Program Spotlight: Online Master of Arts in History

elliott cochran —  June 6, 2013 — Leave a comment

The Department of History at Sam Houston State University offers an online Master of Arts in History degree that connects students’ passion for historical events with the convenience of modern-day technology.

SHSU Online Master of Arts in History

Given the flexibility of pursuing an online degree, the faculty of the Department of History established an online master’s degree with the academic credibility of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences and the ability to follow a range of interests as it relates to the professional ambitions of an individual student’s interests.

“All of our instructors for the online program are resident faculty at Sam Houston State University and hold a Ph.D. in their respective fields, which we feel is important,” says Dr. Jeffrey Littlejohn, associate professor of history. “We also pride ourselves on the flexibility of our program with thesis-track and non-thesis track degrees; no matter what a student wants, we can fit a program to their needs.”

The online graduate degree is presented to students in three different plans, depending on individual student preference.

  • Plan 1 Designed for students wishing to conduct a thesis.
  • Plan 2  Designed for students preferring all coursework to be in History.
  • Plan 3  Designed for students seeking preparation in history as the major field and in a logically-related minor field.

The department is currently working with approximately 100 online students pursuing their graduate degree in History, and Dr. Littlejohn recently collaborated with students to publish a book entitled Historic Walker County: The Story of Huntsville & Walker County, a comprehensive recount of the development of Walker County dating back to the through the 20th Century.

Dr. Littlejohn says the potential for students enrolled in the online master’s program is limited only by their professional ambitions.

“Our program is one where you can study and succeed in many different professional endeavors, and students benefit greatly from the flexibility of the program as it relates to their area of interest.”

Visit http://distance.shsu.edu to find out more about the Master of Arts in History offered through SHSU Online, and see what you can do to get started today!

In Program Spotlight , , , , ,
permalink

SHSU Continuing Education Coordinator Pursues Online Graduate Degree

elliott cochran —  May 23, 2013 — Leave a comment

When Rebecca Gay completed her undergraduate degree from Sam Houston State University in 2008, she did not realize the extent to which the university would influence her professional career.

Upon graduation, Gay took a position with the university as a transfer admissions counselor with the Undergraduate Admissions office.  Working in the office and regularly speaking with enthusiastic students eventually played a part in influencing her to pursue a Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration.

rebecca gay

“In my position, I think getting a degree in higher education basically says that I believe in the values of the university,” she says. “Working for a university, it’s important that you feel everyone should further their education in some way. By pursuing a graduate degree, it helps instill that ambition in others and they see me making the effort to further my education.”

Gay, who is currently pursuing her graduate degree while also serving as a continuing education coordinator with SHSU Online, says her decision to pursue an online degree through SHSU Online is a testament to her confidence in the university’s educational philosophy.

Initially, she decided to try an online course to gauge her interest with the platform and found it to be beneficial to her lifestyle and study habits.

“Taking online courses helped me to stay focused on the program; I can just hop on a computer and easily turn in an assignment and I’m not required to go to a classroom or an office to submit work,” she says. “I’m a huge procrastinator, and what’s nice about the online program is that if an assignment is due at midnight, I have until 11:30 p.m. to keep working on it before I turn it in,” she says.

Continuing her education is a personal motivator for Gay, who is the first in her family to pursue a graduate degree, and she says the online platform allowed her to follow her ambitions while maintaining a demanding, full-time job.

She said in addition to the ease and accessibility of online courses, the platform helped her grow as a student.

“I think people don’t realize that online and classroom courses are very much alike in that there is a lot of student interaction. One of the most beneficial things for me was when professors used discussion boards.  Typically, I would have been a student in a classroom that probably would not have spoken up about a topic, whereas online you are required to write on a discussion board and put your opinion out there and critically think about the topic.”

SHSU Online utilizes the Blackboard Learn format, allowing students and professors to participate in a variety of communication applications.

Visit http://distance.shsu.edu to find out more about the online Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration offered through SHSU Online, and see what you can do to get started today!

In Student Stories
permalink

SHSU Faculty Embrace ITV Technology

elliott cochran —  April 24, 2013 — Leave a comment

SHSU faculty members, continuing to embrace and cultivate emerging technologies, are integrating the capabilities of Interactive Television (ITV) into courses to improve the distance learning experience for students.

ITV is a platform that utilizes videoconference technology to allow an instructor to teach and seamlessly communicate with a group of students attending the course from a remote classroom in real time. Through the use of streaming video technology, the professors and students in two separate locations are able to communicate directly, either by asking questions or receiving feedback.

