Dean’s Medal awarded to Doctor of Education candidate who studied teacher attrition
Forty-six doctoral candidates in education, physical therapy and law and policy at Northeastern University’s College of Professional Studies received their academic doctoral hoods today in an academic ceremony at The Westin Copley Place, Boston.
On Saturday, September 29, 2012, the celebration continues when the candidates join nearly 600 of their classmates for the College of Professional Studies graduation at Matthews Arena on the Northeastern University campus for students earning undergraduate and graduate degrees.
“This is a celebration that marks the completion of studies at the highest level,” said John Caron, senior associate dean of Academic and Faculty Affairs at the College of Professional Studies, in his welcome address to doctoral candidates, their friends and family. “And this ceremony invites these candidates over the threshold into a new chapter in their lives and career, and we all look forward with excitement of what you will achieve now that you have completed your doctoral studies.”
Before candidates were hooded by their thesis advisors, John LaBrie, dean of the College of Professional Studies, took the stage.
“You and your faculty have participated in a process that brought to life new scholarship and ideas that contribute to your field of study and built upon your professional network, while equipping you with the skills to lead,” said LaBrie. “That is why we celebrate this milestone together with a special emphasis on the heart of doctoral work—your contribution to the generation of new knowledge – your doctoral thesis.”
In the ceremony’s tradition, each candidate’s name, degree and thesis title were announced as they were “hooded,” marking their new identity in the scholarly world.
The Dean’s Medal
Christina Bebas, a graduate of the Doctor of Education program, received the Dean’s Medal for Outstanding Doctoral Work for her thesis entitled, A Mixed Methods Study of a Teacher Preparation Program Using Professional Development Schools on Teacher Persistence, which evaluates the elementary education program at Worcester State University, where she is currently an assistant professor of Education. One of Bebas’ goals is for the results of this study to inform Worcester State University’s teacher education program, and other similar programs, in addressing teacher attrition.
“Christina has exhibited many of the qualities we would wish for and expect from our doctoral candidates: attention to detail, a discernment of issues and problems, and a level of analysis that goes beyond the surface and obvious,” said Chris Unger, assistant academic specialist, Graduate Education programs at the College of Professional Studies, and Bebas’ thesis advisor.
“She willingly and gladly pursued a mixed methods design (utilizing both quantitative and qualitative research methodologies) to determine whether there were significant differences across those graduates of her program in terms of self-efficacy, teacher-efficacy, and perspectives on how the Worcester State program did, or did not, provide them with the confidence and skills to pursue teaching careers.”
More about graduation
The College of Professional Studies celebrates two graduations, fall and spring, in keeping with the College’s flexible approach to education offering an array of options to students including part-time and full-time studies, Fast-Track, online, and hybrid formats. Graduates earned diplomas in 61 different degree programs at the associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels. To read more about The College of Professional Studies 2012 fall graduation please visit: http://cps.neu.edu/student-resources/graduation/index.php
Northeastern University’s College of Professional Studies (CPS) is committed to providing career-focused educational programs that are designed to accommodate the complex lives of motivated learners. Offered in a variety of innovative formats, CPS courses are taught by accomplished scholars and practitioners who have real-world experience. The result is an educational experience founded on proven scholarship, strengthened with practical application, and sustained by academic excellence.
Founded in 1898, Northeastern is a comprehensive, global research university. The university offers more than 80 undergraduate majors and more than 165 graduate programs, ranging from professional master’s degrees to interdisciplinary PhD programs. Northeastern’s research enterprise is aligned with three national imperatives: health, security and sustainability. Northeastern students participate in co-op and other forms of experiential learning in 90 countries on all seven continents.