, and time management skills
Campus living accommodations
The Disability Specialists may also consult with instructors, academic advisors, and other members of the College faculty,
staff, or administration to support each student as they work toward success. Taking advantage of these opportunities
and services, however, remains the student’s responsibility.
Any Augsburg student who wants to establish eligibility for accommodations and services should schedule a meeting
with a Specialist to discuss appropriate documentation. CLASS also provides informal screenings for students who
suspect they may have a learning-related disability. These screenings are meant only to help students determine
whether they should seek a thorough evaluation by a qualified professional.
Academic accommodations are intended to ensure access to educational opportunities for students with disabilities and
may not fundamentally alter the basic nature or essential curricular components of an institution’s courses or programs.
CLASS services are made possible in part through endowment support provided by the Gage family and the Groves
Foundation.
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Academic Programs and Policies
Academic Calendars
All of our graduate programs meet on a semester calendar. Academic Calendars can be found at
www.augsburg.edu/registrar. All academic calendars are subject to change without notice.
Academic Policies
The College and its faculty subscribe to the Statement of Principles on Academic Freedom as promulgated by the
American Association of University Professors and the Association of American Colleges.
Academic Honesty
A college is a community of learners whose relationship relies on trust. Honesty is necessary to preserve the integrity
and credibility of scholarship by the Augsburg College community. Academic dishonesty, therefore, is not tolerated. As a
College requirement, student course projects, papers, and examinations may include a statement by the student
pledging to abide by the College’s academic honesty policies and to uphold the highest standards of academic integrity.
(See Augsburg’s Academic Honesty Policy in the Student Guide at www.augsburg.edu/studentguide)
Evaluation and Grading
Evaluation of academic performance in each program will be based on number grades using a 4.0 point scale, where 4.0
achieves highest standards of excellence. See each program for details of field study and special projects. Students must
achieve a 3.0 GPA in order to graduate; Physician Assistant students must consult the PA Program Progression Standards
Policy. Grading option cannot be changed from traditional (0.0 - 4.0) to Pass/No Credit.
Explanation of grades for Graduate Studies:
Grade
4.0
3.5
3.0
2.5
2.0–0.0
P
N
V
W
I
X
Explanation
Achieves highest standards of excellence
Achieves above acceptable standards
Meets acceptable standards
Meets minimum standards
Unacceptable performance
Represents work at 3.0 or higher (not counted in grade point average)
No credit (not counted in grade point average)
Audit
Withdrawn
Incomplete
In progress, extended beyond term of registration
Auditing Courses
Students who wish to take courses without credit or grade may do so by registering for Audit (V) on a space-available
basis. Graduate students will be charged an audit fee of $1,000. The written permission of the instructor is required to
register an audit. Students who audit a course should confer with the instructor within two weeks of the beginning of
the term to determine expectations, attendance, an any other requirements. If expectations have been met, the course
will be listed on the transcript with a V grade. If expectations have not been met, the course will be listed with a grade of
W. Audited courses do not count towards graduation.
Withdrawal Grade
A course is given a grade of W (withdrawn) when it is dropped after the deadline for dropping classes without a W grade
and before the last day to withdraw.
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Incomplete (I) Grades
An incomplete grade (I) may be awarded when the instructor grants permission after determining that a student
emergency may delay completion of coursework. Students who receive an incomplete grade should be capable of
passing the course if they satisfactorily complete outstanding course requirements. To receive an incomplete grade, a
student must file an Application for Incomplete Grade form with the Registrar’s Office that states the reasons for the
request, outlines the work required to complete the course, and includes the course instructor’s signature. The
instructor may stipulate the terms and conditions that apply to course completion; however, students may not attend
the same course (or a portion of the same course) in a following term with an incomplete grade. The student must
complete the outstanding work in enough time to allow evaluation of the work by the instructor and the filing of a grade
before the final day of the following academic term in the student’s program. If the work is not completed by the
specified date of the following academic term, the grade for the course becomes 0.0.
Extension (X) Grades
Internships, independent studies, and directed studies may sometimes last longer than one term. When this is the case,
they must be completed by the grading deadlines within one year from the beginning of the first term of registration. A
grade of X (extension) is given by the instructor to indicate that the study is extended. It is expected that students given
X extensions will continue to communicate with their instructors and demonstrate that satisfactory progress is being
maintained. A final grade will be issued at the end of the term in which the work is completed and evaluated (but not
longer than one year). An instructor has the right to not grant an extension where satisfactory progress is not
demonstrated. If the course is not completed, a grade of 0.0 will be assigned.
Repeated Courses
A course in which a grade of 0.0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, or N has been received may be repeated for credit. Courses in which
higher grades have been earned may not be repeated for credit and a grade, but may be audited. All courses taken each
term and grades earned, including W and N, will be recorded on the academic record. Only the credits and grades
earned the second time, for legitimately repeated courses, are counted toward graduation and in the grade point
average. Courses completed at Augsburg College must be repeated at Augsburg to be included in the repeat policy.
Grade Point Average
The grade point average (GPA) is based on final grades for all work at Augsburg. It does not include credit and grade
points for work transferred from other colleges. Courses taken on the P/N grading option are recorded, but not
computed in the GPA. The formula for computing the GPA is:
GPA = Total grade points divided by number of credits attempted, i.e., courses with 0.0 to 4.0 grade assigned.
Attendance Policy
Attendance and participation are critical to the success of any course. Evaluation of the level and quality of participation
may be incorporated into the course grade. We view attendance as a joint commitment of both instructors and students
to our professional development. Each instructor has the authority to specify attendance and participation requirements
to address the needs of particular courses, individual students, or various learning styles.
Lack of attendance may result in a failing grade and the requirement to repeat the course. Students must notify the
professor in advance of any expected absence. In the case of emergency, when prior notification is not possible,
students must notify the professor of an absence as soon as possible.
Continuation Policy for Thesis or Final Project (effective in fall 2010)
Following the initial registration term for the final (or summative or capstone) project, students will be automatically
registered for continuation course 999 each semester for up to 15 semesters or until a grade for the completion course
is submitted by the project advisor. Continuation course 999 maintains students’ active status in the graduate program,
including library, AugNet, and parking privileges. This registration will result in a Campus Access Fee of $35 (subject to
change as costs increase) per semester.
Automatic registration will occur for up to five years or 15 terms. At the end of this time, the course grade will change
from X to N. Students who wish to complete the final project after receiving a failing grade must meet with the program
22
director to evaluate readmission to the College and program. Students who are readmitted may need to complete
additional course work and will need to pay full tuition for all additional courses and to repeat the final project course.
If/when the final project course is completed, the new grade would supersede the previous grade.
Students may withdraw from the College, and thus from continuation course 999 and the final project course, at any
point during the continuation period and receive a W notation on the transcript for the final project course. Following a
withdrawal, students are welcome to meet with the program director to evaluate readmission to the College and
program. Students may be subject to additional coursework.
An accounts receivable hold will be placed on the student’s account if a college-wide $250 unpaid threshold is reached.
The threshold will adjust with the practices of the Student Accounts Office. If a student owes more than the threshold
amount, the Registrar’s Office will not continue to automatically enroll the student in continuation 999. The Registrar’s
Office and the Student Accounts Office will inform the student, the program director, and coordinator that the student
must pay the account (including the late fee). At this point coordinators and/or program directors will communicate
with the student and the faculty advisor and, if necessary, request that the faculty advisor submit a grade change of N.
The student also may elect to withdraw from the College. If the grade change has not been submitted within one term,
the program director will submit the grade change of N.
This policy is effective as of September 2010. Students will sign a contract outlining the terms of the continuation policy,
which will be kept on file with the program and in the Registrar’s Office. Accumulated charges stand for current
students, but beginning in fall 2010 students will be charged $35 per term. Student Financial Services will work with
students, as needed, who are currently in the continuation phase and who have accumulated a debt higher than the
$250 threshold.
Credit and Contact Hours
Augsburg’s credit hour policy follows the federal guidelines in defining a semester credit hour as one fifty-minute period
of instruction and 100 minutes of out-of-class work per week for fifteen weeks, or the equivalent amount of student
work completed over a different time frame or via a different delivery method.
All Augsburg programs follow the semester calendar with semester lengths from 14-16 weeks. Augsburg offers a
summer semester which follows the same format as both fall and spring semester. Students must take at least 3 credits
to be considered half-time, and 6 or more credits to be considered full-time. Students may take up to 22 credits.
Degree Requirements
To be conferred the graduate degree, all graduate students must achieve the following:
• Successful completion of all required courses
• A cumulative GPA of 3.0; Physician Assistant students must consult the PA Program Progression Standards Policy.
• Successful completion of all degree requirements within the stipulated period of matriculation or a signed
continuation agreement with Augsburg College.
Probation and Dismissal
Graduate students must maintain a 3.0 cumulative grade point average. If a student falls below a 3.0 average, the
student will be placed on academic probation for the following term. A 3.0 cumulative grade point average must be
restored in order for a student to be removed from probation. Graduate students in the Physician Assistant must consult
the PA Program WƌŽŐƌĞƐƐŝŽŶ^ƚĂŶĚĂƌĚƐWŽůŝĐLJ.
A student whose GPA falls below the required GPA for his/her graduate program (3.0 in most programs) in two or more
terms may be subject to probation or dismissal. A plan for the student to continue in the program may be worked out
with the program director.
Students may also be dismissed for violation of standards of behavior defined by their profession, their program, or the
College.
Dismissal Appeals Process
A student may appeal a program’s dismissal decision using the College’s program dismissal appeals process. Appeals are
limited to procedural errors that the student can demonstrate negatively affected the outcome.
23
The student initiates the appeal process by submitting a hard copy of the statement of appeal to the Assistant Vice
President of Academic Affairs and Dean of Graduate Studies (AVP-Graduate Studies); email is not acceptable. The
statement must identify each procedural error and state how each error negatively affected the outcome. The
statement of appeal will be the only basis of the student’s appeal. The AVP-Graduate Studies must receive the student’s
statement of appeal within 14 calendar days of the date on the department’s written notification of dismissal.
The AVP-Graduate Studies will send a copy of the statement of appeal to the program chair/director. The program must
submit a response to the student’s statement of appeal within 15 business days of the date that the statement was
received by the AVP-Graduate Studies’ office. A hard copy of the program’s response should be submitted to the AVPGraduate Studies. The AVP-Graduate Studies will send a copy of the program’s response to the student.
The AVP-Graduate Studies will convene the Program Dismissal Appeals Committee, which will include the AVP-Graduate
Studies as a non-voting chair and three program faculty members (one from programs not named in the appeal:
Business, Creative Writing, Education, Leadership, Nursing, Physician Assistant Studies, Social Work). The Program
Dismissal Appeals Committee will schedule its hearing within 15 business days of receipt of the program’s statement of
response. The Committee will meet with the student and a program representative to review the procedures and ask
questions of both the student and the program representative. The student and program representative may each bring
a third party to the review meeting (limited to an Augsburg College faculty member, staff member, or student). The role
of the third party representative is to provide support to the student or the program representative, not to serve as an
advocate during the meeting.
Dropping or Withdrawing
Courses may be dropped or withdrawn online through AugNet Records and Registration or with a Registration Form. To
see the drop and withdrawal deadlines, see the Academic Calendar at www.augsburg.edu/registrar/.
Independent Study
Students may request to complete an independent study course as an addition to the required coursework. A faculty
sponsor is required for an independent study project, and project proposals must be approved by the program director
in order to receive credit. Normally, independent study may not be used as a replacement for a standard course offered
in the curriculum, with the exception of the general elective (if approved). A special independent study registration form
is required and is available on the Registrar’s Office website or at the Enrollment Center.
Term Off
Students who interrupt their program enrollment for longer than one semester must readmit to the College and
program to resume their degree program. For an absence of any length, students should coordinate with their program
director prior to leaving. Due to a variety of program schedules and cohorts for some degrees, it is required that
students meet with their advisor and obtain the advice of their director.
Evaluation of Transfer Credit
Students may petition the program director for transfer credit to apply to program requirements. The transfer of credit
will be evaluated on an individual basis. Students will be asked to provide appropriate documentation regarding
previous coursework, including but not limited to an official transcript, course description, and syllabus. In order to be
considered for transfer, a course must be from a regionally-accredited college or university institution and graded 3.0/B
or better. Courses must have been taken at the graduate level and course content must be comparable to program
requirements at Augsburg.
The maximum number of semester credits that can be transferred is:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Master of Arts in Education (6)
Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing (12)
Master of Arts in Leadership (6)
Master of Arts in Nursing (9)
Master of Business Administration (18)
Master of Science, Physician Assistant Studies (Contact program coordinator)
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•
Master of Social Work (22)
Augsburg credits are calculated in semester hours. If you completed courses at other institutions that are quarter hours,
they will be converted to semester hours. One quarter hour equates to two-thirds of a semester hour.
Courses and credits that are accepted in transfer are recorded on the student’s transcript. Grades and grade points from
other institutions are not transferred to Augsburg and are not included in the student’s cumulative grade point average.
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Master of Arts in Education
We are pleased with your interest in the Master of Arts in Education (MAE) program. Augsburg has a long history in
teacher education with alumni of our programs teaching throughout Minnesota and elsewhere. We know that Augsburg
College is an excellent choice for you to pursue your teaching dreams and goals—and here’s why.
Our Philosophy
The Education Department program themes include relationships, reflection and inquiry, diversity and equity, and
leadership. You can read about each theme on the following page, but for the MAE program, I want to highlight one of
the program themes—leadership. As this program theme suggests, we expect our students to leave our programs as
responsive, knowledgeable teachers prepared to exercise leadership in the classroom and, eventually, the school and
community.
Our urban setting provides yet another dimension to our programs through a combination of course content, field
experiences, and classroom instructors. Our goal is that students will leave our programs as collaborative and capable
teachers committed to educating all learners in a diverse and changing world.
Our Faculty
Augsburg faculty members who teach in the MAE program are a mix of full‐time and adjunct instructors, all of whom
have K‐12 teaching experience. Many adjunct instructors are currently teaching in K‐12 settings; all full‐time faculty
members are frequent visitors to K‐12 settings through student teaching and field experience supervision, volunteer
work, and/or in‐service education. We understand the importance of what we do and what you hope to do. We value
good teaching and, most especially, we value good teachers.
Our Accessibility
We realize that although teaching is your dream, your reality most likely includes work, family, and personal
responsibilities. Because we understand the demands adult students face, we offer flexible scheduling. A majority of
licensure and graduate‐level courses are taught in the evenings and weekends to allow you to manage these
responsibilities while pursuing your goals. You will need to be available during the weekday for the challenge and
responsibility of field experiences, but education coursework is accessible through the weekend and evening schedules.
As a student in Augsburg’s Master of Arts in Education licensure and degree program, you will find yourself among
interesting students and dedicated professors who believe that all children deserve a good, highly‐qualified teacher—
the teacher you can become.
Vicki L. Olson, PhD
Director, Master of Arts in Education
Education Department Mission
The mission of the Augsburg Education Department is to develop responsive, knowledgeable teachers committed to
educating all learners in a diverse and changing world.
Program Themes
Responsive, knowledgeable teachers understand the dynamic interaction among relationships, reflection and inquiry,
diversity and equity, and leadership. These four interrelated program themes provide lenses through which we filter our
practice.
Relationships
Learning is relational and communal. Responsive teachers create significant relationships with their students,
colleagues, and community partners by developing learning communities. These nurturing learning communities provide
a safe, trustworthy place where challenging and engaging questions can be considered. We model the kinds of learning
communities that we expect our graduates to create. We share with our students a learning model that connects
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content, theory, and practice in an ongoing cycle. Students and their learning are the focus for responsive teachers.
Therefore we embrace and foster a progressive and constructivist orientation.
Reflection and Inquiry
Responsive teachers are reflective practitioners who are students of teaching and learning. Providing numerous
frameworks through which to filter our experience encourages intentional and thoughtful inquiry. Through field
placements, service learning, generative questions, and classroom experiences, students and faculty develop their
perspectives about teaching and learning. Critical reflection allows us to examine content, theory, and practice in ways
that transform our practice. We think it is important to understand and learn how to manage the many polarities
inherent in the teaching and learning process.
Diversity and Equity
Responsive teachers embrace diversity and intentionally work to ensure that all learners, especially those who for some
reason have been marginalized, learn and develop in powerful ways. We continually reflect on what it means to be a
“school in the city.” We recognize that each student is unique, shaped by culture and experience; therefore,
differentiating instruction is essential. The perspective of multiple intelligences, learning style theory and teaching for
understanding help us differentiate and enable us to provide choice, variety, and flexibility. Responsive teachers believe
that all students can learn. They also have a sense of efficacy and believe that they can help all students learn.
Leadership
Responsive teachers recognize that becoming a learning leader is a developmental process, which begins in pre‐service
education and continues throughout one’s career. Teachers serve as leaders within the classroom, and with experience,
increased confidence, and professional development become leaders within the school, the district, and the community.
Teacher leaders view themselves as lifelong learners. They become role models committed to their profession as a
vocation rather than a job. Emerging teacher leaders keep student learning at the center of their work while advocating
for instructional innovation, constructivist curricular development, and systemic change.
Master of Arts in Education Conceptual Framework
Teacher leadership is the theme that threads through our graduate licensure and degree completion program. The
Augsburg Education Department believes that teachers are leaders in their classrooms and should be leaders in their
institutions and communities.
The leadership focus plays out in three ways. First, the additional work required in the graduate versions of the
combined undergraduate/graduate courses focuses on providing graduate students the chance to exercise leadership as
well as extend their knowledge beyond the basic requirements. Second, in the degree completion component, students
are required to include coursework focused on leadership and study aspects of leadership as part of their degree
program. Third, the final project—be it an action research, a leadership application project, or the performance
assessment option—gives students the opportunity to study an issue of concern and, supported by research, define a
means for addressing it.
Three Teacher Leadership Aspirations inform our program. They are as follows:
Aspiration 1: Teacher leaders value learning for personal and professional growth. Teacher leaders share knowledge
effectively with colleagues. We believe that teacher leaders are comfortable with their knowledge and expertise,
neither flaunting it nor hiding it, but sharing it with others generously. They work to build bridges with a full range of
colleagues, but they don’t let recalcitrant colleagues stop their own development. They see learning as a continuous
endeavor and seek it throughout their careers.
Aspiration 2: Teachers leaders think big—beyond the classroom to the broader context of education and community.
We believe that teacher leaders see systems and the “big picture” and are able to put their classrooms, schools, and
communities into a broader context. They understand the link between policies, politics, and education and participate
in change efforts at the macro and micro levels. They seek to work with administrators to establish school and district
policy that improves life for everyone. If this involves political action, they are prepared to engage in it. Teacher leaders
also understand that teaching and learning are dynamic and that change within school systems is an ever‐present
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phenomenon. They are informed decision‐makers predisposed to take on the challenge of change when they think it
benefits students, teachers, and/or community.
Aspiration 3: Teacher leaders possess courage and an orientation to action. We believe that teacher leaders help
others not be afraid. They are able to help people to take warranted risks and step outside their comfort zones. They
have the courage to bring people together to see the bigger picture and then help people get there. Teacher leaders
accept both power and accountability. They understand that responsibility without power diminishes potential for
effectiveness. They believe that accountability is a fair trade for the power to take effective action. They operate from a
foundation of self‐efficacy.
Program Overview
The Master of Arts in Education (MAE) is designed to provide a teaching license as part of a master’s degree program. K‐
12 initial teaching licenses offered at Augsburg include:
Elementary education (K‐6), with or without a middle school content area endorsement in math, communication
arts, social studies, or science. Also available is the pre‐primary endorsement to the elementary license.
Secondary education (5‐12 and K‐12) in social studies, communication arts/literature, visual arts, health,
mathematics, music, and physical education; and 9‐12 in biology, chemistry, and physics.
K‐12 English as a Second Language*
K‐12 Special Education: Academic Behavior Strategist
Teachers who are already licensed can work towards the MAE degree through the following four licensure endorsement
options:
K‐12 English as a Second Language*
K‐12 Special Education: Academic Behavior Strategist
K‐12 Reading
Pre‐Primary
All teachers seeking licensure through Augsburg must take and pass all tests required by the state of Minnesota for
licensure. The MAE degree is also available without a license but with an education core. See the MAE program director
for details.
Accreditations and Approvals
Augsburg College Teacher Education programs are accredited and approved by:
National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)
Minnesota Board of Teaching. (MN BOT)
Augsburg College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and
Schools. For a complete list of Augsburg’s accreditations, approvals, and memberships, see the listing in the
Accreditation, Approvals, and Memberships section of this catalog.
Program Structure
The Master of Arts in Education (MAE) program is made up of a core of education licensure courses coupled with a
degree completion option. Courses in the degree completion phase are drawn from the Master of Arts in Leadership
(MAL) and graduate courses in education. Most students in the MAE program pursue a K‐12 teaching license as part of
their program plan. The MAE degree is also open to students who do not want a teaching license but do want a
background in education and leadership.
The MAE degree requires ten or eleven Augsburg graduate level courses, depending on the degree completion option. In
addition, several courses at the undergraduate level are required for licensure. Only courses taken at the graduate level
apply towards the MAE degree.
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Credit
MAE graduate level courses are offered for 3 semester credits. Each course is comprised of 37.5 instructional hours with
the expectation of about 75 hours of independent study outside of class.
Schedule
The majority of the education courses in the MAE licensure and degree programs are offered through the weekend
schedule. Courses during the weekend meet face to face every other weekend with online instruction during the
alternate weeks. Some education courses and many undergraduate content area courses are offered on a weekday
evening schedule. These typically meet weekly face‐to‐face. The MAL degree completion courses are offered primarily
through the weekend schedule through a mix of face‐to‐face and online instruction. Summer session courses are offered
primarily weekdays and weekday evenings with a few on weekends during the first summer session. Summer courses
are offered in a mix of formats from all online to all face‐to‐face.
The following teaching licenses are available entirely through the evening, weekend, and summer schedule: elementary
education, most middle school and pre‐primary specialty area endorsements, 5‐12 social studies, 5‐12 communication
arts, K‐12 art, K‐12 special education, K‐12 English as a second language, and K‐12 reading.
Additional licenses in the following areas are available through a combination of weekday, weekday evening, weekend,
and summer schedules: biology, chemistry, health, mathematics, music, physical education, and physics. For these
licenses, the education and degree completion courses are taken during the weekend, weekday evenings, and summer
while some, if not all, of the content area courses are taken during the weekday.
The weekend schedule is comprised of two semesters spread from early September through late April. In general,
classes are held every other weekend. The weekday schedule is also comprised of two semesters spread from early
September through late April. Classes offered during the weekday meet one to three times per week. Classes offered
jointly between weekday and weekend meet on a weekly basis in the evening. The official academic calendars can be
found at www.augsburg.edu/registrar.
Curriculum—Teaching Licenses
K‐6 Elementary Education
This program is designed to prepare teachers for grades K‐6. Optional endorsements in middle school specialty areas of
math, science, social studies, and communication arts and in pre‐primary can be pursued along with or separately from
the K‐6 license. The teaching license and some endorsements are offered at both undergraduate and graduate levels
through a mix of undergraduate courses and combined graduate and undergraduate courses. Graduate‐level licensure
coursework (500 and above) is available to students who already hold a bachelor’s degree and have been admitted to
the MAE program.
All of the following courses must be taken for K‐6 elementary licensure. Up to seven courses may be taken at the
graduate (500) level and applied toward the MAE degree.
EDC 200/522 ‐ Orientation to Education in an Urban Setting*
EDC 206/566 ‐ Diversity/Minnesota American Indians
EDC 310/533 ‐ Learning and Development in an Educational Setting*
EDC 410/544 ‐ Learners with Special Needs*
EDC 490/580 ‐ School and Society
EED 225/524 ‐ Foundations of Literacy
EED 325/525 ‐ K‐6 Methods: Literacy*
EED 350/550 ‐ K‐6 Methods: Math
EED 360/560 ‐ K‐6 Methods: Science
EDC 591 ‐ Topics
To complete the license, the following undergraduate requirements must be completed:
HPE 115 ‐ Chemical Dependency Education
EDC 220 ‐ Educational Technology
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EED 326 ‐ Elementary Reading K‐6 Field Experience* (taken concurrently with EED 325/525)
EED 311 ‐ K‐6 Methods: Health
EED 312 ‐ K‐6 Methods: Physical Education
EED 336 ‐ Advanced Literacy Methods*
EED 341 ‐ K‐6 Methods: Art
EED 370 ‐ K‐6 Methods: Social Studies/Thematics
EED 380 ‐ Kindergarten Methods*
EED 386 ‐ K‐6 Methods: Children’s Literature
EED 481, 483, 485 ‐ Student Teaching: Elementary K‐6
EED 488 ‐ TPA and Student Teaching Seminar
*Field experience hours are required in these courses. Students spend 20 or more hours per term in field experiences.
These experiences occur in K‐6 classrooms during the weekday. If more than one course with field experience is taken in
a given term, field experience requirements expand accordingly (i.e., two courses with 20 hours of field experience each
require a total of 40 hours).
Undergraduate Liberal Arts Requirements
The number of supporting content area courses required for licensure depends upon the courses completed as part of
the bachelor’s degree and/or other coursework. Requirements are determined by Minnesota licensure standards for
specific college‐level coursework in math, biology, physics, and earth science for all students seeking elementary
licensure. Specific requirements are on file in the Education Department.
Minnesota licensure standards allow for optional subject area endorsements in communication arts/literature, social
studies, math, and science. The optional pre‐primary endorsement is also available. Specific requirements for these
endorsements are on file in the Education Department.
Previous coursework can be accepted into the licensure program if it meets Minnesota standards and if a grade of C or
better was achieved. The Education Department and the content area departments determine the courses that are
accepted. Transcripts, course descriptions, and course syllabi are used to make these determinations. Courses that are
older than five years are judged on a case‐by‐case basis. Graduate coursework accepted into the licensure program is
not automatically accepted into the MAE degree. The program has limits on the amount and type of courses that are
accepted. Grades of B or better are required for transfer consideration. See the MAE program director for approval of
graduate coursework accepted in transfer.
Preprimary Endorsement for Elementary Licensure
This endorsement can be added to a K‐6 elementary license. Required courses include the following:
PSY 250 ‐ Child Development
SOC 231 ‐ Family Systems: Cross Cultural Perspectives
or SPE 490/540 ‐ Parent and Professional Planning (Graduate students take SPE 540.)
ECE 345/545 ‐ Foundations of Preprimary Education
ECE 346/546 ‐ Learning Environments for Preprimary‐Aged Children
ECE 347/547 ‐ Immersion and Teaching Competence
ECE 488, 489 ‐ Student Teaching: Preprimary
K‐12 and 5‐12 Secondary Education
K‐12 and 5‐12 licensures in several content areas are offered through a combination of graduate and undergraduate
coursework. K‐12 licenses prepare teachers to teach a content area across elementary, middle school, and high school.
Licenses for grades 5‐ 12 prepare teachers to teach at the middle and high school levels. Graduate‐level licensure
coursework (500 and above) is available to students who already hold a bachelor’s degree and meet MAE admissions
criteria.
The following content area majors are offered almost entirely on weekends, weekday evenings, and summer:
communication arts/literature, history or economics or psychology or sociology (all for social studies), art. Students
seeking 5–12 licensure in social studies must complete a broad‐based core of courses in the social studies in addition to
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a social science major. Education courses for these licenses are also taken during weekends, weekday evenings, and
summer.
The following content area majors are offered primarily or entirely through the weekday program: biology, chemistry,
physics, health, physical education, music, and mathematics. Students seeking licensure in any of these areas typically
will need to take additional content courses in the weekday schedule. Students can obtain a 9‐12 license in physics,
chemistry, or biology and have the option of adding the 5–8 general science to the 9‐12 license. Students also can obtain
the 5–8 general science license without the 9–12 license. Education courses for these licenses are taken during
weekends and weekday evenings.
Licensure Requirements
The following requirements are offered at both the undergraduate and graduate level. All courses must be taken for
licensure; four to seven of them also may be taken at the graduate level and applied toward the master’s degree in
education.
EDC 200/522 ‐ Orientation to Education in an Urban Setting*
EDC 206/566 ‐ Diversity/Minnesota American Indians
EDC 310/533 ‐ Learning and Development in an Educational Setting*
EDC 410/544 ‐ Learners with Special Needs*
EDC 490/580 ‐ School and Society
ESE 325/525 ‐ Creating Learning Environments
ESE 300/500 ‐ Reading and Writing in Content Area*
EDC 591 ‐ Topics
To complete the license, students also will need to complete the following requirements at the undergraduate level:
HPE 115 ‐ Chemical Dependency Education
EDC 220 ‐ Educational Technology
ESE 3XX ‐ K‐12 or 5‐12 Methods (in the content area)*
ESE 481, 483, 485 ‐ Student Teaching: Secondary
ESE 488 ‐ TPA and Student Teaching Seminar
*Field experience hours are required in these courses. A minimum of 100 hours in classrooms and education‐related
settings is required prior to student teaching. Students spend approximately 20 hours per term in field experiences.
Undergraduate Content Area Requirements
The equivalent of a major in the licensure content area is required for K‐12 and 5‐12 licenses. Students who have
majored in a field in which we offer licensure must have their previous coursework evaluated by the major department
at Augsburg. Two or more content area courses tied to Minnesota licensure standards are generally required, even with
a completed academic major.
Previous coursework is evaluated by the content area department and accepted if it meets Minnesota licensure
standards and if a grade of C or better was achieved. Coursework older than five years is judged on a case‐by‐case basis.
Specific course requirements for each content area are on file in the Education Department.
Graduate coursework accepted into the licensure program is not automatically accepted into the MAE degree program.
See the MAE program director for approval to use graduate level transfer courses in the degree program.
Special Education
Augsburg College offers one licensure option in K–12 Special Education: Academic Behavioral Strategist (ABS). This
program qualifies students to teach in special education programs and positions working with students with mild to
moderate disabilities in the areas of emotional/behavioral disabilities, learning disabilities, autism spectrum disabilities,
developmental and cognitive disabilities and other health disabilities. This program is built on an inclusive education
model. Under this model, students learn how to work closely with both special and general educators to facilitate
inclusion of special education students into the regular education classroom. Five years after being licensed, teachers
must extend their license in one of the above categories through additional coursework.
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Also available is the Naadamaadiwin Tribal Special Education Cohort—This graduate licensure program in Special
Education: EBD/LD is designed and taught from an American Indian perspective. It is offered in collaboration with the
University of Minnesota‐Duluth as a hybrid (partly face‐to‐face and partly online) cohort program. The licensure courses
can be applied towards the MAE degree. See the Education Department and www.augsburg.edu/mae/tribal‐special‐
education for more information.
The ABS licensure program and the Naadamaadiwin Tribal Special Education Cohort program are offered through the
weekend and summer schedules.
Licensure Requirements
Licensure requirements are offered at both the undergraduate and graduate level. Classes will include both
undergraduate and graduate students, with graduate students having additional course responsibilities. Graduate
courses are taken at the 500 level. All courses must be taken for licensure, and up to seven courses may also be applied
toward the master’s degree in education. The following courses for the ABS license are offered at both the
undergraduate and graduate levels:
EDC 200/522 ‐ Orientation to Education in an Urban Setting*
EDC 206/566 ‐ Diversity/Minnesota American Indians
EDC 310/533 ‐ Learning and Development in an Educational Setting*
EDC 410/544 ‐ Learners with Special Needs*
EED 225/524 ‐ Foundations of Literacy
EED 325/525 ‐ K‐6 Methods: Literacy*
EED 350/550 ‐ K–6 Methods: Math*
EED 360/560 ‐ K–6 Methods: Science*
SPE 410/510 ‐ Implementing Assessment Strategies*
SPE 411/511 ‐ Etiology and Theory of Mild to Moderate Disabilities
SPE 415/515 ‐ Theory to Practice*
SPE 425/525 ‐ Transition and Community*
SPE 430/530 ‐ Instructional and Behavioral Practices*
SPE 490/540 ‐ Parent and Professional Planning
EDC 591 ‐ Topics
To complete the ABS license students will also need to complete certain requirements at the undergraduate level:
HPE 115 ‐ Chemical Dependency Education
MAT 137 ‐ Mathematics for Elementary Teachers I
EDC 220 ‐ Education Technology
EDC 330 ‐ Building the Public Good: Public Achievement and Organizing
EDC 331 ‐ Practicum in Public Achievement
EED 326 ‐ Elementary Reading K‐6 Field Experience* (taken concurrently with EED 325/525)
SPE 481,483 ‐ Student Teaching: Elementary Special Education
SPE 485, 487 ‐ Student Teaching: Secondary Special Education
SPE 488 ‐ TPA and Student Teaching Seminar
*Field experience required as part of this course.
This program is based on an innovative internship model that allows students employed in special education classrooms
to fulfill a portion of their special education field experience requirements while they work. Students not employed in
these settings are expected to complete a significant number of volunteer hours in special education settings. All must
complete field placements or student teaching in classrooms serving these populations. Hours must be completed
across elementary, middle school, and high school. Specific information on field experience requirements is available
from the Education Department.
Licensure Requirements—EBD/LD–Naadamaadiwin Special Education Tribal Cohort
This program is available only at the graduate level. Courses are taught in a hybrid fashion, partially face‐to‐face and
partially online. Courses are available only to those admitted to the special education tribal cohort program.
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SPE 501 ‐ Historical and Contemporary Issues in American Indian Education
SPE 503 ‐ Assessment of American Indian Learners
SPE 504 ‐ Working with American Indian Families and Communities
SPE 505 ‐ The Manifestation of Multigenerational Trauma and Internalized Oppression
SPE 506 ‐ Indigenous Learners
SPE 507 ‐ Indigenous Methods of Instruction: Practical Application
SPE 508 ‐ Professional Issues and Development
SPE 509 ‐ Literacy Instruction for American Indian Learners with Exceptionalities
SPE 481, 483 ‐ Student Teaching: Elementary Special Education
SPE 485, 487 – Student Teaching: Secondary Special Education
EDC 591 ‐ Topics
K‐12 English as a Second Language (ESL) License
The K‐12 English as a Second Language license is available as an initial license as well as an endorsement to an existing
license. This license qualifies teachers to work with K‐12 students for whom English is a second language across a range
of subject areas. The K‐12 ESL licensure program is comprised of both undergraduate and graduate courses; up to six of
the graduate courses can apply to the completion of the MAE degree. Graduate‐level licensure coursework (500 and
above) is available to students who already hold a bachelor’s degree and have been admitted to the MAE program. A
pre‐requisite to program admissions is two years of high school level or one year of college level language instruction.
The K‐12 ESL program is offered in a hybrid format which means that courses are a mix of face to face and online
instruction. Classes are offered during the academic year in the weekend semester framework and during summer
session to make them accessible to working adults. This license is also offered as an undergraduate major to weekend
college students seeking a baccalaureate degree.
The following requirements are offered at both the undergraduate and graduate level. All courses must be taken for
licensure, and up to six also may be taken at the graduate level and applied toward the master’s degree in education.
EDC 200/522 ‐ Orientation to Education in an Urban Setting*
EDC 206/566 ‐ Diversity/MN American Indians
EDC 310/533 ‐ Learning and Development in an Educational Setting*
EDC 410/544 ‐ Learners with Special Needs*
EED 325/525 ‐ K‐6 Methods: Literacy*
ESE 325/525 ‐ Creating Learning Environments*
ESL 330/510 ‐ History and Structure of the English Language
ESL 340/520 ‐ ESL Literacy*
ESL 490/530 ‐ Language, Culture, and Schools
ESL 420/540 ‐ ESL Methods*
EDC 591 ‐ Topics
To complete the license, students also will need to complete the following requirements at the undergraduate level:
HPE 115 ‐ Chemical Dependency Education
EDC 220 ‐ Educational Technology
EED 326 ‐ Elementary Reading K‐6 Field Experience (taken concurrently with EED 325/525)
ESL 310 ‐ Second Language Acquisition
ESL 320 ‐ Introduction to Linguistics
ESL 410 ‐ ESL Testing and Evaluation
ESL 481, 483 ‐ Student Teaching: Elementary
ESL 485, 487 ‐ Student Teaching: Secondary
ESL 488 ‐ TPA and Student Teaching Seminar
*This course has a 20 hour field experience attached to it.
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K‐12 Reading Teacher Endorsement
The K‐12 Reading Endorsement provides teachers with existing teaching licenses an opportunity to expand their
knowledge and practice in the area of reading instruction and potentially provide leadership within schools and districts
in reading instruction. Candidates for this license will complete five classes that have been designed to meet the
requirements established for this license by the Minnesota Board of Teaching. Students may use these courses to fulfill
requirements for the Master of Arts in Education degree.
The K‐12 Reading Teacher Endorsement program is offered in a hybrid format which means that courses are a mix of
face‐to‐face and online instruction. Classes are offered during summer sessions and within the weekend format during
the academic year. The endorsement program is designed to be completed within 12 months in a cohort model. Field
experiences at elementary, middle school and high school levels are required; student teaching is not required.
Required courses include:
EDC 500 ‐ Reading Leadership in the K‐12 Schools
EDC 506 ‐ Readership, Literature, and New Literacies
EDC 515 ‐ Reading Leadership: Reading Theory and Research*
EDC 535 ‐ Reading Leadership: Assessment and Instruction with Elementary Readers*
EDC 545 ‐ Reading Leadership: Assessment and Instruction with Middle and High School Readers*
*Field experience required
Student Teaching
Students are required to complete student teaching for initial and additional licenses (unless otherwise indicated). In the
MAE program, student teaching is generally completed before finishing the degree. Students can apply for licensure at
this point and finish the degree later. Student teaching for elementary, secondary, and K‐12 initial licenses lasts 12‐14
weeks, depending on licensure scope. During that time, students work full‐time as student teachers and are supervised
by an Augsburg faculty member. Students register for eight to twelve semester credits of student teaching and a two
semester credit TPA and student teaching seminar. They meet at Augsburg College for student teaching seminars several
times during the term. Most student teaching placements are in the Minneapolis/St. Paul metropolitan area and
Rochester. However, students do have the opportunity to student teach abroad, where students complete a 10‐week
student teaching experience in the metro area and then complete another student teaching experience abroad.
Opportunities to teach abroad are available around the world, and it is a wonderful way to build a global perspective in
education. Additional information is available through the Education Department.
Student teaching for special education is 12 weeks in length for initial licenses and 7 weeks for those who already hold a
license. For students who are working in a special education setting appropriate to the ABS license, a student teaching
placement at that site may be possible, pending district approval. Additional information is available through the
Education Department.
Student teaching for ESL is 14 weeks in length and requires two placements, elementary and secondary. A single seven
week placement is required for those who already hold a license. See the Education Department for more information.
Student teaching is required for the preprimary endorsement and middle school endorsements. See the Education
Department for more information.
Curriculum—Graduate Degree Completion Options
Students take graduate coursework as part of the licensure program. This coursework forms the Master of Arts in
Education licensure core, with between four to seven Augsburg graduate‐level licensure courses fulfilling master’s
requirements. Students bringing fewer than seven graduate‐level licensure courses or 21 semester credits into the
degree program must complete additional Master of Arts in Leadership (ML) or education graduate courses to reach the
required 30‐33 semester credits for the MAE degree.
To finish out the master’s degree, students will need to complete one of the following options.
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Action Research Degree Completion Option (Minimum 30 credits)
This degree completion option requires a minimum of three classes totaling at least nine semester credits: a Master of
Arts in Leadership (ML) elective, EDC 592 Action Research 1, and EDC 593 Action Research 2. The action research courses
guide the student through completion of a long‐term action research project, typically conducted in the student’s
classroom and focused on a question or concern identified by the student. The research is presented at an action
research symposium and a formal written report of the research is placed in Lindell Library. The coursework for action
research is designed to be completed in two semesters; the project itself is done once the research is presented at an
action research symposium and the paper is accepted for placement in Lindell Library. Additional terms beyond those in
which the courses are completed are available through continuing registration and require payment each term of a
campus access fee.
Leadership Application Project (LAP) Degree Completion Option (Minimum 30 credits)
This degree completion option requires a minimum of three classes totaling at least nine semester credits: an ML
elective, EDC/ML 514 Research Methods ‐ Education focus or ML 514 ‐ Research Methods and EDC 585 ‐ Leadership
Application Project. Students electing this degree completion option do so because they are interested in developing an
educational product that meets an identified need or because they are interested in conducting an independent
research project with the assistance of a faculty advisor. To be successful in this option, students must be self‐directed
and able to maintain momentum without the structure of an actual course. The goal for the project varies, depending on
the type of LAP. There are two options within the LAP.
The goal for those developing an educational product is to identify an issue or problem related to their practice, and
after researching available literature, develop a solution to the problem or issue. The solution might be developed in
the form of a curriculum, a workshop, a set of informational materials, a website, an article for publication or other
appropriate educational product.
The goal for those conducting independent research is also to identify an issue or problem to investigate; but in this
case, the investigation is through an independent research project. For those conducting independent research, it is
especially important to have a clear vision in mind for the research and have an advisor who is willing to provide
support throughout the project. Students need a research background beyond what is provided within the MAE
program to be successful with this option.
Both options are completed through a final oral presentation and placement of the final paper in the Lindell Library.
Additional terms beyond those in which initial course registration occurs are available through continuing registration
and require payment each term of a campus access fee.
Performance Assessment/Teacher Leadership Degree Completion Option (Minimum 33 credits)
This degree completion option focuses on the theme of the MAE degree program ‐ teacher leadership ‐ and requires a
minimum of the following four classes:
EDC 570 ‐ Teacher Leadership
EDC/ML 514 ‐ Research Methods (ML 514 can be substituted if necessary)
EDC 594 ‐ Performance Assessment Project
One ML leadership‐focused course from this list:
ML 510 ‐ Visions of Leadership (when taught with an emphasis on leadership rather than literature)
ML 531 ‐ Dynamics of Change
ML 535 ‐ Organizational Theory and Leadership
ML 540 ‐ Political Leadership: Theory and Practice
ML 545 ‐ Decision Making and Leadership
ML 565 ‐ Women and Leadership
Additional courses may also be used with approval of the MAE Director.
Students electing this degree completion option do so because they are especially interested in considering leadership
within the context of education and themselves as potential change agents. EDC 594 must be taken as the last course in
this sequence. Students finish their degree through this option with the successful completion of these four classes.
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Alternate Settings—MAE in Rochester
In step with Augsburg College’s excellent reputation in the field of education, the Master of Arts in Education program is
also offered in Rochester, MN. Licenses are available in elementary education and special education: ABS. Classes
primarily meet weekday evenings and summer at Bethel Lutheran Church in Rochester.
Elementary education
The K‐6 elementary education license allows students to teach in grade K‐6. Augsburg College offers this license at the
graduate level to students who already hold a bachelor’s degree and meet admissions requirements. Courses for this
license are available in Rochester.
Special education
The K‐12 Academic Behavior Specialist (ABS) program is designed for students currently working with or planning to
work with students with mild to moderate special needs. The program leads to Minnesota teaching licensure in special
education and the ability to work with students whose special needs are categorized as EBD, LD, DCD, ASD, and/or OHI.
All courses for these licenses are available in Rochester.
MAL Elective Courses
At least one elective must be taken from the Master of Arts in Leadership courses. The following are recommended, but
others may also be used. Course descriptions can be found in the MAL portion of the graduate catalog.
ML 510 ‐ Visions of Leadership: A Historical and Literary Journey
ML 511 ‐ Creativity and the Problem‐Solving Process
ML 520 ‐ Self‐Identity, Values, and Personal Growth
ML 530 ‐ Ethics in Communication
ML 531 ‐ The Dynamics of Change
ML 545 ‐ Decision Making and Leadership
ML 550 ‐ Communication, Decision Making, and Technology
ML 560 ‐ Developing a Multicultural Perspective
ML 565 ‐ Women and Leadership
ML 599 ‐ Topics
For a complete list of courses and descriptions, see the Course Description Search.
Admission to MAE
Admission Requirements
Students admitted into the MAE licensure and degree programs must have:
Bachelor’s degree from a regionally‐accredited four‐year institution
Cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher (required for full admission for the graduate licensure option and
degree program). Students with a cumulative grade point average of 2.5‐2.99 may be admitted conditionally into the
graduate licensure program. To be admitted to the MAE degree completion program, all students must have a 3.0 or
better Augsburg GPA.
Application Checklist
The following items must be sent to the Augsburg Office of Admissions:
Completed application form ‐ www.augsburg.edu/admissions/mae/admissions
$35 non‐refundable application fee
Personal summary outlining your tentative educational objectives and reasons for wanting to attend Augsburg
Official academic transcripts from all previously attended post‐secondary institutions (including colleges,
universities, vocational/technical schools, and PSEO institutions) sent directly to the Admissions Office.
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Admission as an International Student
International applicants must submit the required application materials listed above. Refer to the additional
requirements outlined in Admission of International Students.
Transfer Policy
Acceptance of previous education coursework completed at institutions other than Augsburg College is limited. Most
courses that have not been completed in the last seven years are considered to be too old to transfer and need to be
completed as part of one’s program at Augsburg. EDC 310/533 ‐ Learning and Development, EDC 220 ‐ Education
Technology, and ESE 3XX ‐ K‐12/5‐12 Special Methods in Content Area are courses which may have a shorter acceptance
time frame. Additional information on the transfer policy is available through the Education Department.
Credit Evaluation: An official transfer credit evaluation of previous academic work will be completed as part of the
admissions process. Education coursework is evaluated by the Education Department. For secondary licenses, content
area coursework is evaluated by the content area department. This process is initiated as part of the admissions process.
Generally, the requirement is that two or more classes in the content area must be taken at Augsburg, even with an
undergraduate major in the field. In all cases, previous undergraduate courses must have received a grade of C or better
to be eligible for transfer. Previous graduate coursework must have received a grade of B or better to be considered.
Content area departments determine when courses are too old to be counted towards licensure.
Acceptance into the MAE Program
Application files are reviewed by the MAE director. Applicants are notified of the admission decision by the Office of
Admissions, usually within one to two weeks after the application file is complete. Applicants whose cumulative
undergraduate GPA is below 2.5 will not be admitted into the MAE program; however, these applicants can be
reconsidered when additional undergraduate coursework raises the cumulative undergraduate GPA to 2.5 or above. An
exception to this occurs when the applicant has completed an advanced degree with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better.
Under these circumstances, the applicant can be considered for full admission into the MAE degree and licensure
programs.
Advising and Registration
Admitted students are able to participate in academic advising and the registration process. Typically, first‐term
registration occurs with intake advising. After the first term, students generally are able to register online through
Records and Registration. All students are assigned an Education Department advisor early in the first semester of
courses.
Academic Policies
Application to the Education Department
Once accepted to the College and the MAE program, students may take designated courses in education and content
areas. Prior to beginning the methods courses within a program, students must be admitted to the Education
Department. This admissions process is outlined in the EDC 200/522 ‐ Orientation to Education and in admissions
handbooks, which are available through the Education Department.
Academic Achievement
All MAE students are expected to achieve and maintain 3.0 or better GPA in their Augsburg course work. Students
whose cumulative GPA falls between 2.5 and 2.99 at the end of their licensure program are able to complete the license
but are not eligible for the degree.
In all cases, a cumulative GPA on the Augsburg graduate transcript must be at 3.0 or better to be admitted to the degree
completion component of the MAE degree. Students who are ready to begin the degree completion component must
file an Intent to Complete form (available through the MAE coordinator) at which point a transcript review is completed
to confirm the 3.0 or better GPA and to determine the completed courses that apply to the degree and the courses that
remain.
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Minimum Grade Policy
Students who fail to maintain a cumulative 3.0 GPA in a given term are notified that they must raise their GPA to the
required level. Students who receive below a 2.0 in any undergraduate course or 2.5 in any graduate course required for
licensure are expected to repeat the course as soon as possible and raise the grade to the appropriate level.
Dismissal from Licensure and Degree Program
Students may be dismissed from the licensure program prior to and during student teaching for failure to maintain
appropriate academic and teaching‐based performance standards, for gross violation of College policy, and/or for
conduct in violation of professional ethics. Dismissal occurs within the context of established department procedures
described in the Education Department Handbook available through the Education Department. Students have the right
to appeal dismissal from the licensure program on the grounds of procedural error, using the College’s program
dismissal appeals process. Information about the program dismissal appeals process is available in the Augsburg Student
Guide. Students who fail to complete the license may have the option to finish the degree.
Students may be dismissed from the MAE degree program for failure to maintain an appropriate GPA or for gross
violation of College policy. Students have the right to use the College’s academic grievance procedure as they feel
necessary. The full academic grievance policy is available in the Augsburg Student Guide.
Fieldwork Requirements
Fieldwork experiences are tied to several licensure courses. In most cases, these experiences are conducted within a
service‐learning framework, providing service to the school and classroom while also providing students opportunities
for focused reflection linked back to course objectives. In general, students should plan for a minimum of 20 hours field
experience per term. When multiple courses with field experience are taken in the same term, the requirements expand
accordingly. Students in field experiences are evaluated by their host K‐12 teachers on the basis of criteria drawn from
the Minnesota Standards of Effective Practice. Evaluations are kept in the students’ Education Department files and
used in decisions regarding progress through the program and student teaching. A full description of field experience
requirements is available in the Education Department Handbook.
Readmission and Withdrawal
Students in good standing who fail to register for courses for three terms are withdrawn from the MAE program. To be
readmitted to the College and the MAE program, students file a Readmission form through the Registrar’s Office.
Program Costs
In addition to tuition, students in this program can expect to pay a data maintenance fee upon admission to the
department, as well as liability insurance at the student rate during student teaching and the cost of a background check
for licensure and, possibly, field experience. In addition, optional international travel courses have associated costs
above and beyond the charge for tuition.
Full‐time Faculty
Elizabeth M. Ankeny, Associate Professor of Education. BA, Augustana College; MAT, Morningside College; PhD,
Colorado State University.
Christopher R. Brown, Field Experience Coordinator/Charter School Liaison; Instructor of Education. BS, Bemidji State
University; MEd, University of Sydney, Australia.
Joseph A. Erickson, Professor of Education. BA, MA, College of St. Thomas; MA, Luther‐Northwestern Theological
Seminary; PhD, University of Minnesota.
Jeanine Gregoire, Associate Professor of Education. BS, MA, PhD, University of Minnesota.
Gretchen Irvine, Assistant Professor of Education. BS, College of St. Teresa; MS, University of Wisconsin‐River Falls; PhD,
University of Minnesota.
Audrey Lensmeier, Assistant Professor of Education. BA Indiana University; MAT National Louis University; PhD
University of Minnesota.
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Gregory Krueger, Instructor of Education. BA, Southwest Minnesota State University; MA, Hamline University.
Susan O’Connor, Associate Professor of Education. BS, University of Minnesota; MS, PhD, Syracuse University.
Vicki L. Olson, Professor of Education and Director of the MAE Program. BS, MA, PhD, University of Minnesota.
Donna Patterson, Assistant Professor of Education. BA, MEd, University of Minnesota.
Barbara Short, Associate Professor of Education. BA Augustana College; MS Illinois State University; EdD Illinois State
University.
Christopher Smith, Assistant Professor of Education. BS Purdue University; MS Purdue University; PhD University of
Minnesota.
Diane C.Vodicka, Assistant Professor of Education. BEd, North Park College; MEd, Georgia Southwestern College.
Barbara West, Instructor of Education, Faculty Coordinator of Teacher Placement/Licensing. BS, St. Cloud State
University; MS, Syracuse University.
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Master of Arts in Leadership
MAL Mission
The purpose of the Master of Arts in Leadership (MAL) program is to develop leaders for organizations, the community,
and society. Organizations seek leaders who possess: an ethically and morally responsible vision; an understanding of
how change occurs and how it can be managed; sensitivity to the complex problems of organizations and an ability to
find solutions consistent with their mission; cultural competence and sensitivity to the needs of a diverse population;
and the ability to inspire and motivate people to work toward a common goal. The Augsburg leadership development
model provides a framework through which the program recruits its students and develops their skills.
Program Overview
The study of leadership is central to Augsburg College. The College mission statement says, “Augsburg College educates
students to be informed citizens, thoughtful stewards, critical thinkers, and responsible leaders.” The Master of Arts in
Leadership is quintessentially Augsburg. The integrated liberal arts perspective on leadership education is what we think
of as the “Augsburg difference.”
The Master of Arts in Leadership is the core program of Augsburg’s Center for Leadership Studies (CLS). Developed and
launched in 1987, it is Augsburg’s oldest graduate degree and one of the oldest leadership graduate degrees in the
United States. The program responds to the leadership development needs of both for-profit and not-for-profit
organizations. MAL has a deep theoretical base in leadership studies, yet also offers its students practical approaches to
leadership that can be applied in the workplace and society.
Leadership Development Model
The MAL program promotes leadership as a process that:
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•
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Inspires cooperation among people who must compete for limited resources
Promotes productivity within and beyond the organization
Works toward progress for the individual and the organization
To accomplish this, individuals aspiring to positions of leadership must possess three key attributes: a sense of vision,
the ability to persuade, and the ability to direct action. Underlying these attributes are abilities and awareness, outlined
in the Leadership Development Model, which serve as specific outcomes for the MAL program. Augsburg’s model of
leadership development is designed to assess, promote, enhance, and refine these capabilities within the individual.
Learning Goals and Outcomes
The MAL program is designed to support students in developing the knowledge and skills to:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Explore the nature and practice of leadership in a wide variety of dynamic organizational and community settings
Develop a personal understanding and philosophy of leadership
Aspire to be responsible leaders who are informed citizens, critical thinkers, and thoughtful stewards
Enhance knowledge of self and the capacity to be reflective learners
Analyze and navigate increasingly complex changing environments
Formulate and articulate a shared vision in order to inspire others to achieve desired goals
MAL Courses
Each course normally includes two or more liberal arts disciplines, encourages pursuit of the designated outcomes, and
uses a variety of learning techniques appropriate to adult learners. Instructional techniques include case studies, debate,
written and oral presentations, and group activity. These techniques develop targeted leadership abilities and
understanding. Students are encouraged to see abilities and understandings as cross-disciplinary and to view content
areas as integrated. The program reflects the view that the world in which we operate is complex, and that dealing with
it successfully requires well-developed integrative abilities.
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Plan of Study
Accommodating the Full-Time Work Schedule
Designed to meet the needs and preferences of working adults, the MAL program is based on the assumption that the
students who enroll are career-oriented, self-disciplined, and well-motivated individuals seeking a balance of classroom
experience, group interaction, and individual study. Most courses are organized as seminars with the opportunity for
discussion and dialogue.
The program features classes taught by faculty from multiple disciplines and offers two formats to allow students to
choose the option that works best for them. Both formats offer a combination of classroom and online learning styles in
different proportions. The classic classroom format emphasizes face-to-face instruction augmented by online work. The
integrated hybrid format combines online and intensive learning experiences with occasional sessions in a traditional
classroom setting.
Two Convenient Formats: Classic Classroom and Integrated Hybrid Cohort
Overview Classic Classroom Format
For more than 25 years, our classic classroom format has featured a flexible choice model that allows students to select
courses and a completion option that focus on individual goals, interests, and learning style. Students can also
determine the pace at which they move through the program. This format offers numerous electives and allows for
individualized studies. Courses are organized as seminars with the opportunity for discussion and dialogue. Some online
work is incorporated into this format.
Schedule
During the academic year, classes usually meet every other Saturday morning or afternoon for four hours. Additional
instruction time is provided online. Seven Saturday sessions are included in one semester. Some select classes meet on
Monday evenings. Students can take a combination of Saturday and Monday courses. Following this model, students can
complete four courses during the academic year and two during the summer sessions.
A sample class schedule in the classic classroom format:
Period I
Period II
Period III
Saturday
Saturday
Weekdays
8:30 am to 12 pm
1:15 pm to 4:45 pm
6 pm to 9:30 pm
Note: Each class taken commits a student to Period I, Period II, or Period III, an average of two meetings a month. A few
courses are taught on an immersion model, which features fewer but longer sessions.
The MAL program also offers summer session courses in seven-week, fourteen-week, or special immersion formats.
Curriculum
Four core courses:
ML 510 - Visions of Leadership: A Historical and Literary Journey
ML 514 - Research Methods
Two courses related to final project
Seven electives, selected from more than 20 offerings*
*Students may petition the department to do a thesis in place of two of the elective courses.
Final Project Options for the Classic Classroom Format
For non-cohort students there are three ways to complete the final project option in the MAL degree (Plans A, B, and C).
All final projects are taken on a Pass/No Credit basis.
In the Thesis/Leadership Application Project (Thesis/LAP) Option (Plan A), students complete 11 courses, including a
thesis or a major leadership application project. In the Non-Thesis Option (Plan B), students must complete 11 courses,
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two major papers, but no thesis. For the third option, the Comprehensive Exam Seminar (Plan C), students complete 11
courses, including the comprehensive exam seminar.
Plan A: Thesis/LAP Option
Students who select the thesis/LAP option are required to develop and carry out an in-depth study of some aspect of
leadership or of a leadership-related topic. This research-based study gives the student an opportunity to “tie together”
what has been learned from the study of leadership and course-related activities.
The principal distinction between the thesis and the leadership application project lies in their underlying orientation. A
thesis has a more theoretical orientation, while a leadership application project is based on a practical issue. Both
require similar rigor and preparation. For either alternative, the student must register for ML 592 and 593.
For more information regarding the thesis/LAP option, refer to the Thesis/LAP and Non-Thesis Project Guidelines
booklet. Students are given a continuation period of up to five years to complete the project. During the continuation
period, a campus access fee of $35 per term is charged. Refer to Augsburg’s continuation policy in the Academic
Programs and Policies section.
Required Courses:
ML 510 - Visions of Leadership: A Historical and Literary Journey
ML 514 - Research Methods
ML 592 - Thesis/Leadership Applied Project Consultation I
ML 593 - Thesis/Leadership Applied Project Consultation II
Plan B: Non-Thesis Option
One alternative to the thesis is the successful completion of two major papers. The first of these papers will be written in
conjunction with ML 580. The second paper will be written while enrolled in ML 597 - Non-Thesis Independent Project.
The independent research projects approved each year will be presented in an annual colloquium.
For more information regarding the non-thesis option, refer to the Thesis/LAP and Non-Thesis Project Guidelines
booklet. Students are given a continuation period of up to five years to complete the project. During the continuation
period, a campus access fee of $35 per term is charged. Refer to Augsburg’s continuation policy in the Academic
Programs and Policies section.
Required Courses:
ML 510 - Visions of Leadership: A Historical and Literary Journey
ML 514 - Research Methods
ML 580 - Colloquium on Contemporary Theories of Leadership
ML 597 - Non-Thesis Independent Project
Plan C: Comprehensive Exam Seminar
The third completion option involves one paper written in conjunction with ML 580 (as in Plan B) and a comprehensive
exam seminar (ML 589). This course must be taken as the last course in the program. This course is taken on a Pass/No
Credit basis, and when the course and the oral, written, and take-home examinations are successfully completed, the
program requirements are satisfied.
Required Courses:
ML 510 - Visions of Leadership: A Historical and Literary Journey
ML 514 - Research Methods
ML 580 - Colloquium on Contemporary Theories of Leadership
ML 589 - Comprehensive Exam Seminar
Elective courses for ALL Classic Classroom options
The MAL program requires that seven elective courses be selected from the following course list. All courses are 3
semester credits:
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ML 511 - Creativity and the Problem-Solving Process
ML 520 - Self-Identity, Values, and Personal Growth
ML 527 - Spirituality and Leadership in the Workplace
ML 530 - Ethics in Communication
ML 531 - The Dynamics of Change
ML 535 - Organization Theory and Leadership
ML 536 - Facilitating Organizational Change
ML 538 - Communication Skills for Leadership
ML 539 - Communicating a Self in the Modern Organization
ML 540 - Political Leadership: Theory and Practice
ML 545 - Decision Making and Leadership
ML 548 - Coaching and Consulting
ML 550 - Communication, Decision Making, and Technology
ML 553 - Design and Leadership
ML 557 - Language of Leadership
ML 560 - Developing a Multicultural Perspective
ML 563 - Leadership in a Global Society
ML 565 - Women and Leadership
ML 570 - Negotiation: Theory and Practice
ML 574 - Strategic Leadership
ML 575 - Constructive Conflict Resolution
ML 576 - Leading Innovation
ML 577 - Universal Responsibility and Leadership: A Nicaraguan Experience
ML 580 - Colloquium on Contemporary Theories of Leadership (elective for Plan A)
ML 598 - Independent Study
ML 599 - Topics
Overview of Integrated Hybrid Cohort Format
A combination of online, classroom, and experiential learning
The integrated hybrid model is completed in two years with a combination of intensive face-to-face sessions and online
coursework. Students complete the program with a cohort of peers representing many different perspectives. Students
learn from each other and build relationships that will provide support throughout the program and a valuable network
for the future.