SHSU Student using ITV technology on laptop

The program effectively broadens the student-professor dynamic for distance learners and allows more students to have access to a higher quality course.

Julie Combs, director of the Center for Research and Doctoral Studies in Educational Leadership, says she is excited by the way ITV has effectively brought a physical presence to online learning.

“I have used ITV over a period of several years in the Education Leadership doctoral program, and I am very pleased with all that we can do to share information with students,” she says. “I think the biggest advantage of ITV is that it allows students from many different regions to join a class in a face-to-face format.”

Since the university adopted ITV technology several years ago, faculty accessibility and ease of use has been a point of focus for SHSU Online employees.

Currently, there are seven rooms at SHSU-The Woodlands Center (TWC) and the main campus that are ITV ready. Four are in TWC and the other three are on the main campus – in the Lee Drain Building, the Teacher Education Center, and the College for Humanities and Social Sciences.

Matthew Fuller, assistant professor and coordinator of Higher Education Administration, has used ITV for two semesters and says the technology has acted to bridge the geographical gap for students in distance learning environments.

“ITV has been reliable and the DELTA Center staff has made this technology very easy to use. I have used it to teach doctoral level classes in law, curriculum, and assessment in higher education,” he says. “I have tried some interactive group work where students on one end of ITV prepare something to present to the entire class.”

Not only has ITV improved the quality of education for distance learners, it is now easier than ever to incorporate into courses. If you are interested in utilizing ITV with your course(s), contact Graphics Designer Derrick Alexander at dda006@shsu.edu .

In Articles , , , ,
permalink

Returning to college after spending 20 years in the professional field may sound intimidating, but the quest for knowledge and opportunity to further her career brought a SHSU graduate back to pursue an online graduate degree.

Karolyn Williams, a regional collections specialist for the Office of Court Administration, graduated from Sam Houston State University in 1988, but returned in 2011 to enroll in the online Master of Science in Criminal Justice Leadership and Management program.

Williams says nearly 20 years of working in various capacities in the court system has exposed her to a variety of policies and procedures—but  by taking online classes with the College of Criminal Justice, she has built on her professional foundation.

“This program has given me a broader perspective of the processing side of criminal justice, from policing laws, statutes, organizational context, and structure, which are all covered in the online courses,” she says. “I do a lot of studying on the weekend and at night, and thanks to technology, I’m able to listen to my lectures when I’m driving in the car, which is really helpful.”

In her current position, Williams says she spends a considerable amount of time in her car driving to various jurisdictions within her territory of 29 counties along the Gulf coast to consult, audit, and train staff on a state mandate to improve the collection of criminal court ordered fines and fees.

Williams’ time with the Texas courts system has set a historic precedent. In her previous role as a manager of criminal courts with the Harris County District Clerk’s Office, and her current position as regional collections specialist for the Office of Court Administration, she is the first African American female in both the county and state to hold these positions. Williams was also employed through the Harris County District Clerk’s Office as a district criminal court clerk, criminal collector, and supervisor of criminal collections department.

She says her personal and professional conviction served her well through the process of attending online classes amidst her busy schedule.

“Looking back from when I started classes, I can see my tenacity—when I’ve overcome, when I was self-doubting, when I needed the power to see it through and the will to keep going through the work, the travel, and everything else in my life,” she says. “Taking online courses has been very beneficial to me, especially with regard to time management. The biggest hurdle for me in a traditional classroom setting would be the time factor.”

A central theme throughout her life has been the importance of family. Williams says her primary influence for returning to higher education is her father, Charles Drisdale, an educator who taught in the Houston Independent School District for 40 years and served as he emotional anchor to Williams throughout her life. By taking classes online, Williams will receive her degree in May, simultaneously while her son Kristopher, niece Brianna, and nephew Miles, currently attend class on campus.

WilliamsOutside

Williams says she is ready to further utilize her degree in the professional field and would recommend pursuing an online degree to anyone willing to develop their skills and education.

“I found the process of obtaining an online degree to be very challenging, but also very rewarding, and I’ve loved it,” she says. “I feel the online program has prepared me for the next level of my career.”

Visit http://distance.shsu.edu to find out more about the online Master of Science in Criminal Justice Leadership and Management offered through SHSU Online, and see what you can do to get started today!

