2009-2010 Graduate Academic Catalog

2 Cedarville University Graduate Education 2009–10 Graduate Education Introduction Introduction Profile Cedarville University is a Christ-centered, Baptist university of arts, sciences, graduate, and professional programs. Since its founding, Cedarville has coupled a balanced liberal arts program with a conservative, theological position in regard to doctrine and patterns of conduct. All classes are taught by dedicated Christian professors who integrate the knowledge of their respective fields with biblical perspectives. History Cedarville College was established on January 26, 1887, through the vision of five godly men who dreamed of a college that would provide Christian young people with education that was offered within a spiritual framework. Affiliated with the Reformed Presbyterian Church, the College attracted many area students and built its first building, “Old Main,” now called “Founders Hall,” in 1895. Year after year, Cedarville attracted a record number of students and soon gained a reputation not only for its Bible teaching but also for its liberal arts program. The turbulence of the first 50 years of the 20th century led to hard times for the College. Following WWII and one final attempt at revitalization, the trustees realized that the enrollment could not support expenses. The College would have to find another church group to assume its operation or close its doors. At that time the trustees of the Baptist Bible Institute of Cleveland, Ohio, were seeking a campus on which to expand. Hearing of Cedarville College, they visited the campus and were convinced that Cedarville was the site that God had chosen for their school. Upon mutual agreement by both trustee boards, ownership of the College was transferred on April 4, 1953. Cedarville College became a Baptist college of arts and sciences. James T. Jeremiah, the pastor who first suggested the Baptist Bible Institute-Cedarville College connection, was called to be the College’s president. Soon the College was alive and flourishing. By 1959, the enrollment had grown to 255. Faculty, staff, and facilities were added. Six years later the student body had nearly tripled to 763. By the end of Dr. Jeremiah’s 25-year tenure as president in 1978, the College’s enrollment had grown to more than 1,200 students. Paul Dixon was then called to lead Cedarville College. Through his leadership, the College flourished in every area, with nearly 3,000 students, more than 100 programs of study, and many new facilities. During the 1998–99 school year, the College initiated its first graduate degree program and, in 2002, graduated its first class to receive the Master of Education degree. In April of 2000, the board of trustees voted to change the designation of the institution from college to university effective September 1, 2000. Under the leadership of the current University president, Dr. William Brown, the future looks bright for Cedarville University as it seeks God’s continued blessing. Mission Cedarville University is a Christ-centered learning community equipping students for lifelong leadership and service through an education marked by excellence and grounded in biblical truth. To achieve this purpose, the University seeks to accomplish the following objectives: 1. To undergird the student in the fundamentals of the Christian faith and to stimulate each student to evaluate knowledge in the light of scriptural truth. 2. To encourage growth in Christian character in each student and to help the student accept responsibility in faithful Christian service. 3. To increase the student’s awareness of the world of ideas and events which are influencing our contemporary culture and to prepare the student to knowledgeably participate in our society. 4. To enable the student to develop sound critical and analytical reasoning. 5. To provide sufficient opportunities for students to practice the skills of communication. 6. To offer opportunities for academic specialization and preparation for graduate study and to assist the student in selecting and preparing for a vocation. 7. To foster the student’s appreciation of and participation in wholesome avocational and cultural activities. Accreditation Cedarville University is a four-year and graduate degree- granting institution chartered by the state of Ohio and certified by the Ohio Board of Regents. The University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, web: www.ncahlc.org , phone: 312-263-0456. Accreditation information for individual programs is included in the Academic Programs section in this catalog. Cedarville University also holds membership in the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities. For a listing of additional memberships, visit www.cedarville.edu/accreditation . Information concerning accrediting agencies and respective accreditation requirements is available in the office of the academic vice president.