Graduate Studies Program

Program Overview
The Graduate Studies Program develops scholars, teachers, and business leaders by providing opportunities for qualified persons to pursue advanced studies.

The program offers the master of arts (M.A.) degree in history, in the teaching of mathematics, and in theology, with concentrations in biblical studies and in pastoral ministry. It also offers the master of business administration (M.B.A.) degree and the master of education (M.Ed.) degree. In addition, the Graduate Studies Program, in partnership with the New England College of Finance, offers the financial markets and services certificate. A brief summary of the major degree programs follows:

Business Administration – The Graduate Business Administration program features practical courses that are useful in the various business professions. The program gives due consideration to responsibility and social purpose, as well as to the technical aspects of business. The M.B.A. Program requires a total of 12 to 19 courses, depending upon the student’s undergraduate preparation.

Education – The Graduate Education Program offers concentrations in the areas of administration, counseling, special education, and secondary education. The master’s program in administration is designed to equip teachers with the skills necessary to become a school administrator. Students take a central core of courses dealing with curriculum, evaluation, law, and finance; additional courses in community concerns and research techniques; and a culminating six-credit internship. The counseling program focuses on preparing teachers to become members of school guidance departments. Curriculum requirements include courses that examine group and individual counseling theories; courses in testing, research, and family issues; electives in drug and alcohol abuse; and a 12-credit sequence that starts with a pre-practicum and culminates with two internships. The master’s program in special education both prepares special education teachers and gives additional expertise to students who have already completed an undergraduate program and are presently special education teachers. Students in the program take courses in the areas of assessment, curriculum, and behavior strategies.

The secondary education program is a special two-year academic program known as PACT, or the Providence Alliance for Catholic Teachers. Students serve as full-time faculty members in New England diocesan middle or high schools during the school year while pursuing master’s-level courses in the summer. Additional information on PACT can be found at the end of this section following the theology summary.

History – The Graduate History Program provides students with the opportunity to develop a comprehensive grasp of the past so that they might more fully appreciate the heritage of Western Civilization and its relationship to contemporary society. The areas of concentration in the master’s program are American and Modern European. Areas for a minor field are American, Modern European, Medieval, and East Asian.

Mathematics (in Teaching) – This program is designed for the mathematics educator. It aims to assure excellence in teaching by introducing the student to a variety of topics in both mathematics and mathematics education. Students who wish to attain the M.A. degree must complete 21 credit hours in mathematics and nine credit hours in education.

Theology – The Graduate Theology Program offers programs of study leading to the M.A. degree in biblical studies, pastoral ministry, and theology. The biblical studies concentration develops the student’s acumen for an informed and critical reading of biblical literature. Students must attain a reading proficiency in Biblical Hebrew and Greek. Students must complete at least 30 credits of graduate-level courses in biblical studies. They also must complete a three-hour written comprehensive examination. The pastoral ministry program is designed for those among the laity and religious congregations who may wish to serve as a pastoral associate in a parish, as chaplain in a high school, or in similar positions. The curriculum includes six courses in theology and four specialized pastoral theology courses. Students must complete at least 30 credits, of which 18 shall be in the areas specified for the M.A. in theology and 12 shall be in pastoral ministry. Students also shall take a three-hour written comprehensive examination. The theology concentration introduces and explores major themes in Catholic theology as well as research methods that are central to theology. Students are required to complete at least 30 credit hours of graduate work, of which six shall be in dogmatic theology, six in moral theology, three in Old Testament scripture, and three in New Testament scripture. Also, candidates must take a three-hour written comprehensive examination.

For more information about the Graduate Studies Program, contact Dr. Thomas F. Flaherty, dean of graduate studies, at (401) 865-2247 or at tflahert@providence.edu, or click on Academics > Graduate Studies on the PC Web site.

Providence Alliance for Catholic Teachers (PACT)
The Graduate Studies Program’s Providence Alliance for Catholic Teachers (PACT) is a unique teacher education program that invites recent college graduates to contribute two years of service as teachers in underserved, rural, and inner-city diocesan schools throughout New England. Established at Providence College in 2001, the two-year program offers graduates who have majored in English, foreign languages, history, mathematics, science, or education the opportunity to become full-time faculty members at New England diocesan elementary, middle, or high schools while earning a graduate degree at no cost. Education majors pursue courses leading to a master’s degree in special education or literacy. Other majors pursue a master’s degree program of studies leading to initial certification in secondary education in their specific content area.

