2012-2014 Graduate Bulletin

I. General Information

The University of the Incarnate Word

The University is one of the many outgrowths of the original mission that brought the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word to San Antonio in 1869. The Sisters’ work began with the care of victims of a cholera epidemic and the establishment of the first hospital in the city, an institution recognized today as CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Health Care. Their ministry soon spread to the care of homeless children and to teaching. In 1881, they secured a charter from the State of Texas, which empowered them to establish schools on all levels.

In 1900, the Academy of the Incarnate Word, which had been established first in an area of San Antonio called Government Hill, was moved to the recently constructed Motherhouse of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word in Alamo Heights. College classes were added to the curriculum in 1909, and the name of the institution was changed to the College and Academy of the Incarnate Word. Both the college and the high school were affiliated with the Texas State Department of Education in 1918. The college was fully accredited by the Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools in 1925. The graduate division was added in 1950, and the school became co-educational in 1970. In 1996, it was recognized as a university. In 1998, the University was accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award Doctoral degrees, in addition to Bachelors and Masters degrees.

Mission of the University of the Incarnate Word

The first Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word who came to San Antonio to minister to the sick and the poor were motivated by the love of God and their recognition of God’s presence in each person. Their spirit of Christian service is perpetuated in the University of the Incarnate Word primarily through teaching and scholarship, encompassing research and artistic expression. Inspired by Judeo-Christian values, the University aims to educate men and women who will become concerned and enlightened citizens.

The University is committed to educational excellence in a context of faith in Jesus Christ, the Incarnate Word of God. It promotes life-long learning and fosters the development of the whole person. The faculty and students support one another in the search for and the communication of truth. The University is open to thoughtful innovation that serves ever more effectively the spiritual and material needs of people. The curriculum offers students an integrated program of liberal arts and professional studies that includes a global perspective and an emphasis on social justice and community service.

The University of the Incarnate Word is a Catholic institution that welcomes to its community persons of diverse backgrounds, in the belief that their respective interaction advances the discovery of truth, mutual understanding, self-realization, and the common good.

The Campus

The University is located on what was formerly the estate of noted San Antonio philanthropist, businessman, and civil servant, Col. George W. Brackenridge. His home, listed on the National Registry of Historic Places, still stands on the campus.

The headwaters of the San Antonio River are located on the campus, and at one time, the natural beauty as well as the clear spring water made it a favored campsite for Native American tribes. Archeological studies have produced Paleo-Indian projectile points that date back 11,000 years.

The 110-acre campus combines the natural beauty of the historic grounds with fully-networked wireless facilities. Each building features presentation and wireless technology in the classroom. Residence halls and gathering places are also wireless. The Burton E. Grossman International Conference Center provides expansive state-of-the art facilities for meetings and conferences, as well as housing for visiting foreign dignitaries and students.

Additionally, the Stanley and Sandra Rosenberg Sky Room, on the top floor of the McCombs Center, features a stunning view of the city skyline. The Sky Room, which can accommodate up to 850 people, is the second largest facility of its kind in the city and can be subdivided into several configurations to meet the needs of specific events.

The University’s athletic facilities, practice fields, tree-lined walking paths, and well-tended grounds provide a comfortable environment for study and reflection. The park-like atmosphere encourages private reflection as well as intellectual stimulation.

San Antonio

The city offers a rich mixture of cultural heritages derived from its historical settlement by persons from Germany, France, Ireland, Mexico, and the Canary Islands. Together with Dallas and Houston, it is one of the three largest metropolitan areas in Texas and ranks as the seventh largest city in the nation. The River Walk, or Paseo Del Rio, with its waterside restaurants, hotels, shopping areas, and cultural attractions, has helped to develop the city into a prime location for conventions and tourism.

The city has a flourishing arts community with active theatre groups, dance companies, and music and art associations. Museums include the San Antonio Museum of Art, the McNay Art Museum, the Witte Museum, the Institute of Texan Cultures, and the San Antonio Botanical Gardens.

San Antonio is rich in educational offerings with four private universities, a Catholic theological graduate school, two state universities, a state-sponsored medical school, and a public community college system. It is also a center for scientific and medical research based at the University of Texas Health Science Center, the Southwest Research Institute, the Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research, and the Cancer Therapy Research Center.

The campus of the University of the Incarnate Word is located in the north central area of the city adjacent to Brackenridge Park and to the suburb of Alamo Heights, which offers a quiet, well established residential area as well as shopping, restaurant, cultural, and recreational facilities.

Academic Programs

Accreditation

The University of the Incarnate Word is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097, 404-679-4501) to award bachelors, masters, doctoral degrees, and professional schools.

The University holds national and specialized accreditations in the following disciplines:

College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences:

American Association for Music Therapy (BM in Music Therapy)
National Association of Schools of Theatre (BA in Theatre Arts)

Dreeben School of Education:

State Board for Educator Certification (all teacher certification programs)

H-E-B School of Business and Administration:
Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs for the following business degrees:

Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) with concentrations in Accounting, Banking and Finance, General Business, Economics, Economics and Finance, International Economics, Political Economy, Information Systems, International Business, Management, Marketing, and Sports Management.
Master of Business Administration (MBA) and the MBA with concentrations in International Business, Sport Management, and Marketing
Master of Science in Accounting (MS)

School of Mathematics, Science, and Engineering:

Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics of the Academy of Nutrition and
Dietetics (ACEND).