Schedule
After starting with a five-day summer experience, classes meet on a semester schedule September through mid-April
(fall and spring semesters) and mid-May through mid-August (two summer terms). Coursework will be online and
supported by three on-campus class sessions per term.
Curriculum
ML 510 - Visions of Leadership: A Historical and Literary Journey
ML 512 - Responsible Leadership for the 21st Century (Intensive)
ML 514 - Research Methods
ML 520 - Self-Identity, Values, and Personal Growth
ML 523 - Leading Authentically
ML 553 - Design and Leadership
ML 563 - Leadership in a Global Society
ML 574 - Strategic Leadership
ML 580 - Colloquium of Contemporary Theories of Leadership
ML 588 - Final Project Seminar: Action Research
ML 599 - Topics
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In addition, a sequenced list of electives is prepared for each cohort. In the cohort program, students complete 11
courses, including an action research final project seminar (Plan D).
Final Project for the Integrated Hybrid Cohort Format: Plan D
The Integrated Hybrid Cohort format includes a final seminar in which each student prepares an action research project
during the course of one term (Plan D). Plan D is comparable to Plan B and requires both ML 514 - Research Methods
and ML 580 - Colloquium on Contemporary Theories of Leadership as prerequisites to ML 588 Final Project Seminar:
Action Research. ML 588 is taken on a Pass/No Credit basis.
Certificate in Leadership Studies
The certificate program is an attractive option for people who want to develop their leadership skills without
undertaking a full degree program. A certificate is awarded after completion of five Augsburg MAL courses in leadership.
Students pursuing this option take ML 510 - Visions of Leadership and four additional electives. The normal application
process is used for students who wish to pursue the certificate.
Joint BA in Accounting and Master of Arts in Leadership
A BA in Accounting and an MA in Leadership (MAL) can be earned in this five-year program designed for students who
wish to qualify for CPA certification and obtain a master’s degree. By the end of the fifth year and successful completion
of all requirements, the student receives both a BA in Accounting and an MA in Leadership and will have fulfilled the
150-hour requirement to qualify for the CPA certification. The MAL program offers a large number of courses on a
weekend schedule or Monday evening. Refer to the MAL program catalog supplement for the list of courses each year
and to the accounting program coordinator for a detailed academic plan. It is recommended that students meet with an
Accounting advisor to create an effective plan for successful completion of the five-year program.
General Requirements for the Accounting/MAL Program
Accounting students planning to pursue the five-year degree must apply for admission to the MAL program at the end of
their junior year. The application process includes submission of:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Completed application form
Three letters of recommendation (two from professors and one from an employer)
Personal statement
Example of their writing in an academic paper
GPA of at least 3.30
Interview with a three-person panel from the MAL program
Students must also have faculty endorsement from the Accounting program. Students must complete at least one year
of accounting work experience (either a job or internship) by the time they graduate from the MAL program.
Program Coordinator: Professor Stu Stoller.
For a complete list of courses and descriptions, see the Course Description Search.
Admission to the Master of Arts in Leadership Program
Admission Requirements
Applicants to the program must have:
• Bachelor’s degree from a regionally-accredited, four-year college or university
• Minimum cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 and a minimum cumulative grade point average of
3.0 for graduate courses completed at an accredited college or university. Should an applicant not meet the
minimum admission requirements, a conditional admission may be possible as decided on a case-by-case basis.
• Applicants to the program must have two years of experience (or equivalent) with one or more organizations in a
position of leadership or position demonstrating leadership potential.
• Applicants holding a master’s or other advanced degrees from accredited colleges or universities are admissible.
• Decisions about admission to the program will be made on an individual basis by the MAL Admissions Committee.
Admission is handled on a “rolling” basis, with students admitted at the beginning of the fall, winter, and spring
terms. Selection of candidates will be made on the basis of an evaluation of each applicant’s:
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o
o
o
o
o
Previous college record
Letters of recommendation
Experience and organizational background
Written statement
Interview, if requested
Application Checklist
The following materials must be submitted to the Office of Admissions:
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•
•
•
•
Completed application form
$35 non-refundable application fee
A 1-3 page statement relating the applicant’s career and life goals to leadership aspirations
Recommendation letter and checklist from an immediate supervisor, assessing leadership potential
Recommendation letter and checklist from a work colleague (at the same level) describing the applicant’s work style
and leadership potential
• Official transcripts from all undergraduate institutions attended, listing all courses taken and any degree(s)
conferred
• Official transcripts from all graduate institutions attended, listing courses taken and degree(s) conferred, if any.
Applicants may be asked to participate in an interview with graduate program faculty and/or staff members.
For further information, contact: Office of Admissions, 612-330-1101, gradinfo@augsburg.edu or
www.augsburg.edu/grad.
Admission as an International Student
International applicants must submit the required application materials listed above. Refer to the additional
requirements outline in Admission of International Students in the Graduate Admissions section.
Academic Policies
Academic Evaluation
Courses not offered on the numbered grading system are noted in the course descriptions in this catalog as being
graded on P/N basis. In order to receive a grade of P, a student must achieve at least a grade of 3.0. No more than two
courses with a grade below 3.0 will count toward the degree. No more than two courses with a grade of or below 2.5
can be repeated. Only the credits and grades earned the second time are counted in the grade point average. Any
course with a grade of 2.0 or lower will be transcribed as 0.0 academic credit.
In order to graduate a student must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above. All required courses and the final projects
must be successfully completed. A student registered for the final projects (ML 588, ML 589, ML 592, ML 593, or ML
597) may be permitted to participate in commencement but will not receive a diploma until all courses and projects are
successfully completed.
Academic Probation and Dismissal Policies
Students must maintain a 3.0 cumulative grade point average. If a student falls below a 3.0 average, the student will be
placed on probation for the following term. A 3.0 cumulative grade point average must be restored in order for a
student to be removed from probation. If a student receives a grade of N or 0.0 in a course, the student must petition
successfully with the MAL Advisory Committee before being allowed to continue in the program. A plan for the student
to follow would be outlined at that time. If a second grade of N or 0.0 is received, the student may be dismissed from
the program by the MAL Advisory Committee. Students may also be dismissed by the MAL Advisory Committee for
behavior detrimental to the program, such as a gross violation of College policy (as published in the Student Guide).
Dismissal would occur only after established procedures were followed.
MAL Program Enrollment Policy
Students normally take either one or two courses per semester. Enrolling in two courses per semester and one or two
courses in summer sessions enables a student to complete the coursework in the program within two years.
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Students who are away from classes for one year or longer must complete an Application for Readmission and submit it
to the Registrar’s Office. Students who have been out of the program for more than two years may, at the discretion of
the program director, be required to take additional courses to refresh their understanding of the field.
Accreditation and Affiliation
Augsburg is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. For a
complete list of Augsburg’s accreditation, approvals, and memberships, in the Accreditation, Approvals and
Memberships section.
MAL Faculty
Andrew Aoki, Professor of Political Science. BA, University of Oregon; MA, PhD, University of Wisconsin.
John Benson, Professor Emeritus of Religion. BA, Augsburg College; BD, Luther Theological Seminary; MA, PhD,
Columbia University.
Thomas Berkas, Instructor of Leadership Studies. BCE, University of Minnesota, PhD University of Minnesota.
Larry Bourgerie, Instructor of Leadership Studies. BS, BA, MA, University of Minnesota. Senior Vice President Human
Resources, TrueStone Financial.
Joseph A. Erickson, Professor of Education. BA, MA, University of St. Thomas; MA, Luther Seminary; PhD, University of
Minnesota.
Stephen K. Erickson, Instructor of Leadership Studies. BA, Augsburg College; JD, University of Minnesota. Vice President
and Advanced Practitioner, Erickson Mediation Institute.
Garry Hesser, Martin Olav Sabo Professor of Citizenship and Learning. BA, Phillips University; MDiv, Union Theological
Seminary; MA, PhD, University of Notre Dame.
Lucinda Hruska-Claeys, Instructor of Leadership Studies. BS, University of Minnesota; MA, Southern Illinois UniversityCarbondale; JD, University of Minnesota; MAL, Augsburg College. Vice President and Special Accounts
Consultant, Wells Fargo Bank N.A.
Steven Jeddeloh, Instructor of Leadership Studies. BS, Mankato State University; MED in Education and MED in Training
and Organization Development, University of Minnesota; MA, PhD, Fielding Graduate University. President of
Leadership Resources Consulting.
David Lapakko, Associate Professor of Communication Studies. BA, Macalester College; MA, PhD, University of
Minnesota.
Velma J. Lashbrook, Assistant Professor of Leadership Studies and Director of the Center for Teaching and Learning. BS,
Iowa State University; MS, Illinois State University; EdD, West Virginia University.
Karen J. Lokkesmoe, Instructor of Leadership Studies. BA, Augsburg College; MPA, PhD, University of Minnesota.
President, Lokkesmoe Consulting, LLC.
Steven Manderscheid, Instructor of Leadership Studies. BS, St. Cloud State University; MS, University of Minnesota; EdD,
University of St. Thomas. Chair, Department of Organizational Management, Concordia University.
Marilyn S. McKnight Erickson, Instructor of Leadership Studies. BA, Augsburg College; MA, St. Mary's University;
President and Advanced Practitioner, Erickson Mediation Institute, Mpls.
Thomas Morgan, Professor of Business Administration. BS, Juniata College; MBA, University of Denver; MS, University of
Oregon; PhD, University of Minnesota.
Norma C. Noonan, Professor Emerita of Political Science and Leadership Studies, former Director of the Center for
Leadership Studies and the MAL Program (1993-2011). BA, University of Pennsylvania; MA, PhD, Indiana
University.
Diane Pike, Professor of Sociology. AB, Connecticut College; PhD, Yale University.
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John S. Schmit, Professor of English. BS, St. John’s University; MA, University of New Orleans; PhD, The University of
Texas-Austin.
Kathryn Swanson, Professor of English. BA, St. Olaf College; MA, PhD, University of Minnesota.
Alan Tuchtenhagen, Assistant Professor of Leadership Studies and Director of the Center for Leadership Studies and the
MAL Program. BS, Westmar College; MA, University of Nebraska; DPA, Hamline University.
Joseph Volker, Instructor of Leadership Studies. BA, University of California-Irvine; MA, PhD, University of Minnesota.
Vice President and Practice Area Leader, MDA Leadership Consulting Inc.
Staff
Patty Park, Program Coordinator. BA, University of Minnesota; MA, Augsburg College.
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Master of Arts in Nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice
Welcome to graduate nursing education at Augsburg College. Our classes are a dynamic mix of cultures, spiritual
traditions, and life-ways. It is exciting for us to offer experienced nurses transforming educational opportunities and
engaging transcultural encounters that expand their career choices and advance nursing practice.
The increasing diversity of our population today challenges all of us to respond to health care needs with creativity and
competence in a variety of emerging care settings. The Master of Arts in Nursing program is designed to prepare nurses
for those evolving contexts of care. Students can choose between two tracks of study: Transcultural Nursing and
Transformational Nursing Leadership. Each track of study emphasizes leadership skills, inter-professional collaboration
and ways to serve persons in a variety of diverse contexts.
The post-master’s Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program builds on the MAN and prepares nurses for innovative
health leadership and advanced nursing practice at local and system-wide levels. Drawing on a transcultural nursing
foundation, the DNP curriculum embraces integrative health care and holistic nursing practice to maximize health for
individuals and communities. Students design their own scholarly paths defined by their unique gifts, interests, and
practice goals. Throughout the DNP program there are a range of opportunities for collaboration across cultures, socio
economic strata and care systems.
The post-BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) to DNP/Family Nurse Practitioner track of study prepares nurses for
advanced nursing leadership and integrative primary care of families across cultures and care settings. Drawing on a
transcultural nursing foundation, the DNP/FNP curriculum embraces integrative healthcare and holistic nursing practice.
Emphasis is on eliminating health inequities through peaceful, just, and collaborative actions that uphold and improve
human potential. The curriculum emphasizes knowledge, skills and values that foster one’s ability to lead change, while
addressing health needs and concerns of families and communities. Nursing scholarship and advanced autonomous
practice frame the critical exploration of knowledge in transcultural nursing, integrative healthcare practices,
transformational leadership, and health assessment.
Classes in both the DNP and MAN programs are offered on the Augsburg campus and at Bethel Lutheran Church in
Rochester, MN, where our branch campus is located. Video conferencing and online assignments are used for some of
the classes, however, our students and faculty are committed to driving from one site to the other at least once during
each semester to be physically present and together. Building relationships is important to us. Program faculty and staff
are available at both sites and eager to assist students.
Cheryl J. Leuning
Chair, Department of Nursing
Director, Master of Arts in Nursing Program
and Doctor of Nursing Practice Program
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Master of Arts in Nursing
Mission
The Master of Arts in Nursing program is designed to prepare nurses for transformational leadership and transcultural
nursing practice across care settings with particular emphasis on addressing health inequities. Students select from two
tracks of study—Transformational Nursing Leadership or Transcultural Nursing. Both tracks prepare nurse leaders to
assume a wide variety of roles and responsibilities throughout the health care system and in emerging care settings in
communities.
Curriculum
The MAN curriculum is organized into 33 semester credits –15 semester credits in a Nursing Core, in which all students
enroll, and 18 semester credits in one of the two Tracks of Study. Practica are taken concurrently with most courses and
are integrated throughout the program. Each semester credit of a practicum is equal to 45 clock hours of practice.
Students select a track of study when applying to the program, however, this is not essential until after one’s first
semester. Students may study full-time (6-8 semester credits per term) or part-time (4 semester credits per term). Time
to degree completion takes an average 22 months when studying full-time, and 32 months when studying part-time.
Nursing Core (15 semester credits)
The core nursing courses integrate a strong foundation of social justice incorporating multiple ways of knowing with
curricular emphasis on nursing science, art, and theory to guide practice.
Nursing Core Courses:
NUR 500 - Transcultural Health Care
NUR 500P - Practicum: Transcultural Health Care
NUR 541 - Politics of Health
NUR 541P - Practicum: Politics of Health Care
NUR 505 - Theoretical Foundations for Advanced Nursing Practice
NUR 505P - Practicum: Theoretical Foundations for Advanced Practice Nursing
NUR 520 - Research Methods in Nursing
Transformational Nursing Leadership Track (18 semester credits)
The Transformational Nursing Leadership track is designed to develop nurse leaders’ ability to critically analyze,
articulate, and develop effective strategies to cope with high level health care disparities. Curricular emphasis is on interprofessional collaboration across care settings. Participation in nursing leadership practica in traditional and emerging
care settings adds depth and meaning to classroom dialogue. Practica also provide opportunities for students to apply
knowledge and gain experience partnering with diverse care providers, populations, and communities to address health
inequities in creative and relevant ways.
Transformational Nursing Leadership Courses:
NUR 501 - Transcultural Care Systems
NUR 501P - Practicum: Transcultural Care Systems
NUR 521 - Transformational Nursing Leadership
NUR 521P - Practicum: Transformational Nursing Leadership
NUR 523 - Theory, Practice and Research Seminar
NUR 523P - Practicum: Theory, Practice and Research Seminar
NUR 525 - Graduate Field Project
NUR 525P - Practicum: Graduate Field Project
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Students graduating from the Transformational Leadership Track of the master’s program are eligible to apply to the
American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) for certification as a Nurse Executive, Advanced and to the Transcultural
Nursing Certification Commission (TCNCC) for advanced certification in Transcultural Nursing.
Graduate Field Project in Transformational Nursing Leadership
Students will fulfill their Master of Arts in Nursing through a final practice-focused project, which serves as the capstone
of the master’s program. The last two classes in the curriculum–NUR 523 and NUR 525—emphasize the development
and articulation of a final field project focused on transformational leadership. Students present their final projects in
NUR 525.
Transcultural Nursing Across Care Settings Track (18 semester credits)
The Transcultural Nursing track in the Master of Arts in Nursing program was designed to prepare nurses for advanced
practice across care settings in culturally diverse communities. The curriculum is grounded in nursing science, theoryguided practice, and transcultural principles. Emphasis is on reaching out to persons and populations that are
underserved by traditional care systems and who exist outside of the social mainstream. As such, the track provides rich
alternative learning opportunities for graduate students locally and internationally.
Transcultural Nursing Courses:
NUR 532 - Transcultural Healing Practices and Self Care
NUR 532P – Practicum: Transcultural Healing Practices and Self Care
NUR 530 - The Power of Ritual and Ceremony for Healing
NUR 530P – Practicum: The Power of Ritual and Ceremony for Healing
NUR 523 - Theory, Practice and Research Seminar
NUR 523P – Practicum: Theory, Practice and Research Seminar
NUR 525 - Graduate Field Project
NUR 525P - Graduate Field Project
Students graduating from the Transcultural Nursing track of the master’s program are eligible to apply to the
Transcultural Nursing Certification Commission (TCNCC) for advanced certification in Transcultural Nursing and
certification in Holistic Nursing through the American Holistic Nurses Credentialing Corporation (AHNCC)
(www.ahncc.org/).
Graduate Field Project in Transcultural Nursing
Students will fulfill their Master of Arts in Nursing through a final practice-focused project, which serves as the capstone
of the master’s program. The last two classes in the curriculum—NUR 523 and NUR 525—emphasize the development
and articulation of a final field project focused on transcultural nursing. Students present their final projects in NUR 525.
Practica
Practice experience is emphasized in both tracks in the Master of Arts in Nursing program. Students earn 9 semester
credits of practicum work that is equal to 405 clock hours of practice—45 clock hours per semester credit hour. Practica
are generally semi-structured, experiential, and led by faculty and cultural guides familiar with the communities in which
the practica occur. Some practica are student directed. In all practica, students are encouraged to immerse themselves
in practice settings that serve persons underserved or excluded from mainstream health care, as emphasis in the
program is on cultural diversity and health inequities across health care settings. Practica focusing on experiential
learning with a transformational nurse leader provides students with the opportunity to gain a greater understanding of
organizational dynamics and change through a complexity science paradigm.
Augsburg Central Health Commons & the Inner City
A unique opportunity for students to explore advanced nursing roles and new models and forms of practice is provided
by the Augsburg Central Health Commons, and the Health Commons in the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood. Both Health
Commons are nursing-led drop-in centers dedicated to serving those in need and focused on healthy individuals and
communities. People from diverse backgrounds, who have health experiences grounded in wide ranging cultural
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contexts frequent the Health Commons for health support and reassurance. Service and care are based on respect,
relationship, and collaboration that connects health and hope for all participants. Health Commons partners include
Central Lutheran Church in downtown Minneapolis, Fairview Health Services, and the East Africa Health Project.
Study Abroad and Away
The Department of Nursing works closely with cultural guides and nurse mentors in various contexts of care in emerging
care settings at home and abroad. The Center for Global Education is a partner with the Department of Nursing in
developing and facilitating study abroad opportunities in Guatemala and Mexico.
Additional collaborative partners include the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MOHSS) in Namibia, the Pine Ridge
Retreat Center, in Pine Ridge, SD, and a variety of cultural guides and local practitioners throughout England. A detailed
listing of practica and immersion experiences abroad and away can be found at the nursing website
(www.augsburg.edu/nursing).
For a complete list of courses and descriptions, see the Course Description Search.
Admission Requirements
Decisions about admission to the program will be made by the Graduate Admissions Committee on an individual basis.
Admissions are handled throughout the year, with students being admitted at the beginning of the fall (September) and
spring (January) semesters.
Selection of candidates will be made on the basis of an evaluation of the following items:
• An earned Bachelor’s degree in nursing from a regionally accredited college or university, or an Associate of Science
degree in nursing in addition to a non-nursing bachelor’s degree
• A cumulative GPA of 3.0 in all previous college coursework
• Experience as a registered nurse
• Three letters of recommendation
• A current, unencumbered nursing license
• All required immunizations
• Transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
• A Criminal Background check
• A college level statistics course within the last 7 years is required for progression in the program, but is not
necessary for admission
• A written statement describing professional and educational goals
The following items must be sent to the Office of Admissions:
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•
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Completed application form—www.augsburg.edu/ma_nursing
$35 non-refundable application fee
A 2-3 page typed statement describing the applicant’s professional and educational goals
Three letters of recommendation (in English) addressing the applicant’s character and ability for graduate study.
(Two of these recommendations must be from professional colleagues)
• Evidence of Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) training, and required immunizations
• Official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended, listing all courses taken and any
degree(s) conferred
An interview with graduate program faculty and/or staff members may be requested.
Admission as an International Student
International applicants must submit the required application materials listed above. For more information, refer to the
additional requirements outlined in Admission of International Students in the Graduate Admissions section.
Academic Policies
Evaluation of academic performance in the Master of Arts in Nursing program will be based on number grades using a
4.0 point scale. See detailed information in the Academic Programs and Policies
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Attendance Policy
Class attendance is expected and should be considered a key responsibility, not only to one’s self, but to one’s
classmates and the course instructor. Instructors may lower grades if attendance and participation is lacking. Individual
syllabi will contain individual instructors’ requirements. Because classes are held in Rochester and Minneapolis, students
must prepare to drive to class at least once per term.
Academic Probation and Dismissal Policies
Students must maintain a 3.0 cumulative grade point average in the MAN program. If a student falls below a 3.0
average, the student will be placed on probation for the following term. A 3.0 cumulative grade point average must be
restored in order for a student to be removed from probation. If a student receives a grade of 2.0 or less in a course, the
student must petition successfully to the faculty of the Master of Arts in Nursing program before being allowed to
continue in the program. A plan for the student to follow would be outlined at that time. If a second grade of 2.0 or less
is received, the student may be dismissed from the program.
Students may also be dismissed for behavior detrimental to the program, such as a gross violation of college policy as
published in the Student Guide. Dismissal would occur only after established procedures were followed.
Credit for Prior Education
Students may petition the Master of Arts in Nursing faculty for approval of transfer of credit. Transfer credits will be
evaluated on an individual basis. The only courses that will be considered for transfer credit are those earned from
regionally accredited colleges and universities, whose course content is comparable to course content in the Master of
Arts in Nursing program. No more than nine semester credits will be accepted for transfer credit.
Schedules for Classes
Master’s classes are scheduled in a hybrid format combining in-class and web-based components to meet the needs of
working adults. Most classes meet 6 times per semester for 5 hour periods. Video conferencing is used to connect
students in Rochester, MN, with students in Minneapolis. Some driving for class is required, as students from Rochester
will travel to Minneapolis one time per term and students from Minneapolis will travel to Rochester one time per term.
If weather is inclement, video conferencing is used. Classes in Rochester meet at Bethel Lutheran Church at 810 3rd Ave
SE, Rochester, MN.
Practica are additional to courses. Students enroll in practica concurrently with enrollment in courses.
Accreditation and Affiliations
The Master of Arts in Nursing program is fully accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Augsburg is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. For a
complete list of Augsburg’s accreditations, approvals, and memberships, see the listing in the Accreditation Approvals,
and Memberships section.
Department of Nursing Faculty
Pauline Abraham, Assistant Professor of Nursing. BSN, Winona State University; MA, Augsburg College; DNP, Augsburg
College.
Katherine Baumgartner, Assistant Professor of Nursing. BSN, Minnesota State University; MA, Augsburg College; DNP,
Augsburg College.
Kathleen Clark, Assistant Professor and Coordinator of the Augsburg Central Nursing Center, BS, MA, Augsburg College.
Ruth Enestvedt, Assistant Professor of Nursing, BA, St. Olaf College; MS, PhD, University of Minnesota.
Cheryl Leuning, Professor of Nursing, Chair of the Department of Nursing, and Director of Graduate Programs. BA,
Augustana College; MS, University of Minnesota; PhD, University of Utah.
Joyce Miller, Assistant Professor of Nursing. ADN, Rochester State Junior College; BS, Augsburg College; MA, Augsburg
College; DNP, Augsburg College.
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Joyce Perkins, Assistant Professor of Nursing. BS, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH; Nursing Major, College of
St. Teresa, Winona, MN; MA, St. Mary’s College, Minneapolis, MN; MS, University of MN; PhD, University of
Colorado.
Kaija Freborg Sivongsay, Assistant Professor of Nursing. BSN, University of Wisconsin- Eau Claire; MA, Augsburg College;
DNP, Augsburg College.
Lisa Van Getson, Assistant Professor of Nursing, BSN, College of St. Teresa, Winona, MN; MA, St. Catherine University,
St. Paul, MN; MAN, FNP, Winona State University; DNP; Augsburg College.
Staff
Sharon Wade, Program Coordinator, BA, Augsburg College.
Linden Gawboy, Administrative Assistant
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Doctor of Nursing Practice – Transcultural Leadership
The post-Master’s Doctor of Nursing Practice program prepares nurses for innovative health leadership and advanced
nursing practice at local and system-wide levels. Drawing on a transcultural nursing foundation, the DNP curriculum
embraces integrative healthcare and holistic nursing practice. Emphasis is placed on maximizing health within
populations and communities through peaceful, just and collaborative actions across care settings and cultures, focusing
on eliminating health inequities locally and globally. As a post-master’s program, the DNP builds upon the strengths of
the Master of Arts in Nursing (MAN) program and prepares nurses for advanced leadership and practice roles in
Transcultural Nursing (TCN) and Holistic Nursing.
Program Goals
Graduates of the Doctor of Nursing Practice program are prepared to:
• Negotiate the complexity of multicultural care settings and care systems to eliminate health inequities among
populations and communities
• Challenge conventional knowledge about illness through an ecological approach to social determinants of health
• Lead change through building coalitions with marginalized people that are based on mutuality and common cause
Program Structure
The program is structured in a modified cohort model. One cohort a year will be admitted to begin in the fall term. Most
students will take courses on a part-time basis as one didactic offering, one practicum, and one seminar each semester.
As a part-time student, completion of the program is expected to take 32 months, including completion of the capstone
project.
The DNP curriculum is organized into 33 semester credits comprised of didactic classes, experiential practica, and
seminars, with a capstone project completing the degree. As a practice doctorate, the emphasis is on building leadership
and practice skills in knowledge application among diverse population groups. The goal is to improve health and
decrease health inequities that lead to unnecessary morbidity and mortality in communities.
Didactic
A total of six didactic courses (18 semester credits) constitute the DNP program. One course equals three semester
credits. Courses are taught in an immersion model two days a month—eight hours of class time the first day and four
hours the subsequent morning, followed by an afternoon seminar.
Class attendance is expected and should be considered a key responsibility, not only to one’s self, but to one’s
classmates and the course instructor. Classes are held on Augsburg’s campus in Minneapolis and in Rochester, MN, at
Bethel Lutheran Church (810 3rd Ave SE) the location of Augsburg’s branch campus. Video conferencing is used for some
of the classes, however, students must be prepared to drive to Rochester and/or Minneapolis for class at least once per
semester. If weather is inclement, video conferencing is used.
Practica
Practica are organized to give flexibility and individual choice to students to support their increasing independence and
depth of practice experience at the doctoral level. Students select practicum experiences that are either structured
immersions in a variety of cultural contexts led by nursing faculty or that are student initiated and individually directed
experiences mentored by nursing faculty.
In a 15-week semester, practicum hours are computed as follows:
• 1 semester credit hour = 45 clock hours of practicum time per semester
• 2 semester credit hours = 90 clock hours of practicum time per semester
• 3 semester credit hours = 135 clock hours of practicum time per semester
To earn the DNP, students must complete a total of 1,000 practicum hours in their Master’s and DNP programs.
Students will be allowed to transfer up to 600 practicum hours from their master’s in nursing into the Augsburg DNP. As
such, all students will register for at least nine semester credits of practica.
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Seminars
Seminars focus on integration of conceptual learning with field practice developing the student’s particular practice
interest. Students are required to participate in a doctoral seminar every semester —fall and spring—until completion of
the DNP degree. Cohorts of students who enter the DNP program together progress as a group in the seminars in which
they enroll each term. The final seminar culminates in the project presentation and completion of the requirements for
the DNP degree. As such, students enroll in 6 semester credits during the DNP program - a seminar every term until
completion.
Final DNP Capstone Project
Final DNP capstone projects must make a significant impact on nursing practice and health outcomes of populations and
communities, demonstrate an evidence-based contribution to existing nursing knowledge, and be suitable for
presentation or publication in a peer-reviewed venue. Through this scholarly project students demonstrate leadership in
synthesizing and applying scientific knowledge to practice challenges in local and/or system wide contexts of care.
Students should begin working on their DNP capstone projects in the early stages of the DNP program and continue
throughout. This scholarly project is planned in collaboration with a major faculty advisor.
For a complete list of courses and descriptions, see the Course Description Search.
Admission to the DNP
Applicants to the Doctor of Nursing Practice program must have:
•
•
•
•
•
•
An earned master’s degree in nursing from a regionally-accredited institution
A GPA of 3.2 on a 4.0 grading scale in master’s in nursing program
A current unencumbered RN license to practice in the US.
Evidence of a completed graduate research course
Evidence of up-to-date immunizations
Satisfactory results of a certified federal criminal background check
Decisions about admission to the program will be made on an individual basis. Selection of candidates will be made on
the basis of an evaluation of the following items for each applicant:
• A three-page typed, double-spaced essay demonstrating ability to write in a thoughtful, coherent manner
• Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended (Applicants with a college or university degree
completed outside of the United States must submit an official evaluation from World Educational Services.)
• Three professional references
• An interview with program faculty
The number of applicants admitted to the DNP program will be limited and based on availability of faculty members who
share a student’s practice interests and goals. Meeting the minimum admission criteria does not ensure that an
applicant will be admitted to the program.
Applicants who have graduated from a foreign nursing program, should submit their coursework for validation to the
World Education Service (WES) and have the reports sent directly to Augsburg College. Additionally, internationallyeducated applicants may request the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) (www.cgfns.org/) to
forward their educational credentials report to the Minnesota State Board of Nursing. Once their credentials are
verified, applicants must apply for licensure and demonstrate successful passing of the National Council Licensure
Examination (NCLEX).
Nurses who have previously submitted CGFNS credential verification in a state other than Minnesota, who have passed
the NCLEX, will be considered for admission and must meet the same residency requirements expected of all students.
Applicants whose first language is not English must submit evidence of earning a minimum score of 95 out of a possible
120 (or 250 if previous version was taken) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). See Graduate
Admissions for more information.
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Accreditation
The Doctor of Nursing Practice program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), which
has accredited the Master of Arts in Nursing and the Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs at Augsburg. Augsburg is
accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
Augsburg is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. For a
complete list of Augsburg’s accreditations, approvals, and memberships, see the listing in the Accreditation, Approvals,
and Memberships section.
Department of Nursing Faculty
Pauline Abraham, Assistant Professor. BSN, Winona State University; MA, DNP, Augsburg College.
Katherine Baumgartner, Assistant Professor. BSN, Minnesota State University; MA, DNP, Augsburg College.
Kathleen Clark, Assistant Professor and Coordinator of the Augsburg Central Nursing Center. BS, MA, Augsburg College.
Ruth Enestvedt, Assistant Professor. BS, St. Olaf College; MS, PhD, University of Minnesota.
Cheryl Leuning, Professor, Chair of the Department of Nursing, and Director of Graduate Nursing Programs. BA,
Augustana College; MS, University of Minnesota; PhD, University of Utah.
Joyce Miller, Assistant Professor. ADN, Rochester Community Technical College; BSN, MA, DNP, Augsburg College.
Joyce Perkins, Assistant Professor. BS, University of New Hampshire; RN, College of St. Teresa; MA, St. Mary’s College
Graduate Center; MS, University of Minnesota; PhD, University of Colorado.
Kaija Freborg Sivongsay, Assistant Professor. BSN, University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire; MA, DNP, Augsburg College.
Lisa Van Getson, Assistant Professor, BSN, College of St. Teresa, Winona, MN; MA, St. Catherine University; MAN, FNP,
Winona State University; DNP; Augsburg College.
Staff
Sharon Wade, Program Coordinator, BA, Augsburg College.
Linden Gawboy, Administrative Assistant
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Doctor of Nursing Practice/Family Nurse Practitioner
The post-BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) to DNP/FNP track of study prepares nurses for advanced nursing
leadership and integrative primary care of families across cultures and care settings. Drawing on a transcultural nursing
foundation, the DNP curriculum embraces integrative healthcare and holistic nursing practice. Emphasis is on
eliminating health inequities through peaceful, just, and collaborative actions that uphold and improve human potential.
The curriculum emphasizes knowledge, skills and values that foster one’s ability to lead change, while addressing health
needs and concerns of families and communities. Nursing scholarship and advanced autonomous practice frame the
critical exploration of knowledge in transcultural nursing, integrative healthcare practices, transformational leadership,
and health assessment.
Program Goals
Graduates of the Doctor of Nursing Practice/Family Nurse Practitioner program are prepared to:
• Negotiate the complexity of multicultural care settings and care systems to eliminate health inequities among
populations and communities.
• Challenge conventional knowledge about illness through an ecological approach to social determinants of health.
• Lead change through building coalitions with marginalized people that are based on mutuality and common cause.
• Provide primary care to persons, families and communities with particular consideration for those who are
underserved and/or marginalized by dominant societal structures.
Program Structure
The program is structured to admit students beginning each fall semester. Students may take courses on a part-time or
full-time basis during the completion of their Masters of Nursing or Doctor of Nursing Practice courses. Full-time study
is required during the didactic and clinical courses in the FNP course sequence during the last two years of the program.
Length of program: The Post-BSN to DNP/FNP track of study leads to eligibility for certification as a Family Nurse
Practitioner (FNP) through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and requires a minimum of 84 semester
credit hours, including 57 didactic credit hours and 23 practicum credit hours.
Didactic
A total of 19 didactic courses (57 semester credits) constitute the DNP/FNP program. Didactic classes, structured
practica, and clinical experiences are taught in a variety of flexible schedules that are responsive to student needs.
Master level classes (NUR 500 level courses) consist of six classes a semester - five hours of class time, in addition to
taking a one credit practicum course associated with the didactic course. The DNP courses (NUR 800 level), are taught in
an immersion model two days a month – eight hours of class time for the first day and four hours the subsequent
morning, followed by an afternoon seminar. The FNP courses (final two years of study) are offered on Mondays twice a
month for six to eight hours of class time. Web-based assignments are integrated into all classes through Moodle.
Summer meeting schedules will be more condensed. Community practicum experiences may be scheduled during the
class meeting days as well. Additionally, some courses may be taught in an immersion format, where students and
faculty are “immersed” in a unique socio-cultural context and course content and a set number of practicum hours are
condensed into seven to fourteen days.
Class attendance is expected and should be considered a key responsibility, not only to one’s self, but to one’s
classmates and the course instructor. Classes are held on Augsburg’s campus in Minneapolis and in Rochester, MN, at
Bethel Lutheran Church (810 3rd Ave SE) the location of Augsburg’s branch campus. Video conferencing is used for some
of the classes, however, students must be prepared to drive to Rochester and/or Minneapolis for class at least once per
semester. If weather is inclement, video conferencing is used.
Practica
Practica are organized to give flexibility and individual choice to students to support their increasing independence and
depth of practice experience at the doctoral level. Students select practicum experiences that are either structured
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immersions in a variety of cultural contexts led by nursing faculty or that are student initiated and individually directed
experiences mentored by nursing faculty. FNP clinical sites will be arranged by clinical faculty.
In a 15-week semester, practicum hours are computed as follows:
• 1 semester credit hour = 45 clock hours of practicum time per semester
• 2 semester credit hours = 90 clock hours of practicum time per semester
• 3 semester credit hours = 135 clock hours of practicum time per semester
To earn the DNP/FNP, students must complete a total of 1,035 practicum hours. Students will be allowed to transfer up
to 400 practicum hours from their master’s in nursing. To complete the DNP/FNP, students must complete 630 practica
hours (530 hours of primary care of the adult and 100 hours of primary care of children and women’s health). As such,
all students will register for at least 23 semester credits of practica.
Seminars
Seminars focus on integration of conceptual learning with field practice developing the student’s particular practice
interest. Students are required to participate in a total of four one-semester-credit doctoral seminars during the
DNP/FNP program. The final seminar culminates in the project presentation and completion of the requirements for the
DNP degree.
Final DNP/FNP Capstone Project
Final DNP/FNP capstone projects must make a significant impact on nursing practice and health outcomes of
populations and communities, demonstrate an evidence-based contribution to existing nursing knowledge, and be
suitable for presentation or publication in a peer-reviewed venue. Through this scholarly project students demonstrate
leadership in synthesizing and applying scientific knowledge to practice challenges in local and/or system wide contexts
of care. Students should begin working on their DNP/FNP capstone projects in the early stages of the program and
continue throughout. This scholarly project is planned in collaboration with a major faculty advisor.
For a complete list of courses and descriptions, see the Course Description Search.
Admission to the DNP/FNP
• A completed application form and payment of application fee ($50 fee waived if apply on-line).
• An earned baccalaureate degree in nursing (BSN or BAN), master’s degree in nursing, or a doctor of nursing practice
(DNP), from a nationally accredited institution and a nationally accredited nursing program.
• A non-refundable check or money order for $950 to be used to hold a place in the DNP/FNP program if accepted. If
not accepted the check or money order will be returned. If accepted the $950 will be applied to the orientation
practicum.
• A minimum of three years active and current clinical practice as a Registered Nurse.
• Evidence of current unencumbered license as a Registered Nurse. MN license required. Other state licenses will be
required for clinical rotations.
• Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended (Applicants with a college or university degree
completed outside of the United States must submit an official evaluation from World Educational Services. All costs
related to document translations and evaluations are applicants’ responsibility.
• GPA of 3.0 from previous baccalaureate nursing program; GPA of 3.2 from previous master’s in nursing program or
DNP program.
• Three professional letters of recommendation.
• A 2-page professional essay responding to the following: Explain why transcultural, holistic and integrative health
education as a Doctorate of Nursing Practice/Family Nurse Practitioner is important in shaping the future of
healthcare.
• Documentation verifying the number of practice hours completed in a nationally accredited graduate nursing
program, if applicable. (A maximum of 400 practice hours may be transferred into the DNP/FNP tract of study from a
nationally accredited master’s in nursing program.)
• A current Curriculum Vitae.
• Evidence of a completed undergraduate statistics course (within the last 5 years) on an official transcript before
enrolling in the Nursing Research course & associated practicum.
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•
•
•
•
Evidence of up to date immunizations per Department/College requirements
A valid passport or proof of application submitted.
Evidence of HIPAA training within the last 2 years.
Satisfactory results of a certified federal criminal background check at time of admission and annually thereafter;
additional testing may be required for clinical placement, e.g., alcohol, drug testing, HIV testing, etc.
• Applicants whose first language is not English, must submit evidence of earning a minimum score of 95 out of a
possible 120 (or 250 if previous version was taken) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
• Successful personal interview with Augsburg Nursing Faculty.
The number of applicants admitted to the DNP/FNP program will be limited and based on availability of faculty members
that share a student’s practice interests and goals. Meeting the minimum admission criteria does not ensure that an
applicant will be admitted to the program.
The above Admission Criteria are current as of June 2013 and are subject to change.
Applicants who have graduated from a foreign nursing program, should submit their coursework for validation to the
World Education Service (WES) and have the reports sent directly to Augsburg College. Additionally, internationallyeducated applicants may request the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) (www.cgfns.org/) to
forward their educational credentials report to the Minnesota State Board of Nursing. Once their credentials are
verified, applicants must apply for licensure and demonstrate successful passing of the National Council Licensure
Examination (NCLEX).
Nurses who have previously submitted CGFNS credential verification in a state other than Minnesota, who have passed
the NCLEX, will be considered for admission and must meet the same residency requirements expected of all students.
Applicants whose first language is not English must submit evidence of earning a minimum score of 95 out of a possible
120 (or 250 if previous version was taken) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). See Graduate
Admissions for more information.
Accreditation
The Doctor of Nursing Practice program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), which
has accredited the Master of Arts in Nursing and the Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs at Augsburg. Augsburg is
accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
Augsburg is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. For a
complete list of Augsburg’s accreditations, approvals, and memberships, see the listing in the Accreditation, Approvals,
and Memberships section.
Department of Nursing Faculty
Pauline Abraham, Assistant Professor. BSN, Winona State University; MA, DNP, Augsburg College.
Katherine Baumgartner, Assistant Professor. BSN, Minnesota State University; MA, DNP, Augsburg College.
Kathleen Clark, Assistant Professor and Coordinator of the Augsburg Central Nursing Center. BS, MA, Augsburg College.
Ruth Enestvedt, Assistant Professor. BS, St. Olaf College; MS, PhD, University of Minnesota.
Cheryl Leuning, Professor, Chair of the Department of Nursing, and Director of Graduate Nursing Programs. BA,
Augustana College; MS, University of Minnesota; PhD, University of Utah.
Joyce Miller, Assistant Professor. ADN, Rochester Community Technical College; BSN, MA, DNP, Augsburg College.
Joyce Perkins, Assistant Professor. BS, University of New Hampshire; RN, College of St. Teresa; MA, St. Mary’s College
Graduate Center; MS, University of Minnesota; PhD, University of Colorado.
Kaija Freborg Sivongsay, Assistant Professor. BSN, University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire; MA, DNP, Augsburg College.
Lisa Van Getson, Assistant Professor, BSN, College of St. Teresa, Winona, MN; MA, St. Catherine University; MAN, FNP,
Winona State University; DNP; Augsburg College.
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Staff
Sharon Wade, Program Coordinator, BA, Augsburg College.
Linden Gawboy, Administrative Assistant
60
Master of Business Administration
Embarking on a graduate degree program is an exciting and challenging decision. The Augsburg MBA is a rigorous and
intensive educational experience. The Augsburg MBA is practical and “hands-on,” focusing on applicable skills and
knowledge designed to increase your ability to think, analyze and act. The Augsburg MBA provides students a unique
opportunity to investigate business cultures and practices through a faculty-led international experience. Our curriculum
integrates the global experience of our faculty and reflects Augsburg’s mission of developing leaders grounded in values,
purpose, and vocation.
The Augsburg MBA is a proven accelerated program focusing on practical skills, knowledge, and teamwork; while built
on a foundation of ethical decision-making. The Augsburg MBA additionally offers students the ability to include
enhanced instructions in several professional business disciplines. We invite students to challenge themselves and their
classmates to bring a new and expanded focus through guided reflection and examination.
Augsburg MBA students are chosen because they exhibit purpose and direction in their careers and lives, and positive
engagement with their community and associates. We invite you to become part of a growing community of Augsburg
MBA alumni.
Bruce E. Batten, Ph.D.
Director, Master of Business Administration Program
MBA Mission
To prepare students for professional careers in business by developing their decision-making skills, critical thinking and
by transforming them into effective managers and leaders in service to others. The program aspires to provide an
outstanding student-centered education that produces graduates who are critically astute, technically proficient, and
who understand the moral and ethical consequences of their decisions on their organization and on the world.
Accreditation
The Augsburg MBA is a candidate for accreditation with the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs
(ACBSP).
Augsburg is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. For a
complete list of Augsburg’s accreditations, approvals, and memberships, see the listing in the Accreditation, Approvals,
and Memberships section.
MBA Program Overview
Today’s business leader must be able to quickly analyze situations and information and critically analyze alternatives and
courses of action. The purpose of the Augsburg MBA is to prepare students to accept greater responsibility in
organizations facing this dynamic and fast-evolving business culture. The curriculum of the MBA gives students the
ability to think critically and ethically as they face the increased challenges of a global business environment. Quality,
individual initiative, ethics, and teamwork are hallmarks of the Augsburg MBA. We have a commitment to continually
improve students’ experiences and learning in the program. Our faculty is uniquely qualified to bridge theory and realworld application, giving MBA students opportunities to acquire skills and knowledge in a variety of disciplines. The
Augsburg MBA offers students the flexibility of completing a general MBA or a specialized MBA with a concentration
that matches their interests and career goals.
Plan of Study
The Augsburg MBA is an accelerated, evening program that allows working professionals to complete an MBA degree in
approximately 24 months. This is accomplished by using a cohort model in which students follow a predetermined
schedule with classes meeting one night a week.
Students in a cohort program model stay together as a group through the sequence of classes for the duration of the
program. This provides a continuous, collaborative learning process. The cohort environment fosters a cohesive learning
community where students learn from each another, mentor each other, and peer coach. You’ll share diverse
professional expertise and experience as you work in teams on projects, case studies, presentations, and simulations,
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both inside and outside of class. Working both individually and in small groups enables you to enhance your strengths,
build your skills, expand your business acumen, and improve your decision‐making. Together as a community you’ll build
personal, social, and academic abilities.
Adult learners bring a wealth of work and personal life experiences with them into the classroom, multiplying the
opportunities for learning. The personal connections and relationships you build with fellow students and faculty will
extend into an important and valuable network as you take your career to new levels.
Program Requirements
The Augsburg MBA requires 39 semester credits for degree completion, consisting of 12 required courses and two
elective courses. All Augsburg MBA courses are three semester credits. Each course consists of 28‐32 hours of in‐class
instruction and 5 ½ ‐ 9 ½ hours of online instruction through our web‐based electronic course management system.
Specialized Plan of Study
The Augsburg MBA offers students the flexibility of completing a general MBA or a specialized MBA with a concentration
that matches their interests and career goals. An Augsburg MBA with a concentration consists of 11 required MBA
courses and 3 additional courses that focus on a specific area of interest.
Academic Calendar
The Augsburg MBA is designed as a year‐round program. Courses are offered during fall and spring semesters as well as
a summer session. Courses are offered consecutively during each term so students are able to concentrate on one
subject at a time. The program is designed to have students take at least two courses per term.
Official academic calendars and the MBA registration policies can be found at www.augsburg.edu/registrar. The unique
cohort model of the Augsburg MBA requires individual calendars for each cohort, which is provided by the MBA
department.
The Faculty‐Led International Experience
Each year, all current MBA students will be offered the opportunity to participate in a faculty‐led international
experience. This trip is taken in conjunction with either of these courses: MBA 565 ‐ Managing in a Global Environment
or MBA 595 ‐ Strategic Management. Students will travel as a group to an international location, visit businesses,
participate in faculty lectures, and learn about the culture and traditions of the countries visited. Each MBA student
should have two opportunities during their matriculation in the program to participate. Costs can vary; but as a
minimum, trips normally include tuition (for the course selected), airfare, lodging, and travel in‐country, as well as some
meals.
The Augsburg MBA
The 12 required courses of the general Augsburg MBA are as follows:
MBA 510 ‐ Applied Managerial Economics
MBA 520 ‐ Accounting for Business Managers
MBA 530 ‐ Managerial Finance
MBA 540 ‐ Business and Professional Ethics
MBA 545 ‐ Organization Behavior
MBA 550 ‐ Marketing Management
MBA 565 ‐ Managing in a Global Environment
MBA 570 ‐ Quantitative Decision‐Making for Managers
MBA 592 ‐ Leadership: Ethics, Service, and Transformation
MBA 595 ‐ Strategic Management
MBA 581 ‐ Management Consulting Project I
MBA 582 ‐ Management Consulting Project II
Two Elective Courses that may selected from a pool of courses in the areas of finance, management, marketing,
international business, or health care.
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Graduate Concentrations and Certificates
MBA with a concentration
The Augsburg MBA with a concentration requires the successful completion of 15 MBA courses, including the 12
required courses listed above and three required concentration courses. Concentrations may include: finance,
management, marketing, international business, or health care. A concentration may allow students to become
competitive in a specific career field or, in some cases, it may assist students in achieving professional certification or
accreditation. Availability of concentration courses is dependent on student interest.
Finance Concentration
MBC 532 - Investment Theory and Portfolio Management
MBC 535 - International Finance
MBA 599 - Special Topics: Finance Project
Management Concentration
MBA 596 - Managing Innovation
MBA 576 - Project Management
MBA 599 - Special Topics: Operations
Marketing Concentration
MBA 599 - Special Topics: Marketing Research
MBA 599 - Special Topics: Strategies in E-Marketing
MBC 552 - Marketing Communications
International Business Concentration
MBA 599 - Special Topics: Strategies in Global Marketing
MBA 599 - Special Topics: International Logistics
MBA 599 - Special Topics: Feasibility Project
Health Care Management Concentration
MBC 547 - Human Resource Issues in Health Care
MBC 537 - Health Care Financing
MBA 593 - Health Care Operations Management
Social Entrepreneurship Certificate
The Social Entrepreneurship Certificate will expose students to the skills, knowledge, and perspectives necessary to
pursue social impact entrepreneurially, effectively, and pragmatically. The program has been designed to serve those
students who aspire at some point in their lives to be social entrepreneurs, executives in social-purpose organizations,
philanthropists, board members, or leading volunteers in their communities and the social sector. The certificate
program will also appeal to students interested in incorporating strategies for social impact into their business and
entrepreneurial careers.
Students wishing to earn a Graduate Certificate in Social Entrepreneurship will complete five graduate-level courses.
Courses include some that focus on the use of business/entrepreneurial skills for social impact in different contexts;
others that focus on skills and knowledge from the MBA, Masters in Social Work or Master of Arts in Leadership that are
particularly relevant for the effective pursuit of social impact; others that focus on field or industry-specific knowledge;
and others that provide opportunities for students to gain practical experience in the social sector.
Two Social Entrepreneurship Courses (required):
MBA 583 – Social Entrepreneurship I: Execution, Planning and Strategy for Social Innovation-based Ventures
MBA 584 - Social Entrepreneurship II: Advanced Topics and Practice in Social Entrepreneurship
or MBA 581, 582 - Management Consulting Project I, II
MBA 599 - Special Topics: Non-Profit Finance, Funding and Enterprise
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Two Electives from the following courses:
MBA Focus:
MBA 592 – Leadership: Ethics, Vision and Transformation
MBA 545 – Organizational Behavior
MBA 550 – Marketing Management
MBA 595 – Strategic Management
(or other director approved electives)
MSW/MBA Dual Degree
Many social service agencies today require that agency managers combine financial and business expertise with social
work practice and policy formation. The MSW/MBA degree enables graduates to function in a workplace that demands
the delivery of quality services with increasingly limited resources. The MSW/MBA dual degree option is available to
MSW students who elect the Multicultural Macro Practice (MCMP) concentration.
MSW/MBA students will spend their first two years taking Master of Social Work courses followed by approximately 15
months of MBA courses. For more information regarding the Multicultural Macro Practice (MCMP) coursework required
for the MSW/MBA dual degree, refer to the Master of Social Work section in this catalog. MSW students who graduated
after June 2002 are required to complete the following eight MBA courses:
MBA 510 - Applied Managerial Economics
MBA 520 - Accounting for Business Managers
MBA 530 - Managerial Finance
MBA 545 - Organizational Behavior
MBA 550 - Marketing Management
MBA 560 - Communication Issues in Management
MBA 575 - Strategic Technology
MBA 595 - Strategic Management
MSW students who graduated prior to 2002 are required to complete nine MBA courses. This includes the eight MBA
courses listed above as well as MBA 592 - Leadership: Ethics, Service, and Transformation.
MSW students may also be required to adjust their summative evaluation project to meet the requirements of the MSW
and MBA programs.
Students interested in the MSW/MBA program must apply to both programs. See the application guidelines listed under
each individual program.
NOTE: Admission to one program does not guarantee admission to the other.
For a complete list of courses and descriptions, see the Course Description Search.
Locations and Schedules
MBA classes are offered at three locations: Augsburg’s Minneapolis campus, Thrivent Financial in downtown
Minneapolis and Augsburg’s Rochester campus. Cohorts begin three times per academic year: September, January, and
May.
Orientation for new cohorts is generally scheduled for one to two weeks in advance of the beginning of classes. For
more information on class schedules, go to www.augsburg.edu/mba or call the Office of Admissions at 612-330-1101.
Admission to the Augsburg MBA Program
Admission to the Augsburg MBA program is determined by a committee decision. The committee may include MBA
program staff, Business Administration Department faculty, and Office of Admissions staff.
Admission Requirements
Applicants to the MBA program must have:
•
Bachelor’s degree from a regionally-accredited four-year institution
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• Minimum of two years of relevant work experience
• Personal interview with the MBA program director
Admission checklist
The following materials must be submitted to the Office of Admissions:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Completed application—Apply online at www.augsburg.edu/mba/
$35 application fee
Two personal statements
Official undergraduate/graduate transcripts sent directly to the Augsburg Office of Admissions
Current résumé of work history
Two confidential letters of recommendation
Official GMAT score report (school code 6014)—not required for certificate applicants or completion of the
Individual Learning Profile (ILP)
For information about the ILP, contact the Graduate Admission Department.
Admission as an International Student
International applicants must submit the required application materials listed above. Refer to the additional
requirements outlined in Admission of International Students in the Graduate Admissions section.
Admission as a Transfer Student
Students may apply to Augsburg as a transfer student. Transfer students follow the same procedure as new applicants.
Transfer students may receive up to 18 semester credits in transfer. (See Evaluation of Transfer Credit in Academic
Programs and policies.) Students must complete no fewer than 21 semester credits at Augsburg in order to receive their
MBA degree from Augsburg College. All students must complete the Management Consulting project, (MBA 581/2) to
graduate. Eligible coursework must be approved by the MBA program director before transfer credit will be granted.
GMAT Alternative Option; The Individual Learning Profile (ILP)
Applicants to the MBA program who have not taken the GMAT may instead elect to complete the Individual Learning
Profile (ILP) assessment. This option consists of two parts; an analysis of the applicants quantitative skills and a writing
assessment. Both portions of the assessment are taken online, and the quantitative skills evaluation also offers the
student interactive remedial instruction. The ILP is normally completed as part of the application process, prior to
admittance.
GMAT Waiver Policy
As a general policy, the Augsburg MBA program requires the GMAT of all applicants, due to both the analytical and
critical evaluation components of our accelerated program. The GMAT is used both to evaluate the candidate’s
opportunity for success as well as to indicate areas where remedial work may be necessary. However, the Admissions
Committee will consider, on a case-by-case basis, GMAT waiver requests for the MBA program. Waivers are not
automatic for any candidate, and a brief written request must be submitted outlining the reasons why the Admissions
Committee should grant a GMAT waiver. Current occupation or undergraduate disciplines are not specific grounds for a
GMAT waiver.
Eligibility for GMAT Waivers
GMAT waivers may be offered to:
• Candidates with an appropriate and current GRE score.
• Candidates who have been enrolled in a graduate degree program in a technical or quantitatively rigorous discipline
(such as actuarial science, engineering, mathematics, physics, economics, or chemistry) from an accredited
institution and who were in good academic standing with an overall grade point average of 3.0 or better (or the
equivalent of a B average under the system used by that institution). Students should have completed at least four
academic courses within this curriculum to qualify. It is important to note that employment history and current
assignment will be reviewed in addition to the degree requirement.
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• Candidates who hold the following graduate degrees from an accredited college or university with an overall grade
point average of 3.0 or better (or the equivalent of a B average under the system used by that institution.)
• Medical or dental degree (MD, DDS)
• Master’s or doctoral degree in an academic discipline that included a significant quantitative, engineering,
mathematics, or statistics component or involved research requiring significant quantitative skills.
• Any other quantitatively-based graduate degree from an accredited college or university that the Admissions
Committee believes has highly prepared the candidate for rigorous graduate-level work
• Master’s, PhD, EdD, or advanced degrees in disciplines other than those identified, including those granted by
academic institutions outside the US. These will be evaluated by the Admissions Committee. (See grade requirement
above)
• Candidates who have completed a graduate program at Augsburg College in the MAL, MAN, MSW, MAE, or PA
programs.
• Candidates with current and active CPA designation. If the CPA designation has been inactive and not current for a
period greater than five years, the waiver may not be granted.
GMAT Waiver Checklist
Submit the following documentation to the associate director of the MBA program:
One-page written request outlining reasons why the Admissions Committee should grant a GMAT waiver
Copies of transcripts for all work completed at any college or university, whether or not a degree was granted
(unless previously submitted to the Office of Admissions)
Current résumé (unless previously submitted to the Office of Admissions)
Any other information that you wish to submit to support your request.
Typically, GMAT waiver decisions are made within one week of receipt of materials. For questions about this checklist or
the waiver policy, contact either the Office of Admissions or the MBA program office.
Academic Policies
MBA Program Enrollment Policy
Students are strongly encouraged to remain in their cohort and complete their MBA program as scheduled. Adjustments
or modifications to the MBA schedule require the approval of the MBA program director.
All students are required to complete all components of the program within five years of matriculation. Extensions
beyond five years will be considered on the basis of petition to the MBA director. Students who leave the program for
more than one semester must request a leave of absence in writing from the MBA program. A leave of absence may be
granted for one calendar year. Students who return to the program after a leave of one year or more must fill out an
Application for Readmission form and submit it to the MBA office. Time spent on an official MBA-approved leave of
absence will not count toward the five-year deadline for degree completion.
Academic Evaluation
Evaluation of academic performance in the MBA program will be based on number grades using a 4.0-scale. For
complete information, see Academic Programs and Policies.
Withdrawal from Class
For information regarding the last date on which students may withdraw from a class and receive a “W” on their
records, refer to the academic calendar at www.augsburg.edu/registrar/.
Attendance Policies
Student attendance at scheduled class meetings is a priority and required. However, MBA faculty understand that MBA
students are working adults with significant responsibilities who, on occasion, face unforeseen situations that may
interfere with attendance. Students should notify the faculty member teaching the course as soon as possible when the
problem is immediate. When the student knows in advance of a class date where a potential conflict exists, they must
discuss the proposed missed class with the faculty member prior to the date of the class. Students are responsible for
the work covered during that class session and for making appropriate arrangements for obtaining handouts, lecture
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content, or other materials. Faculty members may assign appropriate independent work to insure that the student
understands the material covered during the class session.
If appropriate and acceptable coordination is carried out by the student, there need not be any grade reduction for a
single missed class session. This may be dependent on assignments due on the date of the missed class; e.g., final
project presentations or team presentations. Point/grade reductions for unexcused absences are the prerogative of the
faculty. Two missed class sessions, unexcused or excused, may be grounds for directing the student to withdraw from
the course. More than two absences, excused or unexcused, require that a student withdraw from the class.
Degree Requirements
To be conferred the MBA degree, students must achieve the following:
• Successful completion of all admission conditions
• Successful completion of MBA courses (2.5 or above)
• No more than two courses with a grade of 2.5 or below, and with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher at the
completion of the program
• Successful completion and submission of the management consulting project (capstone)
Students who successfully complete Augsburg’s MBA program will receive a Master of Business Administration degree.
MBA Faculty
William Arden, Assistant Professor of Business Administration. BS, New York University; MS, Northeastern University;
MBA, Boston University.
Bruce Batten, Assistant Professor of Business Administration, MBA. BS, Davidson College; PhD, Medical College of
Virginia.
Jeanne M. Boeh, Associate Professor of Economics. BS, MA, PhD, University of Illinois.
David Conrad, Assistant Professor of Business Administration. BA, Winona State University; MA, Ed.D, St. Mary’s
University of Minnesota.
George Dierberger, Assistant Professor of Business Administration. BS, University of Minnesota; MA, International
Studies, University of St.Thomas; MBA, Fairleigh Dickinson University; Ed.D, Organization Development,
University of St Thomas.
Stella Hofrenning, Assistant Professor of Economics. BS, University of Maryland; PhD, University of Illinois.
Mark Isaacson, Assistant Professor of Business Administration. BA, St. Olaf College; MS, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
Marc McIntosh, Assistant Professor of Business Administration. BS, DePaul University; MBA, Harvard University; DBA,
Argosy University.
Magdalena Paleczny-Zapp, Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Business Administration. BA, MA,
Central School for Planning and Statistics, Warsaw; PhD, Akademia Ekonomiczna, Krakow.
David G. Schwain, Assistant Professor of Business Administration. BBA, University of Cincinnati; MBA, Harvard
University.
Peter J. Stark, Assistant Professor of Business Administration. BS, Northwestern University; MBA, Pepperdine University.
Steven M. Zitnick, Assistant Professor of Business Administration, BA, Shimer College: MS, Economics, University of
Utah.
