WASHINGTON, PA (Jan. 21, 2016) — Washington & Jefferson College (W&J) has expanded its academic offerings to include four graduate programs, all of which are now enrolling.
The programs cover a range of topics in areas that are curricular strengths for the College and are designed to boost the skill set of working professionals in the fields of healthcare, professional writing, accounting and bereavement studies.
“Graduate education has a long history at W&J and an exciting future. In 1984, W&J issued its last master’s degree. Since then, the institution has had a focus solely on undergraduate education. After thirty years, we are re-introducing graduate level degrees to the college,” said Michael Shaughnessy, Ph.D., Associate Dean of Graduate Studies. “We are eager to engage new students and welcome new alumni to our community.”
W&J President Dr. Tori Haring-Smith says graduate programs further the mission of the College, “Graduate programs are one more way W&J will prepare students for successful careers. With expert faculty, knowledgeable mentoring from alumni and distinctive career networking opportunities, graduates of all of W&J’s programs will be ready to take on leadership roles in the workplace.”
W&J offers the following Graduate Programs, beginning in the Spring 2016 semester:
- Applied Health Care Economics: The master’s degree in Applied Health Care Economics (AHCE) is designed to provide mid-career health care professionals with the essential economic skills, knowledge of multidisciplinary health services and understanding of data analysis necessary to advance their careers. This program is open to students with an undergraduate degree and and 2-5 years of work experience in some segment of the health care industry.
- Professional Writing: The master’s degree and graduate certificate programs in Professional Writing train individuals as communication specialists and information managers and prepares them for flexible careers in the workplace. Students develop skills in writing, editing, research, layout and design, as well as learn how to prepare professional documents and presentations for different audiences and purposes. The program is open to students who have an undergraduate degree in any field of study. More information is available at the graduate-level Professional Writing webpage or by contacting program director Dr. Kathleen McEvoy at kmcevoy@washjeff.edu.
- Professional Accounting: The graduate certificate in Professional Accounting is designed to assist students in preparing for the CPA exam, developing analytical thinking skills and developing professional communication skills, both oral and written. The program is open to students who have an undergraduate degree with a major in accounting. Credits earned through this course of study (up to 16 semester hours) may be used by students to help satisfy the 150 hour education requirement necessary to obtain a license as a certified public accountant (CPA).
- Thanatology: The graduate certificate in Thanatology is designed to enrich and strengthen the skills of professionals working in the field of Dying, Death and Bereavement. The program is open to those who have a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution and have an interest in the field of Thanatology, including those working in professional fields as funeral directors, clergy, counseling, school personnel, social workers or hospice workers. This program is designed to benefit graduates of outside institutions, as well as provide a strong transition for recent W&J graduates into a more in-depth study of this field.
About Washington & Jefferson College
Washington & Jefferson College, located in Washington, Pa., is a selective liberal arts college founded in 1781. Committed to providing each of its students with the highest-quality undergraduate education available, W&J offers a traditional arts and sciences curriculum emphasizing interdisciplinary study and independent study work. For more information about W&J, visit www.washjeff.edu, or call 888-W-AND-JAY.
