WEBVTT 00:00:06.480 --> 00:00:12.740 So I'll just start by introducing myself, and I'm gonna turn it over to, father Sweeney to do the same. 00:00:13.135 --> 00:00:14.755 But my name is Greg Shapiro. 00:00:15.215 --> 00:00:22.195 I am the admissions counselor here at Divine Mercy University, and I focus on the master's in psychology program. 00:00:22.895 --> 00:00:37.790 And I've been working in the field for a little over six years now within higher education and helping people figure out which program is best for them and primarily aiming for the, for careers related to the social sciences. 00:00:39.675 --> 00:00:53.295 So I and I I came to Divine Mercy University specifically because, I just really believe in the mission of the university, the integrative component of psychology with two thousand years of church teaching. 00:00:54.150 --> 00:00:58.070 So, with that said, I'm going to also just turn it over to father Sweeney. 00:00:58.070 --> 00:01:03.050 If you could introduce yourself as, and and why you're here as well. 00:01:04.150 --> 00:01:04.650 Sure. 00:01:04.950 --> 00:01:07.210 My name is father Calhoun Sweeney. 00:01:07.270 --> 00:01:13.765 I'm a 2019 graduate of the MS, in psychology program. 00:01:15.425 --> 00:01:25.610 One of the major reasons why I got involved and, and decided to jump into this program, was because I work as a chaplain. 00:01:25.750 --> 00:01:32.950 So an army chaplain currently in the reserves, but then will go on active duty here in a few years. 00:01:32.950 --> 00:01:34.490 And just recently our date. 00:01:35.190 --> 00:01:45.005 So I was actually going through, going through the body of mercy in the program while I was in seminary and finished it while I was in seminary. 00:01:45.225 --> 00:01:46.265 So Oh, great. 00:01:46.265 --> 00:01:47.645 And when when were you ordained? 00:01:49.865 --> 00:01:50.345 June. 00:01:50.345 --> 00:01:50.985 Last June. 00:01:50.985 --> 00:01:52.445 So not even a year yet. 00:01:52.710 --> 00:01:53.450 Oh, good. 00:01:53.510 --> 00:01:54.010 Congratulations. 00:01:54.790 --> 00:01:55.450 Thank you. 00:01:55.910 --> 00:01:56.390 Excellent. 00:01:56.390 --> 00:01:59.210 Well, we're just gonna go ahead and get started now. 00:01:59.750 --> 00:02:08.255 So, we're gonna be talking about, of course, Divine Mercy, the whole culture of the school and and the program itself. 00:02:08.555 --> 00:02:12.875 And not only that, we do have concentrations in the program. 00:02:12.875 --> 00:02:17.695 These are actually newer than, when father Sweeney was in the program. 00:02:18.635 --> 00:02:19.595 They're fairly new. 00:02:19.595 --> 00:02:29.640 They're about a year old, but these are just great opportunity for opportunities for students to customize the program, to their interest into their goals. 00:02:29.640 --> 00:02:31.420 We're gonna be talking about that. 00:02:32.120 --> 00:02:40.395 And then, also, we'll we'll talk about the funding, the tuition, how to make this affordable for you. 00:02:40.775 --> 00:02:47.275 And, and this will be a tag team between, between father Sweeney and I. 00:02:47.655 --> 00:02:50.315 So without further ado, let's get started. 00:02:51.290 --> 00:02:55.710 And I like to start just by talking about the mission of the school. 00:02:56.570 --> 00:02:59.390 And we're we focus on psychology. 00:02:59.530 --> 00:03:00.830 We focus on counseling. 00:03:01.130 --> 00:03:05.710 We, we really have that emphasis on the social sciences. 00:03:06.605 --> 00:03:11.505 But not only that, I was bringing up earlier why I came here, and it's really the mission. 00:03:12.205 --> 00:03:18.785 Our whole point is to integrate psychology with the Catholic Christian teaching on human dignity. 00:03:19.290 --> 00:03:20.570 It's why we exist. 00:03:20.570 --> 00:03:25.850 Our in fact, our curriculum was formed by members of the Dominican Dominican order. 00:03:25.850 --> 00:03:36.055 So there's even a Thomistic view of psychology in the program, and this is really bringing back to our roots, of of the whole psychology principle. 00:03:37.155 --> 00:03:40.615 And so with that, we also offer three different programs. 00:03:41.075 --> 00:03:51.920 And, under the Institute for the Psychological Sciences or also called IPS, We have the master's in psychology. 00:03:52.060 --> 00:03:56.640 That's what we'll be what we'll be talking about today, and this one is done fully online. 00:03:57.020 --> 00:03:59.360 We also offer a PsyD in clinical psychology. 00:03:59.420 --> 00:04:02.060 That one is done, fully on campus. 00:04:02.060 --> 00:04:06.315 So students are actually here in the, DMV area. 00:04:06.935 --> 00:04:14.295 And then we have in the school of counseling a master's in counseling program, and that one's mostly hybrid. 00:04:14.295 --> 00:04:22.180 It's it's a a lot of the students are doing primarily their their courses online, but then they do come to the campus for the residencies. 00:04:23.760 --> 00:04:30.320 But between all of them, the masters in psychology is completely done online and through an asynchronous format. 00:04:30.320 --> 00:04:32.420 So there's a lot of flexibility there. 00:04:33.915 --> 00:04:38.575 So continuing on, just to share with you our accreditation. 00:04:39.435 --> 00:04:47.140 Now we are regionally accredited through the Southern Association, excuse me, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. 00:04:47.520 --> 00:04:50.100 This is one of the seven major accrediting bodies. 00:04:50.560 --> 00:05:00.505 And then if you look at the bottom right side where it says NC SARRA, this stands for the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement. 00:05:01.045 --> 00:05:09.625 And what that means is that regardless of where you're located, your degree will be recognized as coming from an institutionally accredited university. 00:05:10.790 --> 00:05:16.330 And then on the bottom left side, you're gonna see the APA, the American Psychological Association. 00:05:17.110 --> 00:05:24.970 Now this accreditation is actually connected only with doctoral programs, but we do use the APA writing style. 