Seidel School Expands Programs Statewide, Internationally
SALISBURY, MD---Salisbury University is expanding two of its programs regionally and, for the first time, internationally.
Starting fall 2013, SU will offer its bachelors’ in exercise science at the Universities at Shady Grove (USG) in Montgomery County. By fall 2014, SU’s undergraduate and graduate programs in social work will be available to students at Ramstein Air Force Base in Germany through a partnership with University of Maryland University College (UMUC). Both are programs within SU’s Samuel W. and Marilyn C. Seidel School of Education and Professional Studies.
“We’re excited to bring exercise science to the USG campus, as there are so many emerging career opportunities within the field,” said Dr. Kelly Fiala, chair of SU’s Health and Sport Sciences Department. “Students will be able to master the skills and gain the scientific knowledge needed to excel in this fast-growing industry.”
Dr. Deborah Mathews, chair of SU’s Social Work Department, said: “We were honored to be approached by UMUC to be part of this project and have the opportunity to bring social work education to active military members and their families who are serving our country abroad.”
Exercise science will be the second SU program offered at USG; the other is Maryland’s only accredited baccalaureate in respiratory therapy.
The social work programs are made possible by a $250 million U.S. Department of Defense contract awarded to UMUC to provide exclusive instruction at military installations across Europe. Mathews said SU offerings also may expand to bases in England and Italy.
Dr. Cheryl Parks, dean of the Seidel School, called the USG partnership “an important step forward in making the very popular exercise science major accessible to even more students in the state.”
The social work collaboration, she said, helps meet a need that has been growing over the past decade for social workers who are well-trained to assist those with military connections. “The department uses creative instructional approaches to reach students statewide and this collaboration enables them to do the same for military personnel stationed outside the U.S.,” she added.
Pictured (from left) are representatives from UMUC Europe, including Graduate Program Director Jeffrey Newbern, Associate Dean Douglas Franklin, Acting Undergraduate School Dean Cynthia Davis, and Senior Vice President of Overseas Operations Allan Berg, joined by SU officials, including Mathews, Dean of Graduate Studies and Research Clifton Griffin, and Parks.
For more information call 410-543-6271 or visit the SU Web site at www.salisbury.edu.