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Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing
MFA Mission
The Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing is a two-year, low-residency program designed as a vibrant literary
community for writers who wish to deepen and broaden their artistic sensibilities, discover a close-knit cadre of fellow
writers, enjoy individual attention from an accomplished and forward-thinking faculty, and prepare themselves for the
future of creative writing.
Program Overview
Summer Residencies
The Augsburg Low-Residency MFA includes 10-day summer residencies on the Augsburg campus in Minneapolis,
offering daily workshops, readings, and mini-courses that focus on literary craft as well as career skills in teaching,
editing, publishing, book arts, marketing, translation, and adaptation. The full degree program includes three summer
residencies, featuring visits by distinguished writers in each genre as well as editors, agents, publishers, and literary
entrepreneurs.
Fall and Spring Semesters
Residencies are followed by two off-campus semesters of work with faculty mentors in virtual classrooms that make use
of online and other technologies. Each semester, MFA candidates enroll in one Mentorship section and one section of
Critical and Creative Reading. Although MFA learning objectives call for demonstrated expertise in at least one genre by
graduation, twenty-first century writers compose their work in an environment in which genre has permeable
boundaries and lines between genres are often erased. With this in mind, cross-genre work will be encouraged, with
students working in a genre other than the declared specialty, usually during the second off-campus semester.
Semester Mentorships
The Mentorship is a one-on-one experience with a faculty mentor who guides the student’s production of work and
study of craft. This one-on-one creative studio experience is focused on the MFA candidate’s own writing and growth as
a writer.
Critical and Creative Reading in an Online Classroom
This is a reading-as-writers course that provides an opportunity to work with your professor and a community of peers,
considering craft, criticism and aesthetics. Meetings are online in the electronic classroom. The format may include
online discussion boards, Skype or video chats, and teleconferences with mentors and fellow learners. The online
classroom offers an opportunity to continue conversations begun during the residency with members of the MFA
community.
Genres
Genres include Fiction, Creative Nonfiction, Poetry and Screenwriting.
Coming in 2014-15
Playwriting as a fifth genre. The program will also launch concentrations in teaching, translation, and publishing in 2014.
Concentrations require additional coursework. With the program director’s consent, students may enroll in
concentration courses simultaneously with MFA studies. Candidates enrolled in the publishing concentration will be the
staff of a new publishing house that will select and publish one book each year. The book prize will be open to
submissions nationally.
Plan of Study
Accommodating Writers Who Work Full-Time and Those Who Live Outside of Minnesota
Augsburg’s Low-Residency MFA can be completed in eleven courses (three summer residencies and four off-campus
electronic semesters of two courses each). A typical plan of study will work like this:
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First Year
Summer Residency I, including genre workshops, writing seminars, readings and lectures, ten days on the Minneapolis
campus, with assignments before and after residency.
Fall Semester I, electronic classroom including one Mentorship studio and one Creative and Critical Reading course.
Spring Semester I, electronic classroom including one Mentorship studio and one Creative and Critical Reading course
(generally “out-of-genre” term).
Second Year
Summer Residency II, including genre workshops, writing seminars, readings and lectures, ten days on the Minneapolis
campus, with assignments before and after residency.
Fall Semester II, electronic classroom including one Mentorship studio and one Creative and Critical Reading (craft
based academic paper term).
Spring Semester II, electronic classroom including one Mentorship studio (thesis completion term) and one Creative and
Critical Reading (lecture/presentation preparation term).
Third Year – Residency Only
Summer Residency III, including genre workshop, writing seminars, readings and lectures. Final term for graduating MFA
candidates. Graduates give a public lecture/presentation and a reading from thesis work. ten days on the Minneapolis
campus, with assignments before and after residency.
Coursework
ENL 510 - Residency in Creative Writing I
ENL 511 - Mentorship I
ENL 512 - Critical and Creative Reading I
ENL 513 - Mentorship II
ENL 514 - Critical and Creative Reading II
ENL 520 - Residency in Creative Writing II
ENL 521 - Mentorship III
ENL 522 - Critical and Creative Reading III
ENL 523 - Mentorship IV
ENL 524 - Critical and Creative Reading IV
ENL 530 - Residency in Creative Writing III
For a complete list of courses and descriptions, see the Course Description Search.
Admission to MFA
Admission Requirements
Qualified applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally-accredited college or university with a cumulative
GPA of 3.0 or higher for all undergraduate coursework. Students with a GPA of 2.5-3.0 may be admitted conditionally
into the program based on the strength of their writing samples.
Applications Must Include
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•
•
•
•
Completed online application
$50 application/reading fee for each genre
Two letters of recommendation
A personal essay
A writing sample:
o Fiction or Creative Non-Fiction, 20 pages, double-spaced
o Poetry, 15-20 pages, single-spaced
o Screenwriting or Playwriting, up to 30 pages in script format
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Admission as an International Student
International applicants must submit the required application materials listed above. Refer to the additional
requirements outlined in Admission of International Students in the Graduate Admissions section.
Academic Policies
Credit
All Augsburg MFA courses carry four semester credits. To earn the MFA, candidates must complete 44 semester credits,
write a critical/creative paper, deliver a public lecture/presentation, give a public reading/staging, and complete a book
length manuscript of publishable quality (fiction, nonfiction and poetry), a screenplay/calling card script (screenwriting),
or a full-length play of producible quality (playwriting).
To include a concentration in Teaching or in Translation/Adaptation in the MFA, students must complete 12 courses or
48 credits. For the MFA with a concentration in Publishing, students must complete 13 courses or 52 credits.
Transfer
Augsburg’s low-residency MFA includes in-person and online elements that help us maintain a strong community and
create a culture in which our writers thrive.
This studio degree is the terminal degree in writing and because of the unique features of a terminal, low-residency,
studio degree, the final decision on transfer credit will depend on review by the Augsburg College MFA Program. A
maximum of eight semester credits from traditional residency MFA programs and from MA programs in creative writing
or English literature may be accepted. The MFA Program Director will review and may offer up to four additional credits
in transfer for equivalent residency or workshop experience completed in another program. The maximum transfer
credits allowed is 12 credits.
Academic Evaluation
Grading
The MFA Program uses fine arts studio grading practices, formative in nature and designed to be an element of the
teaching curriculum. A narrative transcript composed of comments on those elements that the particular student writer
is working on during a particular term will be used to assess progress in the mentorship courses. These are formative
and qualitative assessment elements and professors’ responses will vary as professor/artists and student/artists
approach student work with the student’s individual artistic aims in mind. In addition to the fine arts formative and
qualitative assessment, students will be assessed in light of their success in meeting learning objectives of the course
while completing work assigned.
MFA in Creative Writing Courses are graded on a Pass/No Credit basis, using the Augsburg graduate grading model scale
as described below:
P – Represents work at 3.0 or higher and meets acceptable standards.
N – No credit, not counted in grade point average.
Alignment of Course Outcomes
MFA courses are aligned with the Program Hallmarks of the Association of Writers and Writing Programs (AWP), the
national professional organization for writing programs and the writers who teach in those programs.
Participation
Students are expected to fully participate in Summer Residencies, attending workshop sessions and scheduled meetings
with mentors as well as a majority of readings, lectures and other scheduled sessions. Participation in off-campus
coursework is expected to occur during the designated time for each Mentorship studio critique session and “time
away” for creative work. Students are also expected to take part in synchronous and asynchronous sessions with
mentors and demonstrate “presence” in the Creative and Critical Reading courses through regularly scheduled
exchanges with faculty and peers.
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Academic Honesty
Augsburg’s high expectations for academic honesty will be applied to this class. Please refer to the Student Guide at
www.augsburg.edu/studentguide/academic‐honest‐policies/ if you have any questions.
Affiliation
The Augsburg College MFA Program is a member of the Association of Writers and Writing Programs (AWP) and
curriculum is based on the AWP Hallmarks of an Effective Low Residency MFA Program in Creative Writing.
A complete list of Augsburg’s accreditation, approvals, and memberships, is available in the Accreditation, Approvals,
and Memberships section.
Mentor Faculty
Stephan Clark, Assistant Professor of English, MFA Mentor. BA, University of Southern California; MA, University of
California, Davis; PhD, Literature and Creative Writing, the University of Southern California.
Cass Dalglish, Professor of English. MFA Mentor and Program Director. BA, St. Catherine University; MFA, Creative
Writing, Vermont College of Fine Arts; PhD, Creative Writing, Archetypal and Ancient Women’s Writing, The
Union Institute and University.
Heid E. Erdrich, MFA Mentor. BA, Dartmouth College; MA, The Johns Hopkins University Writing Seminars; PhD, Creative
Writing and Native American Literature, The Union Institute and University.
Jack El‐Hai, MFA Mentor. BA, Carleton College; MFA, Creative Writing and Literature, Nonfiction, Bennington College.
Sarah Myers, Assistant Professor of Theatre Arts, MFA Mentor. BS, Northwestern University; MFA, Playwriting and
Drama and Theatre for Youth & Communities; PhD, Performance as Public Practice, the University of Texas at
Austin.
Cary Waterman, Assistant Professor of English, MFA Mentor. BA, the University of Denver; MA, Poetry Thesis,
Minnesota State University‐Mankato.
Faculty Associates
Robert Cowgill, Associate Professor of English, Academic Writing Faculty. BA, MA, PhD, University of Minnesota.
John Gaterud, Publishing Faculty. BA, University of Northern Colorado; MA, the University of Oregon; PhD, The Union
Institute and University. Publisher, Blueroad Press.
D.E. Green, Professor of English. Academic Writing and Teaching Faculty. BA. Amherst College; MA, PhD, Brown
University.
Michael Kidd, Associate Professor of Languages and Cross‐Cultural Studies, Translation and Adaptation Faculty. BA,
Pomona College; PhD, Cornell University.
John Schmit, Professor of English, Academic Writing and Teaching Faculty. B.S., St. John’s University; MA, University of
New Orleans; PhD, The University of Texas.
Frankie Shackelford, Professor of Languages and Cross‐Cultural Studies, Translation and Adaptation Faculty. BA, Texas
Christian University; PhD, University of Texas.
Kathryn Swanson, Professor of English, Academic Writing and Teaching Faculty. BA, St. Olaf College; MA, PhD, University
of Minnesota.
Visiting Writers
Christina Lazaridi, Screenwriting
Ed Bok Lee, Poetry
Sue William Silverman, Creative Nonfiction
Ben Percy, Fiction
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Staff
Kathleen Matthews, Administrative Assistant
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Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies
Mission
The mission of the Augsburg College Department of Physician Assistant Studies is based on a foundation of respect and
sensitivity to persons of all cultures and backgrounds and oriented toward providing care to underserved populations.
Students are well educated in current medical theory and practice, and graduates are encouraged to work in primary
care settings. The program promotes dedication to excellence in performance, with the highest standards of ethics and
integrity, and commitment to lifelong personal and professional development.
Accreditation
The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) has granted Continued
Accreditation to the Physician Assistant Program sponsored by Augsburg College. Continued accreditation is an
accreditation status granted when a currently accredited program is in compliance with the ARC-PA Standards.
Continued Accreditation remains in effect until the program closes or withdraws from the accreditation process or until
accreditation is withdrawn for failure to comply with the Standards. The approximate date for the next comprehensive
review of the program by ARC-PA will be September 2018.
About PA
A physician assistant (PA) is a dependent practitioner of medicine who practices under the supervision of a licensed
physician. The PA can practice in a multitude of settings and specialties of medicine. Common job responsibilities
including taking patient histories, performing physical exams, ordering and interpreting laboratory tests and radiological
studies, formulating diagnoses, and administering treatment.
In the state of Minnesota, a PA is licensed with the Board of Medical Practice. In Minnesota, and most other states, the
PA must be NCCPA (National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants) certified and hold a supervisory
agreement with a licensed physician. Minnesota registered PAs have prescriptive privileges under delegatory supervision
with their physician for prescriptive medications.
Curriculum
The Physician Assistant program at Augsburg is 31 months long with studies beginning each year in the summer
semester (early June). The program accepts 30 students for each new class. Graduates will receive a Master of Science in
Physician Assistant Studies and a PA certificate.
The Augsburg PA program includes traditional college “breaks” such as winter holiday break, spring breaks, and summer
breaks. Length of breaks varies depending upon the student’s year in the program; these breaks contribute to the
overall 31 month length of the program.
Studies begin in early June of each year. The first 18 months of study is didactic, or classroom work, including courses in
human gross anatomy, pathophysiology, clinical medicine, pharmacotherapy, history and physical exam skills, research,
and professional issues.
The clinical phase is 13 months in length. The clinical phase of the program is designed to effectively train students for
practice by providing them with rotation experiences in different specialties and different practice settings. To that end,
each student will be required to complete rotations outside the metropolitan area. Each student is required to
successfully complete clinical rotations in family medicine, pediatrics, women’s health, psychiatry, emergency medicine,
internal medicine, surgery, and two elective rotations by choosing from various specialties. The clinical phase will
culminate with a preceptorship in primary care, medical subspecialty or surgical subspecialty. This preceptorship is
designed to solidify the student’s primary care skills, and potentially place them in a setting that might be interested in
recruiting a graduate PA. The majority of established clinical rotation sites are in Minnesota in both rural and urban
locations.
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The clinical curriculum is taught by physicians, and supplemented by physician assistants and other health care
providers. Each student is evaluated by the clinical instructor for the designated rotation. Students will return to
Augsburg College five times during the clinical phase for evaluation and education.
PA Program Sample Calendar
YEAR 1
Summer
PA 501 - Human Anatomy and Neuroanatomy
PA 503 - Human Pathophysiology
Fall
PA 531 - Clinical Medicine I
PA 521 - Pharmacotherapy I
PA 511 - History and Physical Exam Skills I
Spring
PA532 - Clinical Medicine II
PA 522 - Pharmacotherapy II
PA 512 - History and Physical Exam Skills II
PA 555 - Research Tools for the Physician Assistant
YEAR 2
Summer
PA 533 - Clinical Medicine III
Master’s Project course, one of the following*:
PA 570 - Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Aging
PA 599 - Directed Study
ML XXX - International Experience
Fall
PA 534 - Clinical Medicine IV
PA 545 - Clinical Phase Transition
PA 542 - Professional Issues
PA 6XX - Clinical Rotations 1, 2
Spring
PA 6XX - Clinical Rotations 3, 4, 5
Summer
PA 6XX - Clinical Rotations 6, 7, 8
YEAR 3
Fall
PA 6XX - Clinical Rotation 9
PA 62X – Preceptorship
PA 690 - Capstone Course
*Other program-approved options may be available
For a complete list of courses and descriptions, see the Course Description Search.
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Admission to the PA Program
Admission Requirements
Complete and current-year admission guidelines can be found on our website at www.augsburg.edu/pa.
Admission to any physician assistant program is a highly competitive process. Augsburg College’s graduate program in
physician assistant studies receives approximately 350 complete, competitive applications for each entering class of 30
students.
Qualified applicants will have:
• Bachelor’s degree (in any major) from a regionally-accredited four-year institution
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 as calculated by CASPA at the time of application (3.2 or higher strongly
recommended)
• Minimum science GPA of 3.0 as calculated by CASPA at the time of application (3.2 or higher strongly
recommended)
• Completed the prerequisite courses listed below
Prerequisite Courses
To be an eligible applicant for the physician assistant studies program, you must have completed the prerequisite
courses listed below. These courses must have been completed within 10 years of the year you are applying for
admission.
Applicants completing their first undergraduate degree in the spring term may complete prerequisite coursework in the
summer, fall, and spring term of the academic year they apply as long as the degree and prerequisite coursework will be
completed by the start date for the program. Applicants who already have an undergraduate degree, or who will
complete their degree in a term other than spring, have the summer and fall semesters of the year they apply by which
to complete prerequisites.
All course prerequisites must have been passed with a grade of C (2.0) or higher. Meeting minimum prerequisites does
not guarantee admission into the program.
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•
•
•
•
•
One full course of developmental psychology (birth to death lifespan)
One full course of physiology* (human/vertebrate/organ)
One full course of microbiology*
One full course of biochemistry*
One full course of general statistics
One course of medical terminology
*Labs are recommended but not required.
Refer to our “Guide to Prerequisites” on our website to help you with your prerequisite course selections.
The following are strongly recommended but not required:
• Cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher
• Science GPA of 3.2 or higher
• Direct patient care is the best type of experience to obtain in order to strengthen an application. Direct patient care
experience may be full-time or part-time, paid or volunteer. We recommend at least 750-1000 hours to be
competitive in this category.
• Additional science courses such as anatomy, genetics, immunology, other biology courses, and organic chemistry
• Demonstration of a commitment to, and involvement with, underserved communities
Note: The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is not required.
PA Studies Application Process
The Augsburg Physician Assistant Studies program has a two-step application process—applying through CASPA and to
Augsburg’s PA Studies Program.
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The Augsburg PA Program participates in the Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA) which is
sponsored by the Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA). All applications to the PA Program for the entering
class must be processed through CASPA, following all guidelines and regulations set forth by CASPA. Application forms
with detailed instructions can be obtained online at portal.caspaonline.org/.
You will be considered an eligible applicant if you have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 at the time of application (as
calculated by CASPA), if you have a minimum science GPA of 3.0 at the time of application (as calculated by CASPA), if
you have completed or will complete your undergraduate degree prior to the start date of the program, and if you have
completed or will complete your prerequisite courses within the timeline specified for your degree status.
Additional Application Details:
• The Augsburg PA Program requires three letters of recommendation submitted through the CASPA process. One
letter must be from an employer/colleague (a professional reference), one letter must be from a professor or
advisor (an academic reference), and one can be from a person of your choice. Be sure that your letter writers are
able to tell the committee about you as well as his/her experiences with you and observations about you.
• Your Supplemental Application must be received in the PA Program office on or before September 1 in order to be
considered.
• We use the CASPA “Complete Date” to determine if you have met the application deadline of September 1. The
“Complete Date” on your application must be September 1 or prior in order to be considered meeting the deadline.
CASPA assigns a “Complete Date’ when they have received your electronic application, transcripts from all schools
attended, 2 of your 3 letters of reference, and payment. Until those criteria are met, your application will not be
given a “Complete Date.”
Augsburg’s PA Program Supplemental Application can be downloaded from our website at www.augsburg.edu/pa. It is
important for the applicant to determine whether he or she is in fact eligible to apply to the PA Studies Program, as the
supplemental application fee is non-refundable. You will be required to print and sign the supplemental application and
mail it to the program by the application deadline.
Selection Process
All complete files (CASPA and Supplemental Applications that meet requirements) will be reviewed by the admissions
committee. The admissions committee procedures utilize a blinded review, so applicant demographic data is unknown
(e.g., race, age, gender). Each file is reviewed by members of the committee.
The selection committee looks for a balanced application by reviewing many criteria including key criteria of cumulative
GPA, science GPA, and direct patient care experience, along with overall academic record, service to underserved
(meaning disadvantaged, minority, or under-represented populations), knowledge of the profession, fit with the
program goals and mission, and recommendation letters.
Once the committee has completed the file review, a group of candidates is selected for a telephone interview. The
telephone interviews are generally conducted between November and January. Those selected for a telephone
interview are invited to a Candidate Information Session in the program to meet faculty, staff, current students, and to
view the facilities. As telephone interviews are completed, seats in the incoming class are offered. The class of 30
students will be filled between the months of October and January. A list of alternates will be selected in January to fill
seats that accepted candidates may not claim. All applicants are notified of their final status by mid-February.
Accepted applicants must complete and pass a background check prior to matriculation and annually throughout the
program. Failure of the background check could result in dismissal from the program.
Academic Policies
Please see the PA program website at www.augsburg.edu/pa for further details about policies outlined here.
Technical Standards
The Augsburg College Department of Physician Assistant Studies is pledged to the admission and matriculation of
qualified students and wishes to acknowledge awareness of laws which prohibit discrimination against anyone on the
basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age or disability.
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Regarding disabled individuals, the PA department will not discriminate against such individuals who are otherwise
qualified but will expect all applicants and students to meet certain minimal technical standards.
The physician assistant must have the knowledge and skills to function in a broad variety of clinical situation and to
render a wide spectrum of patient care. They must be able to integrate all information received by whatever sense(s)
employed, consistently, quickly, and accurately, and they must have the intellectual ability to learn, integrate, analyze,
and synthesize data.
Candidates for physician assistant certification offered by this department must have, with or without reasonable
accommodation, multiple abilities and skills including: visual, oral-auditory, motor, cognitive, and behavioral/social.
Candidates for admission and progression must be able to perform these abilities and skills in a reasonably independent
manner.
• Visual
o Candidates must be able to observe and participate in experiments in the basic sciences. In order to make
proper clinical decisions, candidates must be able to observe a patient accurately. Candidates must be able to
acquire information from written documents, films, slides or videos. Candidates must also be able to interpret Xray and other graphic images, and digital or analog representations of physiologic phenomena, such as EKG’s
with or without the use of assistive devices. Thus, functional use of vision is necessary.
• Oral-Auditory
o Candidates must be able to communicate effectively and sensitively with patients. Candidates must also be able
to communicate effectively and efficiently with other members of the health care team. In emergency
situations, candidates must be able to understand and convey information essential for the safe and effective
care of patients in a clear, unambiguous and rapid fashion. In addition, candidates must have the ability to relate
information to and receive information from patients in a caring and confidential manner. Thus, functional use
of hearing and speech is necessary.
• Motor
o Candidates must possess the motor skills necessary to perform palpation, percussion, auscultation, and other
diagnostic maneuvers. Candidates must be able to execute motor movements reasonably required to provide
general and emergency medical care such as airway management, placement of intravenous catheters,
cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and application of pressure to control bleeding. These skills require coordination
of both gross and fine muscular movements, equilibrium and integrated use of the senses.
• Cognitive
o In order to effectively solve clinical problems, candidates must be able to measure, evaluate, reason, analyze,
integrate and synthesize in a timely fashion. In addition, they must be able to comprehend three dimensional
relationships and to understand the special relationships of structures.
• Social
o Candidates must possess the emotional health required for the full utilization of their intellectual abilities, for
the exercise of good judgment, for the prompt completion of all responsibilities attendant to the diagnosis and
care of patients, and for the development of effective relationships with patients. Candidates must be able to
tolerate physically taxing workloads and function effectively under stress. They must be able to adapt to
changing environments, display flexibility and learn to function in the face of uncertainties inherent in the
clinical problems of patients.
Experiential Learning Policy
The Augsburg Physician Assistant Program does not award academic credit to an individual for experiential learning.
Applicants desiring admission to Augsburg’s PA Program must satisfactorily complete all prerequisite courses.
Experiential learning will be considered separately from prerequisite courses. Experiential learning prior to and during
admittance to the Augsburg PA Program will not substitute for any part of the clinical year or preceptorship.
Employment while in the Program
Program faculty discourage outside employment while in the Physician Assistant Program. Faculty recognize that
employment may be an issue that some students will face. Given this recognition, realize that program obligations will
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not be altered due to a student’s work obligations. It is further expected that work obligations will not interfere with the
physician assistant students’ learning progress or responsibilities while in the program.
Withdrawal and Readmission Policies
Voluntary withdrawal from the Physician Assistant Program may be initiated by a student after submission of a letter to
the program director requesting withdrawal. In the letter, the student should outline the circumstances and reasons for
withdrawal. Students will be requested to conduct an exit interview with the program director prior to leaving the
program. For information on withdrawal, see the Academic Policies section.
Readmission
Students may request readmission after voluntary withdrawal by submitting a letter to the program director stating the
reasons the student wishes readmission and the anticipated date for readmission. The submission of a letter and
previous enrollment does not constitute automatic acceptance and/or reentry into the program. Reapplication to the PA
Program after dismissal from the program will be considered only under extremely unusual circumstances.
For the full readmission policy and reapplication process, please contact the program.
Advanced Placement
The Department of PA Studies does not offer advanced placement to admitted students. All students admitted to the PA
Program must complete the entire curriculum.
Transfer
The Department of PA studies does not accept student transfers from other PA programs.
Costs of the PA Program
For tuition information, go to www.augsburg.edu/pa.
For complete and current payment options go to the Student Financial Services website at
www.augsburg.edu/studentfinancial/.
PA Program Faculty
William Patricio Alemán, Adjunct Professor of Physician Assistant Studies. MD, University of Ecuador; PA-C, University of
California Davis; MEd, University of Minnesota.
Beth Alexander, Associate Professor of Physician Assistant Studies. BS, PharmD, University of Minnesota.
Eric Barth, Assistant Professor of Physician Assistant Studies. BA, University of St. Thomas; BS, PA Certificate, Trevecca
Nazarene University; MPAS, University of Nebraska.
Carrie Gray, Assistant Professor of Physician Assistant Studies. BA, Central College; MPAS, University of Iowa.
Holly Levine, Instructor of Physician Assistant Studies. BA, Northwestern University; MD, Loyola University Chicago
Stritch School of Medicine.
Dawn Ludwig, Assistant Professor and Director, Physician Assistant Studies. BA, MS, University of Colorado; PhD, Capella
University; PA Certification, University of Colorado.
Patricia Marincic, Associate Professor and Academic Coordinator, Physician Assistant Studies. BS, Purdue University; MS,
Colorado State University; PhD, Utah State University.
Steven Nerheim, Instructor and Medical Director, Physician Assistant Studies. MD, University of Minnesota; MDiv,
Luther Seminary.
Brenda Talarico, Assistant Professor and Clinical Coordinator of Physician Assistant Studies. BS, University of Minnesota;
MPAS, University of Nebraska; PA Certification, Augsburg College.
Trent Whitcomb, Assistant Professor of Physician Assistant Studies. BS, Mankato State University; MS and PA
Certification, Finch University.
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Master of Social Work
You have chosen an exciting way to serve others. The social work profession offers you the rewarding prospect of joining
with others to respond to problems and develop opportunities that benefit individuals, families, groups, and
communities. The MSW degree prepares you for advanced professional practice in the field of social work.
Augsburg’s MSW program prepares you for agency-based practice with individuals, families, groups, and communities,
and with a dedication to system change that reduces oppression and discrimination. Graduates of our program share
how they appreciated the opportunity to learn new ideas as well as learn more about themselves. These graduates
valued our small class size, our cohort structure, and the opportunity to have a mentoring relationship with our faculty
and staff. As a small program, we have high expectations for our students and at the same time offer the flexibility to
help them meet their individual goals.
Attending Augsburg College will transform and develop your professional life in unexpected ways. We have two
concentrations. The first, Multicultural Clinical Practice (MCCP), will prepare you for direct clinical practice with
individuals, families, and groups. The second, Multicultural Macro Practice (MCMP), will prepare you for macro social
work practice with organizations, communities, and other large systems.
We are delighted in your interest in our MSW program and invite you to join us in a lifelong adventure in learning. The
personal and professional growth necessary to become an advanced professional social worker is challenging. We
encourage you to take the challenge with us.
Lois A. Bosch, PhD, LISW
Director, Master of Social Work
MSW Mission
Our mission is to develop social work professionals for advanced practice that promotes social justice and
empowerment towards the well-being of people in a diverse and global society.
Program Overview
The MSW program prepares social work students for agency-based practice in public and nonprofit settings. By working
in the agency setting, social workers collaborate with others to provide holistic, affordable, and accessible services to
individuals, families, groups, and communities. Our challenging MSW curriculum integrates social work theory with
micro and macro practice methods. Students develop skills, knowledge, and values necessary for ethical social work
practice. As you progress through our MSW program, you will:
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Learn how individuals live in and are affected by their social environment
Understand how social policies and programs affect individuals, families, communities, and society
Apply theories and methods of practice through the field practicum experience
Use a range of client-centered approaches to practice with client groups of all types and sizes
Engage in practice informed by sound, scholarly research
Evaluate the effectiveness of your social work practice or social work programs
Advocate for the eradication of oppression and discrimination
Be a responsible and contributing citizen in the local and global community
Accreditation
Augsburg’s MSW program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Your MSW degree must be
accredited by CSWE if you seek licensure with the social work board of your state. For more information on CSWE
accreditation go to www.cswe.org.
Augsburg College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and
Schools. For a complete list of Augsburg’s accreditations, approvals, and memberships, see the About Augsburg College
section of this catalog.
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Plan of Study
Students entering Augsburg’s MSW program with a bachelor’s degree from a discipline other than social work are
classified as foundation students. Full-time foundation students are enrolled in a two year program. Part-time
foundation students are enrolled in a four year program.
Students entering Augsburg’s MSW program with a bachelor’s degree in social work from a CSWE (Council on Social
Work Education) accredited institution are classified as advanced standing students. Advanced standing students are
enrolled in a 16 month program. The part-time option is not generally available for advanced standing students.
All students must complete the MSW degree in no more than 4 years following matriculation.
Academic Calendar
The MSW program meets on a semester calendar, with classes offered September through June. Classes typically meet
every other weekend with an occasional back-to-back weekend. Field practicum hours are generally completed during
weekday hours. If a student lives outside the Twin Cities metro, the field practicum hours can be completed at a
placement near the student’s place of residence. Hours per week vary depending on the agency placement and the
student’s availability. For academic calendars and schedules, go to www.augsburg.edu/registrar/.
Class Periods
Classes meet in 3.5 hour blocks on Friday evenings, 6 to 9:30 pm; Saturday mornings, 8:30 am to 12 pm; and Saturday
afternoons, 1:15 to 4:45 pm. Each class meets for 8 sessions in a given semester and for 4 sessions in a summer term
(May-June), with the expectation that students engage in hybrid learning activities between on-campus class weekends.
Time Commitment
Although classes meet on weekends, students spend time on their studies during non-class weekends and weekdays in
accordance with our hybrid learning format. Hybrid learning is a combination of face-to-face class sessions and
online/experiential learning. On a class weekend, the typical student will spend 12 hours in class within a 23-hour
period. For every hour spent in class, a student may expect to spend 3 to 4 hours outside of class working on online
activities, assignments, readings, or group projects. A student may also spend 15 to 20 hours per week in the field
practicum during the fall and spring semesters (a span of 8 to 9 months for each practicum). In the final year of study,
students complete a summative evaluation or a portfolio, which requires significant independent research, analysis, and
writing.
Some MSW students work full-time while enrolled in the program. However, full-time employment is not
recommended. Most students arrange to reduce their work hours or request time away during their graduate studies.
Each student’s situation is unique and must be decided individually. All students must develop strategies for balancing
family, work, and academic responsibilities.
Credit and Contact Hours
MSW courses range from 2 to 4 semester credits. Depending on the number of credits, students will spend 16 to 32
hours in the classroom per course. Students will also be expected to engage in activities and independent study outside
of class.
Cohort Structure
MSW students are admitted to a particular cohort. Cohorts are distinguished by level of admission (foundation or
advanced standing), rate of attendance (full-time or part-time), and chosen concentration (Multicultural Clinical Practice
[MCCP] or Multicultural Macro Practice [MCMP]). Any changes to a student’s cohort selection must be approved by the
MSW director.
Field Practicum
Foundation students complete 920 hours in two field practica; advanced standing students complete 500 hours in one
field practicum. Successful completion of the first field practicum, required for foundation students, is a minimum of 420
hours. Successful completion of the second field practicum, required for both foundation and advanced standing
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students, is a minimum of 500 hours. Each practicum experience is spread over two semesters (fall and spring). These
hours are completed concurrent with enrollment in the fieldwork seminars as well as other MSW courses.
MSW Curriculum Components
Foundation Curriculum
In the foundation courses and field practicum, you are introduced to social work as a profession. You will learn both
historical and contemporary theories and practice methods relating to both the individual and the environment. During
the foundation year, you will study human behavior and the social environment, history of social welfare policy,
research methods, assessment frameworks, family and community diversity, and social work values and ethics.
In the foundation curriculum you will apply this generalist knowledge of theories and practice methods in the generalist
field practicum. The field practicum is completed concurrently with your enrollment in two field seminar courses. The
full foundation curriculum is required of all students, with the exception of those admitted with advanced standing.
Before beginning the concentration curriculum, all foundation coursework and field hours must be successfully
completed.
Concentration Curriculum
After completing the foundation requirements, you will enroll in the concentration curriculum that you selected at the
time of application. You will also complete an advanced field practicum. Augsburg offers two concentrations:
Multicultural Clinical Practice (MCCP) or Multicultural Macro Practice (MCMP). In either concentration, you will deepen
your knowledge of the primary issues affecting families and communities, develop a range of client-centered approaches
to practice, gain a broader understanding of human diversity, develop competencies in practice-based research, and
learn practice or program evaluation techniques.
In the concentration curriculum, you will apply this advanced knowledge of theories and practice methods in the
concentration field practicum. The field practicum is relevant to your chosen concentration and is completed
concurrently with your enrollment in two field seminar courses. As a capstone to your MSW program, you will complete
a portfolio project or a summative evaluation project.
Multicultural Clinical Practice (MCCP) Concentration
Multiculturalism is a process requiring practitioners to have a deep awareness of their social and cultural identities, as
well as the ability to use multiple lenses when working with diverse populations. With person-in-environment as an
organizing perspective, multicultural clinical social work practice addresses the biopsychosocial and spiritual functioning
of individuals, families, and groups. To this end, graduates of the MCCP concentration develop competence in using
relationship-based, culturally informed, and theoretically grounded interventions with persons facing challenges,
disabilities, or impairments, including emotional, behavioral, and mental disorders.
Multicultural Macro Practice (MCMP) Concentration
In the tradition of Jane Addams, the heart of macro social work practice is directing energy toward changing agency,
government, and institutional policies that obscure or oppress people. While many social workers view their role as
focused on individuals and families, social workers must actively seek equality and justice for clients within agencies,
institutions and society. Social work leaders must advocate for social change where necessary to ensure social justice.
Similar to the MCCP concentration, it is important to address macro level social work practice within the context of
cultural understanding and awareness. The Multicultural Macro Practice concentration (formerly Program Development,
Policy and Administration) responds to this demand for leadership.
The macro social work practitioner recognizes the strengths and abilities of individuals and communities to implement
change. The social work macro practitioner works with these individuals to do so. In the MCMP concentration, you will
learn the knowledge and skills necessary to work with others to achieve needed social change. You will also learn to
develop, lead, guide, and administer programs that serve diverse people in a variety of settings.
Portfolio or Summative Evaluation Project
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Portfolio Project (MCCP students)
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o The goal of the MCCP Portfolio is to enhance the integration of theory and practice, as well as to offer more
vivid portrayals of a student’s academic and professional experience than traditional assessments. By definition,
portfolios are formative (i.e. designed for guided reflection and self-evaluation). However they are also
summative documents in that they illustrate students’ competencies. All MCCP students are required to create a
portfolio during their final year of study. Items in a portfolio might include videos, process recordings, reflective
statements, writing samples, case analyses, term papers, electronic submissions, policy activities, feedback from
service users, self-evaluations of personal progress, and links to references.
• Summative Evaluation Project (MCMP students)
o All social workers must evaluate their practice to determine whether they are helping or harming clients. While
in the concentration practicum, MCMP students will design and implement a program evaluation for their
summative project. This project requires integration and application of knowledge and skills from both the
foundation and concentration curricula. Students develop their research while in their field internship and are
advised by their field seminar professor. Students conduct and present this evaluation/research project during
their final year of study.
Master’s Thesis
Students in both concentrations have the option of completing a thesis in addition to either the portfolio or summative
evaluation project. Credit for the SWK 699 general elective is given for this option. Students work with a thesis advisor to
develop more in-depth research skills contributing to social work knowledge. To pursue the thesis option, students
should notify the MSW program director by the end of spring semester of the foundation year.
Degree Requirements
To be conferred the MSW degree, students must achieve the following:
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Successful completion of any admission conditions (see Admission to MSW)
Successful completion of all required MSW courses
No more than two courses with a grade of 2.5 and with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
Successful completion of 920 hours of approved field practica for foundation students or 500 hours of approved
field practicum for advanced standing students
• Successful completion and submission of the portfolio project (MCCP) or the summative evaluation project (MCMP)
• Successful completion of all degree requirements within 4 years of matriculation.
State of Minnesota Social Work Licensure
Six months prior to completion of the MSW degree at Augsburg, students may apply to take the Licensed Graduate
Social Worker (LGSW) license exam from the Minnesota Board of Social Work. To achieve LGSW licensure students must
pass the state board exam and complete the MSW degree.
To seek the Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW) license or the Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker
(LICSW) license, one must work two years full-time (or 4,000 hours part-time) as an LGSW under the supervision of an
LISW or LICSW. Upon completion of the supervision requirement, one may take the LISW or LICSW state board exam.
For more information, go to the Minnesota Board of Social Work web page, www.socialwork.state.mn.us.
MSW Course Requirements
Foundation Courses
FALL
SWK 500 - Human Behavior and the Social Environment*
SWK 505 - Practice Methods and Skills 1: Individuals*
SWK 530 - Integrative Field Seminar 1 (taken concurrent with first practicum)*
SPRING
SWK 509 - Human Behavior: Mental Health Assessment and Diagnosis
SWK 506 - Practice Methods and Skills 2: Groups and Families*
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SWK 510 - Advanced Practice Methods (advanced standing students only)
SWK 535 - Integrative Field Seminar 2 (taken concurrent with first practicum)*
SWK 504 - Applied Research Methods (foundation students only)
SUMMER
SWK 501 - History of Social Welfare Policy*
SWK 516 - Practice Methods and Skills 3: Communities and Policies
SWK 536 - Human Behavior and the Macro Social Environment*
SWK 504 - Applied Research Methods (advanced standing students only)
*Course potentially can be waived for advanced standing students (BSW holders).
Concentration Courses
Multicultural Clinical Practice (MCCP) Concentration:
FALL
SWK 610 - Integrative Field Seminar 3: MCCP (taken concurrent with second practicum)
SWK 615 - Diversity and Inequality 1: MCCP
SWK 628 - MCCP with Individuals
SWK 629 - MCCP with Families
SPRING
SWK 611 - Integrative Field Seminar 4: MCCP (taken concurrent with second practicum)
SWK 616 - Diversity and Inequality 2: MCCP
SWK 630 - MCCP Policy Practice
SWK 631 - MCCP with Groups
SUMMER 1
SWK 634 - MCCP Supervision
SWK 639 - MCCP Elective
SWK 640 - MCCP Capstone
SWK 699 - General Elective
Multicultural Macro Practice (MCMP) Concentration:
FALL
SWK 651 - Integrative Field Seminar 3: MCMP (taken concurrent with second practicum)
SWK 657 - Diversity and Inequality 1: MCMP
SWK 660 - Research 2: Program Evaluation
SWK 667 - Organizations/Social Administrative Practice 1
SPRING
SWK 652 - Integrative Field Seminar 4: MCMP (taken concurrent with second practicum)
SWK 658 - Diversity and Inequality 2: MCMP
SWK 668 - Organizations/Social Administrative Practice 2
SWK 670 – Multicultural Macro Practice Policy
SUMMER
SWK 669 - Organizations/Social Administrative Practice 3
SWK 699 - General Elective
SWK 671 – Multicultural Macro Practice Planning
Portfolio or Summative Evaluation Project
Completed and submitted in final year of study.
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SWK 699 General Elective
Students in both concentrations complete at least one general elective course. The following are examples of elective
offerings that rotate each year:
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Parent and Professional Planning
Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Aging
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Social Work Clinical Practice
Spirituality and Social Work Practice
Empowerment of Services Users in Mental Health
Children’s Mental Health
We also offer short-term electives abroad, typically two weeks in length: Exploring Human Services in International
Settings (examples include Mexico, Slovenia, Namibia, South Africa, India, Bolivia, China, and Hong Kong)
Fieldwork and Field Placement
Social work education goes beyond the classroom. Through the field experience, we expect that students will
demonstrate skills to bridge theory and practice. Collaborative efforts between the student, the field agency, and the
MSW program are essential to successful learning. The foundation of the practice includes:
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Ethical, competent professional practice
Problem solving within a systems framework and strengths perspective
Use of advanced practice theories in Multicultural Clinical Practice or Multicultural Macro Practice settings
Evaluation of the effectiveness of program or practice activities
An understanding of and respect for diverse peoples and cultures
Responsibility and service to the local and global community in the interest of social justice
A commitment to oppose oppression of all forms
Field Education Format
Under the instruction and supervision of professionally-trained, MSW-level, and program-approved field instructors,
foundation students will spend a minimum of 920 hours in two field practica. Advanced standing students will spend a
minimum of 500 hours in one field practicum. Both the foundation and concentration practica are spread over 2
semesters (fall and spring). Both practica are concurrent with enrollment in integrative field seminars, as well as other
MSW coursework.
The fieldwork education of the MSW program is divided into two components:
• Foundation Practicum
o The foundation practicum, or generalist practicum, puts emphasis on developing competence as a professional
generalist social worker. It requires a minimum of 420 hours and is completed by students admitted at the
foundation level. Students spend an average of 15 hours per week during the fall and spring semesters in this
practicum.
• Concentration Practicum
o The concentration practicum places emphasis on advanced practice skills and leadership qualities related to the
chosen concentration. It requires a minimum of 500 hours and is completed by all students, including those
admitted with advanced standing. Students spend an average of 18 hours per week during the fall and spring
semesters in this practicum.
Process for Field Practicum Selection
Field practica begin in the fall, but the selection process begins the previous spring in collaboration with two other Twin
Cities MSW programs. Students attend a field orientation before beginning their search. Augsburg College and the
University of Minnesota School of Social Work jointly host a field fair where students meet a large number of agencies
and potential field instructors. Practicum selection involves interviews at approved sites, arranged by the student, and a
matching process conducted collaboratively by the field coordinators at the three MSW programs in the Twin Cities.
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In some instances, students can petition to complete a field practicum at an agency not on the approved list or at their
place of employment. Students who wish to do so work with the MSW field coordinator for such proposals.
Field Practicum Settings
The Augsburg field faculty are committed to the success of each student in a stimulating and challenging field practicum.
Our current list of approved clinical and community practice field sites includes agencies in the following areas of
practice:
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Family and children
Child welfare
Mental health
Crisis intervention
Senior resources
Family social policy
Health and human services
Corrections and probation
Public and independent schools
Youth services
Hospitals
Developmental disabilities
American Indian family services
Chronic and persistent mental illness
Chemical dependency
Court services
Immigrant, migrant, refugee services
Victims of torture
Faith-based social services
Neighborhood services
Legislation advocacy
Housing services
Employment services
Community organizing
Research centers
Dual Degree in Social Work and Theology (MSW/MA, Theology)
Augsburg College’s Department of Social Work (Minneapolis) and Luther Seminary (St. Paul) offer a dual degree: Master
of Social Work and Master of Arts in Theology (MSW/MA). The dual degree has been approved by both institutions and
by the Council on Social Work Education. If you are interested in combining a Master of Social Work with a Master of
Arts in Theology, we recommend you begin the Luther Seminary program first and identify yourself as seeking the dual
degree. For application information to Luther Seminary, visit their website at www.luthersem.edu/admissions/.
Purpose
The dual degree focuses on meeting the educational interests of people planning to serve the spiritual and social needs
of families, individuals, and communities in both rural and urban settings. Both institutions have a commitment to social
and economic justice and to teamwork in the pastoral and human service settings. This joint program is ecumenical in its
admission policies as well as its academic outlook.
Objectives
Three primary objectives have been established:
• To educate practitioners in social work and ministry who can combine the values, skills, and knowledge of both
theology and social work to serve people in more holistic ways
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• To generate the partnerships necessary to serve the complex needs of communities and people experiencing
transition in their lives, including the change of government support for those in poverty
• To prepare practitioners to seek the strengths of interdisciplinary teams in the human service and pastoral settings.
Enrollment
We recommend that dual degree students enroll in Luther Seminary courses first. Upon completion of this first year of
courses, students then enroll in Augsburg courses for a second and third year (full-time). In the dual degree, Luther
Seminary offers nine courses which can be completed in one year if pursued full-time. The remaining Luther Seminary
course requirements are waived and replaced by the Augsburg MSW curriculum. At Augsburg, dual degree students
complete the entire MSW curriculum with the exception of the SWK 699 general elective.
Course Format and Field Practicum
Luther Seminary courses are offered on a weekday schedule and Augsburg College courses are offered on a weekend
schedule. The field practicum is incorporated into the Augsburg curriculum and will be in a setting reflective of the dual
degree program, such as congregational multidisciplinary teams, nursing home chaplaincy, and social work teams. The
Luther Seminary program and the Augsburg College program are both full-time; it is not feasible for students to do both
programs simultaneously.
Summary of MSW/MA Theology Dual Degree Requirements
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9 courses at Luther Seminary
All required MSW courses at Augsburg College
MSW field practica credit hours (see guidelines under field practicum)
MSW portfolio or summative evaluation project
Admission to the Dual Degree
It is the responsibility of dual degree students to be aware of application deadlines for both institutions. Applicants must
apply to each program separately. Please note: admission to one institution does not guarantee admission to the other.
To request the catalog and application materials, you must contact each program separately. Financial aid is also a
separate process.
Dual Degree in Social Work and Business Administration (MSW/MBA)
Augsburg College offers a dual MSW/MBA degree in social work and business administration. Students enrolled in the
dual degree program learn to create better managed and financially sound service organizations to serve diverse
communities, both locally and globally.
Purpose
Many social service agencies today require that agency managers combine financial and business expertise with social
work practice and policy formation. The MSW/MBA dual degree prepares graduates to function in a workplace that
demands the delivery of quality services with increasingly limited resources.
Concentration
The MSW/MBA dual degree includes an accelerated third year of study for MSW students who elect the Multicultural
Macro Practice (MCMP) concentration. In this concentration, students learn to effect positive change in social service
systems through their work with communities, organizations, and social policy makers. Prior Augsburg MSW graduates
who have completed the necessary Multicultural Macro Practice (MCMP) coursework are eligible to return to complete
the MBA portion of the dual degree.
Schedule
Years 1 and 2 (September through June)
MSW classes meet on alternating weekends—Friday evenings, Saturday mornings, and Saturday afternoons—and
students engage in hybrid learning activities between class weekends.
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Year 3 (12–16 months)
MBA classes meet one night per week. The MBA program includes a summer term. See the MBA section for required
courses for the dual degree.
Curriculum
• Foundation or advanced standing coursework
• Either 920 hours (foundation) or 500 hours (advanced standing) MSW field practicum experience
• The MSW summative evaluation project may be accepted by the MBA program as partial fulfillment of the MBA
project.
• Complete a minimum of eight MBA courses for students who completed the MSW degree 2002 and beyond;
complete a minimum of nine MBA courses for students who completed the MSW degree prior to 2002
For more information regarding the MBA coursework required for the MSW/MBA dual degree, see the MBA section.
MBA Admission
MSW/MBA dual degree applicants may apply to both programs at the same time or admitted MSW students may wait
to apply to the MBA program until their concentration year. The GMAT is waived for MSW/MBA dual degree applicants.
MBA application materials include: completed application, two short essays, an updated resume, two letters of
recommendation, and a personal interview with the MBA program director. Admission to one program does not
guarantee admission to the other.
For a complete list of courses and descriptions, see the Course Description Search.
Admission to MSW
The Augsburg College MSW program promotes the widest possible diversity within its student population. Therefore,
the admission policies ensure that educational opportunities are provided to persons with a range of abilities,
backgrounds, beliefs, and cultures.
Listed below are general descriptions for the application process. Refer to the online MSW application documents for
details regarding specific application requirements.
Admission Requirements
• Bachelor’s degree from a regionally-accredited college or university
• Cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher
• Liberal arts coursework in the social sciences, humanities, biology, and statistics
Application Checklist
The application deadline is January 15 each year for matriculation in the following academic year. All application
materials noted below are due by the application deadline. For more information go to www.augsburg.edu/msw or call
612-330-1101.
• Completed application form
• $35 application fee
• One official transcript from each previously-attended postsecondary institution. This includes colleges, universities,
vocational/technical institutions, and PSEO institutions.
• Liberal arts prerequisite coursework including four social sciences, three humanities, one biology, and one statistics
course. These courses must be completed prior to enrollment.
• Completed BSW course equivalency checklist (for advanced standing applicants)
• Three recommendation checklist forms, with letters attached, submitted online
• Typed personal statement responding to the questions noted on the application form
• Results of the TOEFL language tests, if applicable
• Official international credit evaluation course-by-course review (for degrees completed outside of the United States)
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Admission as an international student
International applicants must submit the required application materials listed above. Refer to the additional
requirements outlined in Admission of International Students in the Graduate Admissions section.
Admission as a transfer student
Students may apply to Augsburg as a transfer student. Transfer students follow the same procedure as new applicants.
Transfer students may receive up to 22 transfer credits. (See Evaluation of Transfer Credit in the Academic Programs and
Policies section of this catalog.) Eligible courses must be from a CSWE-accredited MSW program and students must have
received a grade of B (3.0) or higher. Students must complete no fewer than 23 credits at Augsburg in order to receive
their MSW degree from Augsburg College.
We do not grant academic credit for work or life experience.
Admission with Advanced Standing
Advanced standing is an application category open to those with a bachelor’s degree in social work from a program that
is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Advanced standing applicants may seek waivers for the
following eligible MSW courses: Human Behavior and the Social Environment, History of Social Welfare Policy, Practice
Methods and Skills 1 and 2, and Integrative Field Seminars 1 and 2 (which include 420 field practicum hours). Advanced
standing applicants must offer an equivalent BSW course for each with a grade of B (3.0) or higher in order to receive a
waiver.
Academic Policies
Academic Achievement
Students must maintain at least a 3.0 cumulative grade point average in the MSW program. If a student falls below a 3.0
average, the student will be placed on academic probation. A 3.0 cumulative grade point average must be restored in
order for a student to be removed from probation. If the cumulative grade point average again falls below 3.0, the
student may be dismissed from the program. Students are retained in the program who can:
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Maintain expected grade point average (3.0 or higher)
Complete course requirements of the program and field placement in a timely manner
Complete the program within four years
Abide by the department’s Standards for Social Work Education and the NASW Code of Ethics
No more than two courses with a grade of 2.5 will count toward the degree. Courses with a grade below 2.5 must be
repeated. No more than two courses can be repeated. Only the credits and grades earned the second time are counted
in the grade point average. If a student receives a grade below 2.5 in a field course, the MSW director will initiate a Level
3 review, as outlined in section 3.2 of the Standards for Social Work Education.
Evaluation of Student Field Performance
The criteria for evaluating field performance can be found in the MSW Field Manual, which is distributed to newlyadmitted students at our field orientation prior to seeking the field placement.
Four-Year Limit
All students are required to finish the degree within four years of matriculation. See the Academic Programs and Policies
section of this catalog for policy on continuation of coursework or final thesis.
Leave of Absence
Students who interrupt their program enrollment must request a leave of absence through the MSW program in order
to maintain their admitted status. The request must be made in writing or via the student’s Augsburg email account. A
leave of absence typically requires a full year away from the program in order to return to classes in sequence.
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Prerequisite Courses
All foundation courses are prerequisite to the concentration courses. Students may not enroll in the concentration
courses until successfully completing all foundation courses. In addition there are individual courses that are
prerequisite to other individual courses in the MSW curriculum. These are listed in the MSW Handbook.
Program Costs
In addition to tuition fees, MSW students can expect to a pay a facilities fee and a field program fee. Students can also
expect to purchase textbooks and student liability insurance when in a field placement. There may also be additional
fees associated with short-term electives abroad.
Graduate Scholarship Search Tips
As you may know, graduate students do not have access to many of the financial aid opportunities open to
undergraduates. Because of this, we strongly encourage you to spend time doing your own independent research into
graduate funding available locally, nationally, and internationally.
The simplest way to begin a search for graduate funding is to look online. There are many scholarship search engines
online. The following websites may provide a good starting point for your search:
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www.naswfoundation.org
www.gradloans.com
www.cswe.org
www.gradschools.com
www.mnssa.org
www.fastweb.com
www.aauw.org
www.gradview.com
www.finaid.org
www.petersons.com
www.studentaid.ed.gov
Examples of Social Work Graduate Scholarships
• Carl A. Scott Book Scholarship
o Two $500 scholarships offered each year to students from ethnic groups of color. Applications due in May (go to
www.cswe.org.)
• Gosnell Scholarship Funds
o Ten awards ($1,000-$4,000) offered to social work students interested in working with American Indian/Alaska
Native and Hispanic/Latino populations or in public and voluntary nonprofit agency settings. Applications due in
August (see www.naswfoundation.org).
• Vern Lyons Scholarship
o One award ($2,000) offered to students interested in health/mental health practice and a commitment to the
African American community. Applications due in August (see www.naswfoundation.org).
• American Board of Examiners in Clinical Social Work
o Several awards ($1,000 each) offered to students who demonstrate excellence in preparation for clinical social
work practice. Applications due in March (see www.abecsw.org).
• MSSA Diversity Educational Scholarship
o One $500 award offered to students from African-American, American Indian, Asian, LGBT, Hispanic and
Immigrant Cultures in completing their education in the Human Service Field. Applications due in June (see
www.mnsocialserviceassoc.org).
• Marjorie J. Carpenter Scholarship
o One $1,500 award offered to students seeking education in the human service field so they may enhance their
professional and/or technical skill development. Applications due in June (see www.mnsocialserviceassoc.org).
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Augsburg Scholarships
Augsburg’s Social Work Department offers several scholarships each year. Students who are enrolled in the first year of
the program are eligible to apply. Awards range in amount from $300 to $1,500.
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Phyllis M. Baker Memorial Scholarship
Edwina L. Hertzberg Scholarship
Arvida Norum Memorial Scholarship
Steen Family Scholarship Fund for Minority Social Work Students
Edwin Yattaw Memorial Scholarship
Bodo F. Suemning Memorial Scholarship
Blanca Rosa Egas Memorial Scholarship
AmeriCorps Tuition Discount
Augsburg offers a tuition discount to students who are or have been AmeriCorps volunteers—25% off the tuition cost of
one course per semester. This would apply to all semesters of your MSW program. Contact the Enrollment Center for
more information.
Augsburg Partnership Grant
The Augsburg Partnership Grant applies to new enrolling students only and allows employees of partner institutions to
receive a 10% tuition discount. Application fees of $35 are also waived. If a student enrolls in an Employer Tuition
Reimbursement Payment Plan, the $20 processing fee is also waived. Contact the Enrollment Center for more
information.
Military Discount
See description in the Financing Your Education section of the catalog.
MSW Forum
All MSW students are invited to participate in the student-run organization, the MSW Forum. The purpose of the forum
is to facilitate communication between social work students and the social work department, as well as to provide the
opportunity for student participation in departmental governance, curriculum development, and program
improvements. As such, forum members are invited to attend Social Work Department meetings via representatives.
The forum has historically been volunteer based. Any student may serve on the forum, provided the student can make a
commitment to attend the meetings and share in the efforts. The MSW director and MSW program coordinator also
serve on the forum. Other faculty may be invited as permanent members or as guests.
Past forum members established these guidelines:
• Provide an avenue for students to share and discuss ideas and/or concerns related to the MSW educational
experience with the Social Work Department
• Encourage constructive dialogue among students, faculty, and department and College administrators
• Make recommendations to the department regarding program improvements
• Receive and give feedback on expectations of faculty, students, and the College
• Plan and coordinate MSW student events, lectures, discussions
• Organize social action projects
MSW Faculty
Laura Boisen, Professor of Social Work, MSW Field Coordinator. BS, Wartburg College; MSSW, University of Wisconsin;
MPA, Iowa State University; PhD, University of Minnesota.
Lois A. Bosch, Professor of Social Work, MSW Program Director. BA, Northwestern College; MSW, University of Iowa;
PhD, University of Illinois-Urbana-Champaign.
Mauricio Cifuentes, Assistant Professor of Social Work. JD, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogota, Colombia; MSW
Loyola University; PhD, Loyola University.
90
Ankita Deka, Assistant Professor of Social Work. BA, Delhi University; MSW, Tata Institute of Social Sciences; PhD,
Indiana University.
Christina Erickson, Associate Professor of Social Work, Field Education Coordinator. BS, University of Minnesota; MSW,
University of Minnesota-Duluth; PhD, University of Illinois-Chicago.
Annette Gerten, Associate Professor of Social Work, BSW Field Coordinator. BA, College of St. Catherine; MSW,
University of Michigan; PhD, University of Minnesota.
Melissa Hensley, Assistant Professor of Social Work. BA, MSW, PhD, Washington University in St. Louis; MHA, University
of Missouri–Columbia.
Bibiana Koh, Assistant Professor of Social Work. BA, Hartwick College; MA, Columbia University; MAT, School for
International Training; MSW, Smith College; PhD, University of Minnesota.
Barbara Lehmann, Associate Professor of Social Work, BSW Program Director. BA, Knox College; MSW, Tulane
University; PhD, Case Western Reserve University.
Terrence Lewis, Assistant Professor of Social Work. BA, The Catholic University of America; MSW, University of
Kentucky; PhD, Boston University.
Nancy Rodenborg, Associate Professor of Social Work. BA, Indiana University; MSW, University of Minnesota; MIA,
School of International Training; PhD, University of Arizona.
Michael Schock, Associate Professor of Social Work, Department Chair. BA, University of Washington; MSW, University
of Minnesota; PhD, University of Washington.
MSW Staff
Doran Edwards, BSW Program Assistant Director
Erika McCreedy, Administrative Assistant
Courtney Zaato, Field Assistant
91
Augsburg College Board of Regents
For more details, go to www.augsburg.edu/regents.
Andra Adolfson
Dan W. Anderson ‘65
Ann B. Ashton-Piper
Jennifer P. Carlson, J.D.
Karen A. Durant ’81
Matthew K. Entenza, J.D.
Mark A. Eustis
Anthony L. Genia, Jr., ’85, M.D.
Alexander J. Gonzalez ‘90
Michael R. Good ‘71
Norman R. Hagfors
Jodi L. Harpstead, Chair
Rev. Rolf Jacobson, Ph.D.
Eric J. Jolly, Ph.D.
Toby Piper LaBelle ‘96
The Honorable LaJune Thomas Lange ’75, J.D.
André J. Lewis ’73, Ph.D.
Jennifer H. Martin, Ph.D.
Marie O. McNeff, Ed.D.
Pamela Hanson Moksnes ‘79
Paul S. Mueller ’84, M.D.
Jeffrey M. Nodland ’77
Lisa M. Novotny ’80
Paul C. Pribbenow, Ph.D.
Bishop Peter R. Rogness, ex-officio
Curtis A. Sampson
Gary A. Tangwall ’80
Rev. David L. Tiede, Ph.D.
Bishop Harold Usgaard, ex-officio
Rev. Norman W. Wahl ’76, D.Min.
Bonnie Wallace
Steven J. Wehrenberg ‘78
Rev. Mark N. Wilhelm, Ph.D., ex-officio
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Augsburg College Graduate Catalog, 2012-2013
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2012-2013
Graduate Studies Catalog
Master of Arts in Education
Master of Arts in Leadership
Master of Arts in Nursing
Master of Business Administration
Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing
Master of Music Therapy
Doctor of Nursing Practice
Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies...
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2012-2013
Graduate Studies Catalog
Master of Arts in Education
Master of Arts in Leadership
Master of Arts in Nursing
Master of Business Administration
Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing
Master of Music Therapy
Doctor of Nursing Practice
Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies
Master of Social Work
at
Graduate Studies Catalog
2012-13
Official publication of Augsburg College
2211 Riverside Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55454
612-330-1000
This catalog should answer most questions students have about Augsburg College’s graduate
programs. Although information was current at the time of publication, it is subject to change
without notice. The written policies in the catalog are the College policies in force at the time of
printing. It is the responsibility of each student to know the requirements and academic policies
in this publication. If you have questions about anything in this catalog, consult the Office of
Admissions, the graduate program directors, or the registrar. See the Directory page for e-mail
and telephone contacts to key offices for correspondence or telephone inquiries.
Published 2012
www.augsburg.edu
A Greeting from the President
I am pleased to know of your interest in Augsburg College’s exciting and innovative
graduate programs. You are part of a select and discerning group of professionals who
seek to find a graduate program that combines an excellent curriculum, a values-based
approach to work, a talented and experienced faculty, and program formats that meet
the needs of busy and successful people. Augsburg College’s graduate-level programs
in Business Administration, Education, Leadership, Nursing, Physician Assistant
Studies, and Social Work are distinguished by the opportunities they provide students to
expand decision-making and strategic skills.
