SIUE Graduate School Showcases Degree Programs at Annual Open House
The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Graduate School encouraged the pursuit of discovery and creativity through a graduate degree at its annual Open House on Wednesday, Oct. 14. Distinguished faculty and representatives from each of the graduate programs in the College of Arts and Sciences and Schools of Nursing, Business, Engineering, and Education, Health and Human Behavior met with more than 250 prospective graduate students.
According to SIUE Graduate School Dean and Associate Provost for Research Jerry Weinberg, 238 people applied for Graduate School at the Open House. During the event’s two sessions, he emphasized the significance of a graduate degree and the innovative programs and research opportunities offered at SIUE.
“A graduate degree prepares you for leadership roles in your field of study,” Weinberg said. “It opens new career paths. Through research and creative activities, it provides a sense of being something larger and more permanent than oneself.
“One of our newest programs is our master’s of integrative studies,” he added. “This is an opportunity to merge curriculum courses from two different graduate programs and conduct research in emerging fields.”
Nancy Bergquist-Trexler will achieve a bachelor’s in psychology from SIUE in December. She views a graduate degree as the next step toward her goal of working as a school psychologist.
“My main interest is the clinical child and school psychology track,” Berguqist-Trexler said. “But while visiting with faculty and staff during the Open House, other programs have also piqued my interest. I found the integrative studies program fascinating.”
U.S. Army veteran Shaun Morgan never thought he would pursue a master’s, but as he filled out a graduate school application at the Open House, he talked about the exciting opportunities a graduate degree could make possible.
“Originally, I was going to stop after my bachelor’s in exercise science,” Morgan explained. “But I’ve been guided by some mentors – colleagues and professors – to look into a graduate degree. I’m working in personal training, and hope to get into strength and conditioning, and coaching. This degree could take me farther and allow me to take a closer look at cardiopulmonary rehab.”
Representatives from the Graduate School, Graduate Admissions, Financial Aid, Testing Services and the Career Development Center were also at the Open House to discuss topics such as flexible financing options, educational funding and the track to student graduation.
For more information on pursuing a graduate degree at SIUE call 618-650-2741 or email graduateadmissions@siue.edu.
Photo: Shelley Williams with the SIUE School of Business (L) discusses the master’s in business administration with Paula Clarke, of Chicago.
Brian Meyer (L) and Shaun Morgan (R), both undergraduate students at SIUE, fill out their graduate school admissions forms.
