Creighton University Graduate School Fact Sheet
Overview
The Graduate School was formally established as a separate division of Creighton University in 1926, although the first master’s degree was conferred by the University in 1893. The first dean of Graduate Studies at Creighton University was appointed in 1926; the Graduate School conferred its first Ph.D. in 1971.
The purpose of graduate education at Creighton University is to develop traits of critical thinking, scholarly initiative and habits of disciplined inquiry. Creighton students are challenged to develop as professionals who have the wisdom and judgment necessary to provide leadership in helping build a more just society. The Graduate School’s many programs integrate the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to develop competent and reflective individuals.
Faculty
- Gail Jensen, Ph. D., serves as the dean of both the Graduate School and University College, and also holds the position of associate vice president for research in Academic Affairs.
- Faculty from seven of the nine colleges and schools at Creighton University teach courses in one or more of the graduate programs.
- There are 325 members of the Graduate School faculty.
Students
- In fall 2010, there were 319 full-time and 633 part-time students enrolled in the Graduate School, a 75 percent increase in enrollment from 2007.
- In the spring of 2011, there were 911 total enrollments; 260 full-time and 651 part-time students.
- Over 960 students enrolled in courses in the summer of 2011.
- The student population consists of 11.3 percent minority and 6.6 percent international students.
Curriculum
- The Graduate School offers 27 master’s degree programs ranging from atmospheric sciences, physics and international relations, to English, ministry, theology and education, to the medical and pharmaceutical sciences and negotiation and dispute resolution.
- Three Ph.D. programs are offered, in the fields of biomedical sciences, medical microbiology and immunology, and pharmacology. An Interdisciplinary Ed.D. in Leadership was initiated in the spring of 2011.
- The Graduate School offers 11 certificate programs in areas such as Christian spirituality, education administration, negotiation and dispute resolution, and nursing.
- Dual degree programs are available in a variety of fields of study, allowing students to earn a graduate degree in conjunction with a professional degree (J.D., Pharm.D.), or to earn graduate degrees in two fields, including business administration, international relations, negotiation and dispute resolution, and information technology management.
Points of Pride
- Creighton University has several online graduate programs, including
- Master of Science in Negotiation and Dispute Resolution
- Master of Security Analysis and Portfolio Management
- Master of Arts in Ministry
- Master of Science in Health Care Ethics
- Certificate in Catholic School Leadership
- Interdisciplinary Ed.D. in Leadership
- More than 30 percent of Creighton’s graduate students are now enrolled in online programs.
- A Master of Science in Bioscience Management was initiated in the summer of 2009. This is a professional science master’s program, and is the only program of its kind in Nebraska.
- Creighton University offers a number of graduate assistantships and fellowships to both master’s and doctoral students.
- Students from Creighton’s graduate programs have been accepted into some of the most prestigious doctoral and postdoctoral programs in the country.
- Creighton University is in the process of developing new master’s programs in public health and medical anthropology.