Augsburg College is characterized by a strong mission: Augsburg College educates
students to be informed citizens, thoughtful stewards, critical thinkers, and responsible
leaders. The Augsburg experience is supported by an engaged community that is
committed to intentional diversity in its life and work. An Augsburg education is defined
by excellence in the liberal arts and professional studies, guided by the faith and values
of the Lutheran church, and shaped by its urban and global settings.
For our graduate programs, this mission helps to shape an innovative educational
experience that features an expansive perspective on social responsibility, economic
realities, business initiative, and environmental sustainability.
At Augsburg College, we believe that our distinctive educational purpose is to help you
find your calling at work and in the world. Augsburg graduate programs are designed to
offer you quality educational experiences, personal attention, and opportunities to
expand your personal and professional talents and skills. We are confident that our
graduates are prepared for leadership in our ever-changing global society, the hallmark
of an Augsburg degree.
Sincerely,
Paul C. Pribbenow
President, Augsburg College
Greetings from the Academic Affairs Office
Welcome to our graduate programs. We are committed to education that prepares people for
leadership in their communities and places of work. We believe that the liberal and professional
arts and sciences form the best preparation for living in the fast-paced, changing, and complex
world of today and tomorrow.
Our locations in the vital metropolitan areas of Minneapolis/St. Paul and Rochester offer exciting
and challenging field experiences for courses that include real-life learning through academic
internships, experiential education, and cultural enrichment. The Twin Cities and Rochester
become extended campuses for Augsburg students. Also, the diversity in our campus
community ensures that our graduates are prepared for the range of experiences and
perspectives that characterize today’s global environment.
When you join Augsburg you become part of a community that offers lifelong learning
opportunities in state-of-the-art classrooms, with accessible libraries and dedicated faculty and
staff. You join a body of experienced people who quickly form your network of employer
connections and career opportunities. We encourage our alumni to become your mentors and
build on our city connections through public events, including our convocations and Advent
Vespers.
All our programs share distinctive qualities, including our commitment and mission to be of
service, with one another and to our neighbors. We expect our graduates to have their eyes on
the world as they develop their identity as global citizens, with a sense of responsibility to
participate in socially- and economically-sustainable development. We hope that at some time
during your degree, you’ll explore the opportunities to participate in an international learning
experience—for example, travel seminars to our global campuses in Central America, Mexico,
and Namibia, and opportunities to meet visiting students and faculty members from our partner
institutions in Norway, Germany, Finland, and Slovenia. Inspired by the faith of our Lutheran
founders to be inclusive to the early immigrants who came to Augsburg’s doors, we welcome a
diversity of cultures and faiths.
Although each graduate program has its own “neighborhood” and unique features, we
encourage interdisciplinary courses and opportunities for you to study with colleagues across
disciplines. We encourage both “horizontal” initiatives—i.e., cross-program collaboration—as
well as “vertical” initiatives—engaging our undergraduate students to consider graduate work.
This means that sometimes you may be encouraging classmates who are just beginning to
imagine a graduate degree.
We are companions on your journey in fulfilling your dream of a graduate degree and we cannot
wait to meet you.
Sincerely,
Barbara A. Farley
Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean of the College
Lori A. Peterson
Assistant Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean of Graduate and Professional Studies
Table of Contents
Greeting from the President
Greeting from the Academic Affairs Office
Directory of Offices and Programs
About Augsburg College
Academic Programs and Policies
Graduate Admissions
Financing Your Education
Master of Arts in Education
Master of Arts in Leadership
Master of Arts in Nursing
Doctor of Nursing Practice
Master of Business Administration
Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies
Master of Social Work
College Information
Maps (Minneapolis and Rochester campuses)
Augsburg Board of Regents
Directory of Offices and Programs
Academic Affairs: 612-330-1024
Master of Arts in Education (MAE)
Vicki Olson, Director: 612-330-1131
Karen Howell, Coordinator: 612-330-1354
maeinfo@augsburg.edu
www.augsburg.edu/mae
Master of Arts in Leadership (MAL)
Norma Noonan, Director: 612-330-1198
Patty Park, Coordinator: 612-330-1150
malinfo@augsburg.edu
www.augburg.edu/mal
Master of Arts in Nursing (MAN)
Cheryl Leuning, Dept. Chair and Director:
612-330-1214
Patty Park, Coordinator: 612-330-1150
Sharon Wade, Program Assistant: 612-330-1209
Linden Gawboy, Administrative Assistant
manursing@augsburg.edu
www.augsburg.edu/ma_nursing
mbainfo@augsburg.edu
www.augsburg.edu/mba
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Cheryl Leuning, Dept. Chair and Director:
612-330-1214
Patty Park, Coordinator: 612-330-1150
Sharon Wade, Program Assistant: 612-330-1209
Linden Gawboy, Administrative Assistant
nursing@augsburg.edu
www.augsburg.edu/dnp
Office of Admissions:
612-330-1101 or gradinfo@augsburg.edu
www.augsburg.edu/grad
Bookstore: 612-359-6491
Center for Counseling and Health Promotion:
612-330-1707 or www.augsburg.edu/cchp
Campus Ministry:
612-330-1732 or campmin@augsburg.edu
Master of Business Administration (MBA)
Steven Zitnick, Director: 612-330-1304
Katherine Fagen, Coordinator: 612-330-1774
mbainfo@augsburg.edu
wwww.augsburg.edu/mba
Enrollment Center:
612-330-1046, 1-800-458-1721, or
enroll@augsburg.edu
Questions about registration, financial aid,
transcripts, payments, accounts
Master of Science in
Physician Assistant Studies (PA)
Dawn Ludwig, Department Chair and Director:
612-330-1399
Carrie Benton, Coordinator: 612-330-1518
paprog@augsburg.edu
www.augsburg.edu/pa
International Student Advising (ISA): 612-3301686 or
http://www.augsburg.edu/isa/
Master of Social Work (MSW)
Lois A. Bosch, Director: 612-330-1633
Holley Locher-Stulen, Coordinator: 612-330-1763
mswinfo@augsburg.edu
www.augsburg.edu/msw
Master of Social Work and Master of Arts
in Theology (MSW/MA)
Luther Seminary: 651-641-3521
Master of Social Work and Master of
Business Administration (MSW/MBA)
Lois A. Bosch, MSW Director: 612-330-1633
Steven Zitnick, MBA Director: 612-330-1304
Lindell Library: 612-330-1604 or
www.augsburg.edu/library
Public Safety: 612-330-1717 or
security@augsburg.edu
Registrar’s Office: 612-330-1036 or
registrar@augsburg.edu
Rochester Campus Program Office:
507-288-2886 or rochinfo@augsburg.edu
Welcome/Information Desk: 612-3300-1000
About Augsburg College
At Augsburg College, we believe that graduate education should prepare gifted people for positions of
leadership in their communities and places of work. Augsburg graduates will be able to demonstrate
not only the mastery of a major field of study, but also the ability to think critically, solve problems, act
ethically and communicate effectively in a global world. The heart of an Augsburg education is the
Augsburg mission, informed by the liberal and professional arts and sciences, to serve our neighbors
in the heart of the city with faith-based, ethical values. We welcome students from a diversity of
backgrounds and experiences. Also, our programs look to the world through international courses and
cultural exchanges.
Mission Statement
Augsburg College educates students to be informed citizens, thoughtful stewards, critical thinkers,
and responsible leaders. The Augsburg experience is supported by an engaged community,
committed to intentional diversity in its life and work. An Augsburg education is defined by excellence
in the liberal arts and professional studies, guided by the faith and values of the Lutheran Church, and
shaped by our urban and global settings.
Augsburg Today
Augsburg was the first seminary founded by Norwegian Lutherans in America, named after the
confession of faith presented by Lutherans in Augsburg, Germany, in 1530. Augsburg opened in
September 1869, in Marshall, Wis., and moved to Minneapolis in 1872. A short history of Augsburg
College can be found at www.augsburg.edu/about/history.html
Today, Augsburg continues to reflect the commitment and dedication of its founders who believed:
• Education should have a solid liberal arts core at the graduate level; this focus centers on the ability
to think critically and broadly about the world and the work we do in it;
• An Augsburg education should be preparation for service in community and centers of faith;
• The city—with all its excitement, challenges, and diversity—is an unequaled learning environment.
The vision of the College’s work today is lived out in the phrase, “We believe we are called to serve
our neighbor.” Through common commitments to living faith, active citizenship, meaningful work, and
global perspective, Augsburg prepares its students to become effective, ethical citizens in a complex
global society.
Degrees Offered
Augsburg’s undergraduate program of liberal arts and sciences is offered on both a traditional
weekday schedule and a non-traditional weekend and evening schedule. Augsburg offers the
following graduate programs:
Master of Arts in Education (MAE)
Master of Arts in Leadership (MAL)
Master of Arts in Nursing (MAN)
Master of Business Administration (MBA)
Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies
Master of Social Work
Doctor of Nursing Practice
Dual degrees:
BA in accounting/MA in leadership
Master of Social Work/Master of Business Administration
Master of Social Work/MA in theology, with Luther Seminary
Augsburg is enhanced by its global centers in Namibia, Mexico, and Central America. Students can
perform research, take courses, or consult with faculty in those locations to gain new perspectives on
their discipline.
A Community of Learners
Essential to the goals of Augsburg’s graduate programs is participation in a community of adult
learners. This community is enriched by the presence of men and women with a variety of work and
life experiences. To facilitate this kind of community interaction, Augsburg encourages students to
make use of all College facilities such as Lindell Library, the Kennedy Center, and the Christensen
Center, and to participate in College activities such as music and dramatic presentations and
athletic events.
Graduate Faculty
The heart of any educational institution is its faculty, and Augsburg College is particularly proud of the
excellence and commitment of its professors. Most faculty hold the doctorate or other terminal degree,
and all consider teaching and service to be the focus of their activity at the College. Faculty are
involved in social, professional, and a variety of research activities, but these support and are
secondary to their teaching. Faculty are actively involved in a dynamic faculty development program
that introduces them to best practices in teaching and learning techniques and theories.
Augsburg’s small classes encourage its tradition of close involvement between professors and
students. Faculty act as academic advisers and participate regularly in campus activities.
Minneapolis and Rochester Locations
Augsburg’s Minneapolis campus
Augsburg’s Minneapolis campus surrounds Murphy Square, the oldest park in the city of Minneapolis.
The University of Minnesota West Bank campus and one of the city’s largest medical complexes—the
University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview—are adjacent to Augsburg, with the Mississippi
River and the Seven Corners theater district just a few blocks away. Convenient bus routes run by the
campus, and two Hiawatha Line light rail stations are just blocks away.
In addition to its Minneapolis campus, Augsburg has a branch campus in Rochester, Minn., located at
Bethel Lutheran Church. For maps, directions, and parking information, go to
www.augsburg.edu/about/map.
Augsburg established its branch campus in Rochester, Minn., in 1998. Classes in Rochester meet on
an evening schedule with occasional Saturdays, making them accessible to working adults. There are
three trimesters in each academic year, and students can enter degree programs in the fall, winter, or
spring. Several complete degree programs are available through the Rochester campus. In addition,
students may work on a variety of other majors through a combination of Rochester-based courses
and courses taken in the day or Weekend College program on the Minneapolis campus. Students
who enroll in Rochester courses are required to use technology in the learning and communication
process through the online course management system. For more information, go to
www.augsburg.edu/rochester or call the Office of Admissions at 612-330-1101 or the Rochester
program office at 507-288-2886.
Augsburg’s Rochester campus
Augsburg’s Rochester campus is located in the facilities of Bethel Lutheran Church (ELCA) just a few
blocks south of the heart of a city of approximately 100,000 residents. Situated in the heart of the
Midwest, the community has a rich ethnic diversity and superior technological resources. Students at
the Rochester campus are students of Augsburg College. As such, our purpose is to “educate for
service,” by preparing and equipping women and men to make a difference in the world.
On the Minneapolis Campus
Admissions Offices
The Office of Admissions is located on the main level of Christensen Center. The Physician Assistant
Studies Program admissions office is located in Anderson Hall.
Augsburg for Adults Office
Augsburg for Adults focuses on adult-centered educational programs and assists adult learners in all
programs. It evaluates how the program fulfills their needs and identifies the educational services to
help them succeed. The Augsburg for Adults office is located in Oren Gateway Center 110.
Augsburg Abroad
The Augsburg Abroad office, located in Murphy Place, provides advising and administrative services
for students interested in an international experience. Resources for study, work, internship, and
volunteer opportunities abroad are available.
Bookstore
The Augsburg College Bookstore, operated by Barnes and Noble, is located in the Oren Gateway
Center. Online purchasing, phone purchasing, and delivery services are available through the
bookstore.
Counseling and Health Promotion
The Center for Counseling and Health Promotion (CCHP) offers programs and services that enhance
student learning by promoting personal development and well-being. The center is located at 628 21st
Avenue South.
Christensen Center
Christensen Center, with admission offices, student lounge and recreational areas, the Strommen
Center for Meaningful Work, the Commons dining facility and Einstein Bros. Bagels, two art galleries,
copy center, and offices for student government and student publications, is the College center and
the hub of campus life.
Food Services
A variety of food options are available both in the Christensen Center and in Oren Gateway Center.
Foss, Lobeck, Miles Center for Worship, Drama, and Communication
The Tjornhom-Nelson Theater, Hoversten Chapel, and the Arnold Atrium are housed in this complex,
which provides space for campus ministry, the theatre and communication studies offices, as well as
the film program. Foss Center’s lower level is home to the Center for Learning and Adaptive Student
Services (CLASS).
James G. Lindell Family Library
This library and information technology center houses all library functions and brings together the
computer technology resources of the College. The library is located on the block of campus bordered
by 22nd and 21st Avenues, and by Riverside Avenue and Seventh Street.
Kennedy Center
This three-story addition to Melby Hall features a wrestling training facility, classroom space, locker
rooms and fitness facilities, as well as hospitality and meeting rooms, classrooms, and offices.
Melby Hall
This complex provides facilities for the Health, Physical Education, and Exercise Science Department,
intercollegiate and intramural athletics, the Hoyt Messerer Fitness Center, and serves as the College’s
general auditorium.
Music Hall
Music Hall contains Sateren Auditorium, a 217-seat recital hall, classroom facilities, two rehearsal
halls, music libraries, practice studios, and offices for the music faculty.
Old Main
Home for the Languages and Cross-Cultural Studies, and Art Departments, Old Main was extensively
remodeled in 1980, combining energy efficiency with architectural details from the past. It is included
on the National Register of Historic Places.
Oren Gateway Center
Dedicated in 2007, Oren Gateway Center is positioned on Riverside Avenue to serve as the
“gateway” to campus. It houses Alumni Relations, Parent and Family Relations, Institutional
Advancement, the Master of Business Administration program, the Master of Arts in Leadership
program, the Center for Faith and Learning, and the StepUP program. The center also includes
student residence apartments, the Gage Family Art Gallery, Augsburg Bookstore, Nabo Café,
classrooms, and the Johnson Conference Center.
Science Hall
Classrooms, science laboratories, a medium-sized auditorium, faculty offices, and Finance and
Administration offices are found in Science Hall.
Sverdrup Hall
The Enrollment Center, classrooms, and faculty offices are located in Sverdrup Hall.
Sverdrup-Oftedal Memorial Hall
Originally built as a dormitory, Memorial Hall contains the president’s office, Human Resources, and
other administrative and faculty offices.
Student Technology Center/TechDesk
The Student Technology Center/TechDesk, located on the ground floor of the Lindell Library,
functions as the initial point of customer contact for the Augsburg Information Technology
Department. The TechDesk staff field requests for computer and media support. Many questions can
be answered by searching the TechDesk web page at http://www.augsburg.edu/techdesk/ or by
contacting them at 612-330-1400, at techdesk@augsburg.edu., or instant messaging on the
webpage. Hours are generally business hours during the week and some weekend hours. Current
hours are posted on the website.
AugNet Account
All students receive an AugNet email account. All official correspondence from the College is sent to
this account and students are responsible for checking it. Students also have a secure network folder
on the College’s network that is backed up weekly. The folder is accessible from both on- and offcampus.
Computing
Students have access to more than 250 on-campus computers with their AugNet account. There are
both PC and Macintosh desktop computers available in the Lindell Library Learning Commons and
computer lab and in the 24-hour Urness computer lab. The College has six computer classrooms and
41 technology- enhanced classrooms. The circulation desk in Lindell Library has 40 wireless laptops
available for use in the Library. A valid Augsburg ID is required. All campus computers are equipped
with a standard suite of software including Microsoft Office, SPSS, and Internet browsers.
Additionally, a RemoteLab service provides access to campus software to off-campus students. See
the TechDesk website for more information.
A high-speed fiber optic campus network provides access to AugNet online services, printing, and
connections to the Internet and Internet2. Network-ready student machines can connect to the
campus network using WiFi. All of the AugNet online services and several of the registrar’s student
services are available securely on the Inside Augsburg web page, http://inside.augsburg.edu to
students on and off-campus.
Accreditation, Approvals, and Memberships
Augsburg is accredited by:
• The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
• National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education
• Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) (Augsburg’s MBA is a
candidate for accreditation)
• Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA)
• Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) (Augsburg’s master’s degree is full
accredited; the doctoral degree is a candidate for accreditation)
• Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) (bachelor’s and master’s degrees)
Augsburg’s programs are approved by:
• American Chemical Society
• Minnesota Board of Teaching
• National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS)
• National Association of Schools of Music
Augsburg College is an institutional member of:
• American Association of Colleges and Universities (AACU)
• American Association of Colleges of Teacher Education (AACTE)
• American Association of Higher Education (AAHE)
• American Music Therapy Association, Inc.
• Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
• Campus Compact
• Council of Independent Colleges (CIC)
• Lutheran Education Council in North America (LECNA)
• National Association of Schools of Music (NASM)
• National Society for Experiential Education (NSEE)
• Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA)
• Associated Colleges of the Twin Cities (ACTC),
•
•
•
Higher Education Consortium for Urban Affairs (HECUA)
Minnesota Private College Council (MPCC)
Twin Cities Adult Education Alliance (TCAEA)
See individual graduate program sections for additional accreditation and affiliation citations.
Augsburg College is registered as a private institution with the Minnesota Office of Higher Education
pursuant to sections 136A.61 to 136A.71. Credits earned at the institution may not transfer to all other
institutions.
Augsburg College Facts and Figures
•
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Location—Augsburg College was founded in 1869 in Marshall, Wis. The College moved to
Minneapolis in 1872.
Religious affiliation—The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). Although a plurality
of students are Lutheran, 16 percent are Roman Catholic, and 25 percent represent other
denominations and religions.
Enrollment—4,109 students from 26 countries. Graduate student enrollment is 871.
Alumni—Appox. 24,000 alumni since 1870, including more than 1,200 graduate program alumni.
Student/Faculty ratio—13 to 1
Campus—18 major buildings. Major renovations to classrooms in 2007.
Accessibility—Augsburg is one of the most accessible campuses in the region. A
skyway/tunnel/elevator system provides inside access to 12 major buildings.
Degrees granted—BA, BS, BM, MA, MBA, MS, MSW, DNP
Library—Over 190,000 items, direct access to more than 2.5 million through CLIC, the Twin
Cities private college library consortium.
Calendar year—Weekend/evening trimesters and weekday semesters, varying by the graduate
program
Majors—More than 50 majors in 35 departments and programs with two five-year degrees (BA in
accounting with MAL, and BS/MSW in social work). Six master’s degree programs and one
doctoral program, plus several dual degrees.
Off-campus programs—The Office of International Programs offers programs through
Augsburg’s Center for Global Education and International Partners programs for short- and
longer-term study abroad for both undergraduate and graduate students.
Athletic affiliation—Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC), and National
Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), Division III.
Clery Act information
The Clery Act Annual Report for Augsburg College contains statistics on reported crimes on and near
Augsburg property and campus, as well as institutional policies concerning campus security and
crime. The report is available online at www.augsburg.edu/dps/security/report.html. For a printed
copy, contact Augsburg’s Department of Public Safety at 612-330-1717.
Non-Discrimination Policy
Augsburg College, as affirmed in its mission, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed,
religion, national or ethnic origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression,
marital status, status with regard to public assistance, or disability in its education policies, admissions
policies, employment, scholarship and loan programs, athletic and/or school administered programs,
except in those instances where there is a bona fide occupational qualification or to comply with state
or federal law. Augsburg College is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to its
employees and students. (See Physician Assistant Studies for details of its program policy.)
Any questions concerning Augsburg’s compliance with federal or state regulations implementing
equal access and opportunity can be directed to the Office of Human Resources, CB 79, Augsburg
College, 2211 Riverside Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55454, or 612-330-1058.
FERPA
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974 as amended, provides certain rights
to students regarding their education records. Augsburg College understands that no information
other than “directory information” can be released without the written permission of the student.
Students must give permission in writing for educational information to be released to anyone outside
of the official personnel (faculty and administration) at Augsburg. For example, this means that faculty
or others cannot write letters of support/recommendation or nominate students for awards unless
explicit written permission is given by the student to release non-“directory information.” It is not
sufficient to ask for letters of recommendation.
In accordance with FERPA, you are notified of the following:
Right to inspect and review education records
You have the right to review and inspect substantially all of your education records maintained by or
at Augsburg College. You must request to review your education records in writing, with your
signature. The College will respond in a reasonable time, but no later than 45 days after receiving the
request.
Right to request amendment of education records
You have the right to seek to have corrected any parts of an education record that you believe to be
inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of your right to privacy. This includes the right to a
hearing to present evidence that the record should be changed if Augsburg decides not to alter your
education records as you requested.
Right to give permission for disclosure of personally identifiable information
You have the right to be asked and to give Augsburg your permission to disclose personally
identifiable information contained in your education records, except to the extent that FERPA and the
regulations regarding FERPA authorize disclosure without your permission.
One exception which permits disclosure without consent is disclosure to school officials with legitimate
education interests. A school official is a person employed by the College in an administrative,
supervisory, academic or research, or support staff position (including law enforcement unit personnel
and health staff); person or company with whom the College has contracted (such as an attorney,
auditor, or collection agent); a person serving on the Board of Trustees, or a student serving on an
official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee, or assisting another school official
performing his or her tasks. A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs
to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility.
Right to withhold disclosure of “directory information”
FERPA uses the term “Directory Information” to refer to those categories of personally identifiable
information that may be released for any purpose at the discretion of Augsburg College without
notification of the request or disclosure to the student.
Under FERPA you have the right to withhold the disclosure of the directory information listed below.
Please consider very carefully the consequences of any decision by you to withhold directory
information. Should you decide to inform Augsburg College not to release Directory Information, any
future request for such information from persons or organizations outside of Augsburg College will be
refused.
“Directory information” includes the following:
• The student’s name;
• The student’s address;
• The student’s telephone number;
• The student’s e-mail address;
• The student’s date and place of birth;
• The student’s major and minor field of study;
• The student’s academic class level;
• The student’s enrollment status (FT/HT/LHT);
• The student’s participation in officially recognized activities and sports;
• The student’s degrees and awards received;
• The weight and height of members of athletic teams;
• The student’s dates of attendance;
• The most recent previous educational agency or institution attended by the student; and
• The student’s photograph.
Augsburg College will honor your request to withhold all Directory Information but cannot assume
responsibility to contact you for subsequent permission to release it. Augsburg assumes no liability for
honoring your instructions that such information be withheld. The Office of the Registrar must be
notified in writing of your intent to withhold your Directory Information. If the notice is not received by
the registrar prior to Sept. 15 (or within 10 school days of the start of a subsequent term for a new
student), it will be assumed that all Directory Information may be disclosed for the remainder of the
current academic year. A new notice for withholding disclosure must be completed each academic
year.
Right to complain to FERPA Office
You have the right to file a complaint with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act Office, U.S.
Department of Education, 400 Maryland Ave. S.W., Washington, D.C., 20202-4605, concerning
Augsburg’s failure to comply with FERPA.
Reporting Educational Information
Letters of reference must be requested in writing and explicitly indicate what information may be
reported in the letter.
Academic Programs and Policies
Academic Calendars
Most of our graduate programs meet on a trimester calendar. Physician Assistant Studies classes
meet on a semester day schedule.
The official academic calendars for individual programs can be found at www.augsburg.edu/registrar.
All academic calendars are subject to change.
Academic Policies
The College and its faculty subscribe to the Statement of Principles on Academic Freedom as
promulgated by the American Association of University Professors and the Association of American
Colleges.
Academic Honesty
A college is a community of learners whose relationship relies on trust. Honesty is necessary to
preserve the integrity and credibility of scholarship by the Augsburg College community. Academic
dishonesty, therefore, is not tolerated. As a College requirement, student course projects, papers, and
examinations may include a statement by the student pledging to abide by the College’s academic
honesty policies and to uphold the highest standards of academic integrity. (See Augsburg’s
Academic Honesty Policy in the Student Guide at www.augsburg.edu/studentguide/)
Academic Evaluation
Evaluation of academic performance in each program will be based on number grades using a 4.0
point scale, where 4.0 achieves highest standards of excellence. See each program for details of field
study and special projects. Students must achieve a 3.0 GPA in order to graduate; Physician
Assistant students must consult the PA Program Progression Standards Policy.
The numeric grade point definition for Graduate Studies is:
4.0 grade points
Achieves highest standards of excellence
3.5 grade points
Achieves above acceptable standards
3.0 grade points
Meets acceptable standards
2.5 grade points
Meets minimum standards
2.0–0.0 grade points
Unacceptable performance
P
N
V
W
I
X
Represents work at 3.0 or higher (not counted in grade point average)
No credit (not counted in grade point average)
Audit
Withdrawn
Incomplete
In progress, extended beyond term of registration
Withdrawn Status
W—Grade given when a student withdraws from a course after the deadline without notation on
the record
Incomplete (I) Grades
An incomplete grade (I) may be awarded when the instructor grants permission after determining that
a student emergency may delay completion of coursework. Students who receive an incomplete
grade should be capable of passing the course if they satisfactorily complete outstanding course
requirements. To receive an incomplete grade, a student must file an Application for Incomplete
Grade form with the Office of the Registrar that states the reasons for the request, outlines the work
required to complete the course, and includes the course instructor’s signature. The instructor may
stipulate the terms and conditions that apply to course completion; however, students may not attend
the same course (or a portion of the same course) in a following term with an incomplete grade. The
student must complete the outstanding work in enough time to allow evaluation of the work by the
instructor and the filing of a grade before the final day of the following academic term in the student’s
program. If the work is not completed by the specified date of the following academic term, the grade
for the course becomes 0.0.
Academic Probation
Graduate students must maintain a 3.0 cumulative grade point average. If a student falls below a 3.0
average, the student will be placed on academic probation for the following term. A 3.0 cumulative
grade point average must be restored in order for a student to be removed from probation. Graduate
students in the Physician Assistant must consult the PA Program Progression Standards Policy.
Attendance Policy
Attendance and participation are critical to the success of any course. Evaluation of the level and
quality of participation may be incorporated into the course grade. We view attendance as a joint
commitment of both instructors and students to our professional development. Each instructor has the
authority to specify attendance and participation requirements to address the needs of particular
courses, individual students, or various learning styles.
Lack of attendance may result in a failing grade and the requirement to repeat the course. Students
must notify the professor in advance of any expected absence. In the case of emergency, when prior
notification is not possible, students must notify the professor of an absence as soon as possible.
Continuation Policy for Thesis or Final Project (effective in fall 2010)
Following the initial registration term for the final (or summative or capstone) project, students will be
automatically registered for continuation course 999 each trimester for up to 15 trimesters or until a
grade for the completion course is submitted by the project adviser. Continuation course 999
maintains students’ active status in the graduate program, including library, AugNet, and parking
privileges. This registration will result in a Campus Access Fee of $35 (subject to change as costs
increase) per trimester.
Automatic registration will occur for up to five years or 15 terms. At the end of this time, the course
grade will change from X to N. Students who wish to complete the final project after receiving a failing
grade must meet with the program director to evaluate readmission to the College and program.
Students who are readmitted may need to complete additional course work and will need to pay full
tuition for all additional courses and to repeat the final project course. If/when the final project course
is completed, the new grade would supersede the previous grade.
Students may withdraw from the College, and thus from continuation course 999 and the final project
course, at any point during the continuation period and receive a W notation on the transcript for the
final project course. Following a withdrawal, students are welcome to meet with the program director
to evaluate readmission to the College and program. Students may be subject to additional
coursework.
An accounts receivable hold will be placed on the student’s account if a collegewide $250 unpaid
threshold is reached. The threshold will adjust with the practices of the Student Accounts Office. If a
student owes more than the threshold amount, the registrar’s office will not continue to automatically
enroll the student in continuation 999. The registrar’s office and the Student Accounts Office will
inform the student, the program director, and coordinator that the student must pay the account
(including the late fee). At this point coordinators and/or program directors will communicate with the
student and the faculty adviser and, if necessary, request that the faculty adviser submit a grade
change of N. The student also may elect to withdraw from the College. If the grade change has not
been submitted within one term, the program director will submit the grade change of N.
This policy is effective as of September 2010. Students will sign a contract outlining the terms of the
continuation policy, which will be kept on file with the program and in the Office of the Registrar.
Accumulated charges stand for current students, but beginning in fall 2010 students will be charged
$35 per term. The Enrollment Center will work with students, as needed, who are currently in the
continuation phase and who have accumulated a debt higher than the $250 threshold.
Course credit and contact hours
A full credit course (1.0) is equal to four semester credits or six quarter credits. Each full course on the
trimester schedule meets for approximately 28 contact hours (MSW trimesters meet for 32 hours, and
the PA weekday semester schedule is approximately 45 hours) with the expectation of substantial
independent and group study offered through the web-based electronic course management system.
Doctor of Nursing Practice—For information about course credits and contact hours for the Doctor of
Nursing program, see p. 49.
Degree Requirements
To be conferred the graduate degree, all graduate students must achieve the following:
• Successful completion of all required courses
• A cumulative GPA of 3.0; Physician Assistant students must consult the PA Program Progression
Standards Policy.
• Successful completion of all degree requirements within the stipulated period of matriculation or a
signed continuation agreement with Augsburg College.
Dismissal from the College
A student whose GPA falls below the required GPA for his/her graduate program (3.0 in most
programs) in two or more terms may be subject to probation or dismissal. A plan for the student to
continue in the program may be worked out with the program director.
Students may also be dismissed for violation of standards of behavior defined by their profession,
their program, or the College.
Dismissal Appeals Process
A student may appeal a program’s dismissal decision using the College’s program dismissal appeals
process. Appeals are limited to procedural errors that the student can demonstrate negatively affected
the outcome.
The student initiates the appeal process by submitting a hard copy of the statement of appeal to the
Assistant Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean of Graduate Studies (AVP-Graduate Studies);
email is not acceptable. The statement must identify each procedural error and state how each error
negatively affected the outcome. The statement of appeal will be the only basis of the student’s
appeal. The AVP-Graduate Studies must receive the student’s statement of appeal within 14 calendar
days of the date on the department’s written notification of dismissal.
The AVP-Graduate Studies will send a copy of the statement of appeal to the program chair/director.
The program must submit a response to the student’s statement of appeal within 15 business days of
the date that the statement was received by the AVP-Graduate Studies’ office. A hard copy of the
program’s response should be submitted to the AVP-Graduate Studies. The AVP-Graduate Studies
will send a copy of the program’s response to the student.
The AVP-Graduate Studies will convene the Program Dismissal Appeals Committee, which will
include the AVP-Graduate Studies as a non-voting chair and three program faculty members (one
from programs not named in the appeal: Social Work, Education, Physician Assistant Studies,
Nursing, Business, Leadership). The Program Dismissal Appeals Committee will schedule its hearing
within 15 business days of receipt of the program’s statement of response. The Committee will meet
with the student and a program representative to review the procedures and ask questions of both the
student and the program representative. The student and program representative may each bring a
third party to the review meeting (limited to an Augsburg College faculty member, staff member, or
student). The role of the third party representative is to provide support to the student or the program
representative, not to serve as an advocate during the meeting.
Dropping Courses or Withdrawing
Students who enroll in courses but later decide not to attend must formally drop their courses through
the registrar’s office prior to the start of classes to avoid being charged for those courses. Students
who do not properly drop courses will be responsible for the tuition, regardless of non-attendance.
Courses may be dropped or withdrawn online through AugNet Records and Registration or in person
at the Enrollment Center during hours of operation. If you need assistance with this, contact your
program faculty at least two days in advance of the start of classes.
Independent Study
Students may request to complete an independent study course as an addition to the required
coursework. A faculty sponsor is required for an independent study project, and project proposals
must be approved by the program director in order to receive credit. Normally, independent study may
not be used as a replacement for a standard course offered in the curriculum, with the exception of
the general elective (if approved). A special independent study registration form is required and is
available at the Enrollment Center.
Terms of Non-attendance
Students who interrupt their program enrollment for longer than one semester or three trimesters must
readmit to the College and program to resume their degree program. For an absence of any length,
students should coordinate with their program director prior to leaving. Due to a variety of program
schedules and cohorts for some degrees, it is required that students meet with their adviser and
obtain the advice of their director.
Evaluation of Transfer Credit
Students may petition the program director for transfer credit to apply to program requirements. The
transfer of credit will be evaluated on an individual basis. Students will be asked to provide
appropriate documentation regarding previous coursework, including but not limited to an official
transcript, course description, and syllabus. In order to be considered for transfer, a course must be
from a regionally-accredited college or university and graded 3.0/B or better. Courses must have been
taken at the graduate level and course content must be comparable to program requirements at
Augsburg.
The maximum number of course credits that can be transferred to these program is as follows:
Master of Arts in Education (2.0)
Master of Arts in Leadership (2.0)
Master of Arts in Nursing (3.0)
Master of Business Administration (6.0)
Master of Science, Physician Assistant Studies (Contact program coordinator)
Master of Social Work (8.0)
Augsburg course credits are equivalent to four semester hours or six quarter hours. Therefore,
transfer credits that are reported to Augsburg as semester or quarter hours are converted to Augsburg
course credits by dividing by four or six respectively.
Courses and credits that are accepted in transfer are recorded on the student’s transcript. Grades and
gradepoints from other institutions are not transferred to Augsburg and are not included in the
student’s cumulative grade point average.
Student Rights
The College has adopted a statement of student rights and responsibilities and has provided for due
process in the matter of disciplinary action, grievances, and grade appeal, as outlined in the Augsburg
Student Guide, at www.augsburg.edu/studentguide. Students have a right to experience education
without discrimination.
Grievance Procedures Involving Augsburg College Faculty Members and Students
Part I—Introduction/Preface
Augsburg College is committed to a policy of treating fairly all members of the college community in
regard to their personal and professional concerns. However, times do occur in which students think
they have been mistreated. This procedure is provided in order to ensure that students are aware of
the way in which their problems with faculty members can be resolved informally and to provide a
more formal conciliation process when needed. Each student must be given adequate opportunity to
bring problems to the attention of the faculty with the assurance that each will be given fair treatment.
The faculty member must be fully informed of the allegations and given an opportunity to respond to
them in a fair and reasonable manner.
Definition of Grievance
A grievance is defined as dissatisfaction occurring when a student believes that any conduct or
condition affecting her/him is unjust or inequitable, or creates unnecessary hardship. Such grievances
include, but are not limited to a violation, misinterpretation, or inequitable application of an academic
rule, regulation, or policy of the College or prejudicial, capricious, or manifestly unjust academic
evaluation.
College policies and procedures that do not come within the scope of the Grievance Procedures are
the sexual harassment policy, the sexual violence policy, the Committee on Financial Petitions,
Discipline Process, and Academic Standing.
Time Limits
Time limits will include only business days (M–F) for the program in which the student was enrolled.
(Weekends, and vacation days are not included; summer may not be included depending on the
student’s program.)
Part II—Informal Process
It is always the student’s responsibility to know these procedures and timelines and to follow them.
A. Any time a student feels that she/he has been mistreated by a faculty member, the student should
contact the faculty member to discuss the problem and attempt to resolve it.
B. If no mutually satisfactory solution can be reached with the faculty member or if, in unusual
circumstances, the student prefers not to confer with the faculty member, the student should discuss
the problem with the department chairperson of the faculty member and attempt resolution of the
problem.
C. If the problem cannot be resolved in discussions with the faculty member or department
chairperson, or if the faculty member and the department chairperson are the same individual, the
student may contact the vice president of academic affairs and dean of the College.
D. The student must begin the Informal Grievance process within 15 days of the conduct giving rise to
the grievance, by submitting an Informal Grievance Form to the vice president of academic affairs and
dean of the College.
•
The time limit to begin the Informal Grievance process for a grade appeal will be 30 days from the
last published finals date for the relevant term. It is the responsibility of the student to maintain a
correct and current address on file with the registrar.
•
If the student could not reasonably be expected to be aware of the conduct when it occurred, the
student will have 15 days to file the grievance from the date on which the student could
reasonably be expected to be aware of the conduct or condition that is the basis for the grievance.
It is the responsibility of the student to establish the reasonableness of such non–awareness. The
vice president of academic affairs and dean of the College will determine if this paragraph applies
to a grievant.
•
The vice president of academic affairs and dean of the College and the student must ensure the
informal process is completed in 20 days. (See Part I for definition of time limits.)
•
In unusual circumstances, the time limit may be extended by the vice president of academic affairs
and dean of the College. A grievant or respondent must submit a written request for such
extension before the end of the time limit. If the vice president of academic affairs and dean of the
College thinks the extension is warranted, the Dean will notify all concerned persons in writing.
E. If the grievance has been resolved, either by agreement or by expiration of the time limits, a copy
of the informal grievance and statements of the resolution will be kept by the vice president of
academic affairs and dean of the College for one year. Neither a copy of nor any reference to the
grievance will be placed in the personnel file of the respondent.
If these informal discussions do not resolve the problem to the satisfaction of the student, a more
formal conciliation procedure is available in Part III of this document. Note: A student must file a
written grievance, per below, within five days after completion of the informal process
Part III—Formal Process Preface
If a student has a grievance with a faculty member that has not been resolved through the Informal
Grievance Process described in Part II of this document, the student may then seek resolution
through formal procedures.
For a complete copy of the procedures, contact the dean’s office, Academic Affairs.
Graduate Admissions
Admission to Augsburg College
All graduate programs require students to have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally-accredited fouryear institution.
All graduate students must submit completed application forms that can be downloaded from each
individual program’s web page, as listed below.
Each graduate program also has additional program requirements, which may include coursework,
professional experience, testing, etc. See the program sections for these additional requirements.
MA, Education
www.augsburg.edu/mae
MA, Leadership
www.augsburg.edu/mal
MA, Nursing
www.augsburg.edu/ma_nursing
DNP
www.augsburg/edu/dnp
MBA
www.augsburg.edu/mba
MS, PA Studies
www.augsburg.edu/pa
MSW
www.augsburg.edu/msw
English Proficiency Requirements for International Graduate Applicants
To meet Augsburg College admission requirements, you must provide evidence of a sufficient
command of both written and spoken English to study college courses conducted entirely in English.
Below is a list of the tests and programs Augsburg College accepts as evidence for English
proficiency.
•
•
•
•
TOEFL (http://www.toefl.org/) (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score report of 80 on the
Internet-based TOEFL (iBT) with a subscore of 20 on the written and 20 on the speaking sections.
(The Augsburg College TOEFL code is 6014.)
IELTS (http://www.ielts.org/) (International English Language Testing System) score report of 6.5.
MELAB (http://www.tsa.umich.edu/eli/testing/melab/) (Michigan English Language Assessment
Battery) score report of 80, and score report must be accompanied by an official letter from the
testing coordinator.
Successful completion of a previous undergraduate or graduate degree at an accredited
college or university in the US, the United Kingdom, Ireland, English-speaking Canada, New
Zealand, or Australia.
Score reports must be sent to Augsburg directly from the testing center. Score reports must not be
more than two years old.
Readmission to the College
The last day to receive approval for readmission to the College and register for classes is one
business day prior to the start of the term. Pending approval by the graduate program, students who
left on probation or who were dismissed from the College must have their readmission application and
file reviewed by the program director. (Please consult with individual programs for information
regarding readmission process).
Admission of International Students
Augsburg College graduate programs encourage qualified applicants from other countries to apply.
An F-1 student is a nonimmigrant who is pursuing a “full course of study” to achieve a specific
educational or professional objective at an academic institution in the United States that has been
designated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to offer courses of study to such students,
and has been enrolled in SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System).
A student acquires F-1 status using form I-20, issued by a DHS-approved school through SEVIS.
Status is acquired in one of two ways: 1) if the student is abroad, by entering the United States with
the I-20 and an F-1 visa obtained at a U.S. consulate, or 2) if the student is already in the United
States and not currently in F-1 status, by sending the I-20 to USCIS (United States Citizenship and
Immigration Services) with an application for change of nonimmigrant status.
A student who is maintaining valid F-1 status may transfer from another DHS-approved school to
Augsburg by following the transfer procedures set forth in the F-1 regulations.
In addition to fulfilling all general admission requirements for a particular graduate program,
prospective F-1 students must also comply with the following:
A. Foreign Credential Evaluation
Augsburg requires foreign credential evaluation for any transcript(s) from an institution outside of the
United States. This evaluation should include the following:
• Analysis of credentials—to determine if your degree is equivalent to an accredited US bachelor’s
degree.
• Course-by-course evaluation—to show your complete course listing with credit values and grades
received for each course.
• Calculation of grade point average—to demonstrate your cumulative grade point average using
the standard US grading system, i.e., A=4.0, B=3.0, C=2.0, D=1.0, F=0.0.
• Translation to English (if applicable)
The evaluation report must be sent directly to Augsburg’s Office of Admissions. Refer to World
Education Services at http://wes.org for direction on transcript evaluation.
B. Proof of Financial Support
International applicants must provide reliable documentation that they have financial resources
adequate to meet expenses for the duration of their academic program, which include tuition and fees,
books and supplies, room and board, health insurance, personal expenses, and living expenses for
dependents (if applicable).
Funds may come from any dependable source, including scholarships, fellowships, sponsoring
agencies, personal funds, or funds from the student’s family. Documentation of scholarships and
fellowships may be in the form of an official award letter from the school or sponsoring agency;
documentation of personal or family funds should be on bank letterhead stationery, or in the form of a
legally binding affidavit. Government Form I-134, Affidavit of Support, or Augsburg’s Financial
Sponsorship form can be used to document support being provided by a U.S. citizen or U.S. legal
permanent resident. All financial documents such as bank statements must be dated within three
months prior to the date of application.
Health Insurance
All F-1 international students and their dependents (if applicable) are required to have adequate
health insurance coverage for the duration of their program. International students will be enrolled in
the Augsburg international student plan unless they fill out a waiver verifying proof of coverage
through an alternative provider for the same period.
Financing Your Education
Costs for Graduate Studies
Each academic year the Augsburg Board of Regents reviews costs and makes changes as required.
The College reserves the right to adjust charges should economic conditions necessitate.
For current academic year costs for graduate study, go to the Enrollment Center webpage at
www.augsburg.edu/enroll.
Financing Your Education
Financial assistance is available to graduate students who are enrolled in a total of at least 1.0 course
credit per term in any of Augsburg’s graduate programs. Two full-credit courses per term is
considered full time. You may be eligible to finance your education through loan programs from the
State of Minnesota or the federal government. You may also select from a variety of payment plans
available each semester or trimester, including a plan for those who receive company tuition
assistance. Financial aid may be used for international programs where credit is offered.
Payment Options
Various payment plans are available:
• Payment in full: Due after registration and before the beginning of the semester/trimester. No
finance charge or administrative fee. Finance charge of 8% APR will apply toward any unpaid
balance after the start of the term.
• Loans, grants, and/or scholarships: If you plan to use the loans that you have been awarded, you
must request the funding. These loans include Stafford, PLUS, Alternative/Private, etc. All loan
requests (either paper or online) must be received and approved by the lender and certified by
Augsburg’s financial aid office, on or before the first day of the term.
Company Reimbursement
An application for the Employer Reimbursement Payment Plan must be filed once each academic
year. Students enrolled in the payment plan will be charged a $20 fee each term unless the account is
paid in full by the start of the term or if financial aid will cover all costs for the term. This fee is nonrefundable after the 100% drop date. Final payment on any remaining balance is due 60 days after
the end of the course. Accounts not paid in full by the due date will receive a monthly $50 late
payment fee and are subject to further collection efforts. The student is responsible for payment if the
employer does not pay for any reason.
Sources of Financial Aid
The Enrollment Center assists students in assessing financial aid eligibility and identifying various
sources of aid.
Sponsored Scholarships
Augsburg actively pursues non-Augsburg funding for special scholarships. The availability of such
scholarships may enable the participation of individuals with limited financial means as well as
individuals working for volunteer agencies and other organizations not likely to provide tuition
reimbursement. Refer to the program sections or contact the programs for more information.
Military Discount
At Augsburg College, we value the varied professional and academic experiences that our adult
students bring to our campus community and are grateful to those who volunteer to serve in the
military. Augsburg offers a 10% military tuition discount for the following:
•
•
a member of the military currently serving full or part time (any branch)
veteran of any branch of the United States Armed Forces.
The military discount is available only to students in the Weekend and Evening College
undergraduate program and graduate programs. Contact the Office of Admissions or go to
www.augsburg.edu/military for more details.
AmeriCorps Scholarships
AmeriCorps scholarships are available to full-time graduate students. Contact the Enrollment Center
for more details.
Tribal and State Indian Scholarships
American Indian students who meet federal, state, or tribal requirements may apply for these
scholarships. Indian grants generally supplement other sources of financial aid. For assistance in
application, contact Augsburg’s American Indian Student Services Program director at 612-330-1144
or your tribal agency.
Federal and State Aid Programs
The Enrollment Center uses standard, nationally accepted methodology to determine eligibility for
federal and state financial aid programs.
Federal Stafford Loan Program
Common Loan Provisions
Borrowing Limits: Graduate students may borrow up to $20,500 per year with an aggregate of
$138,500 (undergraduate and graduate). A student may borrow from either the unsubsidized or
subsidized programs or a combination of both but cannot exceed the annual loan limits.
Repayment Terms: Repayment begins six months after you cease to be enrolled at least half time in
an eligible program leading to a degree or certificate. Repayment may extend up to 10 years.
Deferments: No interest accrues nor do payments need to be made at any time you are enrolled at
least half time or for serving three years in the military, Peace Corps, or VISTA. Contact the
Enrollment Center if you think you are eligible for a deferment.
Supplemental Loans: If additional financing is needed, the Enrollment Center can offer guidance in
selecting the appropriate loan.
To Apply for Financial Aid
Financial aid information is available at www.augsburg.edu/enroll Applicants must be admitted to
Augsburg as regular students or be returning students in good academic standing to be eligible for
financial aid.
Applicants for graduate study must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). To
complete and submit the FAFSA electronically, go to www.augsburg.edu/enroll
If a student is selected for verification, additional documents will be needed. Students in this situation
will be contacted by the Enrollment Center.
Financial Policies
Refund Schedule
Students who withdraw from Augsburg College may be eligible for a refund of a portion of their
charges based on the appropriate refund schedule (except for the minimum charge of $100 to cover
administrative costs). Financial aid may also be adjusted for those students who withdraw from the
College or drop one or more courses and receive financial assistance.
[NOTE: Tuition refunds and financial aid adjustments are not necessarily made on a one-to-one basis.
For example, you could receive a 60% tuition refund but have 80% of your financial aid returned. Be
sure you understand the financial consequences of making adjustments to your registration.]
Students are responsible for canceling courses through the Enrollment Center in order to be eligible
for any refund. Students who unofficially withdraw (stop attending) but do not complete the drop/add
form are responsible for all charges. Financial aid may be adjusted based on the student’s last
recorded date of attendance. Refund calculations are based on the date that the drop/add form is
processed.
The refund schedule is effective whether or not a student has attended classes. All refunds of charges
will be applied to the student account and all adjustments for aid, loans, fines, deposits, etc. will be
made before eligibility for a cash refund of any resulting credit balance is determined. Allow two
weeks for a refund.
The refund is a percentage of the full tuition charged, not a percentage of any deposit paid toward
tuition, e.g. deposits made under the employer reimbursement payment plan.
For further information, contact the Enrollment Center, 612-330-1046, 1-800-458-1721,
enroll@augsburg.edu, or www.augsburg.edu/enroll.
Master of Arts in Education
We are pleased with your interest in the Master of Arts in Education (MAE) program. Augsburg has a
long history in teacher education with alumni of our programs teaching throughout Minnesota and
elsewhere. We know that Augsburg College is an excellent choice for you to pursue your teaching
dreams and goals—and here’s why.
OUR PHILOSOPHY
The Education Department program themes include relationships, reflection and inquiry, diversity and
equity, and leadership. You can read about each theme on the following page, but for the MAE
program, I want to highlight one of the program themes—leadership. As this program theme suggests,
we expect our students to leave our programs as responsive, knowledgeable teachers prepared to
exercise leadership in the classroom and, eventually, the school and community.
Our urban setting provides yet another dimension to our programs through a combination of course
content, field experiences, and classroom instructors. Our goal is that students will leave our
programs as collaborative and capable teachers committed to educating all learners in a diverse and
changing world.
OUR FACULTY
Augsburg faculty members who teach in the MAE program are a mix of full-time and adjunct
instructors, all of whom have K-12 teaching experience. Many adjunct instructors are currently
teaching in K-12 settings; all full-time faculty members are frequent visitors to K-12 settings through
student teaching and field experience supervision, volunteer work, and/or in-service education. We
understand the importance of what we do and what you hope to do. We value good teaching and,
most especially, we value good teachers.
OUR ACCESSIBILITY
We realize that although teaching is your dream, your reality most likely includes work, family, and
personal responsibilities. Because we understand the demands adult students face, we offer flexible
scheduling. A majority of licensure and graduate-level courses are taught in the evenings and
weekends to allow you to manage these responsibilities while pursuing your goals. You will need to
be available during the weekday for the challenge and responsibility of field experiences, but
education coursework is accessible through the weekend and evening schedules.
As a student in Augsburg’s Master of Arts in Education licensure and degree program, you will find
yourself among interesting students and dedicated professors who believe that all children deserve a
good, highly qualified teacher—the teacher you can become.
Vicki L. Olson, PhD
Director, Master of Arts in Education
Education Department Mission
The mission of the Augsburg Education Department is to develop responsive, knowledgeable
teachers committed to educating all learners in a diverse and changing world.
Program Themes
Responsive, knowledgeable teachers understand the dynamic interaction among relationships,
reflection and inquiry, diversity and equity, and leadership. These four interrelated program themes
provide lenses through which we filter our practice.
Relationships
Learning is relational and communal. Responsive teachers create significant relationships with their
students, colleagues, and community partners by developing learning communities. These nurturing
learning communities provide a safe, trustworthy place where challenging and engaging questions
can be considered. We model the kinds of learning communities that we expect our graduates to
create. We share with our students a learning model that connects content, theory, and practice in an
ongoing cycle. Students and their learning are the focus for responsive teachers. Therefore we
embrace and foster a progressive and constructivist orientation.
Reflection and Inquiry
Responsive teachers are reflective practitioners who are students of teaching and learning. Providing
numerous frameworks through which to filter our experience encourages intentional and thoughtful
inquiry. Through field placements, service learning, generative questions, and classroom experiences,
students and faculty develop their perspectives about teaching and learning. Critical reflection allows
us to examine content, theory, and practice in ways that transform our practice. We think it is
important to understand and learn how to manage the many polarities inherent in the teaching and
learning process.
Diversity and Equity
Responsive teachers embrace diversity and intentionally work to ensure that all learners, especially
those who for some reason have been marginalized, learn and develop in powerful ways. We
continually reflect on what it means to be a “school in the city.” We recognize that each student is
unique, shaped by culture and experience; therefore, differentiating instruction is essential. The
perspective of multiple intelligences, learning style theory and teaching for understanding help us
differentiate and enable us to provide choice, variety, and flexibility. Responsive teachers believe that
all students can learn. They also have a sense of efficacy and believe that they can help all students
learn.
Leadership
Responsive teachers recognize that becoming a learning leader is a developmental process, which
begins in pre-service education and continues throughout one’s career. Teachers serve as leaders
within the classroom, and with experience, increased confidence, and professional development
become leaders within the school, the district, and the community. Teacher leaders view themselves
as lifelong learners. They become role models committed to their profession as a vocation rather than
a job. Emerging teacher leaders keep student learning at the center of their work while advocating for
instructional innovation, constructivist curricular development, and systemic change.
Master of Arts in Education Conceptual Framework
Teacher leadership is the theme that threads through our graduate licensure and degree completion
program. The Augsburg Education Department believes that teachers are leaders in their classrooms
and should be leaders in their institutions and communities.
The leadership focus plays out in three ways. First, the additional work required in the graduate
versions of the combined undergraduate/graduate courses focuses on providing graduate students
the chance to exercise leadership as well as extend their knowledge beyond the basic requirements.
Second, in the degree completion component, students are required to include coursework focused
on leadership and study aspects of leadership as part of their degree program. Third, the final
project—be it an action research, a leadership application project, or the performance assessment
option—gives students the opportunity to study an issue of concern and, supported by research,
define a means for addressing it.
Three Teacher Leadership Aspirations inform our program. They are as follows.
Aspiration 1: Teacher leaders value learning for personal and professional growth. Teacher
leaders share knowledge effectively with colleagues. We believe that teacher leaders are
comfortable with their knowledge and expertise, neither flaunting it nor hiding it, but sharing it with
other generously. They work to build bridges with a full range of colleagues, but they don’t let
recalcitrant colleagues stop their own development. They see learning as a continuous endeavor and
seek it throughout their careers.
Aspiration 2: Teachers leaders think big—beyond the classroom to the broader context of
education and community. We believe that teacher leaders see systems and the “big picture” and
are able to put their classrooms, schools, and communities into a broader context. They understand
the link between policies, politics, and education and participate in change efforts at the macro and
micro levels. They seek to work with administrators to establish school and district policy that
improves life for everyone. If this involves political action, they are prepared to engage in it. Teacher
leaders also understand that teaching and learning are dynamic and that change within school
systems is an ever-present phenomenon. They are informed decision-makers predisposed to take on
the challenge of change when they think it benefits students, teachers, and/or community.
Aspiration 3: Teacher leaders possess courage and an orientation to action. We believe that
teacher leaders help others not be afraid. They are able to help people to take warranted risks and
step outside their comfort zones. They have the courage to bring people together to see the bigger
picture and then help people get there. Teacher leaders accept both power and accountability. They
understand that responsibility without power diminishes potential for effectiveness. They believe that
accountability is a fair trade for the power to take effective action. They operate from a foundation of
self-efficacy.
Program Overview
The Master of Arts in Education (MAE) is designed to provide a teaching license as part of a master’s
degree program. K-12 initial teaching licenses offered at Augsburg include:
• Elementary education (K-6), with or without a middle school content area endorsement in math,
communication arts, social studies, or science. Also available is the pre-primary endorsement to
the elementary license.
• Secondary education (5-12 and K-12) in social studies, communication arts/literature, visual arts,
health, mathematics, music, and physical education; and 9-12 in biology, chemistry, and physics.
* K-12 English as a Second Language
• K-12 Special Education: Emotional and Behavioral Disabilities
• K-12 Special Education: Learning Disabilities
Teachers who are already licensed can work towards the MAE degree through the following four
licensure endorsement options:
* K-12 English as a Second Language
• K-12 Special Education: Emotional and Behavioral Disabilities
• K-12 Special Education: Learning Disabilities
• K-12 Reading
• Pre-Primary
All teachers seeking licensure through Augsburg must take and pass all tests required by the state of
Minnesota for licensure.
The MAE degree is also available without a license but with an education core. See the MAE program
director for details.
Accreditations and Approvals
Augsburg College is accredited by:
• The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
• National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education
Augsburg College is approved by the Minnesota Board of Teaching.
Program Structure
The Master of Arts in Education (MAE) program is made up of a core of education licensure courses
coupled with a degree completion option. Courses in the degree completion phase are drawn from the
Master of Arts in Leadership (MAL) and graduate courses in education. Most students in the MAE
program pursue a K-12 teaching license as part of their program plan. The MAE degree is also open
to students who do not want a teaching license but do want a background in education and
leadership.
The MAE degree requires 9.0 or 10.0 Augsburg graduate level courses, depending on the degree
completion option. In addition, several courses at the undergraduate level are required for licensure.
Only courses taken at the graduate level apply towards the MAE degree.
Course Credit
A full-credit graduate or undergraduate course (1.0) is equal to four semester credits or six quarter
credits. Each full course offered within the weekend schedule meets for 28 hours with the expectation
of substantial independent study outside of class.
Schedule
The majority of the education courses in the MAE licensure and degree programs are offered through
the weekend schedule. Some education courses and many undergraduate content area courses are
offered on a weekday evening schedule. The MAL degree completion courses are offered primarily
through the weekend schedule. Summer session courses are offered weekdays and weekday
evenings.
The following teaching licenses are available entirely through the weekday evening and weekend
schedule: elementary education, middle school and pre-primary specialty area endorsements, 5-12
social studies, 5-12 communication arts, and K-12 art.
Additional licenses in the following areas are available through a combination of weekday, weekday
evening, and weekend schedules: biology, chemistry, health, mathematics, music, physical education,
and physics. For these licenses, the education and degree completion courses are taken during the
weekend and weekday evenings while some if not all of the content area courses are taken during the
weekday.
The weekend schedule is comprised of three trimesters spread from early September through late
June. In general, classes are held every other weekend. The weekday schedule is comprised of two
semesters spread from early September through late April. Classes offered during the weekday meet
one to three times per week. Classes offered jointly between weekday and weekend meet on a
weekly basis in the evening. The official academic calendars can be found at
www.augsburg.edu/registrar.
Curriculum— Teaching Licenses
K-6 Elementary Education
This program is designed to prepare teachers for grades K-6. Optional endorsements in middle school
specialty areas of math, science, social studies, and communication arts and in pre-primary can be
pursued along with or separately from the K-6 license. The teaching license and some endorsements
are offered at both undergraduate and graduate levels through a mix of undergraduate courses and
combined graduate and undergraduate courses. Graduate-level licensure coursework (500 and
above) is available to students who already hold a bachelor’s degree and have been admitted to the
MAE program.
All of the following courses must be taken for K-6 elementary licensure. Up to six courses may be
taken at the graduate (500) level and applied toward the MAE degree.
EDC 200/522 Orientation to Education (1.0)*
EDC 206/566 Diversity/Minnesota American Indians (1.0)
EDC 310/533 Learning and Development (1.0)*
EDC 410/544 Learners with Special Needs (1.0)*
EDC 490/580 School and Society (1.0)
EED 325/525 K-6 Literacy Methods (1.0)*
To complete the license, the following undergraduate requirements must be completed:
HPE 115
Chemical Dependency (.5)
EDC 220
Educational Technology (.5)
EED 225
Foundations of Literacy
EED 326
Literacy Field Experience (0.0)* (taken concurrently with EED 325/525)
EED 311
K-6 Methods: Health (.25)
EED 312
K-6 Methods: Physical Education (.25)
EED 336
Advanced Methods in Literacy (.5)*
EED 341
K-6 Methods: Visual Arts (.25)
EED 342
K-6 Methods: Music (.25)
EED 350
K-6 Methods: Math (1.0)*
EED 360
K-6 Methods: Science (1.0)*
EED 370
K-6 Methods: Social Studies (.5)
EED 380
Kindergarten Methods (.5)*
EED 386
Children’s Literature (.5)
EED 481,483 Student Teaching (2.0-3.0)
485, 487
EED 495
TPA and Student Teaching Seminar (.5)
*Field experience hours are required in these courses. Students spend 20 or more hours per term in
field experiences. These experiences occur in K-6 classrooms during the weekday. If more than one
course with field experience is taken in a given term, field experience requirements expand
accordingly (i.e., two courses with 20 hours of field experience each require a total of 40 hours).
Undergraduate Liberal Arts Requirements
The number of supporting content area courses required for licensure depends upon the courses
completed as part of the bachelor’s degree and/or other coursework. Requirements are determined by
Minnesota licensure standards for specific college-level coursework in math, biology, physics, and
earth science for all students seeking elementary licensure. Specific requirements are on file in the
Education Department.
Minnesota licensure standards allow for optional subject area endorsements in communication
arts/literature, social studies, math, and science. The optional pre-primary endorsement is also
available. Specific requirements for these endorsements are on file in the Education Department.