00:05:25.515 --> 00:05:33.295 Our PsyD program is APA accredited, but we still use that that advanced writing format in this program. 00:05:33.435 --> 00:05:35.775 So that's why I like to include this. 00:05:38.060 --> 00:05:41.020 So just to summarize, again, it's completely online. 00:05:41.020 --> 00:05:42.960 It's done through an asynchronous format. 00:05:43.260 --> 00:05:44.560 There is one residency. 00:05:45.500 --> 00:05:52.240 This might be a little bit newer than, I I don't know if you had the residency when you were in the program, father Sweeney. 00:05:54.515 --> 00:06:02.055 But this is just an opportunity for students to connect at the seventh week to, they do it over Zoom, and they do it with their professors. 00:06:02.435 --> 00:06:15.170 And it's a good way for them to better understand each other, better connect, but also to tie in an understanding of the, philosophical and theological components of the program as well. 00:06:16.110 --> 00:06:20.530 So with that said, I will, continue on. 00:06:21.835 --> 00:06:31.455 Now in this, as I mentioned, we do have different concentrations, and this program does have 11 courses that you'd be taking. 00:06:32.315 --> 00:06:36.175 And now within those 11, there are three electives that you'll get to choose. 00:06:36.540 --> 00:06:39.040 And these are three of the elect the the concentrations. 00:06:39.180 --> 00:06:40.800 We have two more, which I'll cover. 00:06:40.940 --> 00:06:43.840 But as you're seeing in front of you, we have marriage and family studies. 00:06:44.060 --> 00:06:48.160 We have pre PhD, and we have leadership psychology. 00:06:49.355 --> 00:06:58.655 If you're looking at marriage and family, I know that we're we have people that are, signed up for this webinar because many of you do work in ministry. 00:06:59.435 --> 00:07:06.610 And marriage and family studies has been very useful for those that might be working with the diocesan office of marriage and families. 00:07:06.610 --> 00:07:16.770 Maybe you're, maybe you're a parish priest and just communicating with your parishioners and being able to assist them, or maybe you're even a spiritual director. 00:07:16.770 --> 00:07:22.025 Having this this, background with this population is very useful for our graduates. 00:07:23.205 --> 00:07:35.590 The pre PhD concentration, it's not a it's not a, prerequisite if you were to go into a PhD, but, it is very useful in that it does better prepare you for that. 00:07:35.590 --> 00:07:42.490 You even have the option of doing a thesis so that you can be more equipped to enter into a doctoral program. 00:07:43.110 --> 00:07:53.195 And then we also have leadership psychology, and this is related to things like industrial and organizational psychology, so working in more of a business environment. 00:07:53.735 --> 00:08:05.890 But, overall, it's it's great for those that are taking on a leadership position or are already in leadership positions, and that includes, that includes those that are leading within ministry. 00:08:08.030 --> 00:08:13.250 So, father Sweeney, I'm actually gonna turn it over to you before I continue on with the concentrations. 00:08:15.195 --> 00:08:15.515 You know? 00:08:15.515 --> 00:08:22.815 And you're you're a fairly new priest, but you've got a lot of experience, you know, just going through the program. 00:08:25.515 --> 00:08:34.150 Now that you are a priest, how has your degree benefited you in in your line of work, in your your vocation on itself? 00:08:35.890 --> 00:08:36.210 Yeah. 00:08:36.210 --> 00:08:40.390 The the I mean, it's immediately applicable. 00:08:40.530 --> 00:08:40.850 Right? 00:08:40.850 --> 00:08:48.695 Because they'll especially in when you're a full time minister, you're dealing with the people. 00:08:48.695 --> 00:08:49.095 Right? 00:08:49.095 --> 00:09:06.110 And, understanding how people cope with adversity, whether in a positive way or a negative way, immediately becomes, relevant, to any interpersonal interaction. 00:09:06.330 --> 00:09:07.550 You know, that's for sure. 00:09:07.850 --> 00:09:08.090 Right? 00:09:08.090 --> 00:09:20.585 And you can see, for you know, oftentimes, people whose whose lives are going well, they don't necessarily go super deep in in an average conversation. 00:09:20.805 --> 00:09:27.225 Normally, in the ministry context, the people that really need help is because something has gone bad, and it's probably been bad for a while. 00:09:28.730 --> 00:09:40.030 So, immediately, you know, just the basic concepts of, like, how the the healthy ways and, frankly, the unhealthy ways of how people deal with that kind of stress and adversity. 00:09:40.490 --> 00:09:58.070 And so a great benefit for someone in a leadership role, or basically a not a licensed counselor, but someone who is counseling and whatever or whatever degree, is, you know, how can we as point point them in a better direction? 00:09:58.070 --> 00:10:08.150 How can we see that the ways that they're coping aren't healthy and leading to greater problems, but also offering something better, you know, a better option? 00:10:08.150 --> 00:10:10.595 So, yeah, it's immediately applicable. 00:10:10.595 --> 00:10:20.115 And, certainly, obviously, in the context of the military because then you've your the stressor is sometimes a traumatic event related to combat stress and things like that. 00:10:20.115 --> 00:10:22.240 So it's really all the same thing. 00:10:22.240 --> 00:10:26.260 It's just the the antis are up in certain circumstances. 00:10:27.440 --> 00:10:29.920 But that is something that's good to know. 00:10:29.920 --> 00:10:42.275 There's nothing really different fundamentally from the extreme of, people dealing with combat trauma and even everyday goings on. 00:10:42.275 --> 00:10:43.875 It's a lot of it's the same thing. 00:10:43.875 --> 00:10:45.975 It's just taken to another level. 00:10:47.570 --> 00:10:48.130 That's great. 00:10:48.130 --> 00:10:49.010 That's excellent. 