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Graduate Studies Program Information

SCHOOL OF EDUCATION Jean Braxton, Ed.D., Dean

Master of Arts in Severe Disabilities
June L. Harris, Ph.D.
jlharris@nsu.edu
(757) 823-8714

A passing score is required on the PRAXIS I examination or a current Commonwealth of Virginia teaching license for the Learning Disabilities and Emotional Disturbance or Mental Retardation curriculum as well as the Severe Disabilities Teacher Licensure Sequence. Students enrolled in this program may elect to complete a certificate program, which requires an additional course sequence for endorsement to teach in the areas of Learning Disabilities/Emotional Disturbance or Learning Disabilities/Mental Retardation. Applicants may be admitted for enrollment in the fall, spring, and summer terms.

Master of Arts in Pre-Elementary Education

A passing score on the PRAXIS I. Examination is required for the Pre-Elementary/Early Childhood Special Education Program curriculum sequence. Applicants may be admitted for enrollment in the fall, spring, and summer terms.

Master of Arts in Teaching
Elementary Education
Arletha McSwain, Ph.D.
amcswain@nsu.edu
(757) 823-2700

A passing score on the PRAXIS I examination is required. Applicants may be admitted for enrollment in the fall, spring, and summer terms.

Master of Arts in Teaching
Secondary Education
Melendez O. Byrd, Ph.D.
mobyrd@nsu.edu
(757) 823-8178

A passing score on the PRAXIS 1 Examination is required. Applicants must have an advisor in the academic department of their intended major and complete the Certificate of Preliminary Endorsement Form enclosed in this application.

The following four sequences are offered in the Master of Arts in Urban Education degree program.

> Community Counseling (Offered at Norfolk Naval Base)

This is an accelerated sequence designed for students interested in community counseling and family service agencies. Teacher certification is not required, applicable or available. Refer to the Office of Graduate Studies for application deadlines for fall, spring and summer admissions.

> School Counseling PreK-12

This sequence is designed for applicants wishing to become school counselors (not agency-based counselors) in Pre-Kindergarten through grade twelve. Applicants may be admitted for enrollment in the fall and spring terms.

> Administration and Supervision PreK-12

The Administration and Supervision PreK-12 sequence is geared toward teachers wishing to become an administrator in PreK-12 settings. Teachers must have at least three years of full-time teaching and a full not provisional teaching license. Applicants must provide a copy of their Teacher’s License when applying as well as three performance evaluations. Forms are available through the Office of Graduate Studies or the Department of Secondary Education and School Leadership. Applicants may be admitted for enrollment in the fall and spring terms.

> Subject Area Concentration

This program is designed for teachers pursuing their master’s degree as well as interested in re-certification in their content area. Applicants must submit a copy of their teaching license as well as complete the Certificate of Preliminary Endorsement Form enclosed in this application.

SCHOOL OF LIBERAL ARTS Marilyn Broadus-Gay, D.A., Dean

Master of Arts in Applied Sociology*
Nonso Okafo, Ph.D.
nonso@nsu.edu
(757) 823-6368

The Master of Arts degree in Applied Sociology is offered jointly by the Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice at Old Dominion University and the Department of Sociology at Norfolk State University. The program provides three areas of specialization: general sociology, criminal justice and women’s studies. For full admission, applicants must have a bachelor's degree with a GPA of 2.75 on a 4.00 scale and 12 credit hours of undergraduate work in sociology or criminal justice, including courses in theory, research methods, and statistics. The Graduate Record Examination is required. Old Dominion University is the institution of record to which all requests and materials should be sent. Applicants may be admitted for enrollment in the fall and spring terms.

