This school appears in our ranking 20 Most Affordable Master's in Liberal Studies Degrees Online: Private College 2018.
Located in Montgomery, Alabama, Faulkner University is a private Christian university that is affiliated with the Churches of Christ. The university was founded as Montgomery Bible School in 1942 before its name was changed to Alabama Christian College in 1953. In 1965, the school moved to its present location on Atlanta Highway. Ten years later, the university began to operate satellite campuses in Birmingham, Huntsville, and Mobile. In 1985, the school was renamed Faulkner University in honor of a longtime chairman of the board and supporter of the school, Dr. James H. Faulkner, Senior. Since then, the campus has grown to include new buildings for administration and classrooms, new apartments and residence halls, a student multiplex, a fine arts theater that houses the Faulkner University Dinner Theatre, and modern facilities for the softball, baseball, soccer, and football programs. Faulkner University offers more than 70 degrees, including 15 graduate degrees and seven online programs.
Faulkner University Accreditation Details
Faulkner University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award doctoral, master's, bachelor's, and associate degrees. In addition, a number of the school's programs such as those in the areas of teaching and theology, have earned specialized accreditation from their respective accrediting agencies. Accreditation is conducted via a peer review process that evaluates a number of factors at a particular institution, including the quality of its degree programs, its faculty, and how well it is adhering to its mission statement.
Faulkner University Application Requirements
The specific graduate application requirements will vary depending on the program chosen. However, in all cases, students must submit a completed graduate application for admission, hold a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited university or college, and submit official transcripts from all universities and colleges attended. Other required documents include a goal statement that may vary from 400 to 1,000 words, depending on the program, and three letters of recommendation, one of which must be from a church leader. Students may also be required to submit standardized college test scores such as the GRE or the GMAT, a letter of intent, and a current resume. Students may also be required to submit to and pass a background check and drug screen.
Tuition and Financial Aid
The tuition costs a student can expect to pay will also vary depending on the program he or she wishes to pursue. The Master of Arts in Humanities costs $460 per semester hour, while the Master of Education costs $530 per semester hour. The master's degrees in justice administration, Christian ministry, Biblical studies, and Christian counseling/family ministry each cost $540 per semester hour. Master of Business Administration students will pay $550 per semester hour, while students pursuing the Master of Science in Counseling will pay $555 per semester hour. In addition to the tuition, Faulkner University charges an online course fee of $55 per semester hour as well as course fees, emergency response fees, and other predetermined costs. However, graduate students pursuing an online degree may be eligible for financial aid, and they should complete the FAFSA in order to begin the process. Financial aid options may include loans or the Federal TEACH Grant Program.
Online Degrees Available
In today's competitive workplace, a graduate degree may accelerate career goals by opening new doors to students. The graduate programs at Faulkner University offer strong academics based on Christian values and Biblical principles as well as an ethical perspective — qualities that are highly sought after by today's civic, educational, and business leaders. Faulkner offers a number of online master's degrees that are designed for the busy lifestyle of working students such as a Master of Education in School Counseling, a Master of Science in Management, and an Executive Master of Business Administration.
Master of Education in School Counseling
The 56-credit-hour Master of Education in School Counseling degree is available fully online except for the clinical training portion which will take place on the school's Montgomery campus. The degree prepares students to adequately serve struggling youth using professional tools designed to help with family, academic, and social situations. Students will take coursework in areas such as lifespan development, counseling theories, an introduction to school counseling, career and guidance counseling, and counseling diverse populations. Other areas of study include measurement and assessment, group counseling, legal and ethical issues, substance abuse, and child and adolescent accounting. The degree will also focus on crisis intervention for the counseling professions as well as multicultural education. Students are required to complete a 100-hour intensive practical experience in a secondary school setting.
Master of Science in Management
The Master of Science in Management degree provides a strategic management perspective, addresses ethical issues important to today's business infrastructure, and applies leading-edge management theory to real-world issues and problems. The program is available entirely online, and students must complete 30 semester hours to earn their degree. With eight entry points throughout the year and five-week classes, students may finish the program within one calendar year. The curriculum is designed to enhance, promote, create, and establish careers that revolve around the various areas of business. Focus is placed on career enhancement and development with a curriculum that incorporates a futuristic approach with a managerial perspective in order to facilitate success within the field of business. Core course requirements include topics such as business policy and strategy, management information systems, global business perspectives, financial management, employment law, ethics, marketing, human resource management, business analytics, and organizational behavior.
Executive Master of Business Administration
Faulkner University also offers an Executive Master of Business Administration degree that is designed to help students take the next step in the world of business. All of the classes are available online, and students must complete 10 courses in order to graduate, which can be accomplished within one year. The degree aims to provide students with a solid foundation in key business areas, focusing on strategic thinking, organizational behavior, managerial economics, international management perspective, managerial accounting, management information systems, marketing and quantitative reasoning, and modern-day decision-making and managerial practices. Students will develop a strong understanding of the corporate management and operational strategies essential in today's business environment. Not only will the program give Faulkner University students the foundation in core business areas that they need to succeed, but students will also learn important dynamics such as why entrepreneurial practices aren't just for start-up companies anymore as well as how international issues affect business practices and local concerns.
Faulkner University website