Are you or someone you know considering graduate school?

At Calvary University, we’re committed to helping our students succeed in the transition to graduate studies. Consequently, we are now offering a new graduate course.

ED610 Introduction to Graduate Studies is now a prerequisite for all other graduate level courses in the Education Department. As stated in the syllabus, “This course introduces beginning graduate students to the skills necessary to complete graduate level academic research, writing, and presentation assignments. The course covers search strategies, resource evaluation, note taking, scholarly writing, mechanics of style, APA guidelines, presentation options, and associated technological skills.”

A key to success at the graduate level is being able to locate scholarly journal articles. Calvary’s librarian, Tiffany Smith, has prepared audio-visual materials to help new graduate students learn to conduct productive searches of Calvary University’s online research databases.

In addition to these practical skills, this course is also designed to help students navigate the paradigm shift from an undergraduate mindset to a graduate mindset. In particular, students will learn to become more focused on developing their critical reading, critical thinking, and scholarly writing skills as they analyze scholarly, peer-reviewed journal articles.

After completing ED610 Introduction to Graduate Studies, graduate students should have the basic skills and mindset that will allow them to spend more time focusing on the content of their future graduate courses.

Dr. Mary Briggs, the chair of the Education Department who developed the course, said, “I am thankful for the amazing opportunity God has given us to further equip educators by providing biblically based graduate level studies to students living in various countries around the world.”

By Dedra Pease

Here we are at the end of another school year. This year has ended differently than anyone of us could have possibly imagined. Some are breathing sighs of relief that the days of distance learning at this time are done. Some are in a confused state wondering where March and April have gone. Some are handling life day by day.

Wherever you are, we are all making adjustments to our lives. Some of you are preparing to send a senior (high school or college) on to the next phase of their life, a job, trade school, or college. Some of you have an eighth grader preparing to enter high school. Fifth graders are stepping into a secondary school environment. Kindergarteners are taking a big step into first grade. Four-year-olds are plunging into kindergarten. As this so clearly illustrates, life is filled with moments of transition.

I am reminded of when I found out, forty years ago, that I was pregnant with our son. Fear began to well up. I did not feel prepared for this. I didn’t have the concerns of a difficult pregnancy, but fear of the delivery process loomed. When that day came and went, the fear of taking this helpless human home began to creep in. Then there were all of those typical parental concerns. You are never quite sure you are doing the right thing in the right way at the right time. Fear filled my thoughts.

As we all step into the next phase, whatever it looks like for you, remember what Jesus told His disciples. As He was preparing them for His physical departure, He said, “Let not your hearts be troubled” (John 14:1, ESV). Just as Jesus prepared His disciples, God has prepared each of us for the steps before us. Each stage has baby steps before the big leap. God has brought you to this place. As He told Joshua in Joshua 1:7, “Only be strong and very courageous . . .” (ESV). God has prepared you and He will go with you. Be strong, courageous, and do not let fear reign.

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Mrs. Dedra Pease has just completed Calvary’s Master’s Degree in Educational Administration and Leadership. Dedra’s Master’s Project included a series of devotions written to encourage the hearts of educators.