00:10:49.010 --> 00:10:50.530 I appreciate you sharing that. 00:10:50.530 --> 00:10:53.030 I'm glad you brought up you used the word counseling. 00:10:53.090 --> 00:10:54.290 I'm I'm glad you brought that up. 00:10:54.290 --> 00:10:58.070 I wanna carry that on in the next section of the concentrations. 00:10:59.810 --> 00:11:02.390 And I'm gonna bring that back to you in just a second too. 00:11:02.845 --> 00:11:12.845 But, just carrying on with the next options of concentrations that we offer, one is in human services counseling. 00:11:12.845 --> 00:11:31.425 And and father Sweeney, you did bring up that there are moments where you've been able you've you've, had the opportunity to counsel those that have either experienced some sort of trauma and crisis or, just experiencing some sort of difficulty with mental health. 00:11:32.365 --> 00:11:40.125 I always like to just use this opportunity very quickly to share that, this program is not a counseling program, not in itself. 00:11:40.125 --> 00:11:43.265 There is a master's in counseling that we do offer. 00:11:43.860 --> 00:11:57.325 And the one of the biggest differences between the two, between this one and the other one, is that it's not designed to prepare you to become licensed as a counselor, at least not in the in the state. 00:11:57.325 --> 00:12:06.785 Sometimes countries outside of The US, will actually prepare you, acknowledge this degree and allow you to sit for licensure. 00:12:08.525 --> 00:12:13.660 But a phrase I like to use is lowercase c counseling and capital c counseling. 00:12:14.200 --> 00:12:18.360 Capital c counseling would be someone that earns a counseling degree. 00:12:18.360 --> 00:12:22.460 They sit with the state board, and they obtain licensure. 00:12:22.520 --> 00:12:26.060 They become licensed professional counselors or LPCs. 00:12:27.045 --> 00:12:30.085 Lowercase c counseling, it sounds like father Sweeney. 00:12:30.085 --> 00:12:51.200 That's what more so of what you were referring to where, on one hand, you're not, you're not an LPC, but you are able to use the, the information that you've gained in the program and the the tools and knowledge so that you can better work with individuals and counseling them through their sort of difficulties. 00:12:51.500 --> 00:12:56.145 Would that be a sort of a good summary as far as how you're using the word? 00:12:57.085 --> 00:12:57.485 Certainly. 00:12:57.485 --> 00:12:57.965 Yes. 00:12:57.965 --> 00:13:08.450 And, you know, we very much I mean, it's something that you need to a priest, but, really, anyone who works in the context of a parish, enters the realm of pastoral counseling. 00:13:08.450 --> 00:13:08.690 Right? 00:13:08.690 --> 00:13:12.530 It's it's a different kind of, entity than you're right. 00:13:12.530 --> 00:13:14.130 The license and the state boards. 00:13:14.130 --> 00:13:21.735 And in fact, many oft oftentimes, in my pastoral counseling, I recommend someone see a licensed counselor. 00:13:21.735 --> 00:13:26.475 They just do different lanes even though they're they do overlap in a lot of ways. 00:13:27.895 --> 00:13:28.695 That's yeah. 00:13:28.695 --> 00:13:28.935 Yeah. 00:13:28.935 --> 00:13:29.175 No. 00:13:29.175 --> 00:13:29.895 That's great. 00:13:29.895 --> 00:13:48.445 In fact, I imagine that you're just now that you have this background in psychology, you do have the ability to recognize certain, maybe, mental health difficulties so that you can properly refer them, whether it's to a counselor or even a clinical psychologist, I imagine. 00:13:50.105 --> 00:13:50.605 Certainly. 00:13:51.625 --> 00:14:09.060 The the one of the great things about, the program, but also necessary thing for someone who's not a licensed counselor, is to just know your lane, not to unnecessarily separate things. 00:14:09.060 --> 00:14:17.005 But, you know, as a as a pastoral counselor, I'm I am primarily dealing with the spiritual level. 00:14:17.065 --> 00:14:17.565 Right? 00:14:18.345 --> 00:14:19.405 And that's good. 00:14:19.465 --> 00:14:32.410 And a licensed counselor in, secular sense is not gonna be broaching that, level at all, perhaps, or certainly as deeply. 00:14:32.790 --> 00:14:36.550 And so they're they can really be, complimentary to each other. 00:14:36.550 --> 00:14:51.415 And so, the, you know, very broadly speaking, you know, the the the nitty gritty of anger management, for example, is not something that I would go into as a pastoral counselor. 00:14:51.715 --> 00:14:55.810 I would recommend you know, I would outsource that as it were. 00:14:57.150 --> 00:15:03.390 But I would talk about, you know, what are the certainly, what are the spiritual roots of anger and helping to pray and work through that. 00:15:03.390 --> 00:15:12.825 That being said, what to do with your angry angry in the moment, and how to manage that, I think that would be more appropriate for the licensed counselor. 00:15:12.825 --> 00:15:27.280 So that'd be an example where I would very much own counseling in a certain sense, in a certain area, but also know that someone else in another sense is gonna be better equipped and to to point them in the right direction. 00:15:28.140 --> 00:15:28.640 Yeah. 00:15:28.860 --> 00:15:30.000 That's a great summary. 00:15:30.060 --> 00:15:30.540 You're right. 00:15:30.540 --> 00:15:35.805 But, ultimately, there are two different functions between this degree and in and a counseling degree. 00:15:37.465 --> 00:15:45.645 Oh, so, you know, there there was one last concentration I didn't highlight yet, and that's more of a bonus one, which is the self design concentration. 00:15:46.265 --> 00:15:52.680 And what this means is that I'd highlighted four four, four different concentrations before this one. 00:15:52.680 --> 00:15:56.940 Self design just means that you can pull electives from all of these. 00:15:57.480 --> 00:16:03.160 You're still taking a total of three electives, so it doesn't change the time frame of the program. 