Previous coursework can be accepted into the licensure program if it meets Minnesota standards and
if a grade of C or better was achieved. The Education Department and the content area departments
determine the courses that are accepted. Transcripts, course descriptions, and course syllabi are
used to make these determinations. Courses that are older than five years are judged on a case-bycase basis. Graduate coursework accepted into the licensure program is not automatically accepted
into the MAE degree. The program has limits on the amount and type of courses that are accepted.
Grades of B or better are required for transfer consideration. See the MAE program director for
approval of graduate coursework accepted in transfer.
Elementary Licensure Course Descriptions
HPE 115 Chemical Dependency Education (.5 course)
An analysis of chemical use and abuse and what can be done for the abuser. Includes information
about school health education and services.
EDC 200/522 Orientation to Education in an Urban Setting
Career exploration and overview of the teaching profession. Emphasis on historical and philosophical
foundations of the American school system. Urban fieldwork experience.
EDC 206/566 Diversity/Minnesota American Indians
This course will examine human diversity and human relations. It will provide an awareness and
critical analysis of how prejudice, discrimination, and stereotypes impact us personally, as well as how
these elements impact our schools and communities. Also addressed in this course is the Minnesota
Standard of Effective Practice 3.G: Understand the cultural content, worldview, and concepts that
comprise Minnesota-based American Indian tribal government, history, language, and culture.
EDC 220 Educational Technology (.5 course)
Psychological and philosophical dimensions of communication through the use of instructional
technology. Selection, preparation, production, and evaluation of effective audio and/or visual
technology for teaching/learning situations.
EDC 310/533 Learning and Development in an Educational Setting
A survey of educational psychology topics as applied to teaching and learning. Special emphasis is
placed on classroom applications. Fieldwork experience.
EDC 410/544 Learners with Special Needs
The study of students with disability, special needs, and giftedness. Emphasis on techniques and
resources to help all students achieve maximum outcomes and special focus on needs of urban
students. Fieldwork experience. (Prereq.: Admission to department or special permission of instructor)
EDC 490/580 School and Society
Emphasis on points of view about the role of school in modern society, relationships with parents and
community, collaborative models, leadership, and professional development. Serves as final
theoretical preparation for student teaching. (Prereq.: Admission to department)
EED 225 Foundations of Literacy
Instruction in and discussion of literacy development in K-6 classrooms. In this course, students will
investigate theories, research, and practices involved in K-6 literacy development and instruction.
Students will also strengthen their own understanding of English grammar and linguistics.
EED 311 K-6 Methods: Health (.25 course)
Examination and preparation of materials and resources for health at the kindergarten and elementary
levels. (Prereq.: Admission to department)
EED 312 K-6 Methods: Physical Education (.25 course)
Examination and preparation of materials and resources for physical education at the kindergarten
and elementary levels. (Prereq.: Admission to department)
EED 325/525 K-6 Literacy Methods
The study and use of a variety of assessment and teaching techniques and resources for literacy
instruction, including the diagnosis and correction of reading difficulties. (Prereq.: Admission to
department)
EED 326 Literacy Field Experience (0.0 course)
Taken currently with EED 325/525. Students will be given the opportunity to apply the knowledge
learned within the context of EED 325/525 to an elementary classroom setting. (Prereq.: Admission to
department)
EED 331 Middle School Methods: Communication Arts/Literature/Writing (.5 course)
Introduction to the teaching of writing at the middle school level. (Prereq.: Admission to department)
EED 336 Advanced Methods in Literacy (.5 course)
The study and use of differentiated assessment and instructional methods to meet literacy learning
needs of a range of students, including students with learning difficulties and first languages other
than English. (Prereq: Admission to department and EED 225 and 325/525)
EED 341 K-6 Methods: Visual Arts (.25 course)
Examination and preparation of materials and resources for visual arts at the kindergarten and
elementary levels. (Prereq.: Admission to department)
EED 342 K-6 Methods: Music (.25 course)
Examination and preparation of materials and resources for music at the kindergarten and elementary
levels. (Prereq.: Admission to department)
EED 350 K-6 Methods: Mathematics
Examination and preparation of materials and resources for mathematics at the kindergarten and
elementary levels. Fieldwork experience. (Prereq.: Admission to department and MPG 3. Math 137
prior to EED 350 is recommended.)
EED 360 K-6 Methods: Science
Examination and preparation of materials and resources for science at the kindergarten and
elementary levels. Fieldwork experience. (Prereq.: Admission to department)
EED 370 K–6 Methods: Social Studies/Thematic Studies (.5 course)
Examination and preparation of materials and resources for social studies and thematic teaching at
the kindergarten and elementary levels. (Prereq.: Admission to department)
EED 380 Kindergarten Methods (.5 course)
Study and use of a variety of techniques and resources for teaching kindergarten. Fieldwork
experience. (Prereq.: Admission to department)
EED 386 Children’s Literature (.5 course)
The study of children’s literature and its uses in the elementary classroom. (Prereq: Admission to
department)
EED 481, 483, 485 Student Teaching
Two to three courses of full-time, supervised classroom experience. Required for licensure. Occurs
upon satisfactory completion of licensure and/or degree program. (Pre-req.: passing scores for MTLE
Basic Skills tests)
EED 495 Topics: Teaching Performance Assessment (TPA) and Student Teaching Seminar (.5)
Preprimary Endorsement for Elementary Licensure
This endorsement can be added to a K-6 elementary license. Required courses include the following:
PSY 250
Child Development (Prereq.: PSY 105 or equivalent)
SOC 231
Family Systems
OR
SPE 490/540
Parent and Professional Planning (Graduate students using the preprimary
endorsement must take SPE 540.)
ECE 345/545
Foundations of Preprimary Education
ECE 346/546
Learning environments for Preprimary Aged Children
ECE 347/547
Immersion and Teaching Competence
ECE 488
Preprimary Student Teaching
Preprimary Endorsement Course Descriptions
ECE 345/545 Foundations of Preprimary Education
Students gain an understanding of philosophical, theoretical, historical, pedagogical, societal, and
institutional foundations of preprimary education. Attention is given to the efforts of modern programs
to adapt instruction to developmental levels and experience backgrounds of young children and to
work in partnership with parents and social service agencies. Field experience (20 hours) is a critical
part of this course. (Prereq.: PSY 105, 250,or their equivalents, and admission to department)
ECE 346/546 Learning Environments for Preprimary Aged Children
Students gain an understanding of how to recognize and construct, developmentally appropriate
pedagogy and practice. Attention is given to the synthesis between course readings and experience,
and students’ experience working with current teachers in site-based field experience. Field
experience (20 hours) is a critical part of this course. (Prereq.: PSY 105, 250, or their equivalents;
ECE 345/545; admission to department)
ECE 347/547 Immersion and Teaching Competence
Students gain an understanding of how to deliver developmentally-appropriate instruction and assess
learning appropriately for preprimary children. Students gain experience taking the perspective of
families and communicating with them. A reflective practitioner’s skills are developed through selfevaluation of curriculum planning. Field experience (20 hours) is a critical part of this course. (Prereq.:
admission to department; PSY 105, 250 or their equivalents; ECE 345, 346)
ECE 488 Student Teaching in a Pre-Kindergarten Classroom
One course of full-time, supervised classroom experience. Required for licensure. (Pre-req.: passing
scores for MTLE Basic Skills tests.
K-12 and 5-12 Secondary Education
K-12 and 5-12 licensures in several content areas are offered through a combination of graduate and
undergraduate coursework. K-12 licenses prepare teachers to teach a content area across
elementary, middle school, and high school. Licenses for grades 5- 12 prepare teachers to teach at
the middle and high school levels. Graduate-level licensure coursework (500 and above) is available
to students who already hold a bachelor’s degree and meet MAE admissions criteria.
The following content area majors are offered almost entirely on weekends and weekday evenings:
communication arts/literature, history or economics or psychology or sociology (all for social studies),
art. Students seeking 5–12 licensure in social studies must complete a broad-based core of courses
in the social studies in addition to a social science major. Education courses for these licenses are
also taken during weekends and weekday evenings.
The following content area majors are offered primarily or entirely through the weekday program:
biology, chemistry, physics, health, physical education, music, and mathematics. Students seeking
licensure in any of these areas typically will need to take additional content courses in the weekday
schedule. Students can obtain a 9–12 license in physics, chemistry, or biology and have the option of
adding the 5–8 general science to the 9–12 license. Students also can obtain the 5–8 general science
license without the 9–12 license. Education courses for these licenses are taken during weekends
and weekday evenings.
Licensure Requirements
The following requirements are offered at both the undergraduate and graduate level. All courses
must be taken for licensure; four to six of them also may be taken at the graduate level and applied
toward the master’s degree in education.
EDC 200/522 Orientation to Education (1.0)*
EDC 206/566 Diversity/Minnesota American Indians (1.0)
EDC 310/533 Learning and Development (1.0)*
EDC 410/544 Learners with Special Needs (1.0)*
EDC 490/580 School and Society (1.0)
ESE 300/500 Reading and Writing in Content Area (1.0)*
To complete the license, students also will need to complete the following requirements at the
undergraduate level:
HPE 115
Chemical Dependency (.5)
EDC 220
Educational Technology (.5)
ESE 325
Creating Learning Environments (1.0)*
ESE 3XX
K-12 or 5-12 Special Methods (1.0 –2.0)*
ESE 481,
Student Teaching (2.0-3.0)
483, 485
ESE 495
TPA and Student Teaching Seminar (.5)
*Field experience hours are required in these courses. A minimum of 100 hours in classrooms and
education-related settings is required prior to student teaching. Students spend approximately 20
hours per term in field experiences.
Undergraduate Content Area Requirements
The equivalent of a major in the licensure content area is required for K-12 and 5-12 licenses.
Students who have majored in a field in which we offer licensure must have their previous coursework
evaluated by the major department at Augsburg. Two or more content area courses tied to Minnesota
licensure standards are generally required, even with a completed academic major.
Previous coursework is evaluated by the content area department and accepted if it meets Minnesota
licensure standards and if a grade of C or better was achieved. Coursework older than five years is
judged on a case-by-case basis. Specific course requirements for each content area are on file in the
Education Department.
Graduate coursework accepted into the licensure program is not automatically accepted into the MAE
degree program. See the MAE program director for approval to use graduate level transfer courses in
the degree program.
Secondary Licensure Course Descriptions
HPF 115 Chemical Dependency Education (.5 course)
An analysis of chemical use and abuse and what can be done for the abuser. Includes information
about school health education and services.
EDC 200/522 Orientation to Education in an Urban Setting
Career exploration and overview of the teaching profession. Emphasis on historical and philosophical
foundations of the American school system. Urban fieldwork experience.
EDC 206/566 Diversity/Minnesota American Indians
This course will examine human diversity and human relations. It will provide an awareness and
critical analysis of how prejudice, discrimination, and stereotypes impact us personally, as well as how
these elements impact our schools and communities. Also addressed in this course is the Minnesota
Standard of Effective Practice 3.G: Understand the cultural content, worldview, and concepts that
comprise Minnesota-based American Indian tribal government, history, language, and culture.
EDC 220 Educational Technology (.5 course)
Psychological and philosophical dimensions of communication through the use of instructional
technology. Selection, preparation, production, and evaluation of effective audio and/or visual
technology for teaching/learning situations.
EDC 310/533 Learning and Development in an Educational Setting
A survey of educational psychology topics as applied to teaching and learning. Special emphasis is
placed on classroom applications. Fieldwork experience.
EDC 410/544 Learners with Special Needs
The study of students with disability, special needs, and giftedness. Emphasis on techniques and
resources to help all students achieve maximum outcomes and special focus on needs of urban
students. Fieldwork experience. (Prereq.: Admission to department or special permission of instructor)
EDC 490/580 School and Society
Emphasis on points of view about the role of school in modern society, relationships with parents and
community, collaborative models, leadership, and professional development. Serves as final
theoretical preparation for student teaching. (Prereq.: Admission to department)
ESE 300/500 Reading/Writing in the Content Areas
The study and use of a variety of middle school and secondary techniques and resources to teach
reading and writing through the content areas. Fieldwork experience. (Prereq.: Admission to
department).
ESE 325 Creating Learning Environments
An introduction to assessment, lesson planning, and classroom organization based in the Minnesota
Graduation Rule, state testing, and national standards. Emphasis on creating environments conducive
to learning. Fieldwork experience. (Prereq: Admission to department. Note: Students seeking 5–12
health and K–12 PE licenses do not take this course).
ESE 310 K-12 Methods: Social Studies
Introduction to the teaching of the social sciences in middle and high schools. Emphasis on
instructional strategies and curriculum development. ESE 311 Middle School Methods: Social Studies
(.5) is taught concurrently with ESE 310 and is required for the middle school social studies
endorsement. Fieldwork experience. (Prereq.: Admission to department)
ESE 330 K–12 Methods: Mathematics
Introduction to the teaching of mathematics in middle and high schools. Emphasis on instructional
strategies and curriculum development. ESE 331 Middle School Methods: Mathematics is taught
concurrently with ESE 330 and is required for the middle school mathematics endorsement. Fieldwork
experience. (Prereq.: Admission to department)
ESE 340 K–12 Methods: Science
Introduction to the teaching of the natural sciences in middle and high schools. Emphasis on
instructional strategies and curriculum development. ESE 341 Middle School Methods: Science is
taught concurrently with ESE 340 and is required for the middle school science endorsement.
Fieldwork experience. (Prereq.: Admission to department)
ESE 350 K–12 Methods: Literature and Media Literacy
Introduction to media literacy, adolescent literature, and the teaching of literature in the middle and
high schools. Emphasis on instructional strategies and curriculum development. Fieldwork
experience. (Prereq.: Admission to department.)
ESE 351 K–12 Methods: Speaking and Listening (.5 course)
Introduction to the teaching of speaking and listening in middle and high schools. Emphasis on
instructional strategies and curriculum development. (Prereq.: Admission to department)
ESE 360 K–12 Methods: Visual Arts
Introduction to the teaching of visual arts in the schools. Emphasis on instructional strategies and
curriculum development. Fieldwork experience. (Prereq.: Admission to department)
ESE 370 K-12 Methods: Music
Introduction to the teaching of music in the schools. Emphasis on instructional strategies and
curriculum development. Fieldwork experience. (Prereq.: Admission to department)
ESE 481, 483, 485 Student Teaching
Two to three courses of full-time, supervised student teaching required for licensure. Secondary
licenses require two courses. K–12 licenses require three courses. Student teaching occurs upon
satisfactory completion of licensure coursework. (Pre-req.: passing scores for MTLE Basic Skills tests)
ESE 495 Topics: Teaching Performance Assessment (TPA) and Student Teaching Seminar (.5)
Special Education
There are two licensure options in the K–12 Special Education program: emotional/behavioral
disabilities (EBD) and learning disabilities (LD). Both programs qualify students to teach in special
education programs and positions; many students get licensure in both.
The MAE program with licensure in special education is based on an innovative internship model that
allows students employed in EBD and/or LD classrooms to fulfill a portion of their special education
field experience requirements while they work. Students not employed in these settings are expected
to complete a significant number of volunteer hours in special education settings. All must complete
field placements or student teaching in EBD and/or LD classrooms across elementary, middle school,
and high school. Specific information on field experience requirements is available from the Education
Department.
Also available is the Naadamaadiwin Tribal Special Education Cohort—This graduate licensure
program in Special Education: EBD/LD is designed and taught from an American Indian perspective.
It is offered in collaboration with the University of Minnesota-Duluth as a hybrid (partly face-to-face
and partly online) cohort program. The licensure courses can be applied towards the MAE degree.
See the Education Department and www.augsburg/edu/mae/academics/ais_focus.html for more
information. The course descriptions are
included below.
The EBD/LD licensure programs are offered through the weekend trimester schedule. The
Naadamaadiwin Tribal Special Education Cohort program is offered through the semester schedule.
Special Education Licensure Requirements (These requirements are changing during
2012-13. The new requirements will be in place by Winter 2013, pending approvals. See
the Education Department for updates.)
Emotional/Behavioral Disabilities Core
The following requirements are offered at both the undergraduate and graduate level. All courses
must be taken for licensure, and up to six also may be taken at the graduate level and applied toward
the master’s degree in education.
EDC 200/522
EDC 206/566
EDC 310/533
EDC 410/544
EED 325/525
SPE 400/500
SPE 410/510
SPE 420/520
SPE 430/530
SPE 490/540
Orientation to Education (1.0)*
Diversity/Minnesota American Indians (1.0)
Learning and Development (1.0)*
Learners with Special Needs (1.0)*
K–6 Literacy Methods (1.0)*
Teaching Students with Emotional/Behavioral Disabilities (1.0)**
Implementing Assessment Strategies (1.0)**
Planning, Design, and Delivery (1.0) **
Instructional and Behavioral Practices (1.0)**
Parent and Professional Planning (1.0)**
Learning Disabilities Core
Students wishing to earn learning disabilities licensure in addition to emotional/behavioral licensure
will take the above courses in the emotional/behavioral core and two additional specialty courses:
SPE 424/524
Etiology and Origins of Learning Disabilities (1.0)**
SPE 434/534
Teaching Content Areas to Students with Learning Disabilities (1.0)**
A student wishing to earn only a learning disabilities license would take all of the above courses with
the exception of SPE 430/530 Instructional and Behavioral Practices.
To complete either license students will also need to complete certain requirements at the
undergraduate level:
EDC 220
Education Technology (.5)
HPE 115
Chemical Dependency (.5)
EED 225
Foundations of Literacy
EED 326
Literacy Field Experience (0.0 course)* (taken concurrently with EED 325/525)
EED 350
K–6 Methods: Math*
EED 360
K–6 Methods: Science*
SPE 315
Special Education Critical Issues Seminar (.5)
SPE 481,483 Student Teaching (2.0)
485, 487
SPE 495
TPA and Student Teaching Seminar (.5)
*Ten to 20 hours of field experience required as part of this course.
**These courses are taken during the internship year. A significant amount of contact with students
labeled EBD or LD is required. The ideal situation for the internship year is to be working in a K–12
setting with these students. Students not currently employed in schools must be available for
extensive volunteer field placements during the internship year.
This program is built on an inclusive education model. Under this model, students learn how to work
closely with both special and general educators to facilitate inclusion
of special education students into the regular education classroom.
Licensure Requirements—EBD/LD–Naadamaadiwin Special Education
Tribal Cohort
This program is available only at the graduate level. Courses are taught in a hybrid fashion, partially
face to face and partially online. Courses are available only to those admitted to the special education
tribal cohort program.
SPE 501
Historical and Contemporary Issues in American Indian Education
SPE 503
Assessment of American Indian Learners
SPE 504
Working with American Indian Families and Communities
SPE 505
The Manifestation of Multigenerational Trauma and Internalized Oppression
SPE 506
Indigenous Learners
SPE 507
Indigenous Methods of Instruction: Practical Application
SPE 508
Professional Issues and Development (.5 course credit)
SPE 509
Literacy Instruction for American Indian Learners with Exceptionalities
SPE 481, 483, Student Teaching (1.0–2.0)
485, 487
SPE 495
TPA and Student Teaching Seminar (.5)
Special Education Licensure Course Descriptions
HPE 115 Chemical Dependency Education (.5 course)
An analysis of chemical use and abuse and what can be done for the abuser. Includes information
about school health education and services.
EDC 200/522 Orientation to Education in an Urban Setting
Career exploration and overview of the teaching profession. Emphasis on historical and philosophical
foundations of the American school system. Urban fieldwork experience.
EDC 206/566 Diversity/Minnesota American Indians
This course will examine human diversity and human relations. It will provide an awareness and
critical analysis of how prejudice, discrimination, and stereotypes impact us personally, as well as how
these elements impact our schools and communities. Also addressed in this course is the Minnesota
Standard of Effective Practice 3.G: Understand the cultural content, worldview, and concepts that
comprise Minnesota-based American Indian tribal government, history, language, and culture.
EDC 220 Educational Technology (.5 course)
Psychological and philosophical dimensions of communication through the use of instructional
technology. Selection, preparation, production, and evaluation of effective audio and/or visual
technology for teaching/learning situations.
EDC 310/533 Learning and Development in an Educational Setting
A survey of educational psychology topics as applied to teaching and learning. Special emphasis is
placed on classroom applications. Fieldwork experience.
EDC 410/544 Learners with Special Needs
The study of students with disability, special needs, and giftedness. Emphasis on techniques and
resources to help all students achieve maximum outcomes and special focus on needs of urban
students. Fieldwork experience. (Prereq.: Admission to department or special permission of instructor)
EED 225 Foundations of Literacy
Instruction in and discussion of literacy development in K-6 classrooms. In this course, students will
investigate theories, research, and practices involved in K-6 literacy development and instruction.
Students will also strengthen their own understanding of English grammar and linguistics.
EED 325/525 K-6 Literacy Methods
The study and use of a variety of assessment and teaching techniques and resources for literacy
instruction, including the diagnosis and correction of reading difficulties. (Prereq.: Admission to
department)
EED 326 Literacy Field Experience (0.0 course)
Taken currently with EED 325/525. Students will be given the opportunity to apply the knowledge
learned within the context of EED 325/525 to an elementary classroom setting. (Prereq.: Admission to
department)
EED 350 K-6 Methods: Mathematics
Examination and preparation of materials and resources for mathematics at the kindergarten and
elementary levels. Fieldwork experience. (Prereq.: Admission to department and MPG 3. Math 137
prior to EED 350 is recommended.)
EED 360 K-6 Methods: Science
Examination and preparation of materials and resources for science at the kindergarten and
elementary levels. Fieldwork experience. (Prereq.: Admission to department)
SPE 315 Critical Issues: Special Education Seminar (.5 course)
This course is designed to support students seeking special education licensure throughout their
internship year. Issues related to special education and their specific settings are the focus of the
course. The department portfolio is completed as a part of this course. (Prereq: Admission to
department.)
SPE 400/500 Teaching Students with Emotional/Behavioral Disabilities
This course presents an overview of learners with emotional and behavioral disabilities and learning
disabilities. It addresses the historical and philosophical aspects of the EBD category, examines
origins of student behavior and student learning styles, and addresses theoretical perspectives and
conceptual models as they relate to this category of disability. (Prereq: Admission to department)
SPE 501 Historical and Contemporary Issues in American Indian Education
This course examines foundational aspects of teaching and learning as they relate to education. It will
investigate educational history, philosophy as well as models of teaching and learning. A major focus
will be to examine past and present educational experiences of American Indian people in the U.S.
Minnesota Board of Teaching (BOT) Standards and American Indian Learner Outcomes (AILOS) will
also be introduced. (Prereq: Admission to the Naadamaadiwin program)
SPE 502 American Indians and Special Education
This course will explore disability awareness in traditional and contemporary native culture, exploring
historical and contemporary issues effecting students with disabilities and focusing specifically on
American Indian students in special education. It will provide an overview of special education in U.S.
culture including relevant laws, theories, and sociological concepts as they relate to disability. It will
also examine the high incidence of American Indians in special education including fetal alcohol
syndrome (FAS), autism, and biological and environmental conditions. A field component will
accompany this course. (Prereq: Admission to the Naadamaadiwin program; admission to the
department)
SPE 503 Assessment of American Indian Learners
This course will examine the cultural bias and discrimination issues with mainstream educational
systems, providing alternative assessments appropriate with native populations. It will also identify
differences in assessment tools and strategies, native student learning and best practices in
assessment. Characteristics of learning deficits and how they interfere with the Circle of Courage will
be examined, and approaches for compensation will be developed. A field component will accompany
this course. (Prereq: Admission to the Naadamaadiwin program: admission to department)
SPE 504 Working with American Indian Families and Communities
This course will examine techniques appropriate for working with American Indian families, extended
families, professionals, paraprofessionals, and the community when planning and implementing IEPs
and transitions for American Indian students with special needs. Skills and strategies to build
partnerships to work within and among Native families and communities to best meet the needs of the
student will also be addressed. A field component will accompany this course. (Prereq: Admission to
the Naadamaadiwin program: admission to department)
SPE 505 The Manifestation of Multigenerational Trauma and Internalized Oppression
This course will focus on how multigenerational trauma and internalized oppression manifests itself in
families, communities, schools, and student learning. It will examine and explore strategies that
provide practical skills and tools to mitigate these effects. Disability categories such as Emotional
Behavioral Disabilities (EBD), Attention Deficit Disorder (ADHD), Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD),
and Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) will be examined as contemporary issues impacting American
Indian children. Behavioral support options appropriate for students identified with EBD will be
provided. A field component will accompany this course. (Prereq: Admission to the Naadamaadiwin
program: admission to department)
SPE 506 Indigenous Learners
This course will identify best practices in American Indian education incorporating culturally
appropriate methods and materials for students in special education. It will also explore cultural
differences in learning and behavioral practices, community and environment variables, examining the
high incidence of American Indian students in special education, cultural misunderstandings that
impede placement, services and diagnosis. A field component will accompany this course. (Prereq:
Admission to the Naadamaadiwin program: admission to department)
SPE 507 Indigenous Methods of Instruction: Practical Application
Current best practices in American Indian education will provide students with hands on skills and
strategies for curriculum development including unit planning, lesson planning, and individualization.
Various models of instruction for teaching students including the development of intervention plans
that are culturally, academically, and socially appropriate based on assessment and observation to
meet the needs of American Indian special education students. A field component will accompany this
course. (Prereq: Admission to the Naadamaadiwin program: admission to department)
SPE 508 Professional Issues and Development (.5 course credit)
This course will focus on professional development and integrity in teaching. It will examine current
issues and ethical dilemmas in the fields of special education/American Indian education.
Documentation, reflection, synthesis of learning and the development of a professional portfolio will be
the main focus. (Prereq: Admission to the Naadamaadiwin program: admission to department)
SPE 509 Literacy Instruction for American Indian Learners with Exceptionalities
This course is designed to provide the special education teacher with an understanding of the
complex developmental process of reading skills for K-12 American Indian students with special
learning needs. We will consider ways in which reading disabilities develop among American Indian
students. In this course, we will study complex developmental behavior influenced by factors such as
phonemic awareness, words analysis, vocabulary, fluency, comprehension, language, and motivation.
This course will also include investigation of best practices in reading assessment and instruction for
American Indian students with special learning needs. (Pre-req: Admission to Naadamaadiwin
program; admission to the department)
SPE 410/510 Implementing Assessment Strategies
This course examines the assessment process from the pre-referral to the recommendation stage.
Students gain understanding of key assessment tools and how they influence student placement and
programming. A qualitative and person-centered assessment process is emphasized. (Prereq:
Admission to department)
SPE 420/520 Planning, Design, and Delivery
This course provides students with skills to write and implement individual program plans and to
create effective learning environments for students labeled EBD. Particular attention is paid to
inclusion models, diversity of student need, and forming partnerships with key school personnel.
(Prereq: Admission to department)
SPE 424/524 Etiology and Origins of Learning Disabilities
This course will focus on the history and context of learning disabilities, which includes the medical
and sociological aspects specific to learning disabilities. It will also teach students how to access
information relevant to the field. (Prereq: Admission to department).
SPE 430/530 Instructional and Behavioral Practices
This course examines behavioral support options used with students who are labeled EBD. It
emphasizes the use of reflective, proactive, and non-aversive approaches drawn from current best
practices and including positive behavioral supports, person centered planning and functional
assessment. (Prereq: Admission to department)
SPE 434/534 Teaching Content Areas to Students with Learning Disabilities
This course will teach students how to identify, adapt, and implement developmentally appropriate
instruction and strategies that support the learning of students identified as having learning
disabilities. The specific focus will be on the areas of reading, writing, and listening comprehension;
and math, reasoning, and problem solving skills. (Prereq: Admission to the department).
SPE 490/540 Parent and Professional Planning
This course examines the role of families of students with special needs, specifically those families of
students labeled EBD. A family systems perspective is introduced and applied. The need to form
strong connections with community agencies is emphasized. (Prereq: Admission to department).
SPE 481, 483, 485, 487 Student Teaching (2.0)
Two courses of full-time, supervised classroom experience. Required for licensure. (Pre-req.: passing
scores for MTLE Basic Skills tests)
SPE 495 Topics: Teaching Performance Assessment (TPA) and Student Teaching Seminar (.5)
K-12 English as a Second Language (ESL) License
The K-12 English as a Second Language license is available as an initial license as well as an
endorsement to an existing license. This license qualifies teachers to work with K-12 students for
whom English is a second language across a range of subject areas. The K-12 ESL licensure
program is comprised of both undergraduate and graduate courses; up to six of the graduate courses
can apply to the completion of the MAE degree. Graduate-level licensure coursework (500 and above)
is available to students who already hold a bachelor’s degree and have been admitted to the MAE
program. A pre-requisite to program admissions is two years of high school level or one year of
college level language instruction.
The K-12 ESL program is offered in a hybrid format which means that courses are a mix of face to
face and online instruction. Classes are offered during the academic year in the weekend trimester
framework and during summer session to make them accessible to working adults. This license is
also offered as an undergraduate major to weekend college students seeking a baccalaureate
degree.
The following requirements are offered at both the undergraduate and graduate level. All courses
must be taken for licensure, and up to six also may be taken at the graduate level and applied toward
the master’s degree in education.
EDC 200/522
Orientation to Education (1.0)*
EDC 206/566
Diversity/MN American Indians (1.0)
EDC 310/533
Learning and Development (1.0)*
EDC 410/544
Learners with Special Needs (1.0)*
EED 325/525
K-6 Literacy Methods and non-credit Field Experience (EED 326) (1.0)*
ESL 330/510
History and Structure of English (1.0)
ESL 340/520
ESL Literacy (1.0)*
ESL 490/530
Language, Culture, and Schools (1.0)
ESL 420/540
ESL Methods (1.0)*
To complete the license, students also will need to complete the following requirements at the
undergraduate level:
HPE 115
Chemical Dependency (.5)
EDC 220
Educational Technology (.5)
ESE 325
Creating Learning Environments (1.0)*
ESL 310
Second Language Acquisition (.5)
ESL 320
Introduction to Linguistics (.5)
ESL 410
ESL Testing and Evaluation (.5)
ESL 481, 483, 485 Student Teaching (3.0)
ESL 495
TPA and Student Teaching Seminar (.5)
*This course has a 20 hour field experience attached to it.
English as a Second Language Licensure Course Descriptions
HPE 115 Chemical Dependency
An analysis of chemical use and abuse and what can be done for the abuser. Includes information
about school health education and services.
EDC 200/522 Orientation to Education
Career exploration and overview of the teaching profession. Emphasis on historical and philosophical
foundations of the American school system. Urban fieldwork experience.
EDC 206/566 Diversity/MN American Indians
This course will examine human diversity and human relations. It will provide an awareness and
critical analysis of how prejudice, discrimination, and stereotypes impact us personally, as well as how
these elements impact our schools and communities. Also addressed in this course is the Minnesota
Standard of Effective Practice 3.G: Understand the cultural content, worldview, and concepts that
comprise Minnesota-based American Indian tribal government, history, language, and culture.
EDC 220 Education Technology
Psychological and philosophical dimensions of communication through the use of instructional
technology. Selection, preparation, production, and evaluation of effective audio and/or visual
technology for teaching/learning situations.
EDC 310/533 Learning and Development
A survey of educational psychology topics as applied to teaching and learning. Special emphasis is
placed on classroom applications. Fieldwork experience.
EDC 410/544 Learners with Special Needs
The study of students with disability, special needs, and giftedness. Emphasis on techniques and
resources to help all students achieve maximum outcomes and special focus on needs of urban
students. Fieldwork experience. (Prereq.: Admission to department or special permission of instructor)
EED 325/525 K-6 Literacy Methods
The study and use of a variety of assessment and teaching techniques and resources for literacy
instruction, including the diagnosis and correction of reading difficulties. (Prereq.: Admission to
department)
EED 326 Literacy Field Experience (0.0 course)
Taken currently with EED 325/525. Students will be given the opportunity to apply the knowledge
learned within the context of EED 325/525 to an elementary classroom setting. (Prereq.: Admission to
department)
ESE 325 Creating Learning Environments
An introduction to assessment, lesson planning, and classroom organization based in the Minnesota
Graduation Rule, state testing, and national standards. Emphasis on creating environments conducive
to learning. Fieldwork experience. (Prereq: Admission to department.
ESL 310 Second Language Acquisition
This course provides examines the process of acquiring an additional language.
Multiple
theories of
second language acquisition, the differences between first and second language acquisition, and
recent work in neurolinguistics will be examined. The class is designed for people who plan to teach;
thus, attention will be paid to the implications of research for language instruction. (Pre-req:
Admission to the Education Department)
ESL 320 Introduction to Linguistics
This course addresses three central goals of language study: 1.) Understanding “grammar” as a
human capacity that allows us to learn, use, and understand language; 2.) Understanding the
structure of language and the components of language study; and 3.) Describing features of the
English language: its sound system, its word formation processes, its sentence structures, and its
rules for meaning. (Pre-req: Admission to the Education Department)
ESL 330/510 History and Structure of English
This course provides a thorough study of English grammar. Intended for future ESL teachers, the
course focuses on developing students’ ability to describe language and effectively teach language
structures. The history and development of the English language and the phenomenon of language
change will also be covered. (Pre-req: Admission to the Education Department)
ESL 340/520 ESL Literacy
By focusing both on theory and practical skills, future ESL teachers will learn methods and strategies
for planning and implementing literacy instruction for English Language Learners. The interaction of
language learning and literacy, first language literacy, biliteracy, and literacy assessment will all be
explored. This course includes a 20 hour field experience. (Pre-req: Admission to the Education
Department)
ESL 410 ESL Testing and Evaluation
This course provides an overview of procedures and instruments used in identifying and
assessing English language learners. State and national policies regarding ELL assessment
will be covered. Current uses of standardized language proficiency tests and academic
content tests will be discussed. The class also examines classroom and authentic assessment
practices and seeks to build teacher skill in these areas. (Pre-req: Admission to the Education
Department)
ESL 420/540 ESL Methods
This course provides an overview of English as a second language teaching methods and materials,
focusing on preparing students to design and teach standards-based ESL lessons and curriculum
units. The basic principles underlying ESL pedagogy, current ESL trends, and techniques for teaching
students at different levels will be examined. This course includes a 20 hour field experience. (Prereq: Admission to the Education Department)
ESL 490/530 Language, Culture, and Schools
This course explores the relationships between language, culture, schools and society, and the way
that these relationships impact the school experience of language minority students. The course
provides an introduction to the study of sociolinguistics and examines how educators can best create
school environments that serve the needs of their English learners. (Pre-req: Admission to the
Education Department)
ESL 481, 483, 485 Student Teaching
Three courses of full-time, supervised classroom experience. Required for licensure. (Pre-req.:
passing scores for MTLE Basic Skills tests)
ESL 495 Topics: Teaching Performance Assessment (TPA) and Student Teaching Seminar (.5)
K-12 Reading Teacher Endorsement
The K-12 Reading Endorsement provides teachers with existing teaching licenses an opportunity to
expand their knowledge and practices in the area of reading instruction and potentially provide
leadership within schools and districts in reading instruction. Candidates for this license will complete
4.5 credits of coursework that have been designed to meet the requirements established for this
license by the Minnesota Board of Teaching. Students may use these courses to fulfill requirements
for the Master of Arts in Education degree.
The K-12 Reading Teacher Endorsement program is offered in a hybrid format which means that
courses are a mix of face to face and online instruction. Classes are offered during summer sessions
and within the semester framework (face-to-face classes on Saturdays) during the academic year.
The endorsement program is designed to be completed within 12 months in a cohort model. Field
experiences at elementary, middle school and high school levels are required; student teaching is not
required.
Required courses include:
EDC 500 Reading Leadership in the K-12 Schools (.5)
EDC 506 Reading Leadership, Literature, and New Literacies (1.0)
EDC 515 Reading Theory and Research (1.0)*
EDC 535 Assessment and Instruction with Elementary Readers (1.0)*
EDC 545 Assessment and Instruction with Middle and High School Readers (1.0)*
*Field experience required
K-12 Reading Teacher Endorsement Course Descriptions
EDC 500 Reading Leadership in the K-12 Schools (.5)
In this course students are introduced to the leadership roles in literacy education and provided time
and space to specifically focus on themselves as readers and as teachers of reading. This course is
intended to promote a culture of reading among all who are preparing to be reading leaders.
EDC 506 Reading Leadership, Literature, and New Literacie
Throughout this course, students explore children’s and young adult literature as well as new forms of
digital literacies. (Pre-req.: EDC 500 and department admissions)
EDC 515 Reading Theory and Research
Throughout this course, reading leaders will investigate a wide range of reading research and theory,
and explore how theory and research support reading assessment and instruction in a K-12 setting.
Field experience required. (Pre-req.: EDC 500 and department admissions)
EDC 535 Assessment and Instruction with Elementary Readers
During this course, reading leaders will investigate the reading process, the link between assessment
and instruction, and reading strategies that support and sustain reading of emergent to early readers.
Field experience required. (Pre-req.: EDC 500 and department admission)
EDC 545 Assessment and Instruction with Middle and High School Readers
During this course, reading leaders will explore current methods, theories and materials used with
transitional readers in content area instruction; the link between assessment and instruction; and
reading strategies that support and sustain reading of middle and high school learners. Field
experience required. (Pre-req.: EDC 500 and department admission)
Student Teaching
Students are required to complete student teaching for initial and additional licenses (unless otherwise
indicated). In the MAE program, student teaching is generally completed before finishing the degree.
Students can apply for licensure at this point and finish the degree later. Student teaching for
elementary and secondary initial licenses lasts 12–14 weeks, depending on licensure scope. During
that time, students work full time as student teachers and are supervised by an Augsburg faculty
member. Students register for two to three credits of student teaching and a .5 credit TPA and student
teaching seminar. They meet at Augsburg College for student teaching seminars several times during
the term. Most student teaching placements are in the Minneapolis/St. Paul metropolitan area and
Rochester. However, students do have the opportunity to student teach abroad, where students
complete a 10-week student teaching experience in the metro area and then complete another
student teaching experience abroad. Opportunities to teach abroad are available around the world,
and it is a wonderful way to build a global perspective in education. Additional information is available
through the Education Department.
Student teaching for special education is 12 weeks in length for initial licenses and 7 weeks for those
who already hold a license. For students who are working in an EBD or LD setting, a student teaching
placement at that site may be possible, pending district approval. Additional information is available
through the Education Department.
Student teaching for ESL is 14 weeks in length and requires two placements, elementary and
secondary. A single seven week placement is required for those who already hold a license. See the
Education Department for more information.
Student teaching is required for the preprimary endorsement. See the Education Department for more
information.
Curriculum—Graduate Degree Completion Options
Students take graduate coursework as part of the licensure program. This coursework forms the
Master of Arts in Education licensure core, with between four to six Augsburg graduate level licensure
courses fulfilling master’s requirements. Students bringing fewer than six graduate-level licensure
courses into the degree program must complete additional Master of Arts in Leadership (ML) or
education graduate courses to reach the total number of required courses.
To complete the master’s degree, students will need to complete one of the following options.
Action Research Degree Completion Option
This degree completion option requires a minimum of 3.0 courses: a Master of Arts in Leadership
(ML) elective, EDC 592 Action Research 1, and EDC 593 Action Research 2. The action research
courses guide the student through completion of a long-term action research project, typically
conducted in the student’s classroom and focused on a question or concern identified by the student.
The research is presented at an action research symposium and a formal written report of the
research is placed in Lindell Library. The action research project is designed to be completed within
three trimesters. Additional terms are available through continuing registration.
Leadership Application Project (LAP) Degree Completion Option
This degree completion option requires a minimum of 3.0 courses: an ML elective, EDC/ML 514
Research Methods–Education focus or ML 514 Research Methods and EDC 585 Leadership
Application Project. Students electing this degree completion option do so because they are
interested in developing an educational product that meets an identified need or because they are
interested in conducting an independent research project with the assistance of a faculty adviser. To
be successful in this option, students must be self-directed and able to maintain momentum without
the structure of an actual course. The goal for the project varies, depending on the type of LAP. There
are two options within the LAP.
• The goal for those developing an educational product is to identify an issue or problem related to
their practice, and after researching available literature, develop a solution to the problem or issue.
The solution might be developed in the form of a curriculum, a workshop, a set of informational
materials, a website, an article for publication or other appropriate educational product.
• The goal for those conducting independent research is also to identify an issue or problem to
investigate; but in this case, the investigation is through an independent research project. For
those conducting independent research, it is especially important to have a clear vision in mind for
the research and have an adviser who is willing to provide support throughout the project.
Students need a research background beyond what is provided within the MAE program to be
successful with this option.
Both options are completed through a final oral presentation and placement of the final paper in the
Lindell Library.
Performance Assessment/Teacher Leadership Degree Completion Option
This degree completion option requires a minimum of the following 4.0 courses:
• Choose one ML leadership-focused course: ML 510 Visions of Leadership when taught with an
emphasis on leadership rather than literature, ML 531 Dynamics of Change, ML 535
Organizational Theory and Leadership, ML 540 Political Leadership: Theory and Practice, ML 545
Decision Making and Leadership, or ML 565 Women and Leadership Additional courses, as
developed, may also be used.
• EDC 570
Teacher Leadership
EDC/ML 514 Research Methods–Education focus. (ML 514 can be substituted if
necessary)
• EDC 594
Performance Assessment/Teacher Leadership
Students electing this degree completion option do so because they are especially interested in
considering leadership within the context of education and themselves as potential change agents.
Alternate Settings—MAE in Rochester
In step with Augsburg College’s excellent reputation in the field of education, the Master of Arts in
Education program is also offered in Rochester. Licenses are available in elementary education and
special education: EBD and LD. Classes primarily meet weekday evenings at Bethel Lutheran Church
in Rochester. Beginning Summer 2012, the Performance Assessment degree completion option is
offered at the Rochester campus.
Elementary education
The K-6 elementary education license allows students to teach in grade K–6. Augsburg College offers
this license at the graduate level to students who already hold a bachelor’s degree and meet
admissions requirements. Courses for this license are available in Rochester.
Special education
The K–12 Emotional Behavioral Disorder/Learning Disability program is designed for students
currently working with or planning to work with EBD and LD students. The program leads to
Minnesota teaching licensure in special education with a specialty in emotional/behavioral disabilities
and/or learning disabilities. All courses for these licenses are available in Rochester.
Graduate Degree Completion Course Descriptions
EDC 570 Teacher Leadership
This course will explore generative questions about leadership, change, and our own paradigms,
visions, and values. Questions like the following are at the heart of this course: What does it mean to
you to be a teacher leader? What do teacher leaders do? How does one become a teacher leader?
What are the ways in which teachers can take leadership? What are the skills and tools of teacher
leadership? How do we bring about change? Who am I as a leader?
EDC 585 Leadership Application Project (LAP)
The leadership application project is either a research-based study or a curriculum-based project that
links issues of leadership and education with the degree candidate’s personal interests. The character
of the project will vary with the nature of the investigation, but will always be application oriented. The
central component of the LAP is the demonstration of leadership ability through a concrete project
appropriate to the candidate’s workplace or place of service. P/N grading.
EDC 592 Action Research 1
This course will introduce students to action research, a form of research that simultaneously
contributes to the practical concerns of people while furthering the goals of social science. It requires
active self-reflective inquiry and collaboration. Action research is used in real situations, and is aimed
at solving real problems. The goal of action research is to gain better knowledge of one’s practice
while improving the situation in which the practice is conducted. This is the first of a two-trimester
course.
EDC 593 Action Research 2
The second term of this course involves intensive data analysis, writing, and sharing of the degree
candidate’s research. It requires active self-reflective inquiry and collaboration. The trimester will
culminate with a symposium in which student work will be presented in a public forum. P/N grading.
EDC 594 Performance Assessment/Teacher Leadership
This performance assessment course will require the students to integrate their knowledge about
leadership, their sense of themselves as education leaders, and their understanding of a specific
teaching/learning problem into a solution to the problem and a process for change. P/N grading.
ML 514 Research Methods
Evaluation and documentation of programs, projects, and ideas as they relate to leadership theories
and practice. Qualitative and quantitative tools will be discussed. EDC 514/ML 514 Research
Methods–Education focus will place more emphasis on reviewing existing literature and less
emphasis on designing an independent research proposal.
MAL Elective Courses
At least one elective must be taken from the Master of Arts in Leadership courses. The following are
recommended, but others may also be used. Course descriptions can be found in the MAL portion of
the graduate catalog.
ML 510
ML 511
ML 520
ML 530
ML 531
ML 545
ML 550
ML 560
ML 565
Visions of Leadership: A Historical and Literary Journey
Creativity and the Problem-Solving Process
Self-Identity, Values, and Personal Growth
Ethics in Communication
The Dynamics of Change
Decision Making and Leadership
Communication, Decision Making, and Technology
Developing a Multicultural Perspective
Women and Leadership
ML 599
Special Topics (as appropriate)
Admission to MAE
Admission Requirements
Students admitted into the MAE licensure and degree programs must have:
• bachelor’s degree from a regionally-accredited four-year institution
• cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher (required for full admission for the graduate
licensure option and degree program). Students with a cumulative grade point average of 2.5–
2.99 may be admitted conditionally into the graduate licensure program. To be admitted to the
MAE degree completion program, these students must have a 3.0 or better Augsburg GPA.
Application Checklist
The following items must be sent to the Augsburg Office of Admissions:
• Completed application form— http://www.augsburg.edu/admissions/mae/admissions/
• $35 non-refundable application fee
• Personal summary outlining your tentative educational objectives and reasons for wanting to
attend Augsburg
• Official academic transcripts from all previously attended post-secondary institutions (including
colleges, universities, vocational/technical schools, and PSEO institutions) sent directly to the
admissions office.
Admission as an International Student
International applicants must submit the required application materials listed above. Refer to the
additional requirements outlined in Admission of International Students.
Transfer Policy
Acceptance of previous education coursework completed at institutions other than Augsburg College
is limited. Most courses that have not been completed in the last seven years are considered to be too
old to transfer and need to be completed as part of one’s program at Augsburg. EDC 310/533
Learning and Development, EDC 220 Education Technology, and ESE 3XX K–12/5–12 Special
Methods in Content Area are courses which may have a shorter acceptance time frame. Additional
information on the transfer policy is available through the Education Department.
Credit Evaluation: An official transfer credit evaluation of previous academic work will be completed
as part of the admissions process. Education coursework is evaluated by the Education Department.
For secondary licenses, content area coursework is evaluated by the content area department. This
process is initiated as part of the admissions process. Generally, the requirement is that two or more
classes in the content area must be taken at Augsburg, even with an undergraduate major in the field.
In all cases, previous undergraduate courses must have received a grade of C or better to be eligible
for transfer. Previous graduate coursework must have received a grade of B or better to be
considered. Content area departments determine when courses are too old to be counted towards
licensure.
Acceptance into the MAE Program
Application files are reviewed by the MAE director. Applicants are notified by the admissions office of
the admission decision, usually within one to two weeks after the application file is complete.
Applicants whose cumulative undergraduate GPA is below 2.5 will not be admitted into the MAE
program; however, these applicants can be reconsidered when additional undergraduate coursework
raises the cumulative GPA to 2.5 or above. An exception to this occurs when the applicant has
completed an advanced degree with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better. Under these circumstances,
the applicant can be considered for full admission into the MAE degree and licensure programs.
Advising and Registration
Admitted students are able to participate in academic advising and the registration process. Typically,
first-term registration occurs with intake advising. After the first term, students generally are able to
register online through Records and Registration. All students are assigned an Education Department
adviser early in the first trimester of courses.
Academic Policies
Application to the Education Department
Once accepted to the College and the MAE program, students may take designated courses in
education and content areas. Students initially admitted at the graduate level may register for courses
at the graduate level. Prior to taking EDC 310/533 and above, students must be admitted to the
Education Department. This admissions process is outlined in the EDC 200/522: Orientation to
Education and in admissions handbooks, which are available through the Education Department.
Academic Achievement
Conditionally-admitted MAE students are expected to achieve a 3.0 or better GPA in a minimum of
2.0 courses. Conditionally-admitted students whose GPA remains between 2.5 and 2.99 are able to
complete the license but are not eligible for the degree.
Fully-admitted MAE students are expected to maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better in both
license and degree completion.
In all cases, a cumulative GPA on the Augsburg graduate transcript must be at 3.0 or better to be
admitted to the degree completion component of the MAE degree. Students who are ready to begin
the degree completion component must file an Intent to Complete form (available through the MAE
coordinator) at which point a transcript review is completed to confirm the 3.0 or better GPA and to
determine the completed courses that apply to the degree and the courses that remain.
Minimum Grade Policy
Students who fail to maintain a cumulative 3.0 GPA in a given term are notified that they must raise
their GPA to the required level. Students who receive below a 2.0 in any undergraduate course or 2.5
in any graduate course required for licensure are expected to repeat the course as soon as possible
and raise the grade to the appropriate level.
Dismissal from Licensure and Degree Program
Students may be dismissed from the licensure program prior to student teaching for failure to maintain
appropriate academic and teaching-based performance standards, for gross violation of College
policy, and/or for conduct in violation of professional ethics. Dismissal occurs within the context of
established department procedures described in the Education Department Handbook available
through the Education Department. Students have the right to appeal dismissal from the licensure
program on the grounds of procedural error, using the College’s program dismissal appeals process.
Information about the program dismissal appeals process is available in the Augsburg Student Guide.
Students may be dismissed from the MAE degree program for failure to maintain an appropriate GPA.
Students have the right to use the College’s academic grievance procedure as they feel necessary.
The full academic grievance policy is available in the Augsburg Student Guide.
Fieldwork Requirements
Fieldwork experiences are tied to several licensure courses. In most cases, these experiences are
conducted within a service-learning framework, providing service to the school and classroom while
also providing students opportunities for focused reflection linked back to course objectives. In
general, students should plan for a minimum of 20 hours field experience per term. When multiple
courses with field experience are taken in the same term, the requirements expand accordingly.
Students in field experiences are evaluated by their host K-12 teachers on the basis of criteria drawn
from the Minnesota Standards of Effective Practice. Evaluations are kept in the students’ Education
Department files and used in decisions regarding progress through the program and student teaching.
A full description of field experience requirements are available in the Education Department
Handbook.
Readmission and Withdrawal
Students in good standing who fail to register for courses for three terms are withdrawn from the MAE
program. To be readmitted to the College and the MAE program, students file a Readmission form
through the registrar’s office.
Program Costs
In addition to tuition, students in this program can expect to pay a data maintenance fee upon
admission to the department, as well as liability insurance at the student rate during student teaching
and the cost of a background check for licensure and, possibly, field experience. In addition, optional
international travel courses have associated costs above and beyond the charge for tuition.
MAE/Full-time Education Department
Full Time Faculty
Elizabeth M. Ankeny, Associate Professor of Education. BA, Augustana College; MAT, Morningside
College; PhD, Colorado State University.
Christopher R. Brown, Field Experience Coordinator/Charter School Liaison; Instructor of Education.
BS, Bemidji State University; MEd, University of Sydney, Australia.
Joseph A. Erickson, Professor of Education. BA, MA, College of St. Thomas; MA, LutherNorthwestern Theological Seminary; PhD, University of Minnesota.
Jeanine Gregoire, Associate Professor of Education. BS, MA, PhD, University of Minnesota.
Dennis Greseth, Instructor of Education. BA, MS, Winona State University.
Ann Grugel, Assistant Professor of Education. BA, St. Olaf College; MS, PhD,University of
Wisconsin-Madison.
Gretchen Irvine, Assistant Professor of Education. BS, College of St. Teresa; MS, University of
Wisconsin-River Falls; PhD, University of Minnesota.
Anne Kaufman, Associate Professor of Education. BS, MA, PhD, University of Minnesota.
Audrey Lensmeier, Assistant Professor of Education. BA Indiana University; MAT National Louis
University; PhD University of Minnesota.
Gregory Krueger, Instructor of Education. BA, Southwest Minnesota State University; MA, Hamline
University.
Susan O’Connor, Associate Professor of Education. BS, University of Minnesota; MS, PhD,
Syracuse University.
Vicki L. Olson, Professor of Education and Director of the MAE Program. BS, MA, PhD, University of
Minnesota.
Donna Patterson, Assistant Professor of Education. BA, MEd, University of Minnesota.
Ronald Petrich, Assistant Professor of Education. BA, Augsburg College; MS, University of
Minnesota.
Barbara Short, Associate Professor of Education. BA Augustana College; MS Illinois State
University; EdD Illinois State University.
Christopher Smith, Assistant Professor of Education. BS Purdue University; MS Purdue University;
PhD University of Minnesota.
Diane C.Vodicka, Assistant Professor of Education. BEd, North Park College; MEd, Georgia
Southwestern College.
Dana L.Wagner, Assistant Professor of Education. BA, St. Olaf College; MEd, PhD, University of
Minnesota.
Barbara West, Instructor of Education, Faculty Coordinator of Teacher Placement/Licensing. BS, St.
Cloud State University; MS, Syracuse University.
Master of Arts in Leadership
MAL Mission
The primary purpose of the Master of Arts in Leadership (MAL) program is to develop leaders for
organizations, the community, and society. Most organizations seek leaders who possess the
following qualities: an ethically and morally responsible vision, an understanding of how change
occurs and how it can be managed, sensitivity to the complex problems of organizations, and an
ability to find solutions consistent with their mission, cultural competence and sensitivity to the needs
of a diverse population, and the ability to inspire and motivate people to work toward a common goal.
The Augsburg leadership development model provides a framework through which the program
recruits its students and develops their skills.
Program Overview
The study of leadership is central to Augsburg College. The College mission statement says,
“Augsburg College educates students to be informed citizens, thoughtful stewards, critical
thinkers, and responsible leaders.” The Master of Arts in Leadership is quintessentially Augsburg.
The integrated liberal arts perspective on leadership education is what we think of as the “Augsburg
difference.”
MAL is the core program of Augsburg’s Center for Leadership Studies (CLS). Developed and
launched in 1987, MAL is celebrating its 25th year in 2012-2013. It is Augsburg’s oldest graduate
degree and one of the oldest leadership graduate degrees in the United States. The program
responds to the leadership development needs of both for-profit and not-for-profit organizations. MAL
has a deep theoretical base in leadership studies, yet also offers its students practical approaches to
leadership that can be applied in the workplace and society.
Plan of Study
Accommodating the Full-Time Work Schedule
Designed to meet the needs and preferences of working adults, the MAL program is based on the
assumption that the students who enroll are career-oriented, self-disciplined, and well-motivated
individuals seeking a balance of classroom experience, group interaction, and individual study. Most
courses are organized as seminars with the opportunity for discussion and dialogue.
The program features classes taught by faculty from multiple disciplines and offers a choice of two
formats to allow students to choose the option that works best for them. Both formats offer a
combination of classroom and online learning styles in different proportions. The classic classroom
format emphasizes face-to-face instruction augmented by online work. The integrated hybrid
format combines online and intensive learning experiences with occasional sessions in a traditional
classroom setting.
Community of Learners
Essential to the goals of the MAL program is participation in a community of learners. This community
is enriched by the students, who have a variety of work and life experiences. To facilitate community
interaction, students are encouraged to make use of the Augsburg library, computer labs, and
Christensen Center. The Center for Leadership Studies also offers special colloquia and seminars
each year to supplement and complement the coursework of the master’s program.
Leadership Development Model—Augsburg College
The MAL program promotes leadership as a process that
• inspires cooperation among people who must compete for limited resources,
• promotes productivity within and beyond the organization, and
• works toward progress for the individual and the organization.
To accomplish this, individuals aspiring to positions of leadership must possess three key attributes: a
sense of vision, the ability to persuade, and the ability to direct action. Underlying these attributes are
abilities and awareness, outlined in the Leadership Development Model, which serve as specific
outcomes for the MAL program. Augsburg’s model of leadership development is designed to assess,
promote, enhance, and refine these capabilities within the individual.
Two Convenient Formats: Classic Classroom and Integrated Hybrid
Cohort
Classic Classroom Format
An emphasis on face-to-face learning
Overview
For more than 25 years, our classic classroom format has featured a flexible choice model that allows
students to select courses and a completion option that focus on individual goals, interests, and
learning style. Students can also determine the pace at which they move through the program. This
format offers numerous electives and allows for individualized studies. Courses are organized as
seminars with the opportunity for discussion and dialogue. Some online work is incorporated into this
format.
Schedule
During the academic year, classes usually meet every other Saturday morning or afternoon for four
hours. Seven Saturday sessions are included in one trimester. Some select classes meet on Monday
evenings. Students can take a combination of Saturday and Monday courses. Following this model,
students can complete six courses during the academic year and a seventh during a summer session.
A sample class schedule in the classic classroom format:
Period I
Saturday
8 a.m. to noon
Period II
Saturday
1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Period III
Monday
6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Note: Each class taken commits a student to either Period I, Period II, or Period III, an average of two
meetings a month. A few courses are taught on an immersion model, which features fewer but longer
sessions.
Augsburg College has a summer session. The MAL program usually offers several classes during the
summer; the courses are five weeks in duration, meeting normally two nights a week, except for
special immersion courses.
Curriculum
Four core courses:
Visions of Leadership
Research Methods
Two courses related to the final project
Seven electives, selected from more than 20 offerings
Final Project Options for the Classic Classroom Format
For non-cohort students there are three ways to complete the final project option in the MAL degree
(Plans A, B, and C). All final projects are taken on a Pass/No Pass basis.
In the Thesis/Leadership Application Project (Thesis/LAP) Option (Plan A), students complete 11
courses, including a thesis or a major leadership application project. In the Non-Thesis Option (Plan
B), students must complete 11 courses, two major papers, but no thesis. For the third option, the
Comprehensive Exam Seminar (Plan C), students complete 11 courses, including the comprehensive
exam seminar.
Plan A: Thesis/LAP Option
Students who select the thesis/LAP option are required to develop and carry out an in-depth study of
some aspect of leadership or of a leadership-related topic. This research-based study gives the
student an opportunity to “tie together” what has been learned from the study of leadership and
course-related activities.
The principal distinction between the thesis and the leadership application project lies in their
underlying orientation. A thesis has a more theoretical orientation, while a leadership application
project is based on a practical issue. Both require similar rigor and preparation. For either alternative,
the student must register for ML 592 and 593.
For more information regarding the thesis/LAP option, refer to the Thesis/LAP and Non-Thesis Project
Guidelines booklet. Students are given a continuation period of up to 15 terms to complete the project.
During the continuation period, a campus access fee of $35 per term is charged. Refer to Augsburg’s
continuation policy in the Academic Programs and Policies section.
Plan B: Non-Thesis Option
One alternative to the thesis is the successful completion of two major papers. The first of these
papers will be written in conjunction with ML 580. The second paper will be written while enrolled in
ML 597 Non-Thesis Independent Project. The independent research projects approved each year will
be presented in an annual colloquium.
For more information regarding the non-thesis option, refer to the Thesis/LAP and Non-Thesis Project
Guidelines booklet. Students are given a continuation period of up to 15 terms to complete the project.
During the continuation period, a campus access fee of $35 per term is charged. Refer to Augsburg’s
continuation policy in the Academic Programs and Policies section.
Plan C: Comprehensive Exam Seminar
The third completion option involves one paper written in conjunction with ML 580 (as in Plan B) and a
comprehensive exam seminar (ML 589). This course must be taken as the last course in the program.
This course is taken on a pass/fail basis, and when the course and the oral, written, and take-home
examinations are successfully completed, the program requirements are satisfied.