Posted on March 13, 2013 In Student Stories
permalink 2 Comments

Program Spotlight: Online Master of Education in Instructional Technology

elliott cochran —  February 27, 2013 — Leave a comment

The online Master of Education in Instructional Technology program at Sam Houston State University provides students with the skills to use technology as a tool to relay classroom or professional development instruction.

“We designed this to be a very personal program, so we implemented a variety of methods to provide the most beneficial and educational experience for our students. The program is designed to open a lot of doors to potential careers for graduates of the program in various corporations or in the education field.”

- Dr. Kimberly LaPrairie

The 18-month program, provided by the College of Education’s Department of Curriculum and Instruction, may be completed entirely online and enforces a strong, working knowledge of technological communication methods including web design, podcasts, webcasts, and virtual world environments.

SHSU Online Master of Education in Instructional Technology“The program is a combination of courses covering curriculum and instruction, computer science, and educational leadership,” says Kimberly LaPrairie, assistant professor and coordinator for the Master of Education in Instructional Technology program. “The program is designed to open a lot of doors to potential careers for graduates of the program in various corporations or in the education field.”

The M.Ed. in Instructional Technology degree consists of 30 credit hours covering a range of disciplines, drawing course content from three departments within the university. The coursework consists of four Curriculum and Instruction courses, four Computer Science courses, and two Educational Leadership courses.

LaPrairie says the College of Education made strides to set the level of expectations high for student interaction and accessibility while using the online program.

“We designed this to be a very personal program, so we implemented a variety of methods to provide the most beneficial and educational experience for our students,” she says. “Some universities have hundreds of students enrolled in their programs with one professor and one grader. We accept approximately 20 students in a semester, and utilize virtual office sessions and all of the other technological communications that we teach in our course.”

Visit http://distance.shsu.edu to find out more about the Master of Education in Instructional Technology offered through SHSU Online, and see what you can do to get started today!

In Program Spotlight , , , , , , , , , , ,
permalink

SHSU Online Programs Earn ‘US News & World Report’ Rankings

Eric 'WizKid' Odom —  January 29, 2013 — Leave a comment

SHSU Online Ranked Top Amongst Online Programs (via US News & World Reports)

Sam Houston State University has again achieved high marks in US News & World Report’s annual rankings of online education programs.

Sam Houston State University’s online programs, evaluated along with nearly 700 schools across the country, ranked among the best in four categories, placing SHSU No. 2 among “Best Online Graduate Computer Information Technology Programs,” No. 37 among “Best Online Graduate Education Programs,” and No. 102 among “Best Online Graduate Business Programs.” The Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice program was ranked No. 69 in “Best Online Bachelor’s Programs.”

In one of the indicators used in determining schools’ overall rankings, “Student Services and Technology,” SHSU performed especially well. In the case of all the categories reported above, SHSU ranked as high as No. 6, and no lower than No. 23, among all schools.

The “Student Services and Technology” indicator, according to US News & World Report, reflects a school’s performance in these terms: “A program that incorporates diverse online learning technologies allows greater ability for students to participate in classes and labs from a distance.”

SHSU Online’s service is an important contributor to the university’s showing in terms of the “Student Services and Technology” indicator, helping to provide highly accessible technologies and services and strong support to its students.

“SHSU’s overall performance in the US News & World Report 2013 rankings reflects the high caliber of our faculty and the commitment of SHSU Online to furnish our students with the most reliable, user-friendly, and responsive distance-learning technologies available,” said Bill Angrove, associate vice president for distance learning.

“SHSU Online is grateful for this recognition and is determined to continue improving service to our students and the entire SHSU community,” he said.

In addition to three online undergraduate degree programs, SHSU offers 24 graduate degree programs, including one doctoral program and one special program for members of the U.S. military, as well as 22 online certificate programs.

A complete listing of the U.S. News and World Report online rankings can be found at US News & World Reports online education programs overview.

For more information on any of SHSU’s online programs, visit distance.shsu.edu.

In Articles , , , , , , , ,
permalink

Everyone needs a little motivation to kickstart their week, so get to it — and remember, “It’s everybody’s duty to give the world a reason to dance.”

Like Sam Houston Online on Facebook       Follow Sam Houston Online on Twitter

Follow Sam Houston Online on Instagram       Add Sam Houston Online to your Google+ Circle

Posted on January 28, 2013 In Videos
permalink Leave a comment

Gaming Used to Reach Online Students

elliott cochran —  January 17, 2013 — Leave a comment

Living room in SHSU Online's gamingSHSU Online‘s Instructional Multimedia Group works with faculty to provide students with personalized and contextualized online learning experiences through the use of interactive gaming.