00:16:03.160 --> 00:16:17.645 It doesn't change the cost, but it does allow you to tailor the program a little bit more in terms of what it is that you want to learn and how it's going to benefit you with your overall, goals within your vocation or for your career. 00:16:19.290 --> 00:16:21.470 So with that, I'll continue on. 00:16:21.850 --> 00:16:24.330 And these are the core courses. 00:16:24.330 --> 00:16:26.510 I just like to highlight these very briefly. 00:16:27.690 --> 00:16:30.090 As you see, it's going in an order. 00:16:30.090 --> 00:16:33.550 And this is actually going to be the order of core courses. 00:16:34.145 --> 00:16:45.905 Now depending on the concentrations you choose and the electives that you're taking, they will be sprinkled in at different parts, and it it's very difficult to say where exactly they'll fall. 00:16:45.905 --> 00:16:47.585 They might fall a little bit early. 00:16:47.585 --> 00:16:49.205 They might fall more in the middle. 00:16:50.360 --> 00:16:54.840 Again, it it really just depends on which concentration electives you're you're taking. 00:16:54.840 --> 00:16:57.740 It also depends on when you're starting your program. 00:16:58.200 --> 00:17:08.545 And by the way, we we're we're right now still enrolling for the summer semester, and I'll share a little bit more about, enrolling for that if you're still looking to start sooner than later. 00:17:09.085 --> 00:17:14.705 But these are the eight core courses, and then, again, you'll have three electives that you can choose from as well. 00:17:16.525 --> 00:17:29.390 And, this is just an example of different reasons why people pursue this degree, and and we we sent this out to a lot of you who might already be working in, in ministry. 00:17:29.690 --> 00:17:33.705 Some of you might be consecrated, consecrated religious. 00:17:33.705 --> 00:17:34.845 Some of you might be laypeople. 00:17:35.385 --> 00:17:43.325 But, ultimately, it's useful whether you're looking to advance in your field or you're currently in a position, whether it's a career or a vocation. 00:17:44.425 --> 00:17:59.110 It's also good for those that are just beginning to to go into the job market, or if you're looking to look for a career change, more so in the direction of ministry or or human services or, again, even I and O psychology. 00:17:59.110 --> 00:18:03.295 There are a lot of different career opportunities, which we'll also be covering. 00:18:04.875 --> 00:18:11.935 So next is, as I mentioned, the different career career opportunities that are available. 00:18:13.035 --> 00:18:22.770 For a lot of people, they do pursue this degree because either they're already working in more of a business or corporate environment or they want to go into it. 00:18:23.010 --> 00:18:28.770 This degree does allow them to advance, but it they could also begin their careers with this. 00:18:28.770 --> 00:18:32.205 And, usually, it's in these fields that you're seeing in front of you. 00:18:32.205 --> 00:18:42.785 So whether it's human re going into human resources or, being a consultant or working within, project coordinating. 00:18:43.005 --> 00:18:44.820 Again, it's it's very versatile. 00:18:45.140 --> 00:18:49.640 Leadership psychology is a great choice, by the way, for these types of of careers. 00:18:50.900 --> 00:18:55.800 And then next, we have social and mental health positions. 00:18:56.660 --> 00:19:03.575 Now as as father Sweeney and I had highlighted earlier, you're not gonna see licensed counselor on here. 00:19:03.875 --> 00:19:12.455 Again, that would be if you're going to, if you're looking for your LPC, I'd I'd suggest aiming for the master's in counseling program instead. 00:19:12.995 --> 00:19:20.940 But you can still use your degree and practice counseling, lowercase counseling, in many different capacities. 00:19:21.080 --> 00:19:38.295 So whether you are working, within ministry, if it's your religious vocation, if you're working within the diocesan office, but also if you're working in rehabilitation environments or hospitals or, having involvement with addiction counseling. 00:19:38.675 --> 00:19:40.515 Typically, you don't need licensure for that. 00:19:40.515 --> 00:19:45.500 You you they you can actually become certified without having a counseling degree. 00:19:45.560 --> 00:19:48.620 So, there are a lot of opportunities there as well. 00:19:50.680 --> 00:20:02.305 And next, we also do have a lot of students that earn this degree that want to go more to education, or they're already working in education, this is a great way for them to climb the ladder. 00:20:03.085 --> 00:20:14.270 So whether they wanna become, headmasters or they want to teach psychology in a community college setting or high school setting, it's a it's a great choice for that. 00:20:14.330 --> 00:20:16.590 And then we also have government law enforcement. 00:20:17.770 --> 00:20:34.945 So whether you're working within, partnering with with, with law enforcement, having involvement with criminal profiling or you want to work with the victims and being a victim ad advocate, this degree can also work in these directions. 00:20:36.860 --> 00:20:43.200 Now, lastly, because, again, you might be here because you're already working in ministry or you're you're planning on it. 00:20:43.740 --> 00:20:47.600 These are some examples of how people have been able to use it. 00:20:47.900 --> 00:20:54.265 And, we have a lot of folks that go into this program that are consecrated religious. 00:20:54.265 --> 00:21:06.600 Father Sweeney, you had mentioned that you were pursuing this when you were still in seminary, so you weren't even, ordained yet, but you were preparing for that, and this has been a degree that's really benefited your your vocation. 00:21:07.620 --> 00:21:15.800 So whether you are working at the parish level or if you're working with the diocese, it's a great choice for this. 00:21:16.100 --> 00:21:21.975 A couple weeks ago, I'll I'll even highlight, Father Sweeney, if there's anything you wanna add to this, as well. 00:21:21.975 --> 00:21:28.535 But couple weeks ago, I did post a webinar with another graduate, and, I'll I'll reference her in a moment. 