Core courses for the thesis/LAP option (Plan A):
(4.0 course credits)
ML 510
Visions of Leadership
ML 514
Research Methods
ML 592
Thesis/LAP Consultation I
ML 593
Thesis/LAP Consultation II
Core courses for non-thesis option (Plan B):
(4.0 course credits)
ML 510
Visions of Leadership
ML 514
ML 580
ML 597
Research Methods
Colloquium on Contemporary Theories of Leadership
Non-Thesis Independent Project
Core courses for the comprehensive exam seminar (Plan C):
(4.0 course credits)
ML 510
Visions of Leadership
ML 514
Research Methods
ML 580
Colloquium on Contemporary Theories of Leadership
ML 589
Comprehensive Exam Seminar
Core courses for the cohort final project program
Elective courses for ALL Classic Classroom options
(at least 7.0 course credits)
The MAL program requires that seven elective courses be selected from the following course list. All
courses are 1.0 course credit (4 semester credits):
ML 511
Creativity and the Problem-Solving Process
ML 513
Creating a Compelling Literature Review
ML 520
Self-Identity, Values, and Personal Growth
ML 527
Spirituality and Leadership in the Workplace
ML 530
Ethics in Communication
ML 531
The Dynamics of Change
ML 535
Organization Theory and Leadership
ML 536
Facilitating Organizational Change
ML 538
Communication Skills for Leadership
ML 539
Communicating a Self in the Modern Organization
ML 540
Political Leadership: Theory and Practice
ML 545
Decision Making and Leadership
ML 548
Coaching and Consulting
ML 550
Communication, Decision Making, and Technology
ML 553
Design and Leadership
ML 557
Language of Leadership
ML 558
Leadership and Science
ML 560
Developing a Multicultural Perspective
ML 562
Global Multiculturalism, World Religions, and Leadership
ML 563
Leadership in a Global Society
ML 565
Women and Leadership
ML 568
The Global Business Environment
ML 570
Negotiation
ML 574
Strategic Leadership
ML 577
Universal Responsibility and Leadership: A Nicaraguan Experience
ML 580
Colloquium on Contemporary Theories of Leadership (elective for Plan A)
ML 598
Independent Study (special permission required)
ML 599
Topics: special courses offered only once or twice
Integrated Hybrid Cohort Format
A combination of online, classroom, and experiential learning
Overview
The integrated hybrid model is completed in two years with a combination of intensive face-to-face
sessions and online coursework. Students complete the program with a cohort of peers representing
many different perspectives. Students learn from each other and build relationships that will provide
support throughout the program and a valuable network for the future.
Schedule
After starting with a five-day summer experience, classes meet on a trimester schedule September
through mid-June (fall, winter, and spring trimesters). Coursework will be online and supported by
three on-campus class sessions per term.
Curriculum
ML 510
ML 512
ML 514
ML 520
ML 523
ML 553
ML 563
ML 574
ML 580
ML 588
ML 599
Visions of Leadership
Responsible Leadership for the 21st Century (Intensive)
Research Methods
Self-Identity, Values, and Personal Growth
Leading Authentically
Design and Leadership
Leadership in a Global Society
Strategic Leadership
Colloquium of Contemporary Theories of Leadership
Final Action Research Project
Mid-point Augsburg Signature Experience (Intensive)
Core courses for the Integrated Hybrid Cohort format
(4.0 course credits)
ML 510
Visions of Leadership
ML 514
Research Methods
ML 580
Colloquium on Contemporary Theories of Leadership
ML 588
Final Project Seminar: Action Research
In addition, a sequenced list of electives is prepared for each cohort. In the cohort program, students
complete 11 courses, including an action research final project seminar (Plan D).
Final Project for the Integrated Hybrid Cohort Format: Plan D
The Integrated Hybrid Cohort format includes a final seminar in which each student prepares an
action research project during the course of one trimester (Plan D). For Classic Classroom students
there are three ways to complete the final project option in the MAL degree: Plan A, B, or C ( See
section above, Final Project Options for the Classic Classroom Format.) Plan D is comparable to Plan
B and requires both ML 514 Research Methods and ML 580 Colloquium on Contemporary Theories of
Leadership as prerequisites to ML 588 Final Project Seminar: Action Research. ML 588 is taken on a
Pass/No Pass basis.
Course Descriptions for Both MAL Formats
Each course normally includes two or more liberal arts disciplines, encourages pursuit of the
designated outcomes, and uses a variety of learning techniques appropriate to adult learners.
Instructional techniques include case studies, debate, written and oral presentations, and group
activity. These techniques develop targeted leadership abilities and understanding. Students are
encouraged to see abilities and understandings as cross-disciplinary and to view content areas as
integrated. The program reflects the view that the world in which we operate is complex, and that
dealing with it successfully requires well-developed integrative abilities.
ML 510 Visions of Leadership: A Historical and Literary Journey
Introduction to selected concepts of leadership, providing a historical and philosophical framework for
the program. This course views the nature and purpose of leadership from a variety of disciplines and
perspectives.
ML 511 Creativity and the Problem-Solving Process
Exploration of creativity from the perspective of traditional aesthetics as well as contemporary
organizational thinking. This course uses creativity as a method, and it examines techniques for
solving problems in organizations, for enhancing innovation, and for seeking an integrative worldview.
ML 512 Responsible Leadership for the 21st Century
The Augsburg mission statement sets forth the goal of educating students to be responsible leaders.
By examining current social issues and through immersion in Augsburg's Cedar-Riverside
neighborhood, this course will explore qualities of responsible leadership. The other three pillars of the
Augsburg mission will serve as a framework as we explore how critical thinking, informed citizenship
and thoughtful stewardship shape a responsible leader. This course also seeks to build a learning
community and orient students to ideas and theories that will allow them to function effectively as a
cohort throughout the MAL program. The course is structured as a five-day intensive experience.
ML 513 Creating a Compelling Literature Review
As leadership scholars and practitioners, our work should be evidence-based. The purpose of this
course is to explore the published literature to determine what credible evidence tells us about
effective leadership practices. Students will learn how to read research critically, analyze and develop
arguments, and recommend best practices.
ML 514 Research Methods
Evaluation and documentation of programs, projects, and ideas as they relate to leadership theories
and practice. Qualitative and quantitative tools will be discussed.
ML 520 Self-Identity, Values, and Personal Growth
Study of the concepts of self-identity, value formation, and personal growth as they relate to
professional life; factors that influence the development of self-identity and personal values; and the
effect of personal values on learning and leadership strategies.
ML 523 Leading Authentically
What does it mean to lead authentically? How can you best align your strengths with the organization
in which you lead? This course will build on the work done in ML 520 to help students identify their
strengths, develop self-awareness, and articulate their life purpose. By looking at different theories of
leadership and various perspectives on organizational development, students will be able to
purposefully create a leadership style and plan that honors their authentic selves.
ML 527 Spirituality and Leadership in the Workplace
The wide-ranging spirituality movement in the workplace is a notable feature of contemporary life.
This course explores the dimensions of this trend and its implications for leadership through a variety
of sources and perspectives.
ML 530 Ethics in Communication
Interdisciplinary study of ethics and communication through the investigation of a variety of ethical
perspectives within human communication. This course places particular attention on the use and
abuse of communication in politics, advertising, and interpersonal relationships. It emphasizes
sensitivity to ethical conflicts that arise in social and organizational settings.
ML 531 The Dynamics of Change
Effective leadership, by definition, involves social and organizational change. Beginning at the macro
level of analysis and ultimately focusing on leading and responding to change in organizational
settings, this course examines the paradigms, theories and practices that support successful
leadership for change. Collaborative presentations provide an opportunity to apply course ideas to
historical and contemporary issues.
ML 535 Organization Theory and Leadership
In-depth exploration of organization theory plus related concepts, issues, and concerns. The course is
designed to enable the student to acquire knowledge and develop skills in order to function as a
responsible, ethical participant within various types of organizational structures and cultures.
ML 536 Facilitating Organizational Change
This course will explore the impact of change on organizations, teams, and individuals. It will prepare
current and future leaders to effectively lead change efforts in their organizations. This leadership
development will be accomplished through the study of several change management theories and
frameworks. Moreover, application and evaluation of change management theories will be
emphasized. This course will further differentiate change and transition and further highlight strategies
to help leaders coach individuals through difficult change events. Furthermore, this course will discuss
organizational changes related to structure, strategy, technology, teams, and individuals.
ML 538 Communication Skills for Leadership
The course is designed to provide background in rhetoric as well as practice in speaking, writing, and
presentation skills. A substantial performance component is included; evaluation of student work is
based on mastery and performance of these skills. Students will perform communicative tasks in a
variety of genres and evaluate their own performances and those of class members.
ML 539 Communicating a Self in the Modern Organization
Understanding through reading, reflecting, and dialogue of the functions of communication in
organizational settings with particular emphasis on the self-defining aspects of the social contract
between the individual and the organization in a changing world. Supplementary reading packet, open
dialogue, and individual projects.
ML 540 Political Leadership: Theory and Practice
Analysis of leadership perspectives in selected political systems and other organizations. Special
focus on significant leadership theories and leaders, past and present. Most theories studied are
interdisciplinary and relevant to business and nonprofit organizations as well as to politics.
ML 545 Decision Making and Leadership
Review of the decision-making process—the setting, goals, and contingencies—as it affects leaders
and leadership. Analysis of arguments and explanations; analysis of basic statistical concepts and
their relationship to decision making. Assessment of major social decisions, past and present—their
intentions, consequences, arguments, explanations, and justification.
ML 548 Coaching and Consulting
The purpose of this course is to develop influence skills through the exploration and application of
consulting and coaching practices. To fulfill that purpose participants will read the work of master
consultants and coaches, develop a toolkit, practice consulting as both a consultant and a client, and
reflect on these experiences to develop their own purpose, principles, and practices for influencing
others.
ML 550 Communication, Decision Making, and Technology
Analysis of the role various forms of digitally-mediated communication play in our society and how
communication, decision making, and leadership have been altered by these technologies. Students
examine how they can engage and manage these processes in their organizations.
ML 553 Design and Leadership
“Design thinking” has transcended the world of engineering and architecture and is now a mainstream
concern for most industries. This course explores the impact of “design thinking” on leadership,
especially in the business world.
ML 557 Language of Leadership
Students analyze language from a variety of rhetorical and sociolinguistic perspectives and learn to
make judgments about rhetorical and stylistic strategies. Topics include the use of language as an
organizing principle for social interaction; speech act theory; strategies for giving effective directives;
the creation and manipulation of style; the development of persuasive appeals; the protection of
“face;” and strategies for maintaining personal relationships across hierarchical levels in
organizations.
ML 558 Leadership and Science
Explores the common methods of science and the issues that science has encountered which affect
the uses of science by leaders in the public and private sectors. Case studies include global warming
and politics, psychology, and medicine.
ML 560 Developing a Multicultural Perspective
This course focuses on the ability to function and lead in culturally diverse contexts within the US.
Goals include improved communication skills and interpersonal sensitivity, appreciation for the
complexity of the racial and ethnic groupings, and awareness of key issues facing those groups.
ML 562 Global Multiculturalism, World Religions, and Leadership
In the global meeting of cultures, religion is a vital factor. This course examines the nature of religion
as an essential feature of the cultures of the US. (Christianity), the Middle East (Islam), India
(Hinduism), China (Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism), and Japan (Shinto, Buddhism). Special
emphasis is put on leadership and religion in all these cultures.
ML 563 Leadership in a Global Society
This class focuses on enhancing global leadership competencies, beginning with core concepts and
personal assessments and concluding with a global leadership development project where learners
demonstrate their ability to take theory to practice. Course activities include personal assessments, a
critical review paper, a literature review, and a final project proposal paper in which all the elements
come together.
ML 565 Women and Leadership
A seminar exploring the theory and practice of women and leadership: entrepreneurial, political, and
social. An interdisciplinary approach to issues of women and leadership. Topics include analysis of
alternative approaches to leadership, women and careers, and women in society past and present.
The course is intended to enhance the analytical and leadership skills of the participants.
ML 570 Negotiation
An exploration of theories, strategies, and techniques of negotiation; overview of concepts and skills
involved in negotiation as well as the context in which negotiation occurs. A special emphasis on the
collective bargaining model with survey of examples of other types of negotiation.
ML 574 Strategic Leadership
The course develops students’ ability to think strategically and lead organizations through planning
and implementation. Application of models and concepts to examples and cases from real-life
practice. Case studies, exercises, and readings cover practices in for-profit and nonprofit
organizations.
ML 577 Universal Responsibility and Leadership: A Nicaraguan Experience
The exploration of universal responsibility, conceptually and experientially. Course consists of a
seminar in Minneapolis and one or two weeks in Nicaragua. The Nicaraguan portion includes
meetings with leaders, a homestay in the two-week option, and visits to multiple sites and
organizations. Topics such as Nicaraguan history, politics, indigenous cultures, poverty, health care,
literacy, the arts, business foreign investment, and relations with the US government and nonprofit
organizations are explored. Special fees apply.
ML 580 Colloquium on Contemporary Theories of Leadership
Selected contemporary theories of leadership plus a case study on a prominent leader. Emphasis on
critical thinking, discussion, written analysis. (Prereq.: at least one-year coursework in MAL and ML
510) Required for Plans B, C, and D.
ML 588 Final Project Seminar: Action Research (Plan D)
In this course students who are pursuing the cohort program will have the opportunity to write their
final project doing action research on their own organization. This course will span one trimester.
ML 589 Comprehensive Exam Seminar
This course is a completion option for the Master of Arts in leadership. Students prepare for the
examination series—oral, written, and take-home—through discussion, readings, and critical analysis
in the seminar. It must be the final course taken in the program; no other course may be taken at the
same time.
ML 592 Thesis/LAP Consultation I
Independent research project supervised by an academic adviser.
ML 593 Thesis/LAP Consultation II
Completion of the thesis/LAP under the guidance of an academic adviser.
ML 597 Non-Thesis Independent Project
Major written project in an area of the student’s choice, to be completed in consultation with an
adviser and a reader. The research is presented in a colloquium in partial fulfillment of requirements
for the non-thesis option.
ML 598 Independent Study
Provides directed independent study in an area of the student’s choice. Open to students who have
completed at least three courses with a grade of at least 3.0. Students must complete a Proposal for
Independent Study and have it signed by the supervising professor. Proposals must be approved by
the MAL program director prior to registration for the course. Students may not take more than one
independent study course.
ML 599 Special Topics
Study of selected topics in leadership that are not treated extensively through current course
offerings. Specific topics will be published prior to registration.
Special Programs
Post-Master’s Certificate in Leadership Studies
Graduate students who already possess a master’s degree in any area (including leadership) may
wish to pursue the certificate program. A certificate is awarded after completion of five Augsburg MAL
courses in leadership (which were not previously applied to any other degree). The student may
choose any five MAL courses or may wish to focus on a specific area, such as ethics and leadership,
global leadership, organizational leadership, communications, leadership development, or the liberal
arts. This option is attractive for people who want to continue their professional studies but not
necessarily undertake a full degree program. The normal application process is used for students who
wish to pursue the post-master’s certificate.
Joint BA in Accounting and Master of Arts in Leadership
A BA in accounting and an MA in leadership (MAL) can be earned in this five-year program designed
for students who wish to qualify for CPA certification and obtain a master’s degree. By the end of the
fifth year and successful completion of all requirements, the student receives both a BA in accounting
and an MA in leadership and will have fulfilled the 150-hour requirement to qualify for the CPA
certification. The MAL program offers a large number of courses on a weekend schedule or Monday
evening. Refer to the MAL program catalog supplement for the list of courses each year and to the
accounting program coordinator for a detailed academic plan. It is recommended that students meet
with an accounting adviser to create an effective plan for successful completion of the five-year
program.
General Requirements for the Accounting/MAL Program
Accounting students planning to pursue the five-year degree must apply for admission to the MAL
program at the end of their junior year. The application process includes submission of:
• completed application form
• three letters of recommendation (two from professors and one from an employer)
• personal statement
• example of their writing in an academic paper
• GPA of at least 3.30
• Interview with a three-person panel from the MAL program
Students must also have faculty endorsement from the accounting program. Students must complete
at least one year of accounting work experience (either a job or internship) by the time they graduate
from the MAL program. Program coordinator: Professor Stu Stoller.
Admission to MAL
Admission Requirements
Applicants to the program must have:
• Bachelor’s degree from a regionally-accredited, four-year college or university
• Minimum cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 (on a scale of A = 4.0) and a
minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 for graduate courses completed at an accredited
college or university. Should an applicant not meet the minimum admission requirements, a
conditional admission may be possible as decided on a case-by-case basis.
• Applicants to the program must have two years of experience (or equivalent) with one or more
organizations in a position of leadership or position demonstrating leadership potential.
• Applicants holding a master’s or other advanced degrees from accredited colleges or universities
are admissible.
Decisions about admission to the program will be made on an individual basis by the MAL Admissions
Committee. Admission is handled on a “rolling” basis, with students admitted at the beginning of the
fall, winter, and spring terms. Selection of candidates will be made on the basis of an evaluation of
each applicant’s:
• Previous college record
• Letters of recommendation
• Experience and organizational background
• Written statement
•
Interview, if requested
Application Checklist
The following materials must be submitted to the Office of Admissions:
• Completed application form
• $35 nonrefundable application fee
• A 1–3 page statement relating the applicant’s career and life goals to leadership aspirations
• Recommendation letter and checklist from an immediate supervisor, assessing leadership
potential
• Recommendation letter and checklist from a work colleague (at the same level) describing the
applicant’s work style and leadership potential
• Official transcripts from all undergraduate institutions attended, listing all courses taken and any
degree(s) conferred
• Official transcripts from all graduate institutions attended, listing courses taken and degree(s)
conferred, if any.
Applicants may be asked to participate in an interview with graduate program faculty and/or staff
members.
For further information, contact: Office of Admissions, 612-330-1101, gradinfo@augsburg.edu or
www.augsburg.edu/grad
Admission as an International Student
International applicants must submit the required application materials listed above. Refer to the
additional requirements outline in Admission of International Students in the Graduate Admissions
section.
Academic Policies
Equivalencies
Augsburg uses a course system rather than a credit system in its curriculum. An Augsburg course is
equivalent to four semester credits or six quarter credits.
Academic Evaluation
Courses not offered on the numbered grading system are noted in the course descriptions in this
catalog as being graded on P/N basis. In order to receive a grade of P, a student must achieve at
least a grade of 3.0. No more than two courses with a grade below 3.0 will count toward the degree.
No more than two courses with a grade of or below 2.5 can be repeated. Only the credits and grades
earned the second time are counted in the grade point average. Any course with a grade of 2.0 or
lower will be transcribed as 0.0 academic credit.
In order to graduate a student must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above. All required courses and
the final projects must be successfully completed. A student registered for the final projects (ML 588,
ML 589, ML 592, ML 593, or ML 597) may be permitted to participate in Commencement but will not
receive a diploma until all courses and projects are successfully completed.
Academic Probation and Dismissal Policies
Students must maintain a 3.0 cumulative grade point average. If a student falls below a 3.0 average,
the student will be placed on probation for the following term. A 3.0 cumulative grade point average
must be restored in order for a student to be removed from probation. If a student receives a grade of
N or 0.0 in a course, the student must petition successfully with the MAL Advisory Committee before
being allowed to continue in the program. A plan for the student to follow would be outlined at that
time. If a second grade of N or 0.0 is received, the student may be dismissed from the program by the
MAL Advisory Committee. Students may also be dismissed by the MAL Advisory Committee for
behavior detrimental to the program, such as a gross violation of College policy (as published in the
Student Guide). Dismissal would occur only after established procedures were followed.
MAL Program Enrollment Policy
Students normally take either one or two courses per trimester. Enrolling in two courses per trimester
enables a student to complete the coursework in the program within two years.
Students who are away from classes for one year or longer must complete an Application for
Readmission and submit it to the Office of the Registrar. Students who have been out of the program
for three to five years must take one additional course to refresh their understanding of the field.
Students who have been out of the program for five years or longer must take two additional courses
to refresh their understanding of the field of leadership studies.
Accreditation and Affiliation
Augsburg is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, North Central Association of Colleges
and Schools.
For a complete list of Augsburg’s accreditation, approvals, and memberships, in the About Augsburg
College section.
MAL Faculty
Andrew Aoki, Professor of Political Science. BA, University of Oregon; MA, PhD, University of
Wisconsin.
John Benson, Professor Emeritus of Religion. BA, Augsburg College; BD, Luther Theological
Seminary; MA, PhD, Columbia University.
Thomas Berkas, Instructor of Leadership Studies. BCE, University of Minnesota, PhD University of
Minnesota.
Larry Bourgerie, Instructor of Leadership Studies. BS, BA, MA, University of Minnesota. Senior Vice
President Human Resources, TrueStone Financial.
Larry Crockett, Professor of Computer Science. BA, MA, Pacific Lutheran University; MDiv, Luther
Theological Seminary; PhD, University of Minnesota; Priest, Episcopal Diocese of Minnesota.
Joseph A. Erickson, Professor of Education. BA, MA, University of St. Thomas; MA, Luther
Seminary; PhD, University of Minnesota.
Stephen K. Erickson, Instructor of Leadership Studies. BA, Augsburg College; JD, University of
Minnesota. Vice President and Advanced Practitioner, Erickson Mediation Institute, Mpls.
John A. Furia, Assistant Professor of Business Administration. BA, Rhode Island College; MPA,
University of Rhode Island.
Garry Hesser, Martin Olav Sabo Professor of Citizenship and Learning. BA, Phillips University; MDiv,
Union Theological Seminary; MA, PhD, University of Notre Dame.
Lucinda Hruska-Claeys, Instructor of Leadership Studies. BS, University of Minnesota; MA,
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale; JD, University of Minnesota; MAL, Augsburg College. Vice
President and Special Accounts Consultant, Wells Fargo Bank N.A.
Steven Jeddeloh, Instructor of Leadership Studies. BS, Mankato State University; MED in Education
and MED in Training and Organization Development, University of Minnesota; MA, PhD, Fielding
Graduate University. President of Leadership Resources Consulting.
David Lapakko, Associate Professor of Communication Studies. BA, Macalester College; MA, PhD,
University of Minnesota.
Velma J. Lashbrook, Assistant Professor of Leadership Studies and Director of the Center for
Teaching and Learning. BS, Iowa State University; MS, Illinois State University; EdD, West Virginia
University.
William Lashbrook, Instructor of Leadership Studies. BA, MA, University of Kansas; PhD, Michigan
State University. Senior Research Associate, Strategy Implementation Associates.
Karen J. Lokkesmoe, Instructor of Leadership Studies. BA, Augsburg College; MPA, PhD, University
of Minnesota. President, Lokkesmoe Consulting, LLC.
Steven Manderscheid, Instructor of Leadership Studies. BS, St. Cloud State University; MS,
University of Minnesota; EdD, University of St. Thomas. Chair, Department of Organizational
Management, Concordia University.
Marilyn S. McKnight Erickson, Instructor of Leadership Studies. BA, Augsburg College; MA, St.
Mary's University; President and Advanced Practitioner, Erickson Mediation Institute, Mpls.
Thomas Morgan, Professor of Business Administration and Executive Director, Augsburg Center for
Faith and Learning. BS, Juniata College; MBA, University of Denver; MS, University of Oregon; PhD,
University of Minnesota.
Norma C. Noonan, Professor Emerita of Political Science and Leadership Studies, former Director of
the Center for Leadership Studies and the MAL Program (1993-2011). BA, University of
Pennsylvania; MA, PhD, Indiana University.
Diane Pike, Professor of Sociology. AB, Connecticut College; PhD, Yale University.
John S. Schmit, Professor of English. BS, St. John’s University; MA, University of New Orleans;
PhD, The University of Texas-Austin.
Kathryn Swanson, Professor of English. BA, St. Olaf College; MA, PhD, University of Minnesota.
Alan Tuchtenhagen, Director of the Center for Leadership Studies and the MAL Program. BS,
Westmar College; MA, University of Nebraska; DPA, Hamline University.
Joseph Volker, Instructor of Leadership Studies. BA, University of California-Irvine; MA, PhD,
University of Minnesota. Vice President and Practice Area Leader, MDA Leadership Consulting Inc.
Staff
Patty Park, MA, Program Coordinator
Master of Arts in Nursing
Doctor of Nursing Practice
Welcome to graduate nursing education at Augsburg. We are eager to offer discerning nurse
professionals rich educational opportunities, engaging practicum experiences, and a wealth of
transcultural nursing knowledge that will enhance your practice and advance your careers.
The increasing diversity of our population challenges nurses to respond with creativity and
competence in a variety of contexts. The Master of Arts in Nursing program prepares nurses for
leadership across care systems, population groups, cultures, and care settings, with particular
emphasis on addressing global and local health inequities. Students choose between transcultural
nursing in community or transformational nursing leadership tracks of study.
The new post-master’s Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program prepares nurses for innovative
practice that builds upon a transcultural foundation and embraces community health and holistic
nursing. The advanced practice focus is on health and collective life lived in relationship. Thus our
curriculum emphasizes advanced nursing roles that maximize health of communities and change the
paradigm from one that focuses on disease and illness to one that focuses on prevention and
wellness.
In all our programs, our students are our greatest asset. They come from all parts of the world to
continue their education in transcultural nursing. Classes are therefore a dynamic mix of cultures,
spiritual traditions, and lifeways. The Augsburg College mission focuses our curriculum and unites us
in ongoing efforts to become better informed citizens, more thoughtful stewards, critical thinkers, and
responsible leaders.
Classes are offered on the Augsburg campus in Minneapolis and at Bethel Lutheran Church in
downtown Rochester, Minn. Video conferencing is used for most classes and allows for real-time
connections between students at the two sites. Program faculty and staff are available at both sites
and eager to assist students in whatever ways we can.
Cheryl J. Leuning
Chair, Department of Nursing
Director, Master of Arts in Nursing Program
and Doctor of Nursing Practice Program
Master of Arts in Nursing
Master of Arts in Nursing Mission
Within the framework of a Christian liberal arts education, the Master of Arts in Nursing program is
designed to prepare nurses for transformational leadership and transcultural practice across care
settings, with particular emphasis on addressing health inequities.
Curriculum
Transcultural Nursing in Community
The Transcultural Nursing in Community track in the Master of Arts in Nursing program was designed
to prepare nurses for advanced population-focused practice in culturally diverse communities. The
curriculum is grounded in nursing science, public health principles, theory-guided practice, and
transcultural care. The program of study focuses on reaching populations that are underserved by
traditional care systems and who exist outside of the social mainstream. As such, the program
provides rich alternative teaching and learning opportunities for graduate students locally and
internationally. Upon graduation from the program, nurses completing this track are eligible to apply
for certification in Advanced Transcultural Nursing through the International Transcultural Nursing
Society. Also, graduates completing this track will be eligible to apply to the American Nurses
Credentialing Center (ANCC) for certification as an Advanced Public Health Nurse (APHN-BC).
Ten courses plus a transcultural field project course are required. Three courses in the advanced
nursing core, which all master’s students must take; five courses from the Transcultural Nursing in
Community track; and two electives make up the coursework for the program.
Advanced Nursing Core (three courses)
NUR 505
Theoretical Foundations for Advanced Nursing Practice (36 practice hours)
NUR 520
Research Methods in Nursing (36 practice hours)
NUR 523
Theory, Research, and Practice Seminar (36 practice hours)
Transcultural Nursing in Community track (five courses)
NUR 500
Transcultural Health Care (36 practice hours)
NUR 503
Transcultural Health, Families, and the Life Cycle (36 practice hours)
NUR 541
The Politics of Health Care (72 practice hours)
Plus, two of the following courses: *
NUR 510
Advanced Community Health Nursing I: Health As Membership; Living in Community
(36 practice hours)
NUR 511
Advanced Community Health Nursing II: Emerging Models of Care in Diverse
Communities (72 practice hours)
or
NUR 530
The Power of Ritual and Ceremony for Transformation**
NUR 532
Transcultural Healing Practices**
Electives—two graduate elective courses from Nursing, MAL, or another graduate program.
*Students seeking certification as an Advanced Public Health Nurse from the American Nurses
Credentialing Center (ANCC) must complete 500 hours of clinical practicum work and select NUR 510
and NUR 511; students seeking certification from the International Transcultural Nursing Society may
select NUR 530 and NUR 532. Clinical practicum hours are integrated into several courses in the
curriculum.
**Course has 0 practice hours.
Graduate Project—students are required to complete a graduate project, which is equivalent to
one course.
NUR 525
Graduate Field Project (144 practice hours)
Transformational Leadership and Management
The Transformational Leadership and Management track unites the liberal arts with nursing science
and practice. This track is designed to develop nurse leaders who are analytical, articulate, and
constructively critical and who will be able to cope with high-level health care delivery issues.
Curricular emphasis is on interdisciplinary collaboration across care settings. Participation in nursing
leadership practica and classroom dialogue provides opportunities for students to apply knowledge
and gain experience partnering with diverse care providers, populations, and communities to address
health inequities in creative and relevant ways. Specialty electives build on students’ competencies
and goals. Courses are offered by the Department of Nursing faculty as well as faculty teaching in the
Master of Arts in Leadership and Master of Business Administration programs.
Students take a total of 10 courses, plus a transformational leadership project course. Three courses
in the advanced nursing core, which all Master of Arts in Nursing students must take, four courses in
the Transformational Leadership and Management track, and three elective courses make up the
coursework for the program.
Advanced Nursing Core (three courses)
NUR 505
Theoretical Foundations for Advanced Nursing Practice (36 practice hours)
NUR 520
Research Methods in Nursing (36 practice hours)
NUR 523
Theory, Research, and Practice Seminar (36 practice hours)
Transformational Nursing Leadership Track (four courses)*
NUR 501
Transcultural Care Systems (36 practice hours)
NUR 521
Transformational Nursing Leadership (72 practice hours)
BUS 520
Management of the Health Care Organization
ML 541
The Politics of Health Care (72 practice hours)
Electives—three graduate elective courses from Nursing, MAL, or another graduate program.
*Upon graduation from the program and completion of the Transformational
Leadership and Management track, students have the educational preparation to be
eligible to apply for certification in Advanced Nursing Administration from the
American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).
Graduate Project
Students will fulfill their Master of Arts in Nursing through a final project, which serves as the capstone
of the master’s program: a graduate field project or course.
In the three core courses students will develop a plan for their final field project, which will be
completed in NUR 525.
Practica
Practice experience is emphasized in both tracks in the Master of Arts in Nursing program. Students
who complete the Transcultural Nursing in Community track will have enough practice hours to be
eligible to apply to take the certification exam in Advanced Community Health Nursing through the
American Nurses Credentialing Center. Nursing practice with diverse populations will also provide
students with the experiences needed to apply to take the certification exam in Transcultural Nursing.
In the practica, all students practice primarily in nontraditional settings with persons underserved or
excluded from mainstream health care. Emphasis is on cultural diversity and health inequities across
health care settings. Students in the Transformational Leadership and Management track have
practice experience in several courses with preceptors in leadership positions in a variety of care
settings.
A unique opportunity offered for practica at Augsburg is provided by the Augsburg Central Nursing
Center. The Nursing Center provides services for persons struggling with poverty and homelessness
in the city of Minneapolis. People from diverse backgrounds, who have health experiences grounded
in wide-ranging cultural contexts, provide many opportunities for students to explore advanced
nursing roles and new models and forms of practice.
Study Abroad and Off-Campus Opportunities
The Nursing Department works closely with cultural guides, nurse mentors, and Augsburg’s Center for
Global Education in developing study abroad opportunities. The following study abroad and away
opportunities offer four examples of existing practicum experiences.
Students may travel to Namibia in southwest Africa to spend two weeks exploring health and health
care challenges within a rapidly developing country. Practical experience with nurses in a variety of
care settings, meaningful dialogue with key resource persons, and critical reflection foster personal
and professional growth in this practicum.
Week-long immersion courses and practica are taught on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in
western South Dakota. These courses and experiences offer students the opportunity to live on the
reservation and participate with public health nurses providing health services. They also interact with
tribal leaders and experience cultural events relevant to the Lakota people of Pine Ridge.
Ten-day courses and practica are available in Mexico and Guatemala as well. Students explore the
relationships of indigenous and Western health care, the connection between social justice and
health, and interact with local indigenous healers.
Students may apply all these study abroad options to requirements in the Master of Arts in Nursing
program.
These practice experiences include fees for travel and education costs on-site in addition to course
tuition. Fees vary by practice site.
Course Descriptions
NUR 500 Transcultural Health Care
This course explores meanings and expressions of health, illness, caring, and healing transculturally.
Focus is on understanding and developing professional competence in caring for individuals, families,
groups, and communities with diverse cultural backgrounds. Culture is examined as a pervasive,
determining “blueprint” for thought and action throughout the human health experience. Patterns of
human interaction that foster health and quality of life are analyzed, and health destroying patterns of
interaction, e.g., stereotyping, discrimination, and marginalization, are examined and submitted to
moral and ethical reflection. (36 hours of practice experience)
NUR 501 Transcultural Care Systems
In this course, organizations are viewed as cultural systems that are complex and adaptive, where
continuous change and unpredictability rule the development and course of evolution. The importance
of relationships, the role of self-organization, the processes of emergence and co-evolution are
explored via readings and discussions. Attendance at a local, national, and/or international nursing
leadership conference is mandatory. Dialogue and networking with a variety of nursing leaders to
understand the context of transcultural health care organizations are expected.
NUR 503 Transcultural Health, Families, and the Life Cycle
The major curriculum concepts of individuals, health, nursing, and society are developed further in this
course as the function of individuals living in families and in communities is explored. Content about
systems, communication, small group, and nursing theories is applied to family constellation. The
influence of the multigenerational family is examined in terms of culture, belief system, roles, health
care patterns, values, and goals. Specific concepts related to values and culture are expanded and
applied to the more complex social structures of traditional and nontraditional families as they interact
in and with society. (36 hours of practice experience)
NUR 505 Theoretical Foundations for Advanced Nursing Practice
This course focuses on nursing science and nursing theory as foundational to advanced transcultural
nursing practice. Philosophical underpinnings of different theoretical and research traditions in nursing
are compared and related to the provision of culturally competent care in diverse communities.
Nursing science is emphasized as a process of theory advancement and as an accumulating body of
nursing knowledge. (36 hours of practice experience)
NUR 510 Advanced Community Health Nursing I: Health As Membership; Living in Community
This course focuses on persons, families, and groups living in relationship. Emphasis is on applying
the core functions of community/public health—assessment, policy development, and assurance.
Principles of epidemiology, population demographics, and culture care are integrated into communityfocused health care delivery models. Power structures within dominant social systems are analyzed
and critiqued with regard to resource access and distribution among underserved populations. (36
hours of practice experience)
NUR 511 Advanced Community Health Nursing II: Emerging Models of Care in Diverse
Communities
Emphasis is on the application of public/community health theory and research in providing health
care to populations and communities. Essential public health services are assessed for adequacy in
meeting community health needs and addressing transcultural health goals. The impact of diversity,
privilege, resource limits, and globalization add depth and reality to local and global community health
concerns, patterns of health, suffering, and health care provisioning. (Prereq.: NUR 510) (72 hours of
practice experience)
NUR 520 Research Methods in Nursing
Through a combination of literature review, field experience, and class discussion, research methods
relevant to the exploration of culture and health will be examined. Class topics will include formulating
study questions to explore collective foundations of meaning and explanation in health and illness,
practice in data collection procedures of field research, and issues of interpretation and analysis in
qualitative research. (Prereq.: college-level statistics course) (36 hours of practice experience)
NUR 521 Transformational Nursing Leadership
This course emphasizes transformational nursing leadership and management in partnership with
diverse groups. Transcultural competence is lifted up as significant to the evolving leadership and
planning skills needed in emerging care systems. Opportunities for students to engage in designing
relevant models of care delivery are woven into clinical practica. (36 hours of practice experience)
NUR 523 Theory, Research, and Practice Seminar
The conceptualization, investigation, and application of nursing knowledge will be critiqued with
particular focus on its contribution to developing practice in transcultural community health care.
Through reflection and dialogue, which includes professional experience of practice contexts, as well
as theoretical and research literature, students will formulate a transcultural nursing model of care. (36
hours of practice experience)
NUR 525 Graduate Field Project
This course focuses on the application and integration of knowledge to a student-selected issue or
topic of concern relevant to transcultural nursing, community health nursing, and/or transformational
nursing leadership. This course focuses on a written report of the student’s project that has been
developed in the nursing core. Relevant coursework is integrated into the project and the final written
report. Plans for disseminating the report for public and professional use are encouraged. Students
will defend the project to their graduate committee (major faculty adviser and two readers) and invited
guests at the time of completion. (144 hours of practice experience)
NUR 530 The Power of Ritual and Ceremony for Transformation
In this course, the student will explore ritual and ceremony from a transcultural perspective. Attention
will be focused on rituals and ceremonies in specific cultures and religions, and in the modern
American medical system that sustains its own rituals. In some cultures, formal or informal religious
practices may be integral to the ritual of ceremony and healing. In modern American culture, the
perceived division between the mind, body, and spirit has led to ritual and ceremony being considered
adjunctive to the scientific approach ritual and ceremony into their lives and health care practices.
Students will also discuss the meaning of ritual and ceremony to their own lives and professional
practice.
NUR 532 Transcultural Healing Practices
This course will introduce students to complementary healing practices including the historical and
cultural contexts in which they developed. Students will discuss the philosophical underpinnings of
therapeutic systems and paradigms of healing in selected complementary therapies: music therapy,
traditional Chinese medicine, mind-body healing, spiritual and faith practices, energy healing
practices, movement therapies, homeopathy, manual therapies, and nutrition and nutritional
supplements.
NUR 541 The Politics of Health Care
This course will explore how health and illness are related to inequities in society and dynamics of
power in systems of health care. The following issues will be examined in the course: How widening
gaps in the distribution of wealth diminish the health of all members of society; how social inequities
become medicalized as health disparities, how an emphasis on profit in health care affects the
distribution of healing resources in the population, and what strategies the poor and powerless employ
to gain access to health care resources. This course will include an optional study abroad experience
in Guatemala. (72 hours of practice experience)
NUR 562 Walking the Truth: Culture, Gender, and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)
in Sub-Saharan Africa
This course explores the influence of cultural values and gender roles on the achievement of the
Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in sub-Saharan Africa. The social determinants of health and
illness—economic realities, education levels, governmental policies, access to technology, and the
competence of health care providers—are examined in relation to the unequal burdens of suffering
and disease evident in Africa. Leadership skills that promote MDG achievement in local, regional, and
national contexts are identified and applied through experiential practical learning activities.
NUR 599 Topics
Study of selected topics that are not treated extensively through current course offerings. Specific
topics will be published prior to registration.
BUS 520 Management of the Health Care Organization
This course provides an overview of the key organizational and behavioral concepts that underlie
effective management practices in health care organizations. It addresses both the theory and
practice of effective management. The course will emphasize the importance of addressing the
expectations, needs, and performances of people in organizations, and recognizes the role of the
internal, external, and global cultures that impact organizational structure, behavior, and change.
ECO 520 Economics of Health Care in a Global Community
At the end of the class, students will be better able to apply economic concepts to the health systems
of both the United States and other parts of the world. The focus will be on the public policy aspects of
the health care system, e.g., issues of access and cost.
Admission to MAN
Admission Requirements
Applicants into the Master of Arts in Nursing program must have:
• Bachelor’s degree in nursing from a regionally-accredited four-year college or university, or must
have an Associate of Science degree in nursing in addition to a non-nursing bachelor’s degree.
• Cumulative GPA of 3.0 (on a scale of A = 4.0) in all previous college coursework
• Experience as a registered nurse
• Current nursing license
• All required immunizations
• National Criminal Background check
A college-level statistics course is required for progression in the program, but is not necessary for
admission.
Decisions about admission to the program will be made on an individual basis by the Graduate
Admissions Committee. Admissions are handled throughout the year, with students being admitted at
the beginning of the fall (September), winter (January), and spring (April) terms.
Selection of candidates will be made on the basis of an evaluation of the following items for each
applicant:
• Previous college record and GPA
• Letters of recommendation
• Professional experience
• Written statement describing professional and educational goals
Application Checklist
The following items must be sent to the Office of Admissions:
• Completed application form—www.augsburg.edu/ma_nursing/
• $35 nonrefundable application fee
• A 2-3 page typed statement describing the applicant’s professional and educational goals
• Three letters of recommendation—in English—addressing the applicant’s character and ability for
graduate study. (Two of these recommendations must be from professional colleagues.)
•
•
Evidence of Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) training, professional
liability insurance, and required immunizations
Official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended, listing all courses
taken and any degree(s) conferred.
An interview with graduate program faculty and/or staff members may be requested.
Admission as an international student
International applicants must submit the required application materials listed above. Refer to the
additional requirements outlined in Admission of International Students in the Graduate Admissions
section.
Academic Policies
Evaluation Standards
Evaluation of academic performance in the Master of Arts in Nursing program will be based on
number grades using a 4.0-point scale. See detailed information in the Academic Programs and
Policies section.
Attendance Policy
Class attendance is expected and should be considered a responsibility, not only to one’s self, but to
one’s classmates and course instructor.
Academic Probation and Dismissal Policies
Students must maintain a 3.0 cumulative grade point average. If a student falls below a 3.0 average,
the student will be placed on probation for the following term. A 3.0 cumulative grade point average
must be restored in order for a student to be removed from probation. If a student receives a grade of
2.0 or less in a course, the student must petition successfully to the faculty of the Master of Arts in
Nursing program before being allowed to continue in the program. A plan for the student to follow
would be outlined at that time. If a second grade of 2.0 or less is received, the student may be
dismissed from the program. Students may also be dismissed for behavior detrimental to the program,
such as a gross violation of college policy (as published in the Student Guide). Dismissal would occur
only after established procedures were followed.
Credit for Prior Education
Students may petition the Master of Arts in Nursing faculty for approval of any variation in the
curriculum including the transfer of credit. Transfer credits will be evaluated on an individual basis.
The only courses that will be considered for transfer credit are those earned from accredited colleges
and universities, whose course content is comparable to those in the Master of Arts in Nursing
program. No more than three courses will be accepted for transfer credit.
Credit and Contact Hours
Each full-credit graduate course is the equivalent of four semester credits or six quarter credits.
Classes are scheduled to meet the needs of working adults, combining in-class and web-based
components. Clinical practica opportunities are included in selected courses.
Last Day to Withdraw from Class
The last date on which students may withdraw from a class and receive a “W” on their records is
available on the Grad/Weekend and Evening College calendar:
www.augsburg.edu/enroll/calenders/index.html.
Accreditation and Affiliations
The Master of Arts in Nursing program is fully accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing
Education (CCNE).
Augsburg is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, North Central Association of Colleges
and Schools. For a complete list of Augsburg’s accreditations, approvals, and memberships, see the
listing in the About Augsburg College section.
Department of Nursing Faculty
Magdeline Aagard, Associate Professor of Nursing. BA, Augustana College; MBA, EdD, University of
St. Thomas.
Pauline Abraham, Assistant Professor of Nursing. BSN, Winona State University; MA, Augsburg
College.
Marty Alemán, Assistant Professor of Nursing. BSN, University of Minnesota; MA, Augsburg College.
Katherine Baumgartner, Assistant Professor of Nursing. BSN, Minnesota State University; MA,
Augsburg College.
Ruth Enestvedt, Assistant Professor of Nursing, Co-Coordinator of the Augsburg Central Nursing
Center (ACNC). BA, St. Olaf College; MS, PhD, University of Minnesota.
Cheryl Leuning, Professor of Nursing, Chair of the Department of Nursing, and Director of Graduate
Programs. BA, Augustana College; MS, University of Minnesota; PhD, University of Utah.
Joyce Miller, Assistant Professor of Nursing. ADN, Rochester State Junior College; BS, Augsburg
College; MA, Augsburg College.
Susan Nash, Associate Professor of Nursing. BSN, MSN, EdD, University of Minnesota.
Joyce Perkins, Assistant Professor of Nursing. BS, University of New Hampshire; RN, College of St.
Teresa; MA, St. Mary’s College Graduate Center; MS, University of Minnesota; PhD, University of
Colorado.
Kathleen Welle, Instructor and Coordinator of the Augsburg Central Nursing Center, BS, MA,
Augsburg College.
Doctor of Nursing Practice
The Doctor of Nursing Practice program prepares nurses to envision new models of advanced
practice in transcultural nursing, community/public health, and advanced holistic nursing. Emphasis is
placed on maximizing health within populations and communities through peaceful, collaborative
actions across care settings and cultures, focusing on eliminating health inequities locally and
globally. As a post-master’s program, the DNP builds upon the strengths of the Master of Arts in
Nursing (MAN) program and prepares nurses for advanced practice roles in Transcultural Nursing
(APTCN), Public Health Nursing (APPHN), and Holistic Nursing (AHN).
Program Goals
Graduates of the Doctor of Nursing Practice program will have advanced preparation to:
• Negotiate the complexity of multicultural care settings and care systems to eliminate health
inequities among populations and communities
• Challenge conventional knowledge about illness through an ecological approach to social
determinants of health
• Lead change through building coalitions with marginalized people that are based on mutuality and
common cause
Program Structure
The curriculum is structured as a full cohort model. One cohort a year will be admitted to begin in the
fall term. It is expected that most students will take courses on a part-time basis as one didactic
offering, one practicum, and one seminar each term. As a part-time student, completion of the
program is expected to be 32 months, including completion of the capstone project.
The curriculum for the DNP combines didactic, practicum, and seminar courses, with a capstone
project to complete the degree. As a practice doctorate, the emphasis is on building skill in knowledge
application among diverse cultural groups. The goal is to improve health and decrease inequities that
lead to unnecessary morbidity and mortality in communities.
Didactic
A total of seven didactic courses constitute the DNP core, with one additional elective course credit
required for completion of the didactic coursework. The didactic offerings carry 0.5 course credits
each (1.0 course credit equals 4.0 semester credit hours) and are taught as an immersion one day a
month with a half-day for seminar on the subsequent day.
Practica
Practica are organized to give flexibility and individual choice to students to support their increasing
independence and depth of practice experience at the doctoral level. Students select practicum
experiences that are either structured immersions in a variety of cultural contexts led by nursing
faculty or that are student initiated and individually directed experiences mentored by nursing faculty.
Practica course credits range from 0.25 (36 hours per 12-week term) to 1.0 (144 hours per 12-week
term). To achieve the DNP, students must complete a total of 1,000 practicum hours in their MA and
DNP programs. Students will be allowed to transfer up to 600 practicum hours from their master’s in
nursing into the Augsburg DNP. Assuming a 12-week semester, practicum hours are computed as
follows:
• (.25 course credits) 1 semester credit hour = 3 “clock” hours of practicum time per week x 12
weeks = 3 “clock” hours per week or 36 “clock” hours of practicum time per semester
•
•
•
(.50 course credits) 2 semester credit hours = 6 “clock” hours of practicum time per week x 12
weeks = 72 “clock” hours of practicum time per semester
(.75 course credits) 3 semester credit hours = 9 “clock” hours of practicum time per week x 12
weeks = 108 “clock” hours of practicum time per semester
(1.00 course credits) 4 semester credit hours = 12 “clock” hours of practicum time per week x 12
weeks = 144 “clock” hours of practicum time per semester
Seminars
Seminars focus on integration of conceptual learning with field practice developing the student’s
particular practice interest. Students are required to participate in a doctoral seminar (.25 course
credits) every term—fall, winter, and spring—until completion of the DNP degree. Cohorts of students
who enter the DNP program together progress as a group in the seminars in which they enroll each
term. The final seminar culminates in the project presentation and completion of the requirements for
the DNP degree. Students will participate in a seminar (.25 course credits) every term until
completion.
Final DNP Capstone Project
Final DNP capstone projects must make a significant impact on nursing practice and health outcomes
of populations and communities, demonstrate an evidence-based contribution to existing nursing
knowledge, and be suitable for presentation or publication in a peer-reviewed venue. Through this
scholarly project students demonstrate synthesis and application of scientific knowledge in advanced
transcultural public/community health nursing practice. Students should begin working on their DNP
capstone projects in the early stages of the DNP program and continue throughout. This scholarly
project is planned in collaboration with a major faculty adviser.
Curriculum
Didactic Courses
NUR 800 Practice Wisdom (Me¯tis) and Formal Evidence: The Dialectic between Knowledge
and Engagement
This course provides a foundation for building the scholarship of advanced practice in transcultural
nursing and community health. Sources of knowledge and procedures for acquiring knowledge, both
formal and informal, will be studied for the power to positively influence health outcomes. Evidence
will be evaluated for relevance to practical experience based on context-specific (emic) positions and
for rigor in empirical procedures based in context-free (etic) perspectives. Utilizing selected evidence
suited to particular transcultural issues, practice modes building on both local expertise and
professional research will be analyzed through systematic reflection. Students will begin developing
original practice models suited to their transcultural interests and relevant to concerns of people
marginalized by dominant health systems.
NUR 802 Making Room at the Table: Applying Ethics to Ending Hunger and Sharing
Abundance
This course in applied ethics focuses on health as a human right with emphasis on the development
of skills in community building as citizen professionals. From the perspective that hoarding abundance
compromises the health of everyone, the course facilitates human connections that go beyond charity
to acting from a basis of shared risk and solidarity.
NUR 803 Transcultural Cosmologies and a Global Perspective
This course explores the intersection of Western scientific principles and cultural cosmologies. Cycles,
rhythms, and patterns of nature are correlated to a Western understanding of natural science. These
interrelationships are then viewed through the lens of nursing theory, research, and practice. A wider
horizon of meaning derived from a broad understanding of diverse methods and healing practices
allows for conceptual models of nursing care to emerge that are responsive to diverse cultural
expressions of health and illness.
NUR 804 Mobilizing Sustainable Models of Human Betterment: Participatory Action in
Community Building and Health Care
This course focuses on communities as the foundation of health by recognizing strength in community
residents and models that utilize the qualitative methods of participatory action that minimize the
expert role in planning. Globalization as a model of neoliberalism will be critiqued, and a perspective
of building solidarity among local communities will be emphasized. Skill building in participatory action
processes will occur.
NUR 805 Ways of Knowing: Synthesizing Qualitative and Quantitative Evidence
Drawing on insights from complexity science, this course examines the diverse ways of knowing that
guide professional practice. It focuses on the comparative analysis of quantitative and qualitative data.
Students will critically reflect on the data, unpacking it and uncovering the meaning behind the data
that supports their practice. Comparing the positivistic and interpretive stance, the students will
examine relevant knowledge and ways of knowing that provide scholarly grounding for their
professional expertise.
NUR 806 Ecology of Human Suffering in a World of Extremes
This course examines the cumulative illness-producing effects of inequities that are embedded in
structures of social privilege and disadvantage. Human suffering is viewed as neither coincidental nor
inevitable, but related to exploitation and organized cruelty within social systems. Epidemiological
approaches are used to trace patterns of disease and illness that strike population groups and
communities unequally around the world. Health status appraisal, risk analysis, and the levels of
structural violence in society will be examined using culturally responsive data collection methods,
resource accessibility, and the application of appropriate technology.
NUR 807 Magic, Medicine, and Healing Spirits: Transcultural Perspectives on Health Care
This course explores transcultural healing and caring modalities including the integration of traditional
and scientific healing ceremonies and beliefs. Healing traditions among indigenous peoples will be
examined, including spiritual forces that promote health and cause illness. The use of medicinal plants
for healing in indigenous traditions will be compared to contemporary views of health and healing in
bio-scientific models of curing.
Practica
Practica in the DNP include structured immersion experiences led and facilitated by faculty, and
student initiated, self-directed practice experiences mentored by faculty. All practica are designed to
develop students’ individual practice interests and skills.
Practica are taken concurrently when students enroll in a didactic course. Guidelines for the
integration of DNP practica into a plan of study include the following:
• Practica will be completed incrementally throughout the DNP program.
• Students may register for varying practica and credits each term, including summer
• Practicum hours may be completed at the student’s job site, if approved by a supervisor and the
nursing faculty adviser, but the practicum work must go beyond the student’s current job
responsibilities and be consistent with the DNP program expected student outcomes.
• Practica must be led or mentored by either a nursing faculty member or another approved mentor
who is an “expert” within a community, population group, or has expert knowledge related to a
particular phenomenon of interest to the student.
• Students will develop objectives for practicum experiences in collaboration with faculty advisers
and keep a record of practicum work in a professional portfolio.
•
Students must register for enough post-baccalaureate practicum credits to reach a total of 1,000
practicum hours to earn the DNP degree. This will be evaluated when students are admitted to the
DNP program.
The following are examples of directed study practica and immersion practicum experiences
developed and led by faculty in the DNP program:
NUR 701 - NUR 704 Directed Study Practicum (0.25-1.00 credits, 36-144 practicum hours)
Directed study practica build upon advanced nursing competencies developed at the master’s level to
expand and deepen knowledge supporting expert nursing practice. In the practica students will
integrate and synthesize knowledge from emic wisdom with the biophysical, psychosocial, analytical,
and organizational sciences as the basis for the highest level of transcultural nursing practice.
Students are expected to enhance practice and/or systems management skills, including clinical
reasoning, and advance to a higher level of expertise in transcultural nursing and community health.
As such, directed study practica are individualized to students’ specific areas of interest and are
planned by students in consultation with a major faculty adviser, cultural guides, and other mentors in
the communities in which they wish to carry out the practicum.
NUR 712 Culture Care on the Pine Ridge Reservation (0.5 course credits, 72 practicum hours)
In this practicum students live on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in western South Dakota, where
they have opportunities to gain knowledge about health inequities and structural violence from the
viewpoint of persons living with poverty and cultural devastation. The strengths of the traditional
Lakota culture emerge as Lakota elders and tribal leaders guide students into life on the reservation.
Healing care systems and beliefs about health and illness are compared and contrasted with Western
biomedical care and the politics of health care provided through the federal government’s Indian
Health Service (IHS) are examined.
NUR 742 Dia de los Muertos—Location: Mexico (0.5 course credits, 72 practicum hours)
In this practicum students are immersed in the ancient tradition of honoring the children and ancestors
during the celebration of the Day of the Dead in Mexico. Living in Cuernavaca or Oaxaca, Mexico,
students are guided by indigenous participants in rituals and ceremonies that invite the return of
ancestors who have died. Globalization of the holiday and its modifications through culture contact are
revealed.
NUR 723 Ancient Healing Practices—Location: England (0.75 course credits, 108 practicum
hours)
This practicum immerses students in ancient settings of healing in England—the healing waters of the
Roman baths and the healing energy of and the sacred sites of ancient Celts. The importance of a
connection to the land and cosmos is embodied in the origins of modern-day nursing. A visit to
Homerton Hospital in Hackney, London, exemplifies transcultural care with a diverse population of
immigrants and asylum seekers.
NUR 752 Health Care on the Mexican–US Border (0.5 course credits 72 practicum hours)
This study abroad opportunity explores issues of poverty, public health, environment, immigration,
and globalization in the context of displaced communities. Participants meet face to face with
immigrants, refugees, border patrol agents, factory workers, and community leaders on both sides of
the US–Mexican border to listen and learn about their health concerns, economic development,
human rights struggles, and efforts to achieve social justice.
NUR 734 Health and Community Building—Location: Guatemala (1.0 course credits, 144
practicum hours)
This practicum explores health as a human right. Analysis will focus on how widening gaps in the
distribution of wealth diminishes the health of all members of society. Learning is based on immersion
experiences in Guatemala City and highland Mayan communities. Observation, presentations by
cultural guides, and classroom discussions will reflect on health and social justice for marginalized
people. Participation in traditional back-strap weaving will guide reflection on the relationship of health
and cultural continuity. Spanish language school is an option in this practicum.
NUR 762 A Practicum Exploring Millennium Development Goal (MDG) Achievement in SubSaharan Africa (.5 course credit, 72 practicum hours)
Students focus on the development of leadership skills that promote Millennium Development Goal
(MDG) achievement in sub-Saharan Africa. Practicum activities are designed to engage health care
professionals and members of local communities in best practices for achieving MDG targets by 2015.
Structured lectures and discussions supplement practice and encourage students to explore
sociocultural determinants of health and illness—economic realities, cultural values and gender roles,
education levels, governmental policies, access to technology, and the competence of health care
providers—in relation to the unequal burdens of suffering and disease evident in Africa.
NUR 794 Culture Care in a World of Extreme—Location: Republic of Namibia (1.0 course
credits, 144 practicum hours)
Emphasis is on transcultural nursing leadership in partnership with persons and communities.
Participants experience the challenges care systems face in providing health care within
geographically and economically extreme contexts where isolation, poverty, and virulent disease are
epidemic. Participant-observation among Ju/’hoansi communities in the Nyae Nyae Conservancy
provide opportunities to collaborate and practice with nurses and other health care professionals
striving to provide culturally safe and effective health care to one of the world’s “first peoples.”
NUR 782 Poverty and Community Building in the Inner City—Location: Minneapolis, Minn. (0.5
course credits, 72 practicum hours)
An immersion in the inner city of Minneapolis provides experience with the rich diversity in the inner
city. Concepts of advanced practice in public health nursing are applied among the community of
people who visit the Augsburg Central Nursing Center, a community-based nursing service. In
addition to participation at the Nursing Center, students explore issues of health and social reality with
cultural guides from the inner city populations and with nurses who work effectively with them.
Seminars
NUR 811 First-Year Seminar, NUR 821 Second-Year Seminar, NUR 831 Third-Year Seminar, and
NUR 841 Final Seminar (0.25 credits per term while enrolled in the DNP)
Students are required to register for a seminar each term they are in the DNP program. The purpose
of DNP seminars is to integrate diverse practicum experiences with students’ individual practice
interests. As such, the seminars provide a venue for students to test ideas for their practice with
faculty and peers and receive relevant feedback and support. Through dialogue in the seminars,
students work on their DNP capstone projects and professional portfolios. The last seminar (NUR
841) culminates in the successful completion of a scholarly capstone project that advances nursing
practice. Students register for NUR 841 during the term in which they will be completing and
presenting their final doctoral project, along with their professional portfolios. The professional
portfolio documents the process of theory and research integration and the emerging practice
innovations the student is implementing.
Elective courses
Elective courses are selected in collaboration with faculty advisers. Students may choose relevant
elective graduate courses (at the 500 level or above) to add depth and breadth to their nursing
specialty focus. These credits may be chosen from within the Department of Nursing or from a
number of interdisciplinary programs and courses, including those offered by Master of Arts in
Leadership, Master of Social Work, Master of Business Administration, Economics, and the Master of
Arts in Education. This allows students to take optimal advantage of the richness and diversity of
opportunities afforded through Augsburg College graduate programs.
Admission to the DNP
Admission Requirements
Applicants to the Doctor of Nursing Practice program must have:
• Earned master’s degree in nursing from a nationally-accredited institution
• GPA of 3.2 on a 4.0 grading scale in master’s in nursing program
• A current unencumbered RN license to practice in the US.
• Evidence of a completed graduate research course
• Evidence of up-to-date immunizations
• Satisfactory results of a certified federal criminal background check
Decisions about admission to the program will be made on an individual basis. Selection of
candidates will be made on the basis of an evaluation of the following items for each applicant:
• A three-page typed, double-spaced essay demonstrating ability to write in a thoughtful, coherent
manner
• Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended (Applicants with a college or
university degree completed outside of the United States must submit an official evaluation from
World Educational Services.)
• Three professional references
• An interview with program faculty
The number of applicants admitted to the DNP program will be limited and based on availability of
faculty members who share a student’s practice interests and goals. Meeting the minimum admission
criteria does not ensure that an applicant will be admitted to the program.
Applicants who have graduated from a foreign nursing program, should submit their coursework for
validation to the World Education Service (WES) and have the reports sent directly to Augsburg
College. Additionally, internationally-educated applicants may request the Commission on Graduates
of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) (http://www.cgfns.org/ ) to forward their educational credentials
report to the Minnesota State Board of Nursing. Once their credentials are verified, applicants must
apply for licensure and demonstrate successful passing of the National Council Licensure
Examination (NCLEX).
Nurses who have previously submitted CGFNS credential verification in a state other than Minnesota,
who have passed the NCLEX, will be considered for admission and must meet the same residency
requirements expected of all students.
Applicants whose first language is not English must submit evidence of earning a minimum score of
95 out of a possible 120 (or 250 if previous version was taken) on the Test of English as a Foreign
Language (TOEFL).
Transfer of credits
Transcripts of students who have completed a master's degree in nursing or other graduate work are
required for admission to the DNP. Doctoral credits may be transferred into the DNP program if
assessed as equivalent to courses offered at Augsburg College. DNP students may potentially
transfer up to 2.0 course credits or 8 semester credit hours into the DNP program. Elective courses
acceptable for transfer are determined by the Department of Nursing faculty and the registrar. The
process of obtaining transfer credit must be initiated by the student before the end of the first
academic year of study. Submission of course syllabi and/or a detailed description of course content
will be needed to initiate transfer of courses into the DNP program.
To qualify for credit the practicum hours must be officially documented from the master’s degree
program.
Students may transfer up to 600 practicum hours that were earned and documented in their master’s
degree program. These 600 hours will be counted toward the 1,000 hours required for the DNP
degree.
Accreditation
Augsburg is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, North Central Association of Colleges
and Schools.
The Doctor of Nursing Practice program is a candidate for accreditation from the Commission on
Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), which has accredited the Master of Arts in Nursing and the
Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs at Augsburg. An accreditation site visit by CCNE is
scheduled for March 2011.