Master of Arts in Community/Clinical Psychology
Karen White, Psy.D.
kbwhite@nsu.edu
(757) 823-9057

The two-year curriculum of this program is designed to establish a firm foundation in basic topics in psychology as well as to develop applied knowledge and skills in areas of community and clinical psychology. The major goal of the program is to train graduates to function as competent mental health professionals at the master’s level. The successful completion of this program requires 40 semester hours of coursework including a thesis or non-thesis option, and two practicum courses as specified in the curriculum. Also, the student is required to pass the comprehensive examination. A strong undergraduate background in psychology is desirable. Students must have completed the following courses for regular admission:

• Abnormal Psychology

• Experimental Psychology

• Psychological Testing

• Statistics in Psychology

Master of Arts in Criminal Justice
Bernadette J. Holmes, Ph.D.
bjholmes@nsu.edu
(757) 368-6369

The Master of Arts in Criminal Justice (MACJ) Program addresses the diverse needs of professionals who provide leadership in the criminal justice system. Two areas of concentration permit students to develop specialized skills and expertise: Criminal Justice Management and Planning and Juvenile Justice. The program requires a total of 36 credit hours. The core of six courses (18 credit hours) establishes the foundation for the concentrations. The specialized concentrations consist of three required courses (9 credit hours) and three electives (9 credit hours). Students may select the thesis or comprehensive examination to complete degree requirements. The GRE is not required. This is a flexible and individualized program of study. Classes are held at the Virginia Beach Higher Education Center. Applicants are accepted for fall and spring admission.

Master of Arts in Visual Studies*
Nelson G. Jenks, MA
ngjenks@nsu.edu
(757) 823-8855

The Master of Arts degree in Visual Studies is offered jointly by Norfolk State University and Old Dominion University. This is a 33 credit hour program. The time limit for completing the degree is four calendar six (4) years. Norfolk State University is the institution of record to which all requests and materials should be sent. Applicants must complete the Portfolio Review Application included in this packet. Applicants are accepted for fall admission only.

Master of Fine Arts in Visual Studies*
Nelson G. Jenks, MA
ngjenks@nsu.edu
(757) 823-8855

The Master of Fine Arts degree in Visual Studies is offered jointly by Norfolk State University and Old Dominion University. This is a 60 credit hour program. Applicants must complete the Portfolio Review Application included in this packet. Norfolk State University is the institution of record to which all requests and materials should be sent. Applicants are accepted for fall admission only.

Master of Arts in Media and Communications
Stanley Tickton, Ph.D.
stickton@nsu.edu
(757) 823-2383

The program leading to the Master of Arts in Media and Communications offers three (3) sequences: interpersonal communication, mass communications and journalism. The interpersonal communication sequence has two tracks: speech communication and composition and language studies. The mass communications sequence has two tracks: media management and media production. The journalism sequence has two tracks: news editorial management and public relations.

Master of Music in Music
Geraldine T. Boone, M.A.
gtboone@nsu.edu
(757) 823-9112

The Master of Music degree program offers sequences in music education, performance, and theory-composition, each of which requires a minimum of 30 credit hours and certain terminal options. Instrumental auditions, placement exams in theory and music history required.  Applicants may be admitted for enrollment in the fall, spring, and summer terms.

Master of Arts in Urban Affairs
Lula S. Sawyer, Ph.D.
lssawyer@nsu.edu
(757) 823-2730

Master of Arts degree program in Urban Affairs is located at the Virginia Beach Higher Education Center in Virginia Beach, Virginia. It is a multidisciplinary program, utilizing the resources of the Social Science disciplines. Applicants may be admitted for enrollment in the fall and spring terms.

Virginia Consortium Program in Clinical Psychology
Desideria S. Hacker, Ph.D.
dshacker@nsu.edu
(757) 823-2228

The Doctor of Psychology program awards a Psy.D. degree in clinical psychology. It is jointly sponsored by Norfolk State University, The College of William and Mary, Eastern Virginia Medical School, and Old Dominion University. It is administered through The Virginia Consortium Program in Clinical Psychology (VCPCP). Applications to the VCPCP may be obtained from the Program Web site, http://www.sci.odu.edu/vcpcp/  or by calling (757) 368-1820.

- Community Clinical Program Manual 2007-2008

SCHOOL OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Sandra J. DeLoatch, Ph.D., Dean

Master of Science in Computer Science
George Hsieh, Ph.D.
ghsieh@nsu.edu
(757) 823-8313

The Master of Science degree in Computer Science requires 30 graduate credit hours of course work and a thesis (6 credits), or 33 graduate credit hours of course work and a project (3 credits). The program offers four choices of study: general study in computer science, emphasis in information assurance, emphasis in computational science and engineering, and emphasis in communication networks.