00:21:28.535 --> 00:21:34.315 But she now works with the diocese, and and she's the one that's overseeing the, the counselors there. 00:21:34.820 --> 00:21:39.800 So, father Sweeney, is there anything that you wanted to add, or should I continue on? 00:21:40.900 --> 00:21:41.140 No. 00:21:41.140 --> 00:21:43.400 I I think that that pretty much covers it. 00:21:43.700 --> 00:21:44.180 Great. 00:21:44.180 --> 00:21:44.680 Okay. 00:21:46.260 --> 00:21:50.360 So, these are just a couple of examples of, graduates. 00:21:50.875 --> 00:22:07.290 Father Sweeney is not the only, example that we have presently, but, these are two great examples because they also earned their master's in psychology here at Divine Mercy, and they've been able to use their degree in more of a ministry setting. 00:22:07.910 --> 00:22:15.370 The one on the left side, Emily Leadham, she she's the one that I hosted with, a few weeks ago. 00:22:15.830 --> 00:22:24.925 And she leads, I I believe their office is now called the, the Lord Center, but it's basically the diocesan office of marriage and families. 00:22:24.925 --> 00:22:34.610 And she's the one that is overseeing the licensed counselors and clinical psychologists there within the diocese as their executive director. 00:22:34.610 --> 00:22:37.810 So she's doing a lot of the behind the scenes work. 00:22:37.810 --> 00:22:54.035 And having a background in psychology is very useful for her to better communicate and better understand how she can empower them with their work and better help the, the folks and even the the the clients and the victims in directing them to the right the right individual. 00:22:54.895 --> 00:23:05.030 And then on the right side, we have, Ruth Dorsett Hannah, and she's been a consultant, and she also has involvement with ministry. 00:23:05.090 --> 00:23:10.470 But most of her work most of her ministry has been working within a hospital setting. 00:23:11.345 --> 00:23:19.845 So, again, it's it could really vary whether you're working within a diocesan office or a hospital or a rehabilitation center. 00:23:21.185 --> 00:23:23.285 It's a very versatile degree to have. 00:23:26.010 --> 00:23:33.290 Now the next thing is you do have a choice as a student as far as the pacing you would like to take. 00:23:33.290 --> 00:23:36.110 It's a very, very flexible program. 00:23:37.450 --> 00:23:50.745 Now if you're doing what you see at the top, which is a sixteen month track, in other words, you're completing the degree in just a little over a year, then that means that on average, you're taking two courses per term. 00:23:51.400 --> 00:23:56.460 Now that won't be the case for every term if you're doing that, but for most of them, that would be the case. 00:23:57.160 --> 00:24:01.820 And, usually, this is just more of a a pattern that I've seen with students. 00:24:01.880 --> 00:24:03.260 It's not set in stone. 00:24:03.480 --> 00:24:11.755 But if you're taking two courses per term, then it might look like doing, perhaps twenty to twenty five hours per week. 00:24:11.755 --> 00:24:20.255 That's that's more of what I've actually, experienced and and heard from our graduates that have been active in the program. 00:24:21.080 --> 00:24:27.500 Now the other option is doing the twenty six month track, so a little over two years. 00:24:27.960 --> 00:24:30.120 This is still considered full time, by the way. 00:24:30.120 --> 00:24:33.340 This means that you're taking one course per eight week term. 00:24:34.785 --> 00:24:41.045 Usually, when students are doing this and I'm gonna turn this over to to you, father, so we need to share a little bit more about your experience. 00:24:42.545 --> 00:24:55.010 My experience when or, my my every each time I speak with with, our graduates and our active students, they're usually committing somewhere between ten to twelve hours per week. 00:24:55.310 --> 00:25:02.690 Now that's not the experience for every single student, and it's not it might not be the experience for every single course either. 00:25:02.990 --> 00:25:08.695 Some courses might be more familiar to you, so you might be able to breeze through it much quicker. 00:25:08.915 --> 00:25:15.155 And then you might also get to another course, like statistics, for instance, that could be a little bit more dense. 00:25:15.155 --> 00:25:19.860 So maybe you'll need to put in a little extra time to absorb the information. 00:25:21.600 --> 00:25:35.155 So with that said, father Sweeney, I know that I had asked you early before we officially started this webinar, but I'd love to hear what your experience has been as far as time commitment when you were active in the program. 00:25:36.415 --> 00:25:36.575 Yeah. 00:25:36.575 --> 00:25:49.480 So the, for what it's worth, I always you know, as a person who's been in school for a long time, my entire life until now, I always see the estimates of how many hours per week. 00:25:49.480 --> 00:25:52.920 And every no matter what school I've ever been to, I've just been like, wow. 00:25:52.920 --> 00:25:54.280 That's way more time. 00:25:54.280 --> 00:25:55.400 And then I actually do it. 00:25:55.400 --> 00:26:00.075 And I was like, I usually don't get anywhere near to the sheer volume of time. 00:26:01.095 --> 00:26:20.010 But that being said, I it's not to say that there isn't a lot of work, but, you the nice thing that I found was, each course is very clear on due dates, expectations, rubrics, and the like. 00:26:21.270 --> 00:26:38.865 So that was actually a big help, to have very good time management because it's and the most of the courses follow a a roughly similar pattern in terms of a weekly discussion post and responses and readings. 00:26:41.200 --> 00:26:46.800 So it once you really got used to it, it it definitely flowed a lot quicker for me. 00:26:46.800 --> 00:26:47.200 You know? 00:26:47.200 --> 00:26:54.405 I I remember times where I you know, most things are due on not everything, but it's not uncommon. 