For a complete list of Augsburg’s accreditations, approvals, and memberships, see the listing in the
About Augsburg College section.
Department of Nursing Faculty
Magdeline Aagard, Associate Professor. BA Augustana College; MBA, EdD, University of St.
Thomas.
Pauline Abraham, Assistant Professor. BSN, Winona State University; MA, Augsburg College.
Marty Aleman, Assistant Professor. BSN, University of Minnesota; MA, Augsburg College
Katherine Baumgartner, Assistant Professor. BSN, Minnesota State University; MA, Augsburg
College.
Ruth Enestvedt, Assistant Professor. BS, St. Olaf College; MS, PhD, University of Minnesota.
Cheryl Leuning, Professor, Chair of the Department of Nursing, and Director of Graduate Nursing
Programs. BA, Augustana College; MS, University of Minnesota; PhD, University of Utah.
Joyce Miller, Assistant Professor. AND, Rochester Community Technical College; BS, MA, Augsburg
College.
Susan Nash, Associate Professor. BSN, MSN, EdD, University of Minnesota.
Joyce Perkins, Assistant Professor. BS, University of New Hampshire; RN, College of St. Teresa;
MA, St. Mary’s College Graduate Center; MS, University of Minnesota; PhD, University of Colorado.
Kathleen Welle, Instructor and Coordinator of the Augsburg Central Nursing Center. BS, MA,
Augsburg College.
Program Staff
Sharon Wade, Administrative Coordinator, BA, Augsburg College.
Linden Gawboy, Administrative Assistant
Patricia Park, Program Coordinator, MA, Augsburg College.
Master of Business Administration
Embarking on a graduate degree program is an exciting and challenging decision. The Augsburg
MBA is a rigorous and intensive educational experience. The Augsburg MBA is practical and “handson,” focusing on applicable skills and knowledge designed to increase your ability to think, analyze
and act. The Augsburg MBA provides students a unique opportunity to investigate business cultures
and practices through a faculty-led international experience. Our curriculum integrates the global
experience of our faculty and reflects Augsburg’s mission of developing leaders grounded in values,
purpose, and vocation.
The Augsburg MBA is a proven accelerated program focusing on practical skills, knowledge, and
teamwork; while built on a foundation of ethical decision-making. The Augsburg MBA additionally
offers students the ability to include enhanced instructions in several professional business
disciplines. We invite students to challenge themselves and their classmates to bring a new and
expanded focus through guided reflection and examination.
Augsburg MBA students are chosen because they exhibit purpose and direction in their careers and
lives, and positive engagement with their community and associates. We invite you to become part of
a growing community of Augsburg MBA alumni.
Steven M. Zitnick
Director, Master of Business Administration Program
MBA Mission
To prepare students for professional careers in business by developing their decision-making skills,
critical thinking and by transforming them into effective managers and leaders in service to others.
The program aspires to provide an outstanding student-centered education that produces graduates
who are critically astute, technically proficient, and who understand the moral and ethical
consequences of their decisions on their organization and on the world.
MBA Program Overview
Today’s business leader must be able to quickly analyze situations and information and critically
analyze alternatives and courses of action. The purpose of the Augsburg MBA is to prepare students
to accept greater responsibility in organizations facing this dynamic and fast-evolving business
culture. The curriculum of the MBA gives students the ability to think critically and ethically as they
face the increased challenges of a global business environment. Quality, individual initiative, ethics,
and teamwork are hallmarks of the Augsburg MBA. We have a commitment to continually improve
students’ experiences and learning in the program. Our faculty is uniquely qualified to bridge theory
and real-world application, giving MBA students opportunities to acquire skills and knowledge in a
variety of disciplines. The Augsburg MBA offers students the flexibility of completing a general MBA or
a specialized MBA with a concentration that matches their interests and career goals.
Accreditation
The Augsburg MBA is a candidate for accreditation with the Association of Collegiate Business
Schools and Programs (ACBSP).
Augsburg is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, North Central Association of Colleges
and Schools. For a complete list of Augsburg’s accreditations, approvals,
and memberships, see the listing in the About Augsburg College section.
Plan of Study
The Augsburg MBA is an accelerated, part-time program that allows working professionals to
complete an MBA degree in approximately 24 months. This is accomplished by using a cohort model
in which students follow a predetermined schedule with classes meeting one night a week.
Students in a cohort program model stay together as a group through the sequence of classes for the
duration of the program. This provides a continuous, collaborative learning process. The cohort
environment fosters a cohesive learning community where students learn from each another, mentor
each other, and peer coach. You’ll share diverse professional expertise and experience as you work
in teams on projects, case studies, presentations, and simulations, both inside and outside of class.
Working both individually and in small groups enables you to enhance your strengths, build your skills,
expand your business acumen, and improve your decision-making. Together as a community you’ll
build personal, social, and academic abilities.
Adult learners bring a wealth of work and personal life experiences with them into the classroom,
multiplying the opportunities for learning. The personal connections and relationships you build with
fellow students and faculty will extend into an important and valuable network as you take your career
to new levels.
Course Credit
Augsburg College uses a course-credit system. A full course credit (1.0) is equal to four semester
credits or six quarter credits. Each full course on the semester schedule meets for approximately 28
contact hours with the expectation of substantial independent and group study offered through our
web-based electronic course management system. Learning is supplemented by the use of our class
management software; allowing students and faculty to share ideas, information and learning.
Specialized Plan of Study
The Augsburg MBA offers students the flexibility of completing a general MBA or a specialized MBA
with a specialization that matches their interests and career goals. The general Augsburg MBA
consists of 13 courses that can be completed in approximately 24 months. An Augsburg MBA with a
concentration consists of nine core MBA courses and 3 additional courses that focus on their chosen
area of interest. An MBA with a concentration can be completed in 28 months.
Full-credit MBA courses consist of seven four-hour sessions. Classes are scheduled to meet one
night each week. It is sometimes necessary to include an occasional Saturday session due to national
holidays.
Academic Calendar
Currently, the Augsburg MBA uses the semester schedule as well as a summer session. Courses are
offered consecutively during each term so students are able to concentrate on one subject at a time.
The program is designed to have students take at least two full-credit courses per term.
Official academic calendars and the MBA registration policies can be found at
www.augsburg.edu/registrar. The unique cohort model of the Augsburg MBA requires individual
calendars for each cohort, which are provided by the MBA department.
The Faculty-Led International Experience
Each year, all current MBA students will be offered the opportunity to participate in a faculty-led
international experience. This trip is taken in conjunction with either of these courses: MBA 565
Managing in a Global Environment or MBA 595 Strategic Management. Students will travel as a group
to an international location, visit businesses, participate in faculty lectures, and learn about the culture
and traditions of the countries visited. Each MBA student should have two opportunities during their
matriculation in the program to participate. Costs can vary; but as a minimum, trips normally include
tuition (for the course selected), airfare, lodging, and travel in-country, as well as some meals.
The Augsburg MBA
The 13 required courses of the general Augsburg MBA are as follows:
MBA 510
Managerial Economics
MBA 520
Accounting for Managers
MBA 530
Managerial Finance
MBA 540
Business and Professional Ethics
MBA 545
Organization Behavior
MBA 550
Marketing Management
MBA 560
Communication Issues in Management
MBA 565
Managing in a Global Environment
MBA 570
Quantitative Decision Making for Managers
MBA 575
Strategic Technology
MBA 592
Leadership: Ethics, Service, and Transformation
MBA 595
Strategic Management
MBA 581&2 Management Consulting Project (Capstone)
MBA Course Descriptions
MBA 510 Managerial Economics
Application of economic tools in solving managerial problems. Topics include markets and
organizations, demand and cost functions, demand and supply analysis, game theory and the
economics of strategy, pricing incentives, evaluation, regulation, incentive conflicts and contracts, and
ethics and the organizational architecture. Students develop critical thinking skills and a framework of
analyzing business decisions. In summary, the objective of the course is to help business students
become architects of business strategy rather than simply middle managers following the path of
others.
MBA 520 Accounting for Business Managers
Concepts of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) for preparing financial statements.
Students will learn to analyze income statements, balance sheets, and annual reports, and to budget
using projected sales, fixed and variable expenses, break-even calculation, and capital budgeting.
MBA 530 Managerial Finance
Understanding the foundations of financial management including markets, institutions, interest rates,
risk and return, and the time value of money. Included are security valuation, corporate valuation,
strategic investment and financing decisions, working capital management, mergers and acquisitions,
derivatives, bankruptcy, and multinational implications.
MBA 540 Business and Professional Ethics
An understanding of the ethical problems faced by people in organizations and businesses today. A
framework for recognizing ethical problems helps the student determine how decisions will affect
people positively or negatively. This course conveys a model of analysis of ethical problems to allow
students the ability to make better judgments about what is right and fair. The course also allows
students to gain confidence in their understanding and their proposed solutions for ethical issues, thus
being able to forcefully and reasonably defend their point of view.
MBA 545 Organizational Behavior
Theory and application of organizational behavior to human resources within organizations. Topics
include strategies and tactics for developing human resources to support organizational cultural
changes (such as total quality management), team building, collaboration with other teams, training,
the impact of diversity, and evaluation of contemporary organizational strategies.
MBA 550 Marketing Management
Applying marketing theory and practice to real-life marketing situations. Topics include market
segmentation, targeting, positioning, distribution of goods and services, the relationship between price
and demand, brand management, and marketing plans and strategy. Students gain hands-on
experience with marketing in cross-functional organization strategies.
MBA 560 Communication Issues in Management
An ethnographic approach to communication in the workplace including how physical settings,
communication channels, institutional goals, institutional culture, and the roles of participants shape
communication. Students will use case studies and their own workplace experiences to examine
effectiveness, ideologies and biases, network theory, persuasive appeals, and communication of
institutional values.
MBA 565 Managing in a Global Environment
Explores the reasons, conditions, processes, and challenges of internationalization from an enterprise
perspective. The foci of the course will be international trade theory and institutional governance of
international trade/monetary policy, and the differences in political-economic/socio-cultural systems
and their implications for international business.(This course may be taken in conjunction with the
faculty-led international experience.)
MBA 570 Quantitative Decision-Making for Managers
Extracting actionable information from data, interpreting data in tables and graphs, interpreting
statistical significance, evaluating survey data, using data mining with large databases, and using
simulation and modeling in business decisions.
MBA 575 Strategic Technology
Making strategic technology decisions most favorable to organization and culture, interaction with
customers and suppliers, and future growth of the organization. Students will come to understand the
impact of the internet and electronic commerce on the traditional business model, the effect on
employees, and the ethical and societal results of given technology choices.
MBA 581-582 Management Consulting Project
Working in teams with a local organization, students develop expertise in an area related to their
vocation, using communication, leadership, and collaboration skills, and academic knowledge to
research, analyze, and make recommendations. The management consulting project culminates in a
presentation to the client and the faculty adviser. (The Management Consulting Project course is
divided into two required .5 credit courses.)
MBA 592 Leadership: Ethics, Service, and Transformation
Provides learners with well-rounded, comprehensive leadership skills that will enhance personal and
organizational effectiveness. Leadership skills and abilities have long been viewed as important
contributors to success in personal and professional spheres. Topics include leadership strategy,
critical and distinctive functions and skills of management and leadership, relationship building,
servant leadership, leadership communication, and self-awareness and discovery of leadership styles,
traits, and abilities.
MBA 595 Strategic Management
Organizations that survive over time generally meet customer needs more effectively than the
customer’s alternatives. These organizations adapt to a constantly changing environment, usually
coordinating change in a variety of different functional areas. Strategy matches the organization’s
capabilities to its market position, facilitates resource allocation, and provides guidance for decisionmaking. This course is integrative of all subject matter in the MBA program, and adopts the
perspective of senior management. (This course may be taken in conjunction with the faculty-led
international experience.)
Graduate Concentrations and Certificates
MBA with a concentration
The Augsburg MBA with a concentration requires the successful completion of 15 MBA courses,
including nine foundational courses and six required concentration courses. Students may choose
one of five concentrations: finance, marketing, international business, human resources management,
or health care. A concentration may allow students to become competitive in a specific career field or,
in some cases, it may assist students in achieving professional certification or accreditation.
The nine required core courses are as follows:
MBA 510
Managerial Economics
MBA 520
Accounting for Managers
MBA 530
Managerial Finance
MBA 540
Business and Professional Ethics
MBA 545
Organization Development/Behavior
MBA 550
MBA 570
MBA 580
MBA 592
Marketing Management
Quantitative Decision Making for Managers
Management Consulting Project (Capstone)
Leadership: Ethics, Service, and Transformation
Finance Concentration
Students prepare for careers in international banking, finance, and investments by learning finance
and investment theory and applications, and the operations of financial markets.
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Financial theory and applications
Investment theory and portfolio management
Financial markets
Options and derivatives
International finance
Financial statement analysis
Marketing Concentration
Students receive solid exposure to major topic areas beyond the core, learn to evaluate research data
for marketing decisions, and gain integrative, practical experience in marketing.
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Marketing research
Marketing communications
Sales management
Consumer behavior
Technology and e-commerce
Strategies in global marketing
International Business Concentration
Students develop a specialized toolkit to deal with the global economy with its massive increases in
international trade, foreign direct investment, multinational companies, and international financial
transactions.
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International business: strategies, trade agreements, and policies
International finance
Negotiations in a global environment
Strategies in global marketing
Global supply chain management
Legal aspects of international business
Human Resource Management Concentration
The certificate in human resource management prepares human resource professionals for a variety
of human resource positions. Successful completion of the certificate program as well as passing the
examination and meeting job experience requirements meet the criteria for certification as a
Professional in Human Resources (PHR) or Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR).
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Global human resources
Organizational effectiveness
Training, selection, and performance
Compensation and benefits management
Industrial labor relations
Health Care Management Concentration
The concentration in health care management (MBA/HCM) is designed to provide students with
leadership as well as the management knowledge and skills needed to be successful in today’s health
care organizations. The MBA/HCM emphasizes the identification, analysis, and solution of complex
management problems with a foundation of health care concepts and decision models that will
support the variety of management roles in today’s health care environment.
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Legal and ethical considerations in health care management
Integrated health delivery systems
Health care financing
Cross cultural issues in health care
Global health care issues
Health care operations management (elective)
Concentrations as Graduate Certificate Programs
For students who seek advanced skills and knowledge in a specific business discipline, but either
already possess an MBA or are not interested in pursuing a degree at this time, the five
concentrations are available as graduate certificate programs. These courses are transcribed as “for
credit.” In most cases (depending on employer policies), they will be accepted for tuition
reimbursement. Contact the MBA office at 612-330-1778 or the Office of Admissions at 612-330-1390
for more information.
MSW/MBA Dual Degree
Many social service agencies today require that agency managers combine financial and business
expertise with social work practice and policy formation. The MSW/MBA degree enables graduates to
function in a workplace that demands the delivery of quality services with increasingly limited
resources. The MSW/MBA dual degree option is available to MSW students who elect the Program
Development, Policy, and Administration (PDPA) concentration.
MSW/MBA students will spend their first two years taking Master of Social Work courses followed by
approximately 15 months of MBA courses. For more information regarding the Program Development,
Policy, and Administration (PDPA) coursework required for the MSW/MBA dual degree, refer to the
Master of Social Work section in this catalog. MSW students who graduated after June 2002 are
required to complete the following eight MBA courses:
MBA 510
Managerial Economics
MBA 520
Accounting for Managers
MBA 530
Managerial Finance
MBA 545
Organizational Development
MBA 550
Marketing Management
MBA 560
Communication Issues for Managers
MBA 575
Strategic Technology
MBA 595
Strategic Management
MSW students who graduated prior to 2002 are required to complete nine MBA courses. This
includes the eight MBA courses listed above as well as MBA 592 Leadership: Ethics, Service, and
Transformation.
MSW students may also be required to adjust their summative evaluation project to meet the
requirements of the MSW and MBA programs.
Students interested in the MSW/MBA program must apply to both programs. See the application
guidelines listed under each individual program.
NOTE: Admission to one program does not guarantee admission to the other.
Locations and Schedules
MBA classes are offered at three locations: Augsburg’s Minneapolis campus, Thrivent Financial in
downtown Minneapolis and Augsburg’s Rochester campus. Cohorts begin three times per academic
year: fall term (September), winter term (January), and spring (May).
Orientation for new cohorts is generally scheduled for one-to-two weeks in advance of the beginning
of classes. For more information on class schedules, go to www.augsburg.edu/mba or call the Office
of Admissions at 612-330-1390.
MBA Advisory Board
The MBA Advisory Board is comprised of both active and retired senior business leaders from global,
regional, and entrepreneurial organizations. The board meets several times yearly to review the
program’s progress, offer advice, and provide insight into contemporary business issues that influence
curriculum development or modification. Additionally, the board is invited to participate in student and
alumni events throughout the year.
Admission to the Augsburg MBA Program
Admission to the Augsburg MBA program is determined by a committee decision. The committee may
include MBA program staff, Business Administration Department faculty, and Office of Admissions
staff.
Admission Requirements
Applicants to the MBA program must have:
• bachelor’s degree from a regionally-accredited four-year institution
• minimum of two years of relevant work experience
• personal interview with the MBA program director
Admission checklist
The following materials must be submitted to the Office of Admissons:
• completed application—Apply online at www.augsburg.edu/mba/admissions/application.html
• $35 application fee
• Two personal statements
• Official undergraduate/graduate transcripts sent directly to the Augsburg Office of Admissions
• Current résumé of work history
• Two confidential letters of recommendation
• Official GMAT score report (school code 6014)—not required for certificate applicants Or
completion of the Individual Learning Profile (ILP) For information about the ILP, contact the
Graduate Admission Department
Admission as an international student
International applicants must submit the required application materials listed above. Refer to the
additional requirements outlined in Admission of International Students in the Graduate Admissions
section.
Admission as a transfer student
Students may apply to Augsburg as a transfer student. Transfer students follow the same procedure
as new applicants.
Transfer students may receive up to six (6.0) transfer credits. (See Evaluation of Transfer Credit in
Academic Programs and policies.) Students must complete no fewer than seven (7.0) courses at
Augsburg in order to receive their MBA degree from Augsburg College. All students must complete
the Management Consulting project, (MBA 581/2) to graduate. Eligible coursework must be approved
by the MBA program director before transfer credit will be granted.
GMAT Alternative Option; The Individual Learning Profile (ILP)
Applicants to the MBA program who have not taken the GMAT may instead elect to complete the
Individual Learning Profile (ILP) assessment. This option consists of two parts; an analysis of the
applicants quantitative skills and a writing assessment. Both portions of the assessment are taken
online, and the quantitative skills evaluation also offers the student interactive remedial instruction.
The ILP is normally completed as part of the application process, prior to admittance.
GMAT Waiver Policy
As a general policy, the Augsburg MBA program requires the GMAT of all applicants, due to both the
analytical and critical evaluation components of our accelerated program. The GMAT is used both to
evaluate the candidate’s opportunity for success as well as to indicate areas where remedial work
may be necessary. However, the Admissions Committee will consider, on a case-by-case basis,
GMAT waiver requests for the MBA program. Waivers are not automatic for any candidate, and a brief
written request must be submitted outlining the reasons why the Admissions Committee should grant
a GMAT waiver. Current occupation or undergraduate disciplines are not specific grounds for a GMAT
waiver.
Eligibility for GMAT Waivers
GMAT waivers may be offered to:
• Candidates with an appropriate and current GRE score.
• Candidates who have been enrolled in a graduate degree program in a technical or quantitatively
rigorous discipline (such as actuarial science, engineering, mathematics, physics, economics, or
chemistry) from an accredited institution and who were in good academic standing with an overall
grade point average of 3.0 or better (or the equivalent of a B average under the system used by
that institution). Students should have completed at least four academic courses within this
curriculum to qualify. It is important to note that employment history and current assignment will be
reviewed in addition to the degree requirement.
• Candidates who hold the following graduate degrees from an accredited college or university with
an overall grade point average of 3.0 or better (or the equivalent of a B average under the system
used by that institution.)
• Medical or dental degree (MD, DDS)
• Master’s or doctoral degree in an academic discipline that included a significant quantitative,
engineering, mathematics, or statistics component or involved research requiring significant
quantitative skills.
• Any other quantitatively-based graduate degree from an accredited college or university that the
Admissions Committee believes has highly prepared the candidate for rigorous graduate-level
work
• Master’s, PhD, EdD, or advanced degrees in disciplines other than those identified, including
those granted by academic institutions outside the US These will be evaluated by the Admissions
Committee. (See grade requirement above)
• Candidates who have completed a graduate program at Augsburg College in the MAL, MAN,
MSW, MAE, or PA programs.
• Candidates with current and active CPA designation. If the CPA designation has been inactive
and not current for a period greater than five years, the waiver may not be granted.
GMAT Waiver Checklist
Submit the following documentation to the associate director of the MBA program:
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One-page written request outlining reasons why the Admissions Committee should grant a GMAT
waiver
Copies of transcripts for all work completed at any college or university, whether or not a degree
was granted (unless previously submitted to the Office of Admissions)
Current résumé (unless previously submitted to the Office of Admissions)
Any other information that you wish to submit to support your request.
Typically, GMAT waiver decisions are made within one week of receipt of materials. For questions about
this checklist or the waiver policy, contact either the Office of Admissions or the MBA program office.
Academic Policies
MBA Program Enrollment Policy
Students are strongly encouraged to remain in their cohort and complete their MBA program as
scheduled. Adjustments or modifications to the MBA schedule require the approval of the MBA
program director.
All students are required to complete all components of the program within five years of matriculation.
Extensions beyond five years will be considered on the basis of petition to the MBA director. Students
who leave the program for more than one trimester must request a leave of absence in writing from
the MBA program. A leave of absence may be granted for one calendar year. Students who return to
the program after a leave of one year or more must fill out an Application for Readmission form and
submit it to the MBA office. Time spent on an official MBA-approved leave of absence will not count
toward the five-year deadline for degree completion.
Academic Evaluation
Evaluation of academic performance in the MBA program will be based on number grades using a
4.0-scale. For complete information, see Academic Programs and Policies.
Withdrawal from Class
For information regarding the last date on which students may withdraw from a class and receive a
“W” on their records, refer to the course information on Records and Registration.
Attendance Policies
Student attendance at scheduled class meetings is a priority and required. However, MBA faculty
understand that MBA students are working adults with significant responsibilities who, on occasion,
face unforeseen situations that may interfere with attendance. Students should notify the faculty
member teaching the course as soon as possible when the problem is immediate. When the student
knows in advance of a class date where a potential conflict exists, they must discuss the proposed
missed class with the faculty member prior to the date of the class. Students are responsible for the
work covered during that class session and for making appropriate arrangements for obtaining
handouts, lecture content, or other materials. Faculty members may assign appropriate independent
work to insure that the student understands the material covered during the class session.
If appropriate and acceptable coordination is carried out by the student, there need not be any grade
reduction for a single missed class session. This may be dependent on assignments due on the date
of the missed class; e.g., final project presentations or team presentations. Point/grade reductions for
unexcused absences are the prerogative of the faculty. Two missed class sessions, unexcused or
excused, may be grounds for directing the student to withdraw from the course. More than two
absences, excused or unexcused, require that a student withdraw from the class.
Degree Requirements
To be conferred the MBA degree, students must achieve the following:
• Successful completion of all admission conditions
• Successful completion of MBA courses (2.5 or above)
• No more than two courses with a grade of 2.5 or below, and with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or
higher at the completion of the program
• Successful completion and submission of the management consulting project (capstone)
Students who successfully complete Augsburg’s MBA program will receive a Master of Business
Administration degree.
MBA Faculty
William Arden, Assistant Professor of Business Administration. BS, New York University; MS,
Northeastern University; MBA, Boston University.
Bruce Batten, Assistant Professor of Business Administration, MBA. BS, Davidson College; PhD,
Medical College of Virginia.
Jeanne M. Boeh, Associate Professor of Economics. BS, MA, PhD, University of Illinois.
David Conrad, Assistant Professor of Business Administration. BA, Winona State University; MA,
Ed.D, St. Mary’s University of Minnesota.
George Dierberger, Assistant Professor of Business Administration. BS, University of Minnesota;
MA, International Studies, University of St.Thomas; MBA, Fairleigh Dickinson University; Ed.D,
Organization Development, University of St Thomas
Stella Hofrenning, Assistant Professor of Economics. BS, University of Maryland; PhD, University of Illinois.
Mark Isaacson, Assistant Professor of Business Administration. BA, St. Olaf College; MS,
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
Ashok Kapoor, Associate Professor of Business Administration. BA, MA, University of Delhi; MA,
MBA, University of Minnesota; PhD, Temple University.
Laura Lazar, Assistant Professor of Business Administration. BA, MLS, Valparaiso University; MBA,
PhD, Indiana University.
Edward Lotterman, Assistant Professor of Economics. BA, MS, University of Minnesota.
Marc McIntosh, Assistant Professor of Business Administration. BS, DePaul University; MBA,
Harvard University; DBA, Argosy University.
Magdalena Paleczny-Zapp, Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Business
Administration. BA, MA, Central School for Planning and Statistics, Warsaw; PhD, Akademia
Ekonomiczna, Krakow.
David G. Schwain, Assistant Professor of Business Administration. BBA, University of Cincinnati;
MBA, Harvard University.
Peter J. Stark, Assistant Professor of Business Administration. BS, Northwestern University; MBA,
Pepperdine University.
Steven M. Zitnick, Assistant Professor of Business Administration, BA, Shimer College: MS,
Economics, University of Utah.
Master of Science in Physician Assistant
Studies
PA Program Mission
The mission of the Augsburg College Physician Assistant Program is based on a foundation of
respect and sensitivity to persons of all cultures and backgrounds and oriented toward providing care
to underserved populations. Students are well educated in current medical theory and practice, and
graduates are encouraged to work in primary care settings. The program promotes dedication to
excellence in performance, with the highest standards of ethics and integrity, and commitment to
lifelong personal and professional development.
Accreditation
The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) has
granted Continued Accreditation to the Physician Assistant Program sponsored by Augsburg College.
Continued accreditation is an accreditation status granted when a currently accredited program is in
compliance with the ARC-PA Standards.
Continued Accreditation remains in effect until the program closes or withdraws from the accreditation
process or until accreditation is withdrawn for failure to comply with the Standards. The approximate
date for the next comprehensive review of the program by ARC-PA will be September 2018.
About PA
A physician assistant (PA) is a dependent practitioner of medicine who practices under the
supervision of a licensed physician. The PA can practice in a multitude of settings and specialties of
medicine. Common job responsibilities including taking patient histories, performing physical exams,
ordering and interpreting laboratory tests and radiological studies, formulating diagnoses, and
administering treatment.
In the state of Minnesota, a PA is registered with the Board of Medical Practice. In Minnesota, and
most other states, the PA must be NCCPA (National Commission on Certification of Physician
Assistants) certified and hold a supervisory agreement with a licensed physician. Minnesota
registered PAs have prescriptive privileges under delegatory supervision with their physician for
prescriptive medications.
Curriculum
The Physician Assistant program at Augsburg is 36 months long with studies beginning each year in
the summer semester (late May). The program accepts 30 students for each new class. The
Augsburg PA program includes traditional college “breaks” such as winter holiday break, spring
breaks, and summer breaks. Length of breaks varies depending upon the student’s year in the
program; these breaks contribute to the overall three academic year length of the program.
Studies begin in late May of each year. The first 19 months of study is didactic, or classroom work,
including courses in human gross anatomy, pathophysiology, clinical medicine, pharmacotherapy,
history and physical exam skills, research, and ethics and legal issues in medicine.
The clinical phase is 17 months in length. Each student is required to successfully complete clinical
rotations in family medicine, pediatrics, women’s health, psychiatry, emergency medicine, internal
medicine, surgery, and an elective rotation by choosing from various specialties. The clinical phase
will culminate with a 12-week preceptorship. The majority of established clinical rotation sites are in
Minnesota in both rural and urban locations. Graduates will receive a Master of Science in Physician
Assistant Studies and a PA certificate.
PA Program Sample Calendar
Calendar—Year 1
Summer
• Anatomy
• Pathophysiology
Fall
• Clinical Medicine I
• Pharmacotherapy I
• History and Physical Exam Skills I
Spring
• Clinical Medicine II
• Pharmacotherapy II
• History and Physical Exam Skills II
• Research Tools for the PA
Calendar—Year 2
Summer
• Master’s Project course
Fall
• Clinical Medicine III
• Clinical Phase Transition
• Professional Issues
Spring
• Clinical Rotations 1, 2, 3
Summer
• Clinical Rotations 4, 5
Calendar—Year 3
Fall
• Clinical Rotations 6, 7, 8
Spring
• Preceptorship
• Capstone Course
PA Program Course Descriptions
Academic Phase (first 19 months)
PA 501 Human Anatomy and Neuroanatomy
This course takes a regional approach to the study of human anatomy. The course uses lecture,
demonstration, discussion, and dissection of human cadavers. The intention is to give the students a
foundation for Clinical Medicine. Prerequisites: PA student or consent of instructor
PA 503 Human Pathophysiology
This course uses lecture, detailed objectives/study guide, quizzes and exam, discussion, and case
studies to learn and review basic human physiology and pathophysiology involving fluids and
electrolytes; acid/base disturbances; cellular adaptations; immunity, hypersensitivity, inflammation,
and infection; hematology; pulmonary; cardiovascular system; gastrointestinal system; renal; nervous
system; and musculoskeletal system. The intention is to give the students a foundation for Clinical
Medicine. Prerequisites: PA student or consent of instructor
PA 511 History and Physical Exam Skills I
A lecture-discussion-laboratory course designed to demonstrate and apply techniques and skills
essential to interviewing and physical examination of patients. Topics covered include history taking
and physical exam of the cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, lymph, skin, and
otorhinolaryngology systems. Basic nutrition, genetics, preventive health care, and complementary
and alternative medicine are introduced. Units are coordinated with Clinical Medicine I and
Pharmacotherapy I. Prerequisites: PA 501 and 503
PA 512 History and Physical Exam Skills II
A lecture-discussion-laboratory course designed to demonstrate and apply the techniques and skills
essential to interviewing and physical examination of patients. Topics covered include history taking
and physical exam of the musculoskeletal system, neurology, ophthalmology, endocrinology, and the
male reproductive system. Units are coordinated with Clinical Medicine II and Pharmacotherapy II.
Prerequisite: PA 511
PA 521 Pharmacotherapy I
This course will cover pharmacology and pharmacotherapy related to disease processes of the
dermatologic, cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, and otolaryngologic systems and infectious
diseases. Units are coordinated with the Clinical Medicine I and History and Physical Exam Skills I
courses. Prerequisites: PA 501 and 503
PA 522 Pharmacotherapy II
This course will cover pharmacology and pharmacotherapy related to disease processes of the
orthopedic, neurologic, ophthalmologic, hematologic, renal, urologic and endocrine systems, and pain
management. Units are coordinated with the Clinical Medicine II and History and Physical Exam Skills
II courses. Prerequisite: PA 521
PA 531 Clinical Medicine I with Lab
This course provides background in the epidemiology, etiology, pathophysiology, clinical presentation,
diagnosis, and treatment of common and serious disorders. Topics covered include dermatology,
cardiology, pulmonology, gastroenterology, and otorhinolaryngology. This course builds on the
foundation laid in Anatomy and Pathophysiology. Units are coordinated with concurrent courses in
History and Physical Exam Skills I and Pharmacotherapy I. Prerequisites: PA 501 and 503
PA 532 Clinical Medicine II with Lab
This course provides background in the epidemiology, etiology, pathophysiology, clinical presentation,
diagnosis, and treatment of common and serious disorders. Topics covered include orthopedics,
rheumatology, neurology, ophthalmology, hematology, nephrology, urology, and endocrinology.
Global health and health care disparity are explored. Units are coordinated with concurrent courses in
History and Physical Exam Skills II and Pharmacotherapy II. Prerequisite: PA 531
PA 533 Clinical Medicine III : Integrative Health Care
This course provides an integrative approach incorporating clinical medicine, history and physical
exam, and pharmacotherapy in the study of mental health, geriatrics, women’s health, and pediatrics.
Common problems encountered in primary care and other issues unique to these populations are
explored. The Community Seniors unit provides a service-learning experience where students work
one-on-one with an elderly person from the community. Prerequisites: PA 532
PA 542 Professional Issues
A course designed to introduce the physician assistant student to medical ethics and various
professional topics that affect the practicing physician assistant. The course focus is on the medical
and non-medical aspects of the profession such as history of the physician assistant profession, laws
and regulations governing physician assistant practice and education, human experimentation,
abortion, care for the dying, euthanasia, reimbursement issues, and professional behavior.
Prerequisites: PA student or consent of instructor
PA 545 Clinical Phase Transition
This course incorporates experiential learning to prepare the student for clinical practice. It will also
facilitate the transition of knowledge and skills from the academic phase into the clinical phase.
Students will be placed in a clinic or hospital setting for part of the semester. Students will also have
other health-related community experiences and activities during this course. In-class time will be
used to discuss these experiences and work on skills essential for clinical practice. Prerequisites: PA
532
PA 555 Research Tools for the PA
The course emphasizes research as a tool at all levels of physician assistant practice and education;
identifies the linkages between research, theory, and medical practice; and the responsibility of
physician assistants to expand their knowledge base. Primary, secondary, and tertiary disease
prevention applications to public health are introduced. Information literacy in relationship to medical
literature is integrated throughout the course. Prerequisites: PA student or consent of instructor.
PA 570 Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Aging
This course provides an opportunity for students in health and social services disciplines to explore
issues related to aging and care of the elderly. Students gain real world experiences b working
collaboratively in an interdisciplinary context. Students will be asked to apply knowledge and skills
directly with elders utilizing an experiential learning model. Students will build a beginning expert level
knowledge base regarding issues that affect older adults in contemporary health and social welfare
contexts. Prerequisites: PA student or consent of instructor
PA 599 Directed Study
This course provides a practice-oriented approach to the information literacy methods used in health
care. Students will develop a topic, complete a full review of the literature, and produce an analytic
paper in consultation with the supervising professor. Prerequisite: PA 552
Clinical Phase (17 months)
The clinical phase of the physician assistant graduate program is 17 months in length. The initial 12
months is designed much like a physician’s internship. Each student is required to progress through
seven required rotations in the following disciplines: family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics,
general surgery, women’s health, emergency medicine, and psychiatry. Each of these rotations is six
weeks long. Additionally, within that first 12 months, each student will complete six weeks total of
selected electives from disciplines such as orthopedics, ENT, dermatology, etc.
The clinical phase of the program is designed to effectively train students for practice by providing
them with rotation experiences in different specialties and different practice settings. To that end,
each student will be required to complete several rotations outside the metropolitan area.
The clinical phase culminates with a 12-week preceptorship. This preceptorship is designed to solidify
the student’s primary care skills, and potentially place them in a setting that might be interested in
recruiting a graduate PA. The preceptorship may be completed within the community that the student
has been in for the required rotations, or may be elsewhere in the state.
The clinical curriculum is taught by physicians, and supplemented by physician assistants and other
health care providers. Each student is evaluated by the clinical instructor for the designated rotation.
Students will return to Augsburg College five times during the clinical phase for evaluation and
education.
Clinical Phase Descriptions
PA 600 Family Medicine Clinical Practicum
A six-week required rotation which emphasizes the pathophysiology, evaluation, diagnosis, and
management of systemic diseases and conditions unique to the clinical practice of family medicine.
Inclusion of proper data collection through history and physical examination, formulation of accurate
problem lists, thorough investigation and development of treatment plans utilizing evidence-based
medicine as determined by review and analysis of current medical literature. Prerequisite: Clinical
phase PA student
PA 601 Internal Medicine Clinical Practicum
A six-week required rotation which emphasizes the pathophysiology, evaluation, diagnosis, and
management of systemic diseases and conditions unique to the clinical practice of internal medicine.
Inclusion of proper data collection through history and physical examination, formulation of accurate
problem lists, thorough investigation, and development of treatment plans utilizing evidence based
medicine as determined by review and analysis of current medical literature. Prerequisite: Clinical
phase PA student
PA 602 General Surgery Clinical Practicum
A six-week required rotation which emphasizes the pathophysiology, evaluation, diagnosis, and
management of systemic diseases and surgical conditions unique to the clinical practice of general
surgery. Inclusion of proper data collection through history and physical examination, formulation of
accurate problem lists, thorough investigation, and development of treatment plans utilizing evidencebased medicine as determined by review and analysis of current medical literature. Prerequisite:
Clinical phase PA student
PA 603 Pediatric Clinical Practicum
A six-week required rotation which emphasizes the pathophysiology, evaluation, diagnosis, and
management of systemic diseases and surgical conditions unique to the clinical practice of pediatrics.
Inclusion of proper data collection through history and physical examination, formulation of accurate
problem lists, thorough investigation, and development of treatment plans utilizing evidence-based
medicine as determined by review and analysis of current medical literature. Prerequisite: Clinical
phase PA student
PA 604 Women’s Health Clinical Practicum
A six-week required rotation which emphasizes the pathophysiology, evaluation, diagnosis, and
management of systemic diseases and surgical conditions unique to the clinical practice of women’s
health. Inclusion of proper data collection through history and physical examination, formulation of
accurate problem lists, thorough investigation, and development of treatment plans utilizing evidencebased medicine as determined by review and analysis of current medical literature. Prerequisite:
Clinical phase PA student
PA 605 Emergency Medicine Clinical Practicum
A six-week required rotation which emphasizes the pathophysiology, evaluation, diagnosis, and
management of systemic diseases and surgical conditions unique to the clinical practice of
emergency medicine. Inclusion of proper data collection through history and physical examination,
formulation of accurate problem lists, thorough investigation, and development of treatment plans
utilizing evidence-based medicine as determined by review and analysis of current medical literature.
Prerequisite: Clinical phase PA student
PA 606 Psychiatry Clinical Practicum
A six-week required rotation which emphasizes the pathophysiology, evaluation, diagnosis, and
management of psychiatric diseases and conditions unique to the clinical practice of psychiatric
medicine. Inclusion of proper data collection through history and physical examination, formulation of
accurate problem lists, thorough investigation, and development of treatment plans utilizing evidencebased medicine as determined by review and analysis of current medical literature. Prerequisite:
Clinical phase PA student
PA 607 Elective Clinical Practicum
A six-week required rotation which emphasizes the pathophysiology, evaluation, diagnosis, and
management of diseases and conditions unique to the clinical practice of medicine. Students are
allowed to choose, in consultation with the clinical coordinator, the area of medicine in which they
would like to study as their elective. Prerequisite: Clinical phase PA student
PA 620 or 621 or 622 Preceptorship
A required 12-week rotation at the completion of the clinical phase. This course provides the student a
final opportunity to develop the skills unique to the clinical practice of medicine. Inclusion of proper
data collection through history and physical examination, formulation of accurate problem lists,
thorough investigation, and development of treatment plans incorporating evidence-based medicine
as determined by review and analysis of current medical literature. Can be completed in 620 Family
Medicine, 621 General Medicine Specialty, or 622 Surgical Specialty. Prerequisite: PA 600-607
PA 690 Capstone
This course provides each student the opportunity to present results of their individual research topic
and to synthesize previous study and work experience in preparation for graduation and clinical
practice. The student will demonstrate an understanding of the program’s and profession’s principles.
Prerequisite: PA 600-607
Admission to the PA Program
Admission Requirements
Complete and current-year admission guidelines can be found on our website at
www.augsburg.edu/pa.
Admission to any physician assistant program is a highly competitive process. Augsburg College’s
graduate program in physician assistant studies receives approximately 350 complete, competitive
applications for each entering class of 30 students.
Qualified applicants will have:
• Bachelor’s degree (in any major) from a regionally-accredited four-year institution
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 as calculated by CASPA at the time of application (3.2 or
higher strongly recommended)
• Minimum science GPA of 3.0 as calculated by CASPA at the time of application (3.2 or higher
strongly recommended)
• Completed the prerequisite courses listed below
Prerequisite Courses
To be an eligible applicant for the physician assistant studies program, you must have completed the
prerequisite courses listed below. These courses must have been completed within 10 years of the
year you are applying for admission.
Applicants completing their first undergraduate degree in the spring term may complete prerequisite
coursework in the summer, fall, and spring term of the academic year they apply as long as the
degree and prerequisite coursework will be completed by the start date for the program. Applicants
who already have an undergraduate degree, or who will complete their degree in a term other than
spring, have the summer and fall semesters of the year they apply by which to complete prerequisites.
All course prerequisites must have been passed with a grade of C (2.0) or higher. Meeting minimum
prerequisites does not guarantee admission into the program.
• one full course of general psychology
• one full course of developmental psychology (birth to death lifespan)
• one full course of physiology* (human/vertebrate/organ)
• one full course of microbiology*
• one full course of biochemistry*
• one full course of general statistics
• one course of medical terminology
* Labs are recommended but not required.
Refer to our “Guide to Prerequisites” on our website to help you with your prerequisite course
selections.
The following are strongly recommended but not required:
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Cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher
Science GPA of 3.2 or higher
Additional science courses such as anatomy, genetics, immunology, other biology courses, and
organic chemistry
Clinical health care experience. Direct patient care is the best type of experience to obtain in order
to strengthen an application. Health care experience may be full-time or part-time, paid or
volunteer. We recommend 750-1000 hours to be competitive in this category.
Demonstration of a commitment to, and involvement with, underserved communities.
Note: The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is not required.
PA Studies Application Process
The Augsburg Physician Assistant Studies program has a two-step application process—applying
through CASPA and to Augsburg’s PA Studies Program.
The Augsburg PA Program participates in the Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants
(CASPA) which is sponsored by the Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA). All
applications to the PA Program for the entering class must be processed through CASPA, following all
guidelines and regulations set forth by CASPA. Application forms with detailed instructions can be
obtained online at www.caspaonline.org.
You will be considered an eligible applicant if you have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 at the time
of application (as calculated by CASPA), if you have a minimum science GPA of 3.0 at the time of
application (as calculated by CASPA), if you have completed or will complete your undergraduate
degree prior to the start date of the program, and if you have completed or will complete your
prerequisite courses within the timeline specified for your degree status.
Augsburg’s PA Program Supplemental Application can be downloaded from our website at
www.augsburg.edu/pa. It is important for the applicant to determine whether he or she is in fact
eligible to apply to the PA Studies Program, as the supplemental application fee is non-refundable.
You will be required to print and sign the supplemental application and mail it to the program by the
application deadline.
Selection Process
All complete files (CASPA and Supplemental Applications that meet requirements) will be reviewed by
the admissions committee. The admissions committee procedures utilize a blinded review, so
applicant demographic data is unknown (e.g., race, age, gender). Each file is reviewed by members of
the committee.
The selection committee looks for a balanced application by reviewing many criteria including key
criteria of cumulative GPA, science GPA, and direct patient care experience, along with overall
academic record, service to underserved (meaning disadvantaged, minority, or under-represented
populations), knowledge of the profession, fit with the program goals and mission, and
recommendation letters.
Once the committee has completed the file review, a group of candidates is selected for a telephone
interview. The telephone interviews are generally conducted between November and January. Those
selected for a telephone interview are invited to a Candidate Information Session in the program to
meet faculty, staff, current students, and to view the facilities. After telephone interviews are
conducted, the class of 30 students, as well as a list of alternates will be selected. All applicants are
notified of their status no later than mid-February. Accepted applicants must complete and pass a
background check prior to matriculation and annually throughout the program. Failure of the
background check could result in dismissal from the program.
Academic Policies
Technical Standards
The Augsburg College Department of Physician Assistant Studies is pledged to the admission and
matriculation of all qualified students and prohibits unlawful discrimination against anyone on the
basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, status without
regard to public assistance or disability.
Regarding disabled individuals, the PA department is committed to provide reasonable
accommodations and will not discriminate against individuals who are qualified, but
will expect all applicants and students to meet certain
minimal technical standards, with or without reasonable accommodations.
Physician assistants must have the knowledge and skills to function in a broad variety of clinical
situations and to render a wide spectrum of patient care. They must be able to integrate all
information received by whatever sense(s) employed, consistently, quickly, and accurately, and they
must have the intellectual ability to learn, integrate, analyze, and synthesize data.
Candidates for physician assistant certification offered by this department must have, with or without
reasonable accommodation, multiple abilities and skills including visual, oral-auditory, motor,
cognitive, and behavioral/social. Candidates for admission and progression must be able to perform
these abilities and skills in a reasonably independent manner.
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Visual: Candidates must be able to observe and participate in experiments in the basic sciences.
In order to make proper clinical decisions, candidates must be able to observe a patient
accurately. Candidates must be able to acquire information from written documents, films, slides,
or videos. Candidates must also be able to interpret X-ray and other graphic images, and digital or
analog representations of physiologic phenomena, such as EKGs with or without the use of
assistive devices. Thus, functional use of vision is necessary.
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Oral-Auditory: Candidates must be able to communicate effectively and sensitively with patients.
Candidates must also be able to communicate effectively and efficiently with other members of the
health care team. In emergency situations, candidates must be able to understand and convey
information essential for the safe and effective care of patients in a clear, unambiguous, and rapid
fashion. In addition, candidates must have the ability to relate information to and receive
information from patients in a caring and confidential manner.
Motor: Candidates must possess the motor skills necessary to perform palpation, percussion,
auscultation, and other diagnostic maneuvers. Candidates must be able to execute motor
movements reasonably required to provide general and emergency medical care such as airway
management, placement of intravenous catheters, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and application
of pressure to control bleeding. These skills require coordination of both gross and fine muscular
movements, equilibrium, and integrated use of the senses of touch and vision.
Cognitive: In order to effectively solve clinical problems, candidates must be able to measure,
evaluate, reason, analyze, integrate, and synthesize in a timely fashion. In addition, they must be
able to comprehend three dimensional relationships and to understand the special relationships of
structures.
Social: Candidates must possess the emotional health required for the full utilization of their
intellectual abilities, for the exercise of good judgment, for the prompt completion of all
responsibilities attendant to the diagnosis and care of patients, and for the development of
effective relationships with patients. Candidates must be able to tolerate physically taxing
workloads and function effectively under stress. They must be able to adapt to changing
environments, display flexibility, and learn to function in the face of uncertainties inherent in the
clinical problems of patients.
Tests and Evaluations: In order to evaluate the competence and quality of candidates, the
Augsburg Physician Assistant Program employs periodic examinations as an essential component
of the physician assistant curriculum. Successful completion of these examinations is required of
all candidates as a condition for continued progress through the curriculum. Reasonable
accommodation will be made in the form or manner of administration of these evaluations where
necessary and possible.
Clinical Assessments: Demonstration of clinical competence is also of fundamental importance
to the career and curriculum progression of the candidates. Therefore, the process of faculty
evaluation of the clinical performance of candidates is an integral and essential part of the
curriculum. Although reasonable accommodation will be made, participation in clinical experiences
and the evaluation of that participation is required.
Experiential Learning Policy
The Augsburg Physician Assistant Program does not award academic credit to an individual for
experiential learning. Applicants desiring admission to Augsburg’s PA Program must satisfactorily
complete all prerequisite courses. Experiential learning will be considered separately from prerequisite
courses. Experiential learning prior to and during admittance to the Augsburg PA Program will not
substitute for any part of the clinical year or preceptorship.
Employment while in the Program
Program faculty discourage outside employment while in the Physician Assistant Program. Faculty
recognize that employment may be an issue that some students will face. Given this recognition,
realize that program obligations will not be altered due to a student’s work obligations. It is further
expected that work obligations will not interfere with the physician assistant students’ learning
progress or responsibilities while in the program.
Withdrawal and Readmission Policies
Voluntary withdrawal from the Physician Assistant Program may be initiated by a student after
submission of a letter to the program director requesting withdrawal. In the letter, the student should
outline the circumstances and reasons for withdrawal. Students will be requested to conduct an exit
interview with the program director prior to leaving the program. For information on withdrawal, see
the Academic Programs and Policies section.
Readmission
Students may request readmission after voluntary withdrawal by submitting a letter to the program
director stating the reasons the student wishes readmission and the anticipated date for readmission.
The submission of a letter and previous enrollment does not constitute automatic acceptance and/or
reentry into the program. Reapplication to the PA Program after dismissal from the program will be
considered only under extremely unusual circumstances. Students who submit letters will be reviewed
by the program faculty. Any student requesting readmission will be considered a new applicant to the
program and will be required to complete the program application process as a new applicant, and
may be required to repeat coursework.
Reapplication does not guarantee readmission to the Physician Assistant Program. After careful
review of the student’s previous academic record and the request for readmission, a decision will be
made. Students may be required to repeat selected coursework or meet new requirements of the
Physician Assistant Program that became effective after the student’s withdrawal. A decision will also
be rendered as to what program coursework will be considered for credit as completed.
Costs of the PA Program
For tuition information, go to www.augsburg.edu/pa.
Payment Options
For complete and current payment options go to the Enrollment Center website at
www.augsburg.edu/enroll.
PA Program Faculty
William Patricio Alemán, Assistant Professor of Physician Assistant Studies. MD, University of
Ecuador; PA-C, University of California Davis; MEd, University of Minnesota.
Beth Alexander, Associate Professor of Physician Assistant Studies. BS, PharmD, University of
Minnesota.
Eric Barth, Assistant Professor of Physician Assistant Studies. BA, University of St. Thomas; BS, PA
Certificate, Trevecca Nazarene University; MPAS, University of Nebraska.
Carrie Gray, Assistant Professor of Physician Assistant Studies. BA, Central College; MPAS,
University of Iowa.
Holly Levine, Instructor of Physician Assistant Studies. BA, Northwestern University; MD, Loyola
University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine.
Dawn Ludwig, Assistant Professor and Director, Physician Assistant Studies. BA, MS, University of
Colorado; PhD, Capella University; PA Certification, University of Colorado.
Patricia Marincic, Associate Professor and Academic Coordinator, Physician Assistant Studies. BS,
Purdue University; MS, Colorado State University; PhD, Utah State University.
Steven Nerheim, Instructor and Medical Director, Physician Assistant Studies. MD, University of
Minnesota; MDiv, Luther Seminary.
Brenda Talarico, Assistant Professor and Clinical Coordinator of Physician Assistant Studies. BS,
University of Minnesota; MPAS, University of Nebraska; PA Certification, Augsburg College.
Trent Whitcomb, Assistant Professor of Physician Assistant Studies. BS, Mankato State University;
MS and PA Certification, Finch University.
Master of Social Work
You have chosen an exciting way to serve others. The social work profession offers you the rewarding
prospect of joining with others to respond to problems and develop opportunities that benefit
individuals, families, groups, and communities. The MSW degree prepares you for advanced
professional practice in the field of social work.
Augsburg’s MSW program prepares you for agency-based practice with individuals, families, groups,
and communities, and with a dedication to system change that reduces oppression and
discrimination. Graduates of our program share how they appreciated the opportunity to learn new
ideas as well as learn more about themselves. These graduates valued our small class size, our
cohort structure, and the opportunity to have a mentoring relationship with our faculty and staff. As a
small program, we have high expectations for our students and at the same time offer the flexibility to
help them meet their individual goals.
Attending Augsburg College will transform and develop your professional life in unexpected ways. We
have two concentrations. The first, Multicultural Clinical Practice (MCCP), will prepare you for direct
clinical practice with individuals, families, and groups. The second, Program Development, Policy, and
Administration (PDPA), will prepare you for macro social work practice with organizations,
communities, and other large systems.
We are delighted in your interest in our MSW program and invite you to join us in a lifelong adventure
in learning. The personal and professional growth necessary to become an advanced professional
social worker is challenging. We encourage you to take the challenge with us.
Lois A. Bosch, PhD, LISW
Director, Master of Social Work
MSW Mission
Our mission is to develop social work professionals for practice that promotes social justice and
empowerment towards the well-being of people in a diverse and global society.
Program Overview
The MSW program prepares social work students for agency-based practice in public and nonprofit
settings. By working in the agency setting, social workers collaborate with others to provide holistic,
affordable, and accessible services to individuals, families, groups, and communities. Our challenging
MSW curriculum integrates social work theory with micro- and macro-practice methods. Students
develop skills, knowledge, and values necessary for ethical social work practice. As you progress
through our MSW program, you will:
• learn how an individual lives in and is affected by his or her social environment;
• understand how social policies and programs affect individuals, families, communities, and
society;
• apply theories and methods of practice through the field practicum experience;
• use a range of client-centered approaches to practice with client groups of all types and sizes;
• engage in practice informed by sound, scholarly research;
• evaluate the effectiveness of your social work practice or social work programs;
• advocate for the eradication of oppression and discrimination; and
• be a responsible and contributing citizen in the local and global community.
Accreditation
Augsburg’s MSW program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Your
MSW degree must be accredited by CSWE if you wish to seek licensure with the social work board of
your state. For more information on CSWE accreditation go to www.cswe.org.
Plan of Study
Students entering Augsburg’s MSW program with a bachelor’s degree from a discipline other than
social work are foundation students. Foundation students complete 18 full courses. Full-time
foundation students are enrolled in a two-year program. Part-time foundation students are enrolled in
a four-year program.
Students entering Augsburg’s MSW program with a bachelor’s degree in social work from a CSWE
(Council on Social Work Education) accredited institution have advanced standing. Advanced
standing students complete 13 full courses and are enrolled in a one-and-a-half-year program. The
part-time option is not generally available for students with advanced standing.
All students must complete the MSW degree in no more than four years following matriculation.
Academic Calendar
The MSW program meets on a trimester academic calendar, offering classes September through
June. Classes typically meet every other weekend with an occasional back-to-back weekend. Field
practicum hours are generally completed during weekday hours. If a student lives outside the Twin
Cities metro, the field practicum hours can be completed at a placement near the student’s place of
residence. Hours per week vary depending on the agency placement and the student’s availability.
For academic calendars and schedules, go to www.augsburg.edu/enroll/registrar.
Class Periods
Classes meet in four-hour blocks on Friday evenings, 6 to 10 p.m.; Saturday mornings, 8 a.m. to 12
p.m.; and Saturday afternoons, 1 to 5 p.m. Each class meets for eight sessions in a given trimester.
Time Commitment
Although classes meet on weekends, students spend time on their studies during non-class
weekends and weekdays. On a class weekend, the typical student will spend 12 hours in class within
a 23-hour period. For every hour spent in class, a student may expect to spend 3 to 4 hours outside of
class working on assignments or group projects. A student may also spend 15 to 20 hours per week
in the field practicum during the fall, winter, and spring trimesters (a span of 7 to 9 months for each
practicum). In the final year of study, students complete a summative evaluation or a portfolio, which
requires significant independent research, analysis, and writing.
Some MSW students work full time while enrolled in the program; however, full-time employment is
not recommended. Most students arrange to reduce their work hours or request time away during
their graduate studies. Each student’s situation is unique and must be decided individually. All
students must develop strategies for balancing family, work, and academic responsibilities.
Course Credit and Contact Hours
A full credit MSW course (1.0) is equal to 4 semester credits or 6 quarter credits. Each full course
meets for 32 contact hours, with the expectation of substantial independent study outside of class.
Cohort Structure
MSW students are admitted to a particular cohort. Cohorts are distinguished by level of admission
(foundation or advanced standing), rate of attendance (full-time or part-time), and chosen
concentration (Multicultural Clinical Practice [MCCP] or Program Development, Policy, and
Administration [PDPA]). Any changes to a student’s cohort selection must be approved by the MSW
director.
Field Practicum
Foundation students complete 920 hours in two field practica; advanced standing students complete
500 hours in one field practicum. Successful completion of the first field practicum, applicable for
foundation students, is a minimum of 420 hours. Successful completion of the second field practicum,
required for both foundation and advanced standing students, is a minimum of 500 hours. Each
practicum experience is spread over at least two trimesters (fall and winter). These hours are
completed concurrent with enrollment in the fieldwork seminars as well as other MSW courses.
MSW Curriculum Components
Foundation Curriculum
The foundation curriculum is made up of nine full courses and a generalist field practicum. In the
foundation courses, you are introduced to social work as a profession. You will learn both historical
and contemporary theories and practice methods relating to both the individual and the environment.
During the foundation year, you will study human behavior and the social environment, history of
social welfare policy, research methods, assessment frameworks, family and community diversity,
and social work values and ethics.
In the foundation curriculum, you will apply this generalist knowledge of theories and practice methods
in the generalist field practicum. The field practicum is completed concurrently with your enrollment in
two fieldwork seminar courses. The full foundation curriculum is required of all students, with the
exception of those admitted with advanced standing. Before beginning the concentration curriculum,
all foundation coursework and field hours must be successfully completed.
Concentration Curriculum
The concentration curriculum is made up of nine full courses and an advanced field practicum. After
completing the foundation requirements, you will enroll in the concentration curriculum, which you
selected at the time of application. Augsburg offers two concentrations: Multicultural Clinical Practice
(MCCP) or Program Development, Policy, and Administration (PDPA). In either concentration, you will
deepen your knowledge of the primary issues affecting families and communities, develop a range of
client-centered approaches to practice, gain a broader understanding of human diversity, develop
competencies in practice-based research, and learn practice or program evaluation techniques.
In the concentration curriculum, you will apply this advanced knowledge of theories and practice
methods in the concentration field practicum. The field practicum is relevant to your chosen
concentration and is completed concurrently with your enrollment in two or three field seminar
courses. As a capstone to your MSW program, you will complete a portfolio project or a summative
evaluation project.
Multicultural Clinical Practice (MCCP) Concentration
Multiculturalism is a process requiring practitioners to have a deep awareness of their social and
cultural identities, as well as the ability to use multiple lenses when working with diverse populations.
With person-in-environment as an organizing perspective, multicultural clinical social work practice
addresses the biopsychosocial and spiritual functioning of individuals, families, and groups. To this
end, graduates of the MCCP concentration develop competence in using relationship-based, culturally
informed, and theoretically grounded interventions with persons facing challenges, disabilities, or
impairments, including emotional, behavioral, and mental disorders.
Program Development, Policy, and Administration (PDPA) Concentration
In the tradition of Jane Addams, the heart of macro social work practice directs energy toward
changing agency, government, and institutional policies that obscure or oppress people. While many
social workers view their role as focused on individuals and families, social work must also actively
seek equality and justice for clients within agencies, institutions, and society. Social work leaders must
advocate for social change to ensure social justice. The Program Development, Policy, and
Administration (PDPA) concentration responds to this demand for leadership.
The macro (PDPA) social work practitioner recognizes the strengths and abilities of individuals and
communities to implement change. The social work macro practitioner works in partnership with these
individuals and communities to do so. In this concentration you will learn the knowledge and skills
necessary to work with others to achieve needed social change. You also will learn to develop, lead,
guide, and administer programs that serve diverse people in a variety of settings. If you are interested
in social work leadership, program planning, or community and policy advocacy, this concentration
helps you achieve that goal.
Portfolio or Summative Evaluation Project
Portfolio Project (MCCP students)
The goal of the MCCP Portfolio is to enhance the integration of theory and practice, as well as to offer
more vivid portrayals of a student’s academic and professional experience than traditional
assessments. By definition, portfolios are formative, i.e., designed for guided reflection and selfevaluation. However they are also summative documents in that they illustrate students’
competencies. All MCCP students are required to create such a portfolio during their final year of
study. Items in a portfolio might include videotapes, process recordings, reflective statements, writing
samples, case analyses, term papers, electronic submissions, policy activities, feedback from service
users, self-evaluations of personal progress, and links to references.
Summative Evaluation Project (PDPA students)
All social workers must evaluate their practice to determine whether they are helping or harming
clients. While in the concentration practicum, PDPA students will design and implement a program
evaluation for their summative project, which requires integration and application of knowledge and
skills from both the foundation and concentration curricula. Students develop their research while in
their field internship and are advised by their field seminar professor. Students conduct and present
this evaluation/research project during their final year of study.
Master’s Thesis
Students in both concentrations have the option of completing a thesis in addition to either the
portfolio or summative evaluation project. Course credit for the general elective is given for this option.
Students work with a thesis adviser to develop more in-depth research skills contributing to social
work knowledge. To pursue the thesis option, students should notify the MSW program director by the
end of spring trimester of the foundation year.
