Your World With
A Graduate and
Professional Studies
Degree From Eastern University.
Our mission is to prepare change agents-compassionate professionals and activist scholars-to use their professions and their lives to transform communities around the world. We administer graduate, undergraduate and high school programs, as well as non-degree and community education programs.
Students here are immersed in a context that is urban-based, cross-cultural, research-focused, faith-based, and steeped in field experience. They benefit and learn from a holistic, interdisciplinary approach to community transformation and graduate with the knowledge and skills to build replicable models for change, and to research solutions among the disenfranchised in cities around the world.
Eastern is passionately committed to impacting a diverse world. The vision for the School for Social Change includes an aggressive plan to expand the University's impact beyond suburban St. Davids and into the city. At the School for Social Change, the city is our classroom, the city is our text.
This 2- or 3-year program in a modified distance-learning format develops leaders committed to transforming communities in holistic ways-in all aspects of personal and community life, including the psychological, physical, spiritual, economic, political, and socio-cultural dimensions of life. Program concentrations develop specialized areas of knowledge and skill:
Artists strengthen individuals and families by educating and informing, nurturing and healing. They revitalize communities and transform society by inspiring and mobilizing, building and improving. This concentration in community arts provides skills, knowledge, experience and a spiritual foundation for artist practitioners committed to urban transformation through a broad range of artistic expressions. It prepares them for roles in social service and organizational leadership.
Revitalization of the physical, economic and social infrastructure of cities requires the interdisciplinary background to analyze complex issues and develop holistic and integrative solutions. This concentration provides the skills and knowledge of policy necessary to respond to urban issues; to empower self-determined communities; and to promote asset-based neighborhood economic development.
This concentration engages, equips and empowers youth leaders searching for holistic skills, tools and resources to re-connect a disaffected generation of urban youth. It addresses the need for leaders in urban youth ministry and youth development programming who are culturally competent, theologically grounded and academically prepared to serve the complex needs of urban youth in a wide range of fields.
Program Coordinator
Dr. Kimberlee Johnson
215-769-3128
urbanma@eastern.edu
Many young people in the city fall through the cracks-young people who are bright and capable, but who are lucky if they get through high school. Most colleges look at students' grades and SAT scores. We look at drive, dreams-the whole person-to find students who will step up to an opportunity and expand on it.
EIC provides a strong support network and skills to be successful in life. It offers the core of Eastern's undergraduate curriculum-the first two years of any undergraduate program-in Philadelphia. Upon completion, credits may be transferred to a degree-granting program at Eastern or elsewhere. All EIC students are awarded a substantial scholarship, which reduces the debt burden with which most students graduate from traditional 4-year institutions.
Program Coordinator
Jeneen Barlow
215-769-3111
eic@eastern.edu
This dual-credit program offers high school juniors and seniors an opportunity to earn college credits that count toward high school graduation. It removes barriers to college by reducing the time-therefore the debt load-typically required to earn a college diploma. It exposes students to the culture and expectations of college life early, helping students see themselves as "college material." Cross-Boundaries offers courses in various disciplines, including Science, Behavioral and Social Science, and the Humanities. Summer programs focus on intensive foreign language study and field experiences.
Program Coordinator
Yvonne Turner
215-769-3123
yturner@eastern.edu
The Center's certificate programs and seminars train professionals and community leaders who do not want or need a degree to pursue personal or organizational goals. For unemployed, underemployed and transitioning workers, its non-degree programs provide convenient gateways to new professions. It hosts community lectures aimed at developing sustainable community capital-human, financial, organizational-and increasing the capacity of faith- and community-based institutions.
The Center's 10-month Paralegal Diploma Program prepares students to become effective paralegals or legal assistants, careers that are expected to grow at rates well above average through the year 2010. Six 8-week sessions are taught by experienced attorneys, judges, practicing paralegals and other professionals. A high percentage of graduates find permanent employment in the field or go on to pursue professional or undergraduate degrees.
Program Coordinator
Wanda Bailey-Green
215-769-3128
wbaileyg@eastern.edu
CUYD provides training and resources for organizations and individuals working with urban youth. The development of relationships with agencies, churches, and para-church organizations involved in transforming young lives is central to its mission. Its academic programs, special events, and instructional institutes serve the needs of both youth and youth workers.
The Youth Development Certificate Program addresses the needs of both professionals and lay people. It is designed to provide students with skills and strategies to support youth in making a successful transition to adulthood. Credits may be applied toward graduate or undergraduate degrees. Students may also obtain continuing education units for participation.
Program Coordinator
Dr. Kimberlee Johnson
215-769-3128
urbanma@eastern.edu