00:26:54.465 --> 00:26:56.145 Most things are due on Friday. 00:26:56.145 --> 00:26:56.705 You know? 00:26:56.705 --> 00:26:58.645 They their posts, things like that. 00:26:59.585 --> 00:27:02.565 You can do them at any time, but it is a weekly commitment. 00:27:02.625 --> 00:27:06.965 And so I remember being where it's like, well, I know I'm gonna be out of town then. 00:27:08.810 --> 00:27:18.810 So I downloaded all the material, and I and I read it all and did it on a a long flight or something like that and load up my discussion posts and stuff like that. 00:27:18.810 --> 00:27:23.325 So that that's a that would be a week where I wasn't working on a paper. 00:27:23.325 --> 00:27:26.685 If there's a paper, then that that would that would go up a lot. 00:27:26.685 --> 00:27:35.100 You know, that's gonna take a lot of scanning, reading, note taking, conceptual things in every course. 00:27:35.260 --> 00:27:37.980 Virtually, every course will have a significant paper. 00:27:37.980 --> 00:27:40.300 So that definitely will bring the average up. 00:27:40.300 --> 00:27:54.505 I found it, because the courses were very clear on our expectations, it was a lot easier for me to plan what I needed to do, in order to meet those expectations. 00:27:55.285 --> 00:27:59.705 In a lot of ways, I wish my seminary was that clear because it was much more ambiguous. 00:27:59.925 --> 00:28:02.885 And, options, I'm just guessing what the professor thought. 00:28:02.885 --> 00:28:03.785 But, anyway. 00:28:05.050 --> 00:28:05.850 That's great. 00:28:05.850 --> 00:28:13.050 So it sounds like, just the way that it was formatted, you even had the ability to well, maybe not work ahead. 00:28:13.050 --> 00:28:14.410 Maybe maybe that was the case. 00:28:14.410 --> 00:28:29.175 But at at the very least, you were able to put your thoughts together and prepare for what your responses would be in the discussion boards, or or even what you were going to, even just preparing for the reading material. 00:28:29.175 --> 00:28:30.795 Is that a good way of putting it? 00:28:31.255 --> 00:28:31.735 Definitely. 00:28:31.735 --> 00:28:45.130 I mean, there were several occasions where, you know, there was a week of vacation, that I knew was gonna be planned, and I didn't have a lot of other opportunities, so I couldn't work it around, school. 00:28:45.350 --> 00:28:55.605 But it was easy for me to look ahead and do the readings, respond to the questions, in a forward leaning kind of way. 00:28:56.785 --> 00:29:02.085 It's very common in most of the courses that you're asked to respond to your classmates. 00:29:03.240 --> 00:29:09.560 So that would necessitate me not completely checking out for the whole week even though I did the work on the front end. 00:29:09.560 --> 00:29:11.500 So I definitely have to still log in. 00:29:11.720 --> 00:29:21.585 But if I've done all the work and all I'm doing is responding to my fellow classmates, that's obviously significantly less of a load than otherwise. 00:29:21.585 --> 00:29:22.965 So it made it very manageable. 00:29:24.465 --> 00:29:25.285 That's excellent. 00:29:25.585 --> 00:29:26.405 That's great. 00:29:26.785 --> 00:29:27.025 Yeah. 00:29:27.025 --> 00:29:29.925 So, again, there there's a lot of flexibility in this program. 00:29:30.625 --> 00:29:39.590 As students, once you are enrolled and admitted, even a week before the class begins, you do get access to your class. 00:29:39.590 --> 00:29:51.275 You can actually begin to explore what the topics will be, what will be added in the discussion board and even even preparing your thoughts here, just your your responses. 00:29:53.175 --> 00:29:59.495 Sometimes students will even write out what they're going to to, share in their discussion boards. 00:29:59.495 --> 00:30:05.890 They put it in a Word document, and then at the point where they need to submit it, they just copy and paste it. 00:30:05.890 --> 00:30:09.110 So there's a lot of ability to work ahead as well. 00:30:10.690 --> 00:30:15.670 So one thing I'm going to highlight too, the next thing is just the cost. 00:30:16.125 --> 00:30:21.645 And I do wanna first say that there are opportunities to bring the cost down. 00:30:21.645 --> 00:30:31.930 There are a couple of different ways of doing that, whether you're doing scholarships, which we have, and I'll share more about that, or if you're doing an MOU, and I'll talk about that too. 00:30:32.550 --> 00:30:36.410 But as you're seeing, there are two different tuitions connected. 00:30:37.110 --> 00:30:45.125 Now if you're doing the twenty six month track, you'll see that that one is 26,818 before any sort of tuition reduction. 00:30:45.665 --> 00:30:48.165 There's no sort of hidden fee. 00:30:48.865 --> 00:30:49.845 Books are included. 00:30:49.985 --> 00:30:51.125 There's no travel. 00:30:51.665 --> 00:31:01.260 So what you see is what it will be, provided that you're you're proceeding in the program continuously and not having to retake any sort of courses. 00:31:02.200 --> 00:31:11.755 Now for the sixteen month track, it is a little bit less because every time that you're taking two courses, the second course is reduced by 25%. 00:31:11.755 --> 00:31:17.375 So that's a good opportunity for you to bring the cost down if your time would permit it. 00:31:17.995 --> 00:31:23.195 And, again, this is before reducing the cost through the different means that I had mentioned. 00:31:23.195 --> 00:31:25.960 And, again, I'm gonna share more about that too. 00:31:26.340 --> 00:31:27.860 So I'm just looking at the time. 00:31:27.860 --> 00:31:32.920 I know that time is, sensitive for many of you here and also for our guest host. 00:31:33.460 --> 00:31:39.845 So, the next thing I'll share is just the ways of how many students fund their education. 00:31:40.465 --> 00:31:41.605 You do have options. 00:31:42.225 --> 00:31:48.405 So one option, of course, is applying through FAFSA and taking out student loans. 