Using gaming technology such as Unity and Photon Cloud, a 3D game engine and server, and Second Life, a virtual world where thousands of users interact with players across the world, the group collaborates with faculty members to create instructional multimedia, immersive environments, and simulation models for their online courses.

Jennie Powers, graphics coordinator for the SHSU Online Instructional Multimedia Group, says the fusion of a complex technological landscape and a strong online culture created an opportunity for educators to cater to students in a familiar setting.

“We are beginning to use online gaming technology as a vehicle for collaborative activities, as well as for reflective exercises, ” she says. “We construct each educational game or simulation to meet learning objectives outlined by professors who are seeking innovative methods to provide their online students with interactive experiences comparable to the activities of face-to-face students.”  Continue Reading…

In Articles , , , , , ,
permalink

In a world full of opportunity, SHSU Online student Cathrine Henson is proof that a quality education is always available at Sam Houston State University.

Henson, who is currently taking online courses in higher education administration, has walked an unconventional path to achieve her educational goals. That path included two years of service in the United States Air Force as a jet engine mechanic, which she completed before returning to finish her undergraduate degree. Continue reading →

Posted on January 3, 2013 In Student Stories , , , ,
permalink Leave a comment
Happy New Year from SHSU Online
In Photos ,
permalink Leave a comment
Happy Holidays from SHSU Online
In Photos , , ,
permalink Leave a comment
Sam Houston doesn't always hunt Bison, but when he does, they're from North Dakota.
In Bearkats , , , ,
permalink Leave a comment

Program Spotlight: Online Master of Science in Criminal Justice

elliott cochran —  December 20, 2012 — Leave a comment

The online Master of Science in Criminal Justice program at SHSU fosters the growth and professional development of students as they develop advanced knowledge in criminal justice and criminology.

The College of Criminal Justice, one of the largest and most prestigious criminal justice programs in the nation, offers a wealth of information from professors who helped shape criminal justice research.

SHSU Online Program Spotlight: Online MS in Criminal Justice

“Now more than ever, the field of criminal justice recognizes the need for a well-educated workforce, and that is exactly the type of high quality education we will provide through our graduate programs here at Sam Houston State University.”

- Dr. Gaylene Armstrong

“We have a top-ranked program nationally and internationally, as the result of an engaged faculty who have a worldwide reputation for excellence in the field of criminal justice,” says Dr. Gaylene Armstrong, Associate Professor and Director of CJ Graduate Programs for the College of Criminal Justice. “We are setting a higher standard for educating the criminal justice workforce in the United States by offering challenging and cutting edge coursework as the field of criminal justice continues to evolve.”

The online Master of Science in Criminal Justice degree consists of 36 credit hours of coursework that prepares students to flourish in a variety of criminal justice administration positions, including organizational management and social policy.

Through the quality programming offered by the college and strong faculty relationships with local, state, and national criminal justice agencies, graduates have secured well-respected positions throughout the country.  SHSU graduates from the College of Criminal Justice have gone on to become judges, chief probation officers, police administrators, victim advocates, federal law enforcement agents, and more.

The college continues to build relationships with law enforcement agencies across the world— providing first-class research and resources to assist in advancing knowledge in the field.

“This is an exciting time for criminal justice students because criminal justice agency officials, legislators, and researchers all recognize the importance of translating evidence-based research into practice to affect positive change in our society,” emphasized Dr. Armstrong. “Now more than ever, the field of criminal justice recognizes the need for a well-educated workforce, and that is exactly the type of high quality education we will provide through our graduate programs here at Sam Houston State University.”

Visit http://distance.shsu.edu to find out more about the Master of Science in Criminal Justice offered through SHSU Online, and see what you can do to get started today!

In Program Spotlight , , , , ,
permalink
Rematch Sam Houston State Bearkats SHSU vs NDSU in NCAA FCS Championship January 5 2013 FC Dallas Stadium

The Sam Houston State University Bearkats earned a hard-fought victory Saturday night, defeating the Eastern Washington Eagles 45-42 in the NCAA Division I Football Championship semifinal.

The Bearkats did the majority of their heavy lifting in the first half, scoring 35 points and holding the Eagles to a goose egg at the end of the second quarter.

