Healthcare & Human Services Programs

S c h o o l o f G r a d u a t e & A d u l t E d u c a t i o n

Healthcare & Human Services

Programs

Alvernia’s School of Graduate and Adult

Education provides learning that fits your

life, with in-demand degrees from a highly

regarded institution.

Our programs give you the knowledge and skills

you’ll need to work in the healthcare and human

services industry of your choice. Alvernia will

teach you how to develop your talent and

knowledge, recognize community resources

and problem solve — all with the goal of learning

how you can change people’s lives for the better.

You’ll learn from a faculty of accomplished

scholars and industry experts, along with

outstanding learning facilities. Professors bring

real-world experience into the classroom to

ground learning in a practical setting that is ideal

to help you successfully meet your personal and

professional goals.

Whether you want to change your career or

advance in your current job, we offer degrees

with flexible scheduling and learning options.

Alvernia University makes it easy for you to

meet challenges in your community by taking

the next step towards a rewarding career.

Bachelor’s Degree Programs

Behavioral Health

Criminal Justice Administration

Healthcare Science

RN to BSN Completion Program

Social Work

Graduate Programs

Master of Arts in Community Counseling

(MACC)

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

School Nurse Certification

The focus is on meeting our

regional community’s needs and

helping students to be able to

progress. We know that the more

educated our workforce, the

better the outcomes will be.

Karen S. ThackerDean, College of Professional Programs

The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) is designed for professional nurses

who are seeking a career in nursing education. As a student, you’ll learn about

instructing pre-licensed nursing students in classroom, clinical and nursing

simulation lab settings and about teaching new and experienced RNs new skills.

Our program will prepare you to be a competent nurse educator and will also

provide the academic preparation needed to enter doctoral studies in either a

practice- or research-focused program. If your goal is to advance your career as a

nursing or health instructor, Alvernia’s MSN with a Nursing Education Focus will

help you get there.

The MSN faculty brings real-world insight into the classroom and are dedicated to

sharing their areas of expertise. This, along with a convenient campus location,

hybrid courses and flexible scheduling, creates a quality learning experience that is

attuned to the MSN student’s needs.

Master of Science in Nursing

www.alvernia.edu/msn

The RN to BSN Completion Program is designed for registered nurses who are

graduates of diploma or associate degree nursing programs or new graduates

anticipating taking the NCLEX-RN examination. The primary goal of the RN to

BSN Completion Program is to prepare graduates to integrate values, skills,

knowledge and ethical standards of the nursing profession into their nursing

practice. Graduates will develop their expertise to deliver healthcare to individuals,

families and community groups in a wide range of healthcare environments.

In order to be conducive to family and work schedules for adult students,

courses are taught in a blended format — classes meet once a week, and the

rest of the coursework is completed online. Classes are primarily offered in

an eight-week format, offering students the flexibility to move through the

program at a faster pace.

RN to BSN Completion Program

Stephanie Grejdus BSN ’07, MSN ’11Registered NurseSt. Joseph’s Medical Center, Critical Care Unit & Alvernia University, Adjunct Clinical Instructor

Alvernia has helped me advance my

career by allowing me to complete my

MSN in a flexible way—balancing work,

family and school—and by cultivating

my love for teaching nursing students.

www.alvernia.edu/nursing/rn-bsn

Alvernia’s Bachelor of Arts degree in Behavioral Health is one of the most versatile

degrees, offering concentrations in Addictions Studies, Mental Health and Child

Welfare. Established to provide a core of expertise for those individuals seeking

employment with rehabilitation centers, hospitals, intervention centers and other

social agencies, this unique major responds to the increasing demand of agencies

needing to employ individuals with a broader base of knowledge.

Faculty members spend time with students to mentor and help them succeed in

their career path. With small class sizes that promote interaction, our professors

have the time and interest to work directly and personally with every student to

help acquire a broad range of skills in behavioral healthcare.

Behavioral Health

Today’s healthcare arena

requires professionals

who are not only clinicians

working with patients, but

are also working in many

other areas of healthcare.

Dolores BertotiAssociate ProfessorChair of Allied Health and Human Services

www.alvernia.edu/behavhealth

Our Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Science degree provides a curriculum that

will prepare students for meaningful roles and careers in the healthcare environ-

ment. This program encourages service and the promotion of healthy lifestyles for

all persons of all abilities, income levels and social/cultural backgrounds. The

Healthcare Science program creates advocates for individuals and communities

that are underserved or under-informed on issues related to health and wellness,

health systems policies and health management.