00:31:48.785 --> 00:31:55.090 Now financial aid, whenever it's applied to a graduate level, it is in the form of loans, but that is an option for you. 00:31:55.090 --> 00:32:00.150 It's there if you'd like to aim for that, and many of our students do that. 00:32:00.290 --> 00:32:03.010 Another option is doing a payment plan. 00:32:03.010 --> 00:32:08.495 Some of you might not be as comfortable taking out loans, or maybe you don't wanna take out only loans. 00:32:08.495 --> 00:32:13.315 You you want to make sure that you're balancing it out with your your own funding, and you could do a little bit of both. 00:32:13.455 --> 00:32:16.495 But if you're doing a payment plan, this means that you're paying as you go. 00:32:16.495 --> 00:32:18.915 You're paying installments every term. 00:32:19.360 --> 00:32:23.380 And you can pay multiple installments or you can do one full installment. 00:32:23.840 --> 00:32:25.140 It's really up to you. 00:32:26.880 --> 00:32:45.085 And then, of course, if you wanted to seek out certain funding, whether it's your employer or, again, if you're working in ministry, speaking with your parish priest or your, or with your diocese and seeing what opportunities there are for them to assist, we can actually find a way to match that. 00:32:45.380 --> 00:32:47.140 So we can match up to 2,000. 00:32:47.140 --> 00:32:50.600 That's another great way of bringing the cost down even further. 00:32:52.100 --> 00:32:57.400 Now when it comes to reducing the cost, one option is doing scholarships. 00:32:58.100 --> 00:33:01.945 As a student, you can apply up to four of them and receive up to two. 00:33:01.945 --> 00:33:03.645 There are 13 different scholarships. 00:33:04.025 --> 00:33:06.525 And I always say there's a scholarship for everyone. 00:33:06.905 --> 00:33:11.850 So, if this is something that you're inclined to do, I'm sure that we can find something for you. 00:33:12.170 --> 00:33:14.730 And it ranges between the dollar amount and percentage. 00:33:14.730 --> 00:33:20.510 It can be as low as 2,000 all the way up to 50% depending on what you qualify for. 00:33:20.650 --> 00:33:23.310 But but, again, this is just a great way of doing it. 00:33:24.250 --> 00:33:29.155 Now the other option and that's an either or scenario between these two. 00:33:29.215 --> 00:33:38.415 But the other option is called the memorandum of understanding or the MOU, and this is a great choice for those. 00:33:38.415 --> 00:33:39.715 And these are some examples. 00:33:39.775 --> 00:33:45.310 These are not all of the partnerships that we have, but these are examples of partnerships that we do have. 00:33:45.610 --> 00:34:00.515 So if you belong to any of these dioceses or you have some sort of connection to an apostolate or a mission or, or even any of the universities that you might see in front of you, then that might mean that you already qualify for an MOU. 00:34:01.215 --> 00:34:03.715 Now if not, that's perfectly fine. 00:34:04.015 --> 00:34:05.955 We make MOUs weekly. 00:34:06.895 --> 00:34:09.460 We do it with individual parishes. 00:34:09.600 --> 00:34:13.780 We do it with, full dioceses or archdioceses. 00:34:15.360 --> 00:34:31.295 It's just a great way to bring the cost down further for you and anyone else connected to the parish, and there's no no impact to, to to you or your priest or anyone else, whoever decides to to agree on it. 00:34:31.755 --> 00:34:33.695 It's very minimal activity. 00:34:33.835 --> 00:34:38.670 It's just more of what we request, but it's not a requirement as far as what the activity is. 00:34:38.670 --> 00:34:44.290 And if you're interested in learning more about it, I'd love to speak with you one on one just to share about that. 00:34:45.950 --> 00:34:50.770 So this brings us to the end, and, we're gonna get to a q and a in just a second. 00:34:51.455 --> 00:34:53.055 You might not have too many questions now. 00:34:53.055 --> 00:34:54.995 And if you don't, that's perfectly fine. 00:34:55.135 --> 00:34:58.255 You're always welcome to reach out to me later on when they come up. 00:34:58.255 --> 00:35:00.595 But in front of you is my contact information. 00:35:01.455 --> 00:35:04.415 So, again, my name is Greg Shapiro, and that's my telephone number. 00:35:05.500 --> 00:35:09.420 Feel free to screen grab this, and you're welcome to call. 00:35:09.420 --> 00:35:11.760 You can text me if that's easier for you. 00:35:11.980 --> 00:35:14.800 And then, of course, my email address is there as well. 00:35:15.900 --> 00:35:18.300 Now I do wanna highlight very quickly too. 00:35:18.300 --> 00:35:23.235 We do have a upcoming start date, and that's gonna be for our summer semester. 00:35:23.375 --> 00:35:25.235 That begins on May 18. 00:35:25.775 --> 00:35:32.115 We're actually still enrolling for that, but the deadline is tomorrow to submit the application form. 00:35:32.175 --> 00:35:35.790 Now that doesn't mean submitting your transcripts or anything like that. 00:35:35.790 --> 00:35:38.030 We can actually worry about that the following week. 00:35:38.030 --> 00:35:42.830 But just submitting the form, which takes about twenty minutes, tomorrow would be the deadline for that. 00:35:42.830 --> 00:35:46.370 But if you look in the blue box, there's a code. 00:35:46.625 --> 00:35:48.965 Usually, the application is $55. 00:35:49.345 --> 00:35:51.685 If you put the code in, we'll waive it for you. 00:35:51.905 --> 00:35:55.445 So, feel free to save that as well if you decide to apply. 00:35:56.705 --> 00:36:00.385 Now with that said, I'm just going to open up the floor for any of you. 00:36:00.385 --> 00:36:08.400 If you have any questions, there's a chat section that you're welcome to drop your question in either for me or for father Sweeney. 00:36:09.100 --> 00:36:10.720 There's also a q and a section. 00:36:11.340 --> 00:36:16.575 So, father Sweeney, I'll actually ask you a quick question just to start things off. 00:36:17.535 --> 00:36:20.195 In the program, we use Canvas. 00:36:20.335 --> 00:36:24.195 This is the, this is the platform that we use for students. 