Degree requirements
To be conferred the MSW degree, students must achieve the following:
• Successful completion of any admission conditions (e.g., statistics, bachelor’s degree)
• Successful completion of MSW courses:
18 full courses for foundation students
13 full courses for advanced standing students
• No more than two courses with a grade of 2.5, and with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
• Successful completion of 920 hours of approved field practica for foundation students, 500 hours
of approved field practicum for advanced standing students
• Successful completion and submission of the portfolio project (MCCP) or the summative
evaluation project (PDPA)
• Successful completion of all degree requirements within four years of matriculation
State of Minnesota Social Work Licensure
Six months prior to completion of the MSW degree at Augsburg, students may apply to take the
Licensed Graduate Social Worker (LGSW) license exam from the Minnesota Board of Social Work.
To achieve LGSW licensure students must pass the state board exam and complete the MSW
degree.
To seek the Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW) license or the Licensed Independent Clinical
Social Worker (LICSW) license, one must work two years full time (or 4,000 hours part-time) as an
LGSW under the supervision of an LISW or LICSW. Upon completion of the supervision requirement,
one may take the LISW or LICSW state board exam. For more information, go to the Minnesota Board
of Social Work web page, www.socialwork.state.mn.us.
MSW Course Requirements
Foundation Courses
FALL
SWK 500*
SWK 505*
SWK 530*
SWK 531*
Human Behavior and the Social Environment
Practice Methods and Skills 1: Individuals
Integrative Field Seminar 1 (.5) (taken concurrent with first practicum)
Methods Skills Lab (.5)
WINTER
SWK 501*
SWK 506*
SWK 510
SWK 535*
SWK 536*
History of Social Welfare Policy
Practice Methods and Skills 2: Groups
Advanced Practice Methods (advanced standing students only)
Integrative Field Seminar 2 (.5) (taken concurrent with first practicum)
Human Behavior and the Macro Social Environment (.5)
SPRING
SWK 504
SWK 509
SWK 516
Research Methods 1
Assessment and Diagnosis in Mental Health Practice
Community Development for Social Change
Concentration Courses
Multicultural Clinical Practice Concentration
FALL
SWK 610
Integrative Field Seminar 3: MCCP (.5) (taken concurrent with second practicum)
SWK 615
Diversity/Inequality 1: MCCP (.5)
SWK 628
MCCP with Individuals
SWK 629
MCCP with Families
WINTER
SWK 611
SWK 616
SWK 630
SWK 631
SWK 635
Integrative Field Seminar 4: MCCP (.5) (taken concurrent with second practicum)
Diversity/Inequality 2: MCCP (.5)
MCCP Policy Practice
MCCP with Groups (.5)
MCCP Evaluation 1 (.5)
SPRING
SWK 612
SWK 634
SWK 636
SWK 639
SWK 699
Integrative Field Seminar 5: MCCP (.5) (taken concurrent with second practicum)
MCCP Supervision (.5)
MCCP Evaluation 2 (.5)
MCCP Elective (.5)
General Elective
Program Development, Policy, and Administration Concentration
FALL
SWK 651
Integrative Field Seminar 3: PDPA (.5) (taken concurrent with second practicum)
SWK 657
Diversity/Inequality 1: PDPA (.5)
SWK 660
Research 2: Program Evaluation
SWK 667
Organizations/Social Admin. Practice 1
WINTER
SWK 652
SWK 658
SWK 668
SWK 675
Integrative Field Seminar 4: PDPA (.5) (taken concurrent with second practicum)
Diversity/Inequality 2: PDPA (.5)
Organizations/Social Admin. Practice 2
Planning and Policy Practice 1
SPRING
SWK 669
SWK 676
SWK 699
Organizations/Social Admin. Practice 3
Planning and Policy Practice 2
General Elective
*Course potentially can be waived for advanced standing students (BSW holders).
Portfolio or Summative Evaluation Project
Completed and submitted in final year of study.
MSW Course Descriptions
Foundation Courses
SWK 500 Human Behavior and the Social Environment
This course provides the knowledge basic to an understanding of human growth through the life cycle.
It explores the interplay of sociocultural, biological, spiritual, and psychological factors that influence
the growth of individuals and families in contemporary world society. Basic knowledge of biological
systems is required.
SWK 501 History of Social Welfare Policy
This course analyzes the history of social welfare policy in the United States and its impact on current
social systems and social policy. It examines the major assumptions, values, ideas, and events that
contribute to the rise of the welfare state and the profession of social work. Social welfare policies of
other countries are also explored.
SWK 504 Research Methods 1
This course provides an introduction to social science research methods and ethics, including practice
and program evaluation. The course presents research designs, both quantitative and qualitative
approaches, and various ways to organize, compare, and interpret findings. Students will be
introduced to the use of computers in data analysis. Basic knowledge of statistics is required.
SWK 505 Practice Methods and Skills 1: Individuals
This course introduces students to social work practice. In sequence with SWK 506, it prepares
students to apply the generalist perspective for practice with systems of all sizes. Students begin by
learning about social work with individuals, with a dual focus on the person in the environment. In this
context, they learn about direct services as well as social change.
SWK 506 Practice Methods and Skills 2: Groups
This course prepares students for generalist social work practice with larger client systems. The
strengths perspective is emphasized, and students learn to complete assessments and formulate
intervention strategies in partnership with groups, organizations, and communities.
SWK 509 Assessment and Diagnosis in Mental Health Practice
This is a foundation Human Behavior and the Social Environment course which explores
psychopathology and mental disorders from a developmental and strengths perspective. Emphasis is
placed on understanding biopsychosocial influences on the incidence, course, and treatment of the
most commonly presented mental disorders and the differential effect of these factors on diverse
populations at risk.
SWK 510 Advanced Practice Methods
This course is for advanced standing students only and is designed to provide a transition from their
BSW program to advanced placement in the MSW program. It provides knowledge and skill building
in the latest approaches to social work practice, contemporary theories, and current research on
effectiveness. The program’s approach to graduate level social work practice with individuals, groups,
families, organizations, and communities will be covered, with opportunities to build on students’ BSW
background and post-graduate experience.
SWK 516 Community Development for Social Change
This course applies the ecological premise that what is personal is also political. The course focuses
on knowledge and skills necessary to practice at the community level of social work practice. Students
will analyze social organizations, policies, and community development.
SWK 530 AND SWK 535 Integrative Field Seminar 1 and 2 (.5 credit each)
The integrative field seminars are courses where field practice and classroom theory meet. The goal
is to strengthen the connections between social work theory and practice. Students are expected to
spend 420 hours in a fieldwork practicum during enrollment in these two courses and to be enrolled in
the corresponding practice methods courses.
SWK 531 Methods Skills Lab (.5 credit)
This half-credit course places an emphasis on active learning and the application of content presented
in SWK 505. The skills lab is an integral part of the required graduate school core curriculum. All
students in field placements must participate in the skills lab and Integrative Field Seminar 1.
SWK 536 Human Behavior and the Macro Social Environment (.5 credit)
This course builds on HBSE, moving from the individual life span focus to emphasizing the impact of
the environment in all relationships, stressing the link between social issues and individual problems
plus defining the common human condition.
Multicultural Clinical Practice Concentration Courses
SWK 610, 611, and 612 Integrative Field Seminar 3, 4, and 5: MCCP (.5 credit each)
The field seminars are designed to address issues and experiences from the student’s field practicum
through rigorous application of different theoretical concepts and social work principles using a
culturally sensitive approach grounded in a clear ethical foundation. The goal is to strengthen the
students’ sophistication in understanding the interconnections between culturally appropriate theory
and practice skills related to a specific client system, and the students’ inherent and inescapable
contribution based on the students’ use of self. Secondly, the field seminars are the courses where
students reflect on the evolution of their practice and document their progress. All students in field
placements must participate in the appropriate concurrent field seminar.
SWK 615 and 616 Diversity and Inequality 1 and 2: MCCP (.5 credit each)
These courses are based on a dual focus of valuing diversity and understanding social justice. This
two-course sequence studies the history, demographics, and cultures of various disenfranchised
groups as well as the dominant culture. It examines the impact of inequality on people of all
backgrounds. In the second trimester, students will participate in dialogue group: a stage-based, cofacilitated, face-to-face group that focuses on dialogue skills within the context of one’s race, ethnicity,
age, religion, disability, country of origin, gender identity and sexual orientation. The two-sequence
course is based on several assumptions: social inequality is an overarching phenomenon related to
diversity, with individual manifestations within different social identity categories; social injustice
occurs and is present at individual, institutional, and societal/structural levels; and, professional social
work ethics and values demand cultural competence and culturally sensitive practice at the micro,
mezzo, and macro levels.
SWK 628 MCCP with Individuals
MCCP with Individuals is a required methods course in the MCCP concentration. The course
prepares social work clinicians who are competent to assess, intervene and monitor clinical
interventions that are culturally sensitive and consistent with social work values and ethics. Although
focused on individual intervention, clients are viewed within the context of their families and social
context. The therapeutic process and treatment strategies are examined, incorporating content from
psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral, and post-modern models. These content area are compared
from a multicultural perspective in terms of their theoretical assumptions, intervention methods, and
empirical evidence regarding treatment outcomes. Application of the models is placed within the
problem-solving model and guided by an ecosystems, strengths, and empowerment perspective.
Particular attention is given to the development of self-reflective practitioners.
SWK 629 MCCP with Families
MCCP with Families is a required methods course that focuses on the family as a unit of assessment
and intervention in clinical social work practice. This course examines theory, knowledge and skills for
clinical practice with families within a multicultural context. Students apply major family therapy
models to assessing and intervening with families experiencing problems. The models are compared
from a multicultural perspective in terms of their theoretical assumptions, intervention methods, and
empirical evidence regarding treatment outcomes. Application of the models is placed within the
problem-solving model and guided by ecosystems, strengths and empowerment perspectives. The
course emphasizes family work that is appropriate to individual and family developmental stages and
to diverse family types. Attention is given to family-centered practice in different social work fields of
practice and settings and to the development of self-awareness of the practitioner.
SWK 630 MCCP Policy Practice
In this course, MCCP students learn how organizational and social policies affect the delivery of
clinical social work services in multicultural contexts. Students build upon the core policy practice
competencies gained in their MSW foundation courses. Clinical social work practice is distinguished
from other professional clinical practice by this use of the person-in-environment perspective. The
multicultural lens sharpens focus on both the strengths that come with diversity and the discrimination
and oppression, such as racism, that policies can uphold or undo.
SWK 631 MCCP with Groups (.5 credit)
This course prepares students for advanced multicultural group work within a clinical practice. It builds
on the foundational curriculum with particular attention to clinical practice skills. Students will focus on
the process of individual empowerment and change in the context of clinical group processes. Applied
theories of human development, change, and resilience are integrated with theories of group
processes, group leadership, and group communication as a critical knowledge base for planning,
intervention, and leadership. Students will develop an understanding of phases of group practice,
intervention skills, and ethical practices applied in a groupwork environment. In this course, the
reflexive use of self and the cautious use of evidence based practice serve as the foundation for
culturally responsive group work. Students will consider how their social identity and position
influences similar and mixed social identity groups and their processes.
SWK 634 MCCP Supervision (.5 credit)
Building upon the research to date on social work supervision, this course presents the functions of
supervision (administrative, educational, supportive) as they interrelate in achieving the primary
purpose of clinical supervision: assuring that client services prevent difficulties in client functioning
and restore or enhance the biopsycohosocial and spiritual functioning of individuals, families and
groups served by supervisees. Students hone skills necessary for each of the stages of the
supervisory process (planning, beginning, work, and ending), and they build a repertoire of
supervisory questions that have been associated in research with fostering success in meeting clients’
goals. Students learn to differentiate supervision with its dimensions of hierarchical power,
responsibility, liability, and authority from peer consultation. They gain competencies in both individual
and group supervision, as well as competencies related to consultation with a multicultural lens to
advance the application of theories and models of clinical social work practice.
SWK 635 and 636 MCCP Evaluation 1 and 2 (.5 credit each)
The values and skills of advanced clinical practice combined with research methods guide the
creation of culturally appropriate approaches to monitoring and evaluating clinical practice.
Multicultural evaluation is built on the values of social work, “dignity, self-determination, equity,
empowerment, and social justice” (Gutierrez, 2004, p. 127). Monitoring and evaluating clinical practice
requires the integration of evidence-based practice knowledge, multicultural clinical skills and multiepistemological research skills. This approach to evaluation critically applies the fundamental tenants
of social science research, including both modern and post-modern methods.
SWK 639 MCCP Elective (.5 credit)
Courses in MCCP electives are opportunities for students to practice with a focus on a particular field
or aspect of social work practice. Examples include Ethics, Substance Abuse and Social Work, and
Trauma Therapy and Treatment.
Program Development, Policy, and Administration Concentration Courses
SWK 651 AND 652 Integrative Field Seminar 3 and 4: PDPA (.5 credit each)
The goal of these two courses is to strengthen the connections between theory and practice. All
students in field placements must participate in the appropriate concurrent field seminar. As part of
this integrative function, the seminar also serves as a means for making connections among course
components and the expansion of classroom content—particularly as relating to dynamics of groups,
communities, and organizations; human behavior; policy analysis; and research.
SWK 657 AND 658 Diversity and Inequality 1 and 2: PDPA (.5 credit each)
These courses explore diversity and social inequality related to race, ethnicity, social class, gender,
sexual orientation, age, and disability with application to the social service setting. Students focus on
the structural and institutional processes through which social inequality is created and perpetuated.
Institutional remedies for inequality are studied, such as affirmative action and equal opportunity
policy, culturally competent supervision, administration, program development, and advocacy.
SWK 660 Research 2: Program Evaluation
Building on the basic research skills developed in Research 1, this course offers a program-oriented
exploration of the range of research methods used in social work. There will be a particular focus on
evaluative research, a critique of the role of research in assessing efficiency and effectiveness in
social service delivery, and identification with the responsibility of social workers “to expand the
knowledge base” of social work. The course emphasizes research as a tool at all levels of social work
and will be concerned with strengthening the linkages between research, theory, and program
evaluation.
SWK 667 Organizations/Social Administrative Practice 1
This course examines organizational theory and structure; processes of development, research, and
evaluation; and social work values and ethics in the workplace. The need to work effectively within an
organizational context means that social work practitioners must acquire a level of expertise in
organization theory, dynamics, structure, and behavior, as well as an understanding of how
organizations provide practice opportunities and constraints. This course provides opportunities for
students to build the necessary skills to become effective service providers or change agents in the
context of their work in social service organizations.
SWK 668 Organizations/Social Administrative Practice 2
This course builds on the theoretical knowledge base of SWK 667 and is intended to provide students
with opportunities to apply those critical skills used in supervision and management. These skills are
intended as a base for the beginning administrator. This course expects the student to develop
specific skills in budgeting and personnel/human resource functions (e.g., recruitment, selection,
hiring, training, and evaluation). Prerequisite: SWK 667
SWK 669 Organizations/Social Administrative Practice 3
This course explores strategies and methods for working effectively with other service agencies,
legislative and policy-making bodies, regulatory agencies, and advocacy groups. Prerequisite: SWK
668
SWK 675 Planning and Policy Practice 1
This course examines theoretical and conceptual ideas concerning human services, their rationale in
a market economy, and their relationship to public policy. Students will gain knowledge and build skills
in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of services at various levels of system design, taking
into account organizational, financial, and technological dimensions within an analytical framework of
defined need and demand for service.
SWK 676 Planning and Policy Practice 2
This course examines theories, concepts, and analytical frameworks for analyzing policy. It addresses
the role of economics, demographics, politics, values, and other relevant factors on policy design and
implementation. The course emphasizes the analysis of selected existing or proposed policies in such
areas as social insurance (e.g., Social Security), welfare reform, health care, long-term care, and tax
policy including tax expenditures. Prerequisite: SWK 675
Both Concentrations
SWK 699 General Elective
Students in both concentrations complete at least one general elective course for graduation. The
following are examples of elective offerings that are rotated each year:
• Parent and Professional Planning
• Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Aging
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Social Work Clinical Practice
• Spirituality and Social Work Practice
• Empowerment of Services Users in Mental Health
We also offer short-term electives abroad:
Exploring Human Services in International Settings (examples include Mexico, Slovenia, Namibia,
South Africa, India, China, and Hong Kong)
SWK 698 Independent Study
Students may propose to complete an independent study project. Such directed study projects
provide the opportunity for a student to explore a particular area of social work. A faculty sponsor
must be secured and a proposal submitted to the Social Work Department. On rare occasions, an
independent study may be used to satisfy the general elective requirement. Prior approval is required.
Courses that are part of the required curriculum may not be taken as independent study.
Fieldwork and Field Placement
Social work education goes beyond the classroom. Through the field experience, we expect that
students will demonstrate skills to bridge theory and practice. Collaborative efforts between the
student, the field agency, and the MSW program are essential to successful learning. The foundation
of the practice includes:
• ethical, competent professional practice;
• problem solving within a systems framework and strengths perspective;
• use of advanced practice theories in Multicultural Clinical Practice or Program Development,
Policy, and Administration settings;
• evaluation of the effectiveness of program or practice activities;
• an understanding of, and respect for, diverse peoples and cultures;
• responsibility and service to the local and global community in the interest of social justice; and
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a commitment to oppose oppression of all forms.
Field Education Format
Under the instruction and supervision of professionally-trained, MSW-level, and program-approved
field instructors, foundation students will spend a minimum of 920 hours in two field practica.
Advanced standing students will spend a minimum of 500 hours in one field practicum. The
foundation practicum is spread over at least two trimesters (fall and winter) and the concentration
practicum is spread over the entire academic year. Both practica are concurrent with enrollment in
integrative field seminars, as well as other MSW coursework.
The fieldwork education of the MSW program is divided into two components:
Foundation Practicum
The foundation practicum, or generalist practicum, puts emphasis on developing competence as a
professional generalist social worker. It requires a minimum of 420 hours and is completed by
students admitted at the foundation level. Students spend an average of 15 hours per week during the
fall and winter trimesters in this practicum.
Concentration Practicum
The concentration practicum places emphasis on advanced practice skills and leadership qualities
related to the chosen concentration. It requires a minimum of 500 hours and is completed by all
students, including those admitted with advanced standing. Students spend an average of 18 hours
per week during the fall, winter, and spring trimesters in this practicum.
Process for Field Practicum Selection
Field practica begin in the fall. Selection begins the previous spring in collaboration with two other
Twin Cities MSW programs. Students attend the student field orientation before beginning their
search. Students also have the opportunity to attend a Field Fair held jointly by Augsburg College and
the University of Minnesota School of Social Work. At this Field Fair, students are able to meet a large
number of agencies and potential field instructors. Practicum selection involves interviews at
approved sites, arranged by the student, and a matching process conducted collaboratively by the
field coordinators at the three MSW programs in the Twin Cities.
In some instances, students can petition to complete a field practicum at an agency not on the
approved list or at their place of employment. Students who wish to do so work with the MSW field
coordinator for such proposals.
Field Practicum Settings
The Augsburg field faculty are committed to the success of each student in a stimulating and
challenging field practicum. Our current list of approved field sites includes agencies in the following
areas of practice:
• family and children
• child welfare
• mental health
• crisis intervention
• senior resources
• family social policy
• health and human services
• corrections and probation
• public and independent schools
• youth services
• hospitals
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developmental disabilities
American Indian family services
chronic and persistent mental illness
chemical dependency
court services
immigrant, migrant, refugee services
victims of torture
faith-based social services
neighborhood services
legislation advocacy
housing services-employment services
community organizing
research centers
Dual Degree in Social Work and Theology (MSW/MA, Theology)
Augsburg College’s Department of Social Work (Minneapolis) and Luther Seminary (St. Paul) offer a
dual degree: Master of Social Work and Master of Arts in theology (MSW/MA). The dual degree has
been approved by both institutions and by the Council on Social Work Education. If you are interested
in combining a Master of Social Work with a Master of Arts in theology, we recommend you begin with
the Luther Seminary program first and identify yourself as seeking the dual degree. For application
information visit the Luther Seminary website at http://www.luthersem.edu/admissions/.
Purpose
The dual degree focuses on meeting the educational interests of people planning to serve the spiritual
and social needs of families, individuals, and communities in both rural and urban settings. Both
institutions have a commitment to social and economic justice and to teamwork in the pastoral and
human service settings. This joint program is ecumenical in its admission policies as well as its
academic outlook.
Objectives
Three primary objectives have been established:
• To educate practitioners in social work and ministry who can combine the values, skills, and
knowledge of both theology and social work to serve people in more holistic ways.
• To generate the partnerships necessary to serve the complex needs of communities and people
experiencing transition in their lives, including the change of government support for those in
poverty.
• To prepare practitioners to seek the strengths of interdisciplinary teams in the human service and
pastoral settings.
Enrollment
We recommend that dual degree students enroll in Luther Seminary courses first. Upon completion of
this first year of courses, students then enroll in Augsburg courses for a second and third year (fulltime). In the dual degree, Luther Seminary offers nine courses which can be completed in one year if
pursued full-time. The remaining Luther Seminary course requirements are waived and replaced by
the Augsburg MSW curriculum. At Augsburg, dual degree students complete the entire MSW
curriculum with the exception of the general elective.
Course Format and Field Practicum
Luther Seminary courses are offered on a weekday schedule and Augsburg College courses are
offered on a weekend schedule. The field practicum is incorporated into the Augsburg curriculum and
will be in a setting reflective of the dual degree program, such as congregational multidisciplinary
teams, nursing home chaplaincy, and social work teams. The Luther Seminary program and the
Augsburg College program are both full-time; it is not feasible for students to do both programs
simultaneously.
Summary of MSW/MA Theology Dual Degree Requirements
• Luther Seminary full courses: 9
• Augsburg College full courses: 12—advanced standing, 17—foundation (elective is met at Luther)
• MSW field practicum course credit hours: See guidelines under field practicum.
• MSW portfolio or summative evaluation project
Admission to the Dual Degree
It is the responsibility of dual degree students to be aware of application deadlines for both
institutions. Applicants must apply to each program separately. Please note: admission to one
institution does not guarantee admission to the other.
To request the catalog and application materials, you must contact each program separately.
Financial aid is also a separate process.
Dual Degree in Social Work and Business Administration (MSW/MBA)
Augsburg College offers a dual MSW/MBA degree in social work and business administration.
Students enrolled in the dual degree program learn to create better managed and financially sound
service organizations to serve diverse communities, both locally and globally.
Purpose
Many social service agencies today require that agency managers combine financial and business
expertise with social work practice and policy formation. The MSW/MBA dual degree prepares
graduates to function in a workplace that demands the delivery of quality services with increasingly
limited resources.
Concentration
The MSW/MBA dual degree includes an accelerated third year of study for MSW students who elect
the Program Development, Policy, and Administration (PDPA) concentration. In this macro practice
concentration, students learn to affect positive change in social service systems through their work
with communities, organizations, and social policy makers. Prior Augsburg MSW graduates who have
completed the necessary PDPA coursework are eligible to return to complete the MBA portion of the
dual degree.
Schedule
Years 1 and 2 (September through June)
MSW classes meet on alternating weekends—Friday evenings, Saturday mornings, and Saturday
afternoons.
Year 3 (12–16 months)
MBA classes meet primarily one night per week. The MBA program includes a summer term.
Curriculum
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18 full MSW courses for foundation students or 13 full MSW courses for advanced standing
students
Either 920 hours (foundation) or 500 hours (advanced standing) MSW field practicum experience
The MSW summative evaluation project may be accepted by the MBA program as partial
fulfillment of the MBA project.
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Complete a minimum of 8 MBA courses for students who completed the MSW degree 2002 and
beyond; complete a minimum of 9 MBA courses for students who completed the MSW degree
prior to 2002
For more information regarding the MBA coursework required for the MSW/MBA dual degree, see the
Master of Business Administration section.
MBA Admission
MSW/MBA dual degree applicants may apply to both programs at the same time or admitted MSW
students may wait to apply to the MBA program until their concentration year. The GMAT is waived for
MSW/MBA dual degree applicants. MBA application materials include: completed application, two
short essays, an updated resume, two letters of recommendation, and a personal interview with the
MBA program director. Admission to one program does not guarantee admission to the other.
Admission to MSW
The Augsburg College MSW program promotes the widest possible diversity within its student
population. Therefore, the admission policies ensure that educational opportunities are provided to
persons with a range of abilities, backgrounds, beliefs, and cultures.
Listed below are general descriptions for the application process. Refer to the MSW application
documents for details regarding specific application requirements.
Admission Requirements
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Bachelor’s degree from a regionally-accredited college or university
Cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher
Liberal arts coursework in the social sciences, humanities, biology, and statistics
Application Checklist
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The following materials must be submitted to Augsburg’s Office of Admissions:
Completed and signed application form—www.augsburg.edu/msw or call 612-330-1101.
The application deadline is January 15 each year for entry in the following academic year. All
applications and materials noted below are due by 5 p.m. on the application deadline.
$35 application fee
One official transcript from each previously-attended postsecondary institution. This includes
colleges, universities, vocational/technical institutions, and PSEO institutions.
Liberal arts prerequisite coursework including 4 social sciences, 3 humanities, 1 biology, and 1
statistics course. These courses must be completed prior to enrollment.
Completed BSW course equivalency checklist (for advanced standing applicants)
Three completed and signed recommendation checklist forms, with letters attached
Typed, double-spaced personal statement responding to the questions noted on the
application form
Results of the TOEFL language tests, if applicable (refer to p. 16 for college policy)
Official international credit evaluation course-by-course review (for degrees completed outside
of the United States)
Admission as an international student
International applicants must submit the required application materials listed above. Refer to the
additional requirements outlined in Admission of International Students in the Graduate Admissions
section.
Admission as a transfer student
Students may apply to Augsburg as a transfer student. Transfer students follow the same procedure
as new applicants.
Transfer students may receive up to eight (8.0) transfer credits. (See Evaluation of Transfer Credit in
the Academic Programs and Policies section of this catalog.) Eligible courses must be from a CSWEaccredited MSW program and students must have received a grade of B (3.0) or higher. Students
must complete no fewer than 10 (10.0) courses at Augsburg in order to receive their MSW degree
from Augsburg College.
Admission with Advanced Standing
Advanced standing is an application category open to those with a bachelor’s degree in social work
accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Advanced standing applicants may
seek waivers for the following eligible MSW courses: Human Behavior and the Social Environment,
History of Social Welfare Policy, Practice Methods 1 and 2, and Integrative Field Seminars 1 and 2
(which include 420 field practicum hours). Advanced standing applicants must offer an equivalent
BSW course for each with a grade of B (3.0) or higher in order to receive a waiver.
Academic Policies
Academic Achievement
Students must maintain at least a 3.0 cumulative grade point average in the MSW program. If a
student falls below a 3.0 average, the student will be placed on academic probation. A 3.0 cumulative
grade point average must be restored in order for a student to be removed from probation. If the
cumulative grade point average again falls below 3.0, the student may be dismissed from the
program. Students are retained in the program who can:
• maintain expected grade point average (3.0 or higher);
• complete course requirements of the program and field placement in a timely manner;
• complete the program within four years; and
• abide by the department’s Standards for Social Work Education and the NASW Code of Ethics.
No more than two courses with a grade of 2.5 will count toward the degree. Courses with a grade
below 2.5 must be repeated. No more than two courses can be repeated. Only the credits and grades
earned the second time are counted in the grade point average. If a student receives a grade below
2.5 in a field course, the MSW director will initiate a Level III review, as outlined in section 3.2 of the
Standards for Social Work Education.
Evaluation of Student Field Performance
The criteria for evaluating field performance can be found in the MSW Field Manual, which is
distributed to newly-admitted students at our field orientation prior to seeking the field placement.
Four-Year Limit
All students are required to finish the degree within four years of matriculation. See the Academic
Programs and Policies section of this catalog for policy on continuation of coursework or final thesis.
Leave of Absence
Students who interrupt their program enrollment must request a leave of absence through the MSW
program in order to maintain their admitted status. The request must be made in writing. A leave of
absence typically requires a full year away from the program in order to return to classes in sequence.
Prerequisite Courses
All foundation courses are prerequisite to the concentration courses. Students may not enroll in the
concentration courses until successfully completing all foundation courses. In addition there are
individual courses that are prerequisite to other individual courses in the MSW curriculum. These are
listed in the MSW Handbook, which is distributed to newly-admitted students.
Program Costs
In addition to tuition fees, MSW students can expect to purchase textbooks, a facilities fee, and
student liability insurance when in a field placement. There may also be additional fees associated
with short-term electives abroad.
Graduate Scholarship Search Tips
As you may know, graduate students do not have access to many of the financial aid opportunities
open to undergraduates. Because of this, we strongly encourage you to spend time doing your own
independent research into graduate funding available locally, nationally, and internationally.
The simplest way to begin a search for graduate funding is to look online. There are many scholarship
search engines online. The following websites may provide a good starting point for your search:
www.naswfoundation.org
www.gradloans.com
www.cswe.org
www.gradschools.com
www.mnsocialserviceassoc.org
www.fastweb.com
www.aauw.org
www.gradview.com
www.finaid.org
www.petersons.com
www.students.gov
www.srnexpress.com
Examples of Social Work Graduate Scholarships
Carl A. Scott Book Scholarship
Two $500 scholarships offered each year to students from ethnic groups of color. Applications due in
May (go to www.cswe.org.)
Gosnell Scholarship Funds
Ten awards ($1,000-$4,000) offered to social work students interested in working with American
Indian/Alaska Native and Hispanic/Latino populations or in public and voluntary nonprofit agency
settings. Applications due in August (see www.naswfoundation.org).
Vern Lyons Scholarship
One award ($2,000) offered to students interested in health/mental health practice and a commitment
to the African American community. Applications due in August (see www.naswfoundation.org).
American Board of Examiners in Clinical Social Work
Several awards ($1,000 each) offered to students who demonstrate excellence in preparation for
clinical social work practice. Applications due in March (see www.abecsw.org).
MSSA Diversity Educational Scholarship
One $500 award offered to students from African-American, American Indian, Asian, GLBT, Hispanic
and Immigrant Cultures in completing their education in the Human Service Field. Applications due in
June (see www.mnsocialserviceassoc.org).
Marjorie J. Carpenter Scholarship
One $1,500 award offered to students seeking education in the human service field so they may
enhance their professional and/or technical skill development. Applications due in June (see
www.mnsocialserviceassoc.org).
Augsburg Scholarships
Augsburg’s Social Work Department offers several scholarships each year. Students who are enrolled
in the first year of the program are eligible to apply. Awards range in amount from $300 to $3,000.
Phyllis M. Baker Memorial Scholarship
Edwina L. Hertzberg Scholarship
Arvida Norum Memorial Scholarship
Steen Family Scholarship Fund for Minority Social Work Students
Edwin Yattaw Memorial Scholarship
Bodo F. Suemning Memorial Scholarship
Blanca Rosa Egas Memorial Scholarship
AmeriCorps Tuition Discount
Augsburg offers a tuition discount to students who are or have been AmeriCorps volunteers—25% off
the tuition cost of one course per trimester. This would apply to all trimesters of your MSW program.
Contact the Enrollment Center for more information.
Military Discount
See description in the Financing Your Education section of the catalog.
Accreditations and Affiliations
Augsburg College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association
of Colleges and Schools. For a complete list of Augsburg’s accreditations, approvals, and
memberships, see the About Augsburg College section of this catalog.
The Augsburg Master of Social Work program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education
(CSWE).
MSW Forum
All MSW students are invited to participate in the student-run organization, the MSW Forum. The
purpose of the forum is to facilitate communication between social work students and the social work
department, as well as to provide the opportunity for student participation in department governance,
curriculum development, and program improvements. As such, forum members are invited to attend
Social Work Department meetings via representatives.
The forum has historically been volunteer based. Any student may serve on the forum, provided the
student can make a commitment to attend the meetings and share in the efforts. The MSW director
and MSW program coordinator also serve on the forum. Other faculty may be invited as permanent
members or as guests.
Past forum members established these guidelines:
• provide an avenue for students to share and discuss ideas and/or concerns related to the MSW
educational experience with the Social Work Department
• encourage constructive dialogue among students, faculty, and department and College
administrators
• make recommendations to the department regarding program improvements
• receive and give feedback on expectations of faculty, students, and the College
• plan and coordinate MSW student events, lectures, discussions
• organize social action projects.
MSW Faculty
Laura Boisen, Professor of Social Work, MSW Field Coordinator. BS, Wartburg College; MSSW,
University of Wisconsin; MPA, Iowa State University; PhD, University of Minnesota.
Lois A. Bosch, Professor of Social Work, MSW Program Director. BA, Northwestern College; MSW,
University of Iowa; PhD, University of Illinois-Urbana-Champaign.
Mauricio Cifuentes, Assistant Professor of Social Work. JD, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana,
Bogota, Colombia; MSW Loyola University; PhD, Loyola University.
Ankita Deka, Assistant Professor of Social Work. BA, Delhi University; MSW, Tata Institute of Social
Sciences; PhD, Indiana University.
Christina Erickson, Associate Professor of Social Work, Field Education Coordinator. BS, University
of Minnesota; MSW, University of Minnesota-Duluth; PhD, University of Illinois-Chicago.
Annette Gerten, Associate Professor of Social Work, BSW Field Coordinator. BA, College of St.
Catherine; MSW, University of Michigan; PhD, University of Minnesota.
Melissa Hensley, Assistant Professor of Social Work. BA, MSW, PhD, Washington University in St.
Louis; MHA, University of Missouri–Columbia.
K. Abel Knochel, Assistant Professor of Social Work. BA, Albright College; MSW, Spalding
University; PhD, University of Minnesota.
Barbara Lehmann, Associate Professor of Social Work, BSW Program Director. BA, Knox College;
MSW, Tulane University; PhD, Case Western Reserve University.
Terrence Lewis, Assistant Professor of Social Work. BA, The Catholic University of America; MSW,
University of Kentucky; PhD, Boston University.
Nancy Rodenborg, Associate Professor of Social Work, Department Chair. BA, Indiana University;
MSW, University of Minnesota; MIA, School of International Training; PhD, University of Arizona.
Michael Schock, Associate Professor of Social Work. BA, University of Washington; MSW, University
of Minnesota; PhD, University of Washington.
Staff
Erika McCreedy, Administrative Assistant
Doran Edwards, BSW Assistant Director
Courtney Zaato, Field Assistant
Holley Locher, MSW Program Coordinator
Augsburg College Board of Regents
For more details, go to www.augsburg.edu/regents.
Andra Adolfson
Dan W. Anderson ’65
Ann B. Ashton-Piper
Karen Durant ’81
Matt Entenza, JD
Mark A. Eustis
Anthony L. Genia, Jr, ’85, MD
Alexander J. Gonzalez ’90
Michael R. Good ’71
Norman R. Hagfors
Jodi Harpstead
Rev. Rolf Jacobson, PhD
Eric J. Jolly, PhD
Cynthia G. Jones ’81, PhD
Dean Kennedy ’75
Toby Piper LaBelle ’96
The Honorable LaJune Thomas Lange ’68, JD
Andre J. Lewis ’73, PhD
Jennifer H. Martin, EdD
Marie O. McNeff, EdD
Paul S. Mueller ’84, MD
Jeff Nodland ’77
Lisa Novotny ’80
Paul C. Pribbenow, PhD
Bishop Peter Rogness, ex-officio
Gary Tangwall ’80
Rev. David Tiede, PhD
Bishop Harold Usgaard, ex-officio
Rev. Norman W. Wahl ’76, DMin
Bonnie Wallace
Rev. Mark Wilhelm, PhD, ex-‐officio
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Augsburg College Graduate Catalog, 2011-2012
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2011-2012
Graduate Studies Catalog
Master of Arts in Education
Master of Arts in Leadership
Master of Arts in Nursing
Doctor of Nursing Practice
Master of Business Administration
Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies
Master of Social Work
at
Graduate Studies Catalog
2011-2012
O...
Show more
2011-2012
Graduate Studies Catalog
Master of Arts in Education
Master of Arts in Leadership
Master of Arts in Nursing
Doctor of Nursing Practice
Master of Business Administration
Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies
Master of Social Work
at
Graduate Studies Catalog
2011-2012
Official publication of Augsburg College
2211 Riverside Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55454
612-330-1000
This catalog should answer most questions students have about Augsburg College’s graduate programs. Although information was current at the time of publication, it is subject to change without notice. The written policies in the catalog
are the College policies in force at the time of printing. It is the responsibility of each student to know the requirements
and academic policies in this publication. If you have questions about anything in this catalog, consult the Graduate Admissions Office, the graduate program directors, or the registrar. Key offices are listed on page 6 for correspondence or
telephone inquiries.
Published January 2012
www.augsburg.edu
A Greeting from the President
I am pleased to know of your interest in Augsburg College’s exciting and innovative graduate programs. You are part of a
select and discerning group of professionals who seek to find a graduate program that combines an excellent curriculum,
a values-based approach to work, a talented and experienced faculty, and program formats that meet the needs of busy
and successful people. Augsburg College’s graduate-level programs in Business Administration, Education, Leadership,
Nursing, Physician Assistant Studies, and Social Work are distinguished by the opportunities they provide students to expand decision-making and strategic skills. Beginning in the fall of 2010, Augsburg is proud to offer its inaugural doctoral
degree program—the Doctor in Nursing Practice program.
Augsburg College is characterized by a strong mission: Augsburg College educates students to be informed citizens,
thoughtful stewards, critical thinkers, and responsible leaders. The Augsburg experience is supported by an engaged
community that is committed to intentional diversity in its life and work. An Augsburg education is defined by excellence in the liberal arts and professional studies, guided by the faith and values of the Lutheran church, and shaped by its
urban and global settings.
For our graduate programs, this mission helps to shape an innovative educational experience that features an expansive
perspective on social responsibility, economic realities, business initiative, and environmental sustainability.
At Augsburg College, we believe that our distinctive educational purpose is to help you, the individual student, find your
calling at work and in the world. The Augsburg graduate programs are designed to offer you quality educational experiences, personal attention, and opportunities to expand your personal and professional talents and skills. We are confident
that our graduates are prepared for leadership in our ever-changing global society, the hallmark of an Augsburg degree.
Sincerely,
Paul C. Pribbenow
President, Augsburg College
Augsburg College I 3
Greetings from the Academic Affairs Office
Welcome to our graduate programs. We are committed to education that prepares people for leadership in their communities and places of work. We believe that the liberal and professional arts and sciences form the best preparation for living in the fast-paced, changing, and complex world of today and tomorrow.
Our locations in the vital metropolitan areas of Minneapolis/St. Paul and Rochester offer exciting and challenging field
experiences for courses that include real-life learning through academic internships, experiential education, and cultural
enrichment. The Twin Cities and Rochester become extended campuses for Augsburg students. Also, the diversity in our
campus community ensures that our graduates are prepared for the range of experiences and perspectives that characterize today’s global environment.
When you join Augsburg you become part of a community that offers lifelong learning opportunities in state-of-the-art
classrooms, with accessible libraries and dedicated faculty and staff. You join a body of experienced people who quickly
form your network of employer connections and career opportunities. We encourage our alumni to become your mentors and build on our city connections through public events, including our convocations and Advent Vespers.
All our programs share distinctive qualities, including our commitment and mission to be of service, with one another
and to our neighbors. We expect our graduates to have their eyes on the world as they develop their identity as global citizens, with a sense of responsibility to participate in socially- and economically-sustainable development. We hope that at
some time during your degree, you’ll explore the opportunities to participate in an international learning experience—for
example, travel seminars to our global campuses in Central America, Mexico, and Namibia, and opportunities to meet
visiting students and faculty members from our partner institutions in Norway, Germany, Finland, and Slovenia. Inspired
by the faith of our Lutheran founders to be inclusive to the early immigrants who came to Augsburg’s doors, we welcome
a diversity of cultures and faiths.
Although each graduate program has its own “neighborhood” and unique features, we encourage interdisciplinary
courses and opportunities for you to study with colleagues across disciplines. We encourage both “horizontal” initiatives—i.e., cross-program collaboration—as well as “vertical” initiatives—engaging our undergraduate students to consider graduate work. This means that sometimes you may be encouraging classmates who are just beginning to imagine a
graduate degree.
We are companions on your journey in fulfilling your dream of a graduate degree and we cannot wait to meet you.
Sincerely,
Barbara A. Farley
Vice President of Academic Affairs
and Dean of the College
Graduate Catalog I 4
Lori A. Peterson
Assistant Vice President of Academic Affairs
and Dean of Graduate and Professional Studies
Table of Contents
Greeting from the President 3
Greeting from the Academic Affairs Office 4
Directory of Offices and Programs 6
About Augsburg College
Mission Statement 7
Degrees Offered 7
Minneapolis and Rochester Locations 7
Accreditation, Approvals, and Memberships 9
Facts and Figures 10
Academic Programs and Policies
Academic Calendars 12
Academic Policies 12
Evaluation of Transfer Credit 14
Student Rights 14
Graduate Admissions
Admission to Augsburg College 16
Readmission to the College 16
Admission of International Students 16
Foreign Credential Evaluation 16
Financing Your Education
Costs of Graduate Study 18
Payment Options 18
Sources of Financial Aid 18
Applying for Financial Aid 19
Refund Schedule 19
Graduate Programs
Master of Arts in Education 20
Master of Arts in Leadership 34
Post-Master’s Certificate in Leadership Studies 40
Dual degree—BA, Accounting/Master of Arts in Leadership 40
Master of Arts in Nursing 43
Doctor of Nursing Practice 49
Master of Business Administration 54
Concentrations and Certificates 57
Dual degree—Master of Social Work/MBA 58
Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies 61
Master of Social Work 68
Dual Degree with Luther Seminary—MSW/MA, Theology 75
Dual degree—MSW/Master of Business Administration 76
College Information
Maps (Minneapolis and Rochester campuses) 81
Augsburg Board of Regents 82
Augsburg College I 5
Directory of Offices and Programs
Academic Affairs: 612-330-1024
Master of Arts in Education (MAE)
Vicki Olson, Director: 612-330-1131
Karen Howell, Coordinator: 612-330-1354
maeinfo@augsburg.edu
www.augsburg.edu/mae
Master of Social Work and Master of Business
Administration (MSW/MBA)
Lois A. Bosch, MSW Director: 612-330-1633
Steven Zitnick, MBA Director: 612-330-1304
mbainfo@augsburg.edu
www.augsburg.edu/mba
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Master of Arts in Leadership (MAL)
Norma Noonan, Director: 612-330-1198
Patty Park, Coordinator: 612-330-1150
malinfo@augsburg.edu
www.augburg.edu/mal
Master of Arts in Nursing (MAN)
Cheryl Leuning, Dept. Chair and Director:
612-330-1214
Patty Park, Coordinator: 612-330-1150
Sharon Wade, Program Assistant: 612-330-1209
Linden Gawboy, Administrative Assistant
manursing@augsburg.edu
www.augsburg.edu/ma_nursing
Master of Business Administration (MBA)
Steven Zitnick, Director: 612-330-1304
Katherine Fagen, Coordinator: 612-330-1774
mbainfo@augsburg.edu
wwww.augsburg.edu/mba
Master of Science in
Physician Assistant Studies (PA)
Dawn Ludwig, Department Chair and Director:
612-330-1399
Carrie Benton, Coordinator: 612-330-1518
paprog@augsburg.edu
www.augsburg.edu/pa
Master of Social Work (MSW)
Lois A. Bosch, Director: 612-330-1633
Holley Locher-Stulen, Coordinator: 612-330-1763
mswinfo@augsburg.edu
www.augsburg.edu/msw
Master of Social Work and Master of Arts
in Theology (MSW/MA)
Luther Seminary: 651-641-3521
Cheryl Leuning, Dept. Chair and Director:
612-330-1214
Patty Park, Coordinator: 612-330-1150
Sharon Wade, Program Assistant: 612-330-1209
Linden Gawboy, Administrative Assistant
nursing@augsburg.edu
www.augsburg.edu/dnp
Graduate Admissions Office:
612-330-1101 or gradinfo@augsburg.edu
www.augsburg.edu/grad
Bookstore: 612-359-6491
Center for Counseling and Health Promotion:
612-330-1707 or www.augsburg.edu/cchp
Campus Ministry:
612-330-1732 or campmin@augsburg.edu
Enrollment Center:
612-330-1046, 1-800-458-1721, or enroll@augsburg.edu
Questions about registration, financial aid, transcripts,
payments, accounts
International Student Advising (ISA): 612-330-1686 or
http://www.augsburg.edu/isa/
Lindell Library: 612-330-1604 or www.augsburg.edu/library
Public Safety: 612-330-1717 or security@augsburg.edu
Registrar’s Office: 612-330-1036 or
registrar@augsburg.edu
Rochester Campus Program Office:
507-288-2886 or rochinfo@augsburg.edu
Welcome/Information Desk: 612-330-1000
Graduate Catalog I 6
About Augsburg College
About Augsburg College
At Augsburg College, we believe that graduate education
should prepare gifted people for positions of leadership in
their communities and places of work. Augsburg graduates
will be able to demonstrate not only the mastery of a major
field of study, but also the ability to think critically, solve
problems, act ethically and communicate effectively in a
global world. The heart of an Augsburg education is the Augsburg mission, informed by the liberal and professional arts
and sciences, to serve our neighbors in the heart of the city
with faith-based, ethical values. We welcome students from a
diversity of backgrounds and experiences. Also, our programs
look to the world through international courses and cultural
exchanges.
the following graduate programs:
Master of Arts in Education (MAE)—see p. 20
Master of Arts in Leadership (MAL)—see p. 34
Master of Arts in Nursing (MAN)—see p. 43
Master of Business Administration (MBA)—see p. 54
Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies—see p. 61
Master of Social Work—see p. 68
Doctor of Nursing Practice—see p. 49
Mission Statement
Augsburg is enhanced by its global centers in Namibia, Mexico, and Central America. Students can perform research, take
courses, or consult with faculty in those locations to gain new
perspectives on their discipline.
Augsburg College educates students to be informed citizens,
thoughtful stewards, critical thinkers, and responsible leaders.
The Augsburg experience is supported by an engaged community, committed to intentional diversity in its life and work.
An Augsburg education is defined by excellence in the liberal
arts and professional studies, guided by the faith and values of
the Lutheran Church, and shaped by our urban and global
settings.
Augsburg Today
Augsburg was the first seminary founded by Norwegian
Lutherans in America, named after the confession of faith presented by Lutherans in Augsburg, Germany, in 1530. Augsburg opened in September 1869, in Marshall, Wis., and
moved to Minneapolis in 1872. A short history of Augsburg
College can be found at www.augsburg.edu/about/history.html
Today, Augsburg continues to reflect the commitment and
dedication of its founders who believed:
• Education should have a solid liberal arts core at the graduate level; this focus centers on the ability to think critically
and broadly about the world and the work we do in it;
• An Augsburg education should be preparation for service in
community and centers of faith;
• The city—with all its excitement, challenges, and diversity—is an unequaled learning environment.
The vision of the College’s work today is lived out in the
phrase, “We believe we are called to serve our neighbor.”
Through common commitments to living faith, active citizenship, meaningful work, and global perspective, Augsburg prepares its students to become effective, ethical citizens in a
complex global society.
Degrees Offered
Augsburg’s undergraduate program of liberal arts and sciences
is offered on both a traditional weekday schedule and a nontraditional weekend and evening schedule. Augsburg offers
Dual degrees:
BA in accounting/MAL—see p. 40
MSW/MBA—see p. 58 and 76
MSW/MA in theology, with Luther Seminary—see p. 75
A Community of Learners
Essential to the goals of Augsburg’s graduate programs is participation in a community of adult learners. This community
is enriched by the presence of men and women with a variety
of work and life experiences. To facilitate this kind of community interaction, Augsburg encourages students to make use of
all College facilities such as Lindell Library, the Kennedy Center, and the Christensen Center, and to participate in College
activities such as music and dramatic presentations and
athletic events.
Graduate Faculty
The heart of any educational institution is its faculty, and
Augsburg College is particularly proud of the excellence and
commitment of its professors. Most faculty hold the doctorate
or other terminal degree, and all consider teaching and service
to be the focus of their activity at the College. Faculty are involved in social, professional, and a variety of research activities, but these support and are secondary to their teaching.
Faculty are actively involved in a dynamic faculty development program that introduces them to best practices in teaching and learning techniques and theories.
Augsburg’s small classes encourage its tradition of close involvement between professors and students. Faculty act as academic advisers and participate regularly in campus activities.
Minneapolis and Rochester Locations
Augsburg’s Minneapolis campus
Augsburg’s Minneapolis campus surrounds Murphy Square,
the oldest park in the city of Minneapolis. The University of
Minnesota West Bank campus and one of the city’s largest
medical complexes—the University of Minnesota Medical
Center, Fairview—are adjacent to Augsburg, with the Missis-
Augsburg College I 7
About Augsburg College
sippi River and the Seven Corners theatre district just a few
blocks away. Convenient bus routes run by the campus, and
two Hiawatha Line light rail stations are just blocks away.
In addition to its Minneapolis campus, Augsburg has a branch
campus in Rochester, Minn., located at Bethel Lutheran
Church. For maps, directions, and parking information, go to
www.augsburg.edu/about/map.
Augsburg established its branch campus in Rochester, Minn.,
in 1998. Classes in Rochester meet on an evening schedule
with occasional Saturdays, making them accessible to working
adults. There are three trimesters in each academic year, and
students can enter degree programs in the fall, winter, or
spring. Several complete degree programs are available
through the Rochester campus. In addition, students may
work on a variety of other majors through a combination of
Rochester-based courses and courses taken in the day or
Weekend College program on the Minneapolis campus. Students who enroll in Rochester courses are required to use
technology in the learning and communication process
through the online course management system. For more information, go to www.augsburg.edu/rochester or call the
Graduate Admissions Office at 612-330-1101 or the Rochester
program office at 507-288-2886.
Bookstore
The Augsburg College Bookstore, operated by Barnes and
Noble, is located in the Oren Gateway Center. Online purchasing, phone purchasing, and delivery services are available
through the bookstore.
Counseling and Health Promotion
The Center for Counseling and Health Promotion (CCHP) offers programs and services that enhance student learning by
promoting personal development and well-being. The center
is located at 628 21st Avenue South.
Christensen Center
Christensen Center is the hub of college life. The new firstfloor student lounge area offers games, TV, and a place to
gather. Also in Christensen Center are Cooper’s Coffee Shop,
the Commons dining areas, Christensen Center Art Gallery,
and offices for student government and student publications.
Both the Graduate Admissions Office and the Office of Undergraduate Admissions for Day College are located here.
Food Services
A variety of food options are available both in the Christensen
Center and in Oren Gateway Center.
Augsburg’s Rochester campus
Augsburg’s Rochester campus is located in the facilities of
Bethel Lutheran Church (ELCA) just a few blocks south of
the heart of a city of approximately 100,000 residents. Situated in the heart of the Midwest, the community has a rich
ethnic diversity and superior technological resources. Students at the Rochester campus are students of Augsburg College. As such, our purpose is to “educate for service,” by
preparing and equipping women and men to make a difference in the world.
On the Minneapolis Campus
Foss, Lobeck, Miles Center for Worship, Drama, and
Communication
The Tjornhom-Nelson Theater, Hoversten Chapel, and the
Arnold Atrium are housed in this complex, which provides
space for campus ministry, the theatre and communication
studies offices, as well as the film program. Foss Center’s
lower level is home to the Center for Learning and Adaptive
Student Services (CLASS).
James G. Lindell Family Library
The Graduate Admissions Office is located on the upper level
of Christensen Center. The Physician Assistant Studies Program admissions office is located in Anderson Hall.
This library and information technology center houses all library functions and brings together the computer technology
resources of the College. The library is located on the block of
campus bordered by 22nd and 21st Avenues, and by Riverside
Avenue and Seventh Street.
Augsburg for Adults Office
Kennedy Center
Admissions Offices
Augsburg for Adults focuses on adult-centered educational
programs and assists adult learners in all programs. It evaluates how the program fulfills their needs and identifies the educational services to help them succeed. The Augsburg for
Adults office is located in Oren Gateway Center 110.
This three-story addition to Melby Hall features a wrestling
training facility, classroom space, locker rooms and fitness facilities, as well as hospitality and meeting rooms, classrooms,
and offices.
Augsburg Abroad
This complex provides facilities for the Health, Physical Education, and Exercise Science Department, intercollegiate and
intramural athletics, the Hoyt Messerer Fitness Center, and
serves as the College’s general auditorium.
The Augsburg Abroad office, located in Murphy Place, provides
advising and administrative services for students interested in
an international experience. Resources for study, work, internship, and volunteer opportunities abroad are available.
Graduate Catalog I 8
Melby Hall
About Augsburg College
Murphy Place
Murphy Place is home to three of the four components of the
Office of International Programs—Augsburg Abroad, Center
for Global Education, and International Student Advising. It is
also home to the four support programs for students of
color—American Indian Student Services, Pan-Afrikan Center, Pan-Asian Student Services, and Hispanic/Latino Student
Services.
Music Hall
Music Hall contains Sateren Auditorium, a 217-seat recital
hall, classroom facilities, two rehearsal halls, music libraries,
practice studios, and offices for the music faculty.
Old Main
Home for the Languages and Cross-Cultural Studies, and Art
Departments, Old Main was extensively remodeled in 1980,
combining energy efficiency with architectural details from
the past. It is included on the National Register of Historic
Places.
Oren Gateway Center
Dedicated in 2007, Oren Gateway Center is positioned on
Riverside Avenue to serve as the “gateway” to campus. It
houses Alumni Relations, Parent and Family Relations, Institutional Advancement, Augsburg for Adults, the Master of
Business Administration program, the Master of Arts in Leadership program, and the StepUP program. The center also includes student residence apartments, the Gage Family Art
Gallery, Augsburg Bookstore, Nabo Café, classrooms, and the
Johnson Conference Center.
Science Hall
Classrooms, science laboratories, a medium-sized auditorium,
faculty offices, and Finance and Administration offices are
found in Science Hall.
Sverdrup Hall
The Enrollment Center, classrooms, and faculty offices are located in Sverdrup Hall.
ing the week and some weekend hours. Current hours are
posted on the website.
AugNet Account
All students receive an AugNet email account. All official correspondence from the College is sent to this account and students are responsible for checking it. Students also have a
secure network folder on the College’s network that is backed
up weekly. The folder is accessible from both on- and off-campus.
Computing
Students have access to over 250 on-campus computers with
their AugNet account. There are both PC and Macintosh
desktop computers available in the Lindell Library Learning
Commons and computer lab and in the 24-hour Urness computer lab. The College has six computer classrooms and 41
technology- enhanced classrooms. The circulation desk in the
Lindell Library has 40 wireless laptops available for use in the
Library. A valid Augsburg ID is required. All campus computers are equipped with a standard suite of software including
Microsoft Office, SPSS, and Internet browsers. Additionally, a
RemoteLab service provides access to campus software to offcampus students. See the TechDesk website for more information.
A high-speed fiber optic campus network provides access to
AugNet online services, printing, and connections to the Internet and Internet2. Network-ready student machines can
connect to the campus network using WiFi. All of the AugNet
online services and several of the Registrar’s student services
are available securely on the Inside Augsburg web page
http://inside.augsburg.edu to students on and off-campus.
Accreditation, Approvals, and Memberships
Augsburg is accredited by:
• The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
Sverdrup-Oftedal Memorial Hall
Originally built as a dormitory, Memorial Hall contains the
president’s office, Human Resources, and other administrative
and faculty offices.
Student Technology Center/TechDesk
The Student Technology Center/TechDesk, located on the
ground floor of the Lindell Library, functions as the initial
point of customer contact for the Augsburg Information Technology Department. The TechDesk staff field requests for
computer and media support. Many questions can be answered by searching the TechDesk web page at
http://www.augsburg.edu/techdesk/ or by contacting them at
612-330-1400, at techdesk@augsburg.edu., or instant messaging on the webpage. Hours are generally business hours dur-
• National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education
• Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs
(ACBSP) (Augsburg’s MBA is a candidate for accreditation)
• Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the
Physician Assistant (ARC-PA)
• Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
(Augsburg’s master’s degree is full accredited; the doctoral
degree is a candidate for accreditation)
Augsburg College I 9
About Augsburg College
• Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) (bachelor’s and
master’s degrees)
Augsburg’s programs are approved by:
• American Chemical Society
• Minnesota Board of Teaching
• National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS)
• National Association of Schools of Music
Augsburg College is an institutional member of:
• American Association of Colleges and Universities (AACU)
• American Association of Colleges of Teacher Education
(AACTE)
• American Association of Higher Education (AAHE)
• American Music Therapy Association, Inc.
• Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs
(ACBSP)
• Campus Compact
• Council of Independent Colleges (CIC)
• Lutheran Education Council in North America (LECNA)
• National Association of Schools of Music (NASM)
• National Society for Experiential Education (NSEE)
• Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA)
• Associated Colleges of the Twin Cities (ACTC),
• Higher Education Consortium for Urban Affairs (HECUA)
• Minnesota Private College Council (MPCC)
• Twin Cities Adult Education Alliance (TCAEA)
See individual graduate program sections for additional accreditation and affiliation citations.
Augsburg College is registered as a private institution with the
Minnesota Office of Higher Education pursuant to sections
136A.61 to 136A.71. Credits earned at the institution may not
transfer to all other institutions.
Augsburg College Facts and Figures
• Location—Augsburg College was founded in 1869 in Marshall, Wis. The College moved to Minneapolis in 1872.
• Religious affiliation—The Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America (ELCA). Although a plurality of students are
Lutheran, 16 percent are Roman Catholic, and 25 percent
represent other denominations and religions.
• Enrollment (fall )—4,109 students from 26 countries.
Graduate student enrollment is 920.
• Alumni—Appox. 24,000 alumni since 1870, including over
1,200 graduate program alumni.
• Student/Faculty ratio—13 to 1
• Degrees granted—BA, BS, BM, MA, MBA, MS, MSW, DNP
• Library—Over 190,000 items, direct access to more than
2.5 million through CLIC, the Twin Cities private college library consortium.
• Calendar year—Weekend/evening trimesters and weekday
semesters, varying by the graduate program
• Majors—More than 50 majors in 35 departments and programs with two five-year degrees (BA in accounting with
MAL, and BS/MSW in social work). Six master’s degree programs and one doctoral program, plus several dual degrees.
• Off-campus programs—The Office of International Programs offers programs through Augsburg’s Center for
Global Education and International Partners programs for
short- and longer-term study abroad for both undergraduate
and graduate students.
• Athletic affiliation—Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic
Conference (MIAC), and National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), Division III.
Clery Act information
The Clery Act Annual Report for Augsburg College contains
statistics on reported crimes on and near Augsburg property
and campus, as well as institutional policies concerning campus security and crime. The report is available online at
www.augsburg.edu/dps/security/report.html. For a printed
copy, contact Augsburg’s Department of Public Safety at 612330-1717.
Non-Discrimination Policy
Augsburg College, as affirmed in its mission, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national
or ethnic origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, status with regard to
public assistance, or disability in its education policies, admissions policies, employment, scholarship and loan programs,
athletic and/or school administered programs, except in those
instances where there is a bona fide occupational qualification
or to comply with state or federal law. Augsburg College is
committed to providing reasonable accommodations to its
employees and students. (See Physician Assistant Studies for
details of its program policy on page 66.)
Any questions concerning Augsburg’s compliance with federal
or state regulations implementing equal access and opportunity can be directed to the Office of Human Resources, CB 79,
Augsburg College, 2211 Riverside Avenue, Minneapolis, MN
55454, or 612-330-1058.
• Campus—18 major buildings. Major renovations to classrooms in 2007.
• Accessibility—Augsburg is one of the most accessible campuses in the region. A skyway/tunnel/elevator system provides inside access to 12 major buildings.
Graduate Catalog I 10
FERPA
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of
1974 as amended, provides certain rights to students regarding their education records. Augsburg College understands
About Augsburg College
that no information other than “directory information” can be
released without the written permission of the student. Students must give permission in writing for educational information to be released to anyone outside of the official
personnel (faculty and administration) at Augsburg. For example, this means that faculty or others cannot write letters of
support/recommendation or nominate students for awards unless explicit written permission is given by the student to release non-“directory information.” It is not sufficient to ask
for letters of recommendation.
In accordance with FERPA, you are notified of the following:
Right to inspect and review education records
You have the right to review and inspect substantially all of
your education records maintained by or at Augsburg College.
You must request to review your education records in writing,
with your signature. The College will respond in a reasonable
time, but no later than 45 days after receiving the request.
Right to request amendment of education records
You have the right to seek to have corrected any parts of an
education record that you believe to be inacc