Ila Faye Miller School of Nursing and Health Professions:

Texas Board of Nursing (BSN)
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (BSN and MSN)
Joint Review Committee on Educational Programs in Nuclear Medicine
Technology (BS Nuclear Medicine Science)
Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (Athletic Training Education Program)

School of Media and Design:

Council for Interior Design Accreditation (BA in Interior Environmental Design)

Feik School of Pharmacy:

Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education

Rosenberg School of Optometry:

American Optometric Association, Accreditation Council on Optometric Education

School of Physical Therapy:

Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education

Affiliations

The University holds membership in the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, the American Association of Universities for Teacher Education, the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, the Independent Colleges and Universities of Texas, the Council of Independent Colleges, the Texas Independent University Fund, the Association of Texas Graduate Schools, the Higher Education Council of San Antonio, the United Colleges of San Antonio, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, the Association for Theatre in Higher Education, American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy, and the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities.

Application of Bulletin

Changes in Graduate Bulletin rules and regulations, other than course and GPA requirements for a degree, become effective immediately upon approval by the proper University authorities and are not subject to the Catalog of Graduation policy. (See page 11.)

Degrees and Major Programs

The University of the Incarnate Word offers graduate instruction leading to advanced degrees in the following areas of study:

H-E-B School of Business and Administration

Accounting (MS)
Administration (MAA) with concentrations in

Adult Education
Applied Administration Online
Communication Arts
Healthcare Administration
Nutrition
Organizational Development
Sports Management

Business Administration (MBA) (General Business)

Business Administration (MBA) with concentrations in

International Business
Marketing
Sports Management
International Business Strategy

Master of Health Administration (MHA)
Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)

Dreeben School of Education

Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) with concentrations in

Elementary Teaching (Early Childhood-Grade 6)
Secondary Teaching (Grades 8-12)
All-Level Teaching (Grades EC-12)

Education (M.A. or M.Ed.) (General Education)
Education (M.A. or M.Ed.), with concentrations in

Adult Education
Kinesiology
Online Teaching & Learning
Student Services in Higher Education

Education (Ph.D.), with concentrations in

Higher Education
International Education and Entrepreneurship
Organizational Leadership

College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences

Religious Studies/Pastoral Institute (M.A.)
Multidisciplinary Studies (M.A.)

School of Media and Design

Communication Arts (M.A.)

School of Mathematics, Science, and Engineering

Biology (M.A. or M.S.)
Mathematics (M.A.) with a concentration in

Teaching

Applied Statistics (M.S.)
Multidisciplinary Sciences (M.A.)
Nutrition (M.S.) (General Nutrition)
Nutrition (M.S.) with concentrations in

Administration
Nutrition Education and Health Promotion

Ila Faye Miller School of Nursing and Health Professions

Nursing (D.N.P.)
Nursing (M.S.N.)
Kinesiology (M.S.)
Sport Management (M.S.)

Division of Extended Academic Programs

The University of the Incarnate Word recognizes that our graduate students require a variety of quality programs and delivery methods to meet their needs for a program of study that has flexibility. With this in mind, the Extended Academic Programs Division offers complete graduate degree programs and certificates through the School of Extended Studies at three off-main campus locations and the Virtual University. Classes are offered in the evening, on the weekend, and online. Students meet the same graduate admission requirements, but complete their entire degree program in a flexible format that fits their lifestyle.

School of Extended Studies

Master of Business Administration (MBA)) with concentrations in

General Business

Master of Arts in Administration (MAA) with concentrations in

Applied Administration
Healthcare Administration
Organizational Development

Master of Science in Business Administration (M.S.B.A.)
Graduate Certificates available in

Organizational Development

Virtual University

Master of Arts in Administration (M.A.A.) with concentrations in

Applied Administration
Communication Arts
Healthcare Administration
Organizational Development

Master of Business Administration (MBA) with concentrations in

General Business
International Business

Master of Education in Teacher Leadership (M.Ed.)

Master of Science in Business Administration (M.S.B.A.)

Master of Science in Psychology (M.S.)

Educational Psychology
Industrial & Organizational Psychology
Sports Psychology

Graduate Certificates Online

Healthcare Administration
International Business
Organizational Development

Professional Schools/Programs

Feik School of Pharmacy

Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.)

Rosenberg School of Optometry

Doctor of Optometry (O.D.)

School of Physical Therapy

Doctor of Physical Therapy (D.P.T.)

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.)

Guiding Principles and Objectives of Graduate Study

The Mission of the University of the Incarnate Word provides the guiding principles for all of the graduate studies programs that are offered. The University’s graduate program seeks:

To create an atmosphere of respect for each student, promoting individual self-realization, cultural diversity and intellectual stimulation
To instill in each student a spirit of Christian service, based upon ethical reflection, social justice and the promotion of human dignity
To develop concerned citizens and enlightened leaders who are prepared to meet the challenges of the future with creativity and responsibility

The purpose of the University’s graduate program is to encourage:

Mastery of scholarly techniques
Intellectual curiosity expressed in research and independent study
Investigation of advanced subject matter in breadth and depth
Ability to communicate the results of intellectually creative work
Contribution to the field through original research

For the convenience of employed persons, the majority of the University’s graduate courses are offered in the late afternoon, evening, and on Saturday. Most graduate courses are available on an eight-week format. Graduate students are expected to assume responsibility for knowing policies governing their program, registration, change of schedule, withdrawal, and other policies and procedures of the University. For information about their curriculum and graduate policies, students may call their advisor or the Dean of Graduate Studies and Research.

Research

In accordance with the Mission of UIW, scholarly activity is guided by the principles of respect, truth, and fairness. Research is an integral facet of graduate study, and students are encouraged to seek publication of work done in pursuit of advanced degrees. In research outside the thesis or dissertation where close collaboration with faculty advisors occurs, it is entirely appropriate for publications to be co-authored. Order of authorship should be subject to mutual agreement, based on the nature and extent of the contribution by the parties concerned and in accordance with the accepted practice of the discipline.