SANTA BARBARA, Calif., Nov. 18, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- At its October Board Meeting, Fielding's Board of Trustees authorized the change in name from Fielding Graduate Institute to Fielding Graduate University. "The change is effective on January 1, 2005," announced University President Judith Kuipers.
"Fielding Graduate University reflects Fielding's growth and current structure," said Judge Margarita Rosenthal, Chair of the Fielding Board of Trustees. "Fielding began as a small institution more than 30 years ago, initially awarding doctorates in Education and Psychology. Today, Fielding has three schools serving more than 1,500 doctoral students pursuing degrees in Clinical Psychology, Media Psychology, Human Organization & Development and Educational Leadership & Change, and includes degree concentrations in community college leadership, grounded action theory and media studies, as well as a number of distributed and online masters degree, certificate and respecialization programs," Rosenthal added.
Fielding Graduate University represents the refinement evolved through 30 years of progress and growth exemplified by the following accomplishments, including:
-- 1500 doctoral students served by more than 150 faculty members
geographically dispersed throughout the United States and the
world, plus a university alumni network of more than 4,000
scholar-practitioners.
-- Pioneer status in the adoption of a "flexible schedule" for
adult, life-long learners. The university redefined the
conventional academic semester following the theme, "always open
for learning."
-- Pioneering a unique learning model for self-directed mid-career
learners whose study is customized and reflects the integration
of theory, research and practice.
-- One of the largest Ph.D Clinical Psychology programs in the U.S.
-- Being the No. 1 university in the nation in awarding doctoral
degrees to Native Americans. (see Note)
-- Being the No. 8 university in the nation in awarding doctoral
degrees to African Americans. (see Note)
(Note)=Source: Black Issues in Higher Education "Top 100 Degree Producers" July 2003
A Distinguished History
Fielding Graduate University was founded as the Fielding Graduate Institute in March 1974 in Santa Barbara, California. The founders envisioned nationally recognized graduate programs, giving opportunity to mid-career professionals who wanted to pursue an advanced degree but whose educational and professional objectives could not be accomplished at traditional higher education institutions of the time. "The mission of the founders has succeeded. The success has been predicated on two fundamental but -- at the time -- rather advanced notions. First, they recognized that changing demographics were altering the nature of U. S. society, and in particular the world of higher education. Second, to accommodate and capitalize upon the learning styles of diverse students, Fielding developed a rigorous, supportive learning model that today remains flexible, adult-centered, self-directed, task-oriented, and competence-based and has been validated through the past thirty years," explained President Kuipers. "It is a privilege to lead Fielding Graduate University into the future," she said.
"Fielding is a successful groundbreaking example of a quality university that has led the way in distributed learning for adult professionals," noted Fielding Provost Anna DiStefano. "Everyone at Fielding has worked hard and we are proud that Fielding has achieved its present university stature," said Dr. DiStefano.
"In addition, Fielding Graduate University now offers the first Ph.D. program in Media Psychology, Ed.D concentration in Media Studies, and a leading community college leadership concentration serving students worldwide because of its distributed model," said Dr. Bernard Luskin, Executive Vice-President.
"With an average student age of 46, functioning in an impressive array of professions, and serving diverse populations in every walk of life, the university board of trustees is proud of the dedication of present students, the quality of our programs and of the accomplishments of our alumni," added Michael Goldstein, J.D., Partner, Dow, Lohnes and Albertson, and member of the Fielding Board of Trustees.
About Fielding
Founded in 1974, and approaching its thirtieth anniversary, the Fielding Graduate University, headquartered in Santa Barbara, CA, is a world-recognized leader in doctoral level graduate education, having created one of the long term successful distributed Socratic learning models for mid-career adults. Fielding's School of Human & Organization Development is one of the nation's most respected graduate schools of Organization Development and Management practitioners. Fielding is an accredited, non-profit graduate university offering numerous programs within three schools: Psychology, Human & Organization Development, and Educational Leadership & Change. The Fielding community enables students to participate effectively from anywhere in the world and is dedicated to lifelong learning, social justice and change, as well as innovation in organizations, communities and society. For more information, visit online at www.fielding.edu.