At its April meeting, the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE) approved a proposal by Benedictine University to begin offering a Ph.D. program in organization development on its Springfield College in Illinois campus in Springfield.

"To have an internationally recognized Ph.D. program on the Springfield College campus elevates the college's higher education offerings to a new level," said Mike Bromberg, dean of Academic Affairs at SCI.

Organization development is the process that applies behavioral science knowledge and practice to help organizations achieve greater effectiveness, including increased financial performance and improved quality of work life. The Ph.D. program in organization development at the Lisle campus of Benedictine University, one of the oldest in the United States, has prepared hundreds of advanced professionals to become leaders in understanding and managing change, according to university officials.

"Our mission is to help today's leaders generate a professional environment where people work together toward better solutions ... where change is not only accepted but encouraged, and where high performance is achieved by building trust, valuing teamwork and fostering employee development," said program director Peter Sorensen, Ph.D.

Benedictine University's Ph.D. program is a three-year program, consisting of a first year of context courses, a second year covering some core knowledge areas and a third year consisting of advanced topics and the completion of a dissertation. It is expected that all students must be published before graduating from the program.

Benedictine University began offering bachelor's degrees in business and economics, psychology, and management and organizational behavior at SCI in September 2003. An accelerated adult program in psychology and a master of science in management and organizational behavior were added to the SCI campus in October 2004.

In April 2005, Benedictine University received approval to offer a bachelor of arts in elementary education at SCI. In August 2006, Benedictine University received approval from the IBHE to make its master of education and master of arts in education programs available.  

Springfield College in Illinois and Benedictine University formed a "strategic alliance" in January 2003. Since the partnership was established, enrollment at Springfield College in Illinois has increased to more than 800 students and the number of adults enrolled in its "New Horizons" accelerated degree program has more than doubled.

Springfield College in Illinois was founded in 1929 by the Ursuline Sisters and was the first institution of higher learning established in Springfield. SCI celebrated its 79th anniversary in March 2008.

For more information about programs at Springfield College-Benedictine University, call (217) 525-1420, ext. 308.