The Master of Science in Electronics Engineering

Prathap Bassappa, Ph.D.
pbasappa@nsu.edu
(757) 823-2854

The Master of Science degree program in Electronics Engineering equips students with analytical skills, research experiences, and specialized training in the discipline. The program offers the following areas of specialization: computer engineering, microelectronics, communications, and optoelectronics. Admission criteria include:

> A baccalaureate degree from an accredited university

> Official transcript

> Three letters of recommendation

> Non-refundable application fee of $35.00

> TOEFL score of not less than 550 or 213 on the computer-based test with no section score less than 13

> GRE scores of not less than 530 on the verbal section, 700 on the quantitative score, and 630 on the analytical section. GRE scores may be waived for applicants who majored in electrical, electronics, or optical engineering and earned at least a 3.2 GPA in engineering courses. GRE scores are required for all applicants requesting assistantships or fellowships.

Students in the Master of Science degree program in Electronics Engineering may choose to complete the master’s degree program with or without the thesis option. If a student chooses to complete the M.S. degree without a thesis, 30 semester hours of course work must be completed.

Master of Science in Optical Engineering
Demetris Geddis, Ph.D.
dgeddis@nsu.edu
(757) 823-8591

The Master of Science degree program in Optical Engineering equips students with knowledge and research skills to design and fabricate optical devices such as lasers, photodetectors, and modulators, and optical systems for economical fiber-to-the-home networks. The program offers the following areas of specialization: optical materials and optoelectronics. Students in the Master of Science degree program in Optical Engineering may choose to complete the master’s degree program with or without the thesis. If a student chooses to complete the M.S. degree without a thesis, 30 semester hours of course work must be completed. Applicants are accepted for fall and spring admission.

Master of Science in Materials Science
Suely M. Black, Ph.D.
smblack@nsu.edu
(757)823-2381

Students in the Master of Science degree program in Materials Science may choose to complete the master’s degree program with or without the thesis option. If a student chooses to complete the M.S. degree without a thesis, 30 semester hours of course work must be completed. Applicants must submit a resume in addition to the requirements outlined in the application form. Applicants are accepted for fall and spring admission.

SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK Marvin Feit, Ph.D., Dean

Master of Social Work (MSW degree program)
Margaret D. Kerekes, M.S.W.
mdkerekes@nsu.edu
(757)823-8696

Full Time and Extended Time Students are admitted in the fall semester only. Application Deadline for fall semester admissions is February 1. Only social work advanced standing students are admitted in the spring semester. October 15 is the application deadline for spring semester admissions.

To meet accreditation guidelines, the School of Social Work requires that supplemental application materials be completed to be considered for the MSW Program.

The following documents must be submitted directly to: The Ethelyn R. Strong School of Social Work, MSW Admissions Office, by the deadline date:

> The completed Graduate School Application and one copy.

> The application fee.

> Three references on the form provided. (One academic, one professional, and one volunteer)

> Two copies of transcripts from all universities attended.

> The Personal Statement, following the supplemental guidelines that are provided.

> The Academic Summary form detailing the completion of all prerequisite requirements.

> A current resume that details work, volunteer, and academic experiences (Include information about special recognitions).

MSW Admissions Office
The Ethelyn R. Strong School of Social Work
Norfolk State University
700 Park Avenue
Norfolk, VA 23504
 

Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Social Work
Sheila D. Miller, D.S.W.
sdmiller@nsu.edu
(757) 823-9590

> MSW degree, with a grade point average of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale

> Two years of full time, paid post-master’s social work practice experience

> Successful completion of a graduate course in research

> Successful completion of a graduate course in statistics

> Personal Statement of career goals and research interests

> Scholarly writing sample highlighting research interests

> Four letters of recommendation: one academic, one personal/professional, and two recent work references

> An official transcript from each college or university attended sent directly to the School of Social Work

> Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores

> International students are required to submit Test of English as Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores

Doctor of Philosophy Degree Program in Social Work
The Ethelyn R. Strong School of Social Work
Norfolk State University
700 Park Avenue
Norfolk, VA 23504