Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Union Institute & University Announces New Degree Program for Los Angeles Firefighters

Program in Public Administration, in partnership with the United Firefighters of Los Angeles City, is tailored to fit firefighter’s busy schedule

LOS ANGELES - Union Institute & University today announced a new bachelor’s degree in public administration designed to fit the needs of Los Angeles area firefighters seeking to continue their education while remaining on the force. The program, in partnership with the United Firefighters of Los Angeles City (UFLAC), is similar to Union’s degree programs in Criminal Justice Management, a highly-popular program that has enabled many police officers to advance in their careers.

“For many years, firefighters have longed for a degree program that would reward them for their long hours of duty related training – Drill Tower, specialized training, and California State Fire Marshal courses,” said Jon McDuffie, UFLAC 1st Vice President. “The Union public administration program is one that we believe UFLAC members and fire department civilian personnel will find as a perfect fit.”

The regionally-accredited program offers on-site programs at sites near firehouses or close to home, cutting down on commuting time, and giving learners the opportunity to network with other firefighters. In addition, the program offers four-unit courses that are able to be completed in eight-week sessions, and firefighters can earn credit for continuing education courses they took prior to attending Union.

Very few universities offer degrees for firefighters, said Battalion Chief Patrick Butler. “Union has tailored the courses to meet the unique needs of a firefighter. For example, classes are held on site in the morning, because that’s when firefighters are getting off work after their 24-hour shift.”

Butler, also a reserved deputy sheriff, earned a degree in criminal justice from Union. After many of his colleagues at the firehouse expressed an interest in going back to school, Butler approached the LA Center and the UFLAC about creating a program specifically for firefighters. Public Administration, said Butler, was an idea track of study because “today’s firefighters are involved in community relations, local municipal government, public education, and business management,” said Butler. “We do a lot more than put out fires.”

“There are a lot of opportunities for firefighters (once they get their bachelor’s degree),” said Butler. “A lot of doors start to open. Not only is there the financial bonus that firefighters receive for having a degree, but there is also the opportunity to change your thinking. The program enhances critical thinking skills and presents new concepts and new ideas of learning. It helps firefighters do their job.”

For more information about the new program contact: Vanessa Lopez, Director of Admissions, phone: 1-800-486-8328, or email: Vanessa.lopez@tui.edu.

Thursday, August 14, 2008

Union Institute and University’s Doctorate in Psychology Program Welcomes Learners from Across the Country

Five day meeting will feature well-known clinical psychologist Rachel Hare-Mustin

BRATTLEBORO - Union Institute & University’s (UI&U) doctorate in psychology program (the “Psy.D.” program) will welcome first and second year student cohorts from Michigan to Virginia and parts of New England and the Midwest to Brattleboro for its annual academic meeting beginning August 27 at the Marlboro Technology Center downtown. The students will join together for five days of coursework, seminars and discussions. The meeting will kick-off with a dinner featuring guest speaker, noted clinical psychologist Rachel T. Hare-Mustin, Ph.D, hosted by the Marina Restaurant.

Dr. Hare-Mustin has served as a faculty member of Harvard, the University of Pennsylvania, and Villanova University. She has published widely on gender issues, ethical practice, and feminist theory and postmodern theory. She has earned numerous awards for her work in theory, research, and practice from organizations including the American Psychological Association Divisions of Psychotherapy, Family Psychology, as well as by a Presidential Citation from the APA.

Union’s Psy.D. program combines the cohesion and mutual support of face-to-face education with the flexibility of online courses. The program is consistent with UI&U’s mission, and integrates social justice into all its courses, emphasizing multiculturalism in clinical practice and the psychologist’s role as an agent of social change. Learners are trained to be culturally competent clinicians, able to provide mental health services to individuals, families, groups and organizations. The program utilizes a distributed learning model, offering flexibility to working adults who need to balance career, family, and other responsibilities.

Union Institute and University’s Psy.D. program is currently accepting applications for Fall 2009. For more information contact: Diane Robinson, Admissions Psy.D., 802.254.0152 x 8408 or www.tui.edu/psyd.

Thursday, August 7, 2008

Art Advocate to Speak at Union Institute & University's Los Angeles Commencement

Elizabeth A. Sackler will speak to graduates about new responsibilities and opportunities. Most who are graduating are working adults fulfilling a lifelong dream.

LOS ANGELES - Union Institute & University (UI&U) is honored to announce that Dr. Elizabeth Sackler, who spearheaded the Brooklyn Museum’s Elizabeth A. Sackler Center for Feminist Art, an exhibition and education facility dedicated to feminist art, will deliver this year’s keynote speech at UI&U’s California commencement, Sunday, August 10, at 11 am, at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre, 4401 West 8th Street, in Los Angeles.

Sackler, who earned her Ph.D. with a concentration in public history from UI&U in 1997, will speak to the graduates about new opportunities, options, and choices; and how these new opportunities yield more responsibility. “I know the Union graduates are prepared for this challenge, because of the rigors of the great education and also because Union learners have an innate desire and often burning motivation to improve their lives, to give to their communities, and to make things right in their world,” she said.

This burning motivation is something UI&U learner and so-to-be graduate Brenda Joyce Ervin-Morgan understands. The Compton resident never dreamed of going to college. Today, as she prepares to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in childhood development from UI&U on August 10, she is already setting her sites on her master’s and doctorate degrees. “My family told me I would never succeed if I went to school,” said Ervin-Morgan, the oldest of six children and herself the mother of eight children, including five who she adopted. “Union was very good to me. Their mission was to make sure that I took my education to the next level, and that, to me, is what a teacher is all about,” she said. “When they saw that I was struggling, they reached down, got me, carried me a bit, and helped me to stand up on my own two feet.”

Sackler is the president and CEO of the Arthur M. Sackler Foundation and founding president of the American Indian Ritual Object Repatriation Foundation. The Elizabeth A. Sackler Center for Feminist Art at the Brooklyn Museum opened to international acclaim in 2007. Its mission is to raise awareness of feminism’s cultural contributions; to educate new generations about the meaning of feminist art; to maintain a dynamic and welcoming learning facility; and to present feminism in an approachable and relevant way.

The commencement will be at 11 am, at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre, 4401 West 8th Street, in Los Angeles. A reception will follow at The Ebell of Los Angeles, 743 South Lucerne Blvd., Los Angeles. Space is limited. Registration is required. To register contact: Zayda Rodriguez: 800-486-8328, ext. 1700, or zayda.rodriguez@tui.edu.

Monday, August 4, 2008

Union Institute & University Hosts Information Session for Prospective BS Learners

CINCINNATI- Join us on Saturday, August 9, 2008 for an informative gathering regarding the Union Institute & University Bachelor of Science program.

Check-in 9:30-10:00 am
10:00 am-12:00 noon

Cincinnati Academic Center, Room 100
440 E. McMillan St.
Cincinnati, OH 45206

Learn how you can earn your bachelor’s degree through Union Institute & University’s flexible, accelerated degree completion program. Get started on the path to earn your bachelor’s degree while maintaining your job, family, and community commitment. Faculty, admissions staff, and financial aid counselors will be available to answer your questions.

Refreshments will be provided.

Questions? Please contact Admissions Counselor Marc Weber at 513-487-1225 or marc.weber@tui.edu