During the school year, PACT teachers/students live together in small faith communities in housing provided by the participating dioceses. Teachers receive a small monthly stipend and medical insurance. During the summer, they live in community at Providence College where they complete their master’s-level teacher preparation courses.

PACT is sponsored by Providence College in collaboration with the University of Notre Dame, several other Catholic universities and colleges, and Catholic dioceses throughout New England. The program is open to graduates from any religious background.

For more information, contact Brother Patrick Carey, C.F.C., director of PACT, at (401) 865-2657 or at pact@providence.edu, or click on Academics > Graduate Studies > Providence Alliance for Catholic Teachers (PACT) on the PC Web site.

School of Continuing Education (SCE)

About the SCE
The SCE is the region’s oldest adult education institution. Since 1918, the SCE has been providing quality education to adults from Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Massachusetts. The school offers 11 bachelor’s degree programs, four associate’s degree programs, and six certificate programs. The SCE has a substantial Core Curriculum with courses in eight areas of study ranging from theology and philosophy to science, literature, and the fine arts. This curriculum helps students develop and strengthen their skills of critical thinking, creative problem-solving, and effective reasoning—all of which are prerequisites for success in any career.

For more information, contact the SCE at (401) 865-2487 or click on  Academics > School of Continuing Education > About SCE on the PC Web site.

Access Schedule
The SCE’s Access Schedule is a multiformat course schedule designed to accommodate the particular needs and time constraints of adults. Semester classes meet once per week for 2.5 hours, while term courses meet twice per week for 7.5 weeks. Several classes are available in an online format. Intensive intersession classes are available in January and in June. Most classes are held in the evenings, with start times at 4:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. The SCE also offers some Saturday morning classes and four schedules for its Summer School program. 

For information about scheduling for particular courses, contact the SCE at (401) 865-2487 or click on Academics > School of Continuing Education > Current Course Schedule on the PC Web site.

Distance Learning
The SCE offers several courses online using the computer platform ANGEL (A New Global Environment for Learning). Just as rigorous as traditional campus courses, online instruction offers a convenient option for students who prefer to satisfy a portion of their program requirements by studying from home or office. Distance-learning courses are run on a semester schedule.

For more information, contact the SCE at (401) 865-2487 or go to Academics > School of Continuing Education > Academic Programs and click on Distance Learning (on the right side of the screen) on the PC Web site.

Special Programs

Certificate in Online Religious Education (C.O.R.E.)
In cooperation with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence, the SCE offers a Certificate in Online Religious Education (C.O.R.E.), an Internet-based, professional certification program for Catholic school teachers, administrators, and parish catechists. The program is delivered online through a series of courses grounded in the four major components of The Catechism of the Catholic Church (1992). Each course module runs for a period of five weeks, with grades awarded on a pass/fail basis. Participants earn one continuing education unit (CEU) for each module successfully completed.

For more information about the C.O.R.E. program, contact the SCE at (401) 865-2487 or click on Academics > School of Continuing Education > C.O.R.E. on the PC Web site.

Teacher Certification Program (TCP)
The SCE provides an alternative path to certification for students who wish to pursue a profession in secondary school teaching. Enrollment in the TCP is limited to students who have already completed a bachelor’s degree in biology, chemistry, English, French, history, Italian, mathematics, social sciences, or Spanish. Students also may complete baccalaureate studies concurrently with their TCP studies. The program includes a combination of course work in education, a portfolio project, and applied teaching in an area school. Students who successfully complete the program, including passing scores on the PRAXIS examination, will be eligible for Rhode Island Secondary School Teacher Certification.

For more information about the TCP, contact the SCE at (401) 865-2487 or go to Academics > School of Continuing Education > Academic Programs and click on Teacher Certification Program (on the right side of the screen) on the PC Web site.

School of Business

The School of Business supports a business curriculum that is grounded in the liberal arts and the Judaeo-Christian values in the Dominican tradition. This education is intended to lead to the development of graduates who are prepared to become business leaders with a commitment to ethical decision making and socially responsible behavior.

The school incorporates the undergraduate programs in accountancy, finance, management, and marketing; the accountancy and business administration programs in the School of Continuing Education (SCE); and the Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) Program in the Graduate Studies Program. Completion of the curriculum within the school leads to a bachelor of science (B.S.) degree for undergraduate and SCE students and the M.B.A. degree for graduate students.

The school’s curriculum also affords students practical and real-life opportunities through internships, independent studies, and student-faculty collaborative projects.

For more information about the School of Business, contact Dr. Sue Lehrman, dean, at (401) 865-xxxx or at @providence.edu, or click on Academics > School of Business on the PC Web site.