Despite a slew of hometown heroics from the Eagle’s freshman quarterback, Vernon Adams,
the game was within three points at the 3:04 mark of the fourth quarter for Eastern Washington, but the Bearkats never surrendered the lead.

In a late fourth quarter drive, running back and SHSU Online student Timothy Flanders broke three tackles with a minute left on the clock to earn a first down and secure the game for the Bearkats.

The Bearkats will travel to Frisco for the FCS Championship game against the North Dakota State Bison on Saturday, January 5.

In Bearkats , , , , , , , , ,
permalink 1 Comment
Sam Houston State Bearkats Intend to Light up the EWU Inferno

Sam Houston State University has continued to cast a dark cloud over the Big Sky Conference, but Saturday, the team plans to extinguish the “inferno” with a storm from their triple option offense anchored by running back and online student Timothy Flanders.

Leading up to Saturday’s NCAA Division I Football Championship semifinal game against Eastern Washington, SHSU has eliminated both Cal Poly and Montana State. A Bearkat victory would signal domination over the Big Sky Conference, eliminating the top three seeds in the conference.

SHSU’s only previous meeting with Eastern Washington resulted in a legendary comeback victory, stunning the home crowd and igniting the #BearkatNation.

Kickoff is at 3 p.m. Saturday, with coverage airing on ESPNU.

In Bearkats , , , , , , , ,
permalink Leave a comment

A Few Benefits of Taking Classes Online

elliott cochran —  December 11, 2012 — 1 Comment

As obtaining an online degree continues to gain in popularity, you may be presented with the opportunity to take a course online.

If you have never taken a class online, you might enjoy reading about some of the benefits of pursuing your education online.

  •  Flexibility: An online education lets you choose the time and speed of learning to fit your schedule and responsibilities.
  •  Economy: Since an online education allows you to pursue your educational goals from your home computer, you save money on gas, vehicle maintenance, and time spent commuting.
  •  Variety: With an online education at SHSU Online, a range of majors, degree programs, and certificates is at your fingertips no matter where you live.
  •  Focus: An online education allows you to study without distractions and have complete control over your study environment.
  •  Simplicity: An online education is fast, easy, and convenient. Educators at SHSU Online specialize in creating online course content to provide the most effective learning experience.
  •  Networking: An online education provides great opportunities to make productive and exciting connections with a variety of students, educators, and experts from across the nation and around the world.
  •  Quality: Studies show that an online education results in a competitive advantage for the students who choose to pursue it. The nature of online learning involves a wide variety of instructional media – from audio and video presentations to webcam-based interaction with professors and other students.

For more information about Sam Houston State University’s online degree programs, visit http://distance.shsu.edu.

In Articles , , , , ,
permalink
The Bearkat Nation Stands Tall After 34-16 NCAA Quarterfinal Win Over Montana State

It seems that our predictions were correct - the Sam Houston State Bearkats outlasted the cold, and lit up the field Friday night in Bozeman, Montana. SHSU Online student, and Bearkat running back Timothy Flanders rushed for his 24th career 100-yard rushing game and his ninth during the 2012 season. Both marks are school records. Wide receiver Chance Nelson ran for 2 touchdowns and the defense produced two turnovers and five quarterback sacks in the 34-16 victory over the Bobcats.

The Bearkats will continue on the road to Frisco next weekend in the semifinal round of the NCAA Division I playoffs. Eat ‘Em Up Kats!!!

In Photos , , , , ,
permalink Leave a comment
Sam Houston State - Orange Pride

Let it be known that you’re with the #BearkatNation! Like, Share, Retweet, reblog, or set it as your profile pic, and show off your Orange Pride. Eat ‘Em Up Kats!!!

In Photos , , , , , ,
permalink Leave a comment
SHSU Online Meteor

Speculation on the source of the flashing light in the sky this morning is buzzing on campus.

While media outlets speculate the fireball to be from a passing meteor shower, the SHSU Online staff feel the incident may foreshadow pending doom for the Montana State Bobcats as they face the Bearkats in tonight’s FCS quarterfinal playoff game.

Eat ‘Em Up Kats!

In Photos , , , , , ,
permalink 1 Comment
It’s time to put on your Bearkat gear – it’s #SpiritFriday. Eat ‘Em Up Kats!!! #BearkatNation
via @shsuonline on Instagram: http://instagr.am/p/S72ydBCbui/
In Photos , ,
permalink Leave a comment