00:36:24.495 --> 00:36:26.655 How is your experience using Canvas? 00:36:26.655 --> 00:36:31.715 A lot of people might be a little bit intimidated, using some sort of online platform. 00:36:34.110 --> 00:36:37.970 I I found it very simple and intuitive. 00:36:38.110 --> 00:36:49.045 It's like one of those, it's not made by Apple, but Apple's big thing is trying to make thing as, like, simplistic as intuitive as possible. 00:36:49.045 --> 00:36:52.725 And so in that sense, it was very much in that kind of vein. 00:36:52.725 --> 00:36:53.125 Right? 00:36:53.125 --> 00:36:59.925 It's not trying to load you with too much information, but, you know, this is the first step going on to the next one. 00:36:59.925 --> 00:37:05.010 So I I never had any trouble navigating, through it. 00:37:05.010 --> 00:37:15.305 And like I said, because things like rubrics were already integrated into the system, that was actually very helpful. 00:37:15.305 --> 00:37:17.085 So I could always refer to them. 00:37:17.305 --> 00:37:23.485 And in fact, for example, the the professors, will grade through Canvas. 00:37:24.345 --> 00:37:37.350 And so they'll they don't just slap a grade per se, but they'll they're through Canvas, they look at the rubric, and they give you, you know, your category that you that you earned, through that. 00:37:37.350 --> 00:37:41.370 So it just makes it very simple and intuitive and, for me, very helpful. 00:37:42.345 --> 00:37:43.065 That's great. 00:37:43.065 --> 00:37:48.345 I have experience using black Blackboard, and, I found that to be pretty good. 00:37:48.345 --> 00:37:52.925 But just from what I've seen, Canvas has actually been far more user friendly. 00:37:53.225 --> 00:38:09.600 So not only the way that we here at Divine Mercy set up the courses and the rubrics as you had mentioned, but even just a very user friendly program like Canvas has been very helpful for students, especially those that are that are doing online for the first time. 00:38:10.725 --> 00:38:16.585 So with that said, I don't see any questions here, but I'll ask one more. 00:38:18.165 --> 00:38:24.720 So one question that I do have is just the support that you get from the faculty. 00:38:24.940 --> 00:38:26.380 I know that's a big part. 00:38:26.380 --> 00:38:44.105 Whenever I speak with our faculty members, they they mention how they they really put their effort to be there for the students to make sure that they're getting clarity with the information, and they even they even meet with the students, each term just as a means to support them. 00:38:44.645 --> 00:38:50.345 So was that your experience, or what what was your experience as you were in the program with the faculty? 00:38:51.520 --> 00:38:54.420 They certainly were very available. 00:38:54.640 --> 00:38:55.040 Right? 00:38:55.040 --> 00:39:09.035 And so, while it wasn't a regular practice for us to meet one on one, there was no question that that something like that will be available, if need be. 00:39:10.535 --> 00:39:21.690 And through Canvas and through other means, there's a lot of communication, about, you know, feedback on your work. 00:39:21.830 --> 00:39:29.030 And so, a lot of the communication that I got was really just integrated through that. 00:39:29.030 --> 00:39:33.865 And, of course, if I needed more of a direct communication, that would be fine. 00:39:33.865 --> 00:39:37.625 Oftentimes, the feedback I would get would be perfectly, good. 00:39:37.625 --> 00:39:42.205 I didn't feel like I needed to have a a a face to face or Zoom conversation. 00:39:43.240 --> 00:39:51.880 One professor in particular that was very good with ample and with feedback, I couldn't figure out how much how he had the time to give his me as much feedback. 00:39:51.880 --> 00:39:56.540 His his feedback was almost longer than my when than my, actual work. 00:39:57.595 --> 00:40:01.435 So, anyway, that was a unique circumstance on that case. 00:40:01.435 --> 00:40:08.575 But, but I I found that consistent, you know, availability for sure. 00:40:09.370 --> 00:40:10.110 That's great. 00:40:10.490 --> 00:40:22.030 That that's just something that I'm I'm really proud of our faculty because I I know that they've been very good with our with our student body, and the students say it every time I speak with them. 00:40:22.250 --> 00:40:34.665 And the faculty, whenever I speak to them about this, they all mention how just how ready they are to help and ready they are to bring clarity for students and offer the assistance and support. 00:40:35.205 --> 00:40:47.180 Even for prospective students that are just trying to learn a little bit more about who we are and trying to see if this is a good fit for them, they stay open to speak with those that aren't even officially enrolled here. 00:40:47.560 --> 00:40:54.380 They may not have even submitted their applications, but they they're happy to provide clear detail. 00:40:55.665 --> 00:41:00.465 So with that said, I'm going to close here. 00:41:00.465 --> 00:41:08.645 But, again, questions might not be popping up right now, but if any of them do, feel free to to save my contact information. 00:41:08.785 --> 00:41:17.160 I especially would love to speak with you one on one, learn more about what it is that you're looking for out of this degree and to see if this is a good fit. 00:41:17.700 --> 00:41:20.420 And, and, again, we're we're still enrolling for the summer. 00:41:20.420 --> 00:41:23.800 Our next start date after that will be, in the fall. 00:41:24.295 --> 00:41:26.775 So without further ado, I will end here. 00:41:26.775 --> 00:41:34.795 Father Sweeney, thank you so much for for, just taking your time out of the day and sharing a little bit more about about your experience in the program. 00:41:35.415 --> 00:41:35.815 Sure. 00:41:35.815 --> 00:41:36.135 Yeah. 00:41:36.135 --> 00:41:37.515 They're happy to do it. 00:41:37.830 --> 00:41:38.310 Yeah. 00:41:38.310 --> 00:41:38.810 Great. 00:41:38.870 --> 00:41:39.270 Alright. 00:41:39.270 --> 00:41:42.090 Well, thank you very much, and have a great evening.