Our program prepares students for work in healthcare agencies and medical care

settings. Graduates with a Healthcare Science degree could enter the field as health

counselors, science and health writers or policy analysts. In addition, graduates

from the program may find positions in government organizations, consumer

groups, healthcare agencies, scientific research or consumer institutes.

Healthcare Science

www.alvernia.edu/healthsci

The School Nurse Certification - Post Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

Program prepares registered nurses for the specialized practice of school

nursing in the 21st century. Today’s school nurse is responsible not only for

healthcare and case management for school students and staff, but also for

developing procedures that support a safe and healthy learning environment.

This forward-looking program teaches school nurses the skills they need for a

variety of nursing roles and functions in the education sector.

www.alvernia.edu/schoolnurse

School NurseCertification

Criminal Justice students gain

theoretical, practical and

professional knowledge

needed to be successful in the

fields of law enforcement,

corrections, courts, probation,

parole, private security and

related service careers. The

curriculum is designed to

provide adult learners with

expert instruction on the most

current trends, policies and

practices in the field.

Alvernia’s faculty are

professionals in their

respective fields and have

extensive experience in the

criminal justice system.

They provide valuable skill

development and career

insight to help groom leaders

for careers in law enforcement.

Criminal Justice

Administration

Wayne Holben ’00Police Officer & K-9 HandlerWest Reading Police Department

Alvernia gave me a

glimpse of my future.

I had course material

that was relevant

to my career goals.

www.alvernia.edu/cj

Alvernia’s Master of Arts in Community Counseling (MACC) degree prepares

students for a career in a variety of clinical settings, including mental health

centers, drug and alcohol treatment programs, correctional institutions, healthcare,

social service agencies and private practices. Our program has been developed to

correspond with the academic and experiential requirements for licensure as a

Professional Counselor.

Alvernia’s MACC program covers many facets of the counseling profession,

preparing students to work with families, couples, disabled people or those

struggling with addiction. Our graduate students have been placed at valuable

internship sites throughout the area. Alvernia helps you acquire the skills, tools and

knowledge you need to prepare you for an advanced counseling practice position.

The Bachelor of Social Work program, which is accredited by The Council on Social

Work Education, provides educational courses and experiences to assist students

in their exploration of this discipline. Students gain the necessary skills and are

exposed to a body of knowledge, which examines human behavior and development

within society. Courses in social welfare, policy, practice and human behavior,

combined with research and field practicums in social work agencies, provide

students with the opportunity to integrate classroom and work experiences

focusing on helping individuals, families, communities and organizations.

Social Work

Master of Arts in Community Counseling

www.alvernia.edu/macc

www.alvernia.edu/socialwork

Affordable

Alvernia offers a quality education at a cost you can

afford. Our tuition is competitive, and we are an

outstanding value. We are committed to helping you

find the best ways to finance your education. From

our convenient payment plans to our popular tuition

deferment program, you’ll find there are lots of options

that our Student Financial Planning Office provides to

help make your tuition more affordable.

Flexible

Learning at Alvernia is designed to fit into your busy life.

We offer flexible scheduling with evening, weekend and

online classes in accelerated time frames available on

multiple start dates. Alvernia offers the convenience you

need so you can continue working full-time while earning

your degree.

Attainable

Students can choose to take classes where and when it’s

most convenient. Study on campus at one of our three

locations in Reading, Schuylkill or Philadelphia or access

courses online.

Alvernia?Why

We invite you to visit

campus and speak with

a member of our Admissions

staff. Our supportive

team will help you every

step of the way. To arrange

a visit or submit an

application, please go to

www.alvernia.edu/gradandadult

Main Campus

540 Upland Ave.

Reading, PA 19611

610-796-5187

gradandadult@alvernia.edu

Philadelphia Center

1355 West Cheltenham Ave.

Melrose Park, PA 19027

215-635-4734

philadelphia@alvernia.edu

Schuylkill Center

1544 Route 61 Hwy S.

Suite 6190

Pottsville, PA 17901

570-385-2382

schuylkill@alvernia.edu

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www.alvernia.edu

School of Graduate & Adult Education