After more than a century of service, Seattle Pacific University continues in its tradition as an institution of the liberal arts, professional studies, graduate programs and continuing education. As a community of learners, Seattle Pacific seeks to educate and prepare students for service and leadership. We are committed to evangelical Christian faith and values, and to excellence in teaching and scholarship for the intellectual, personal and spiritual growth of students. Our adjunct faculty are experts from throughout the Pacific Northwest and around the world. We are pleased to have you join us, and that you are willing to share your expertise with adult learners.

This handbook introduces DCS’s purpose, programs, instructor roles and responsibilities, and policies and procedures related to Student Academic Services. Please read the DCS Purpose section of the handbook first. The statement defines the University’s objectives in adult education and outlines specific lifestyle standards expected from all University instructors.

If you need further clarification on any of these policies, please contact the Division of Continuing Studies, Seattle Pacific University, 3307 Third Avenue West, Seattle, WA 98119, (206)281-2121 or (800)648-7898; you may also FAX correspondence to (206)281-2271.

• To be congruent with the academic mission of the University.
• To provide entrepreneurial and collaborative leadership in serving a broader community of learners.
• To assist the University in exploring appropriate uses of technology in serving a broader community of learners.

DCS is constantly developing new programs to meet the needs of adult learners, graduate students, evening/weekend and off-campus students. As an academic service arm of the University, DCS is responsible for developing and managing programs and courses for professional development in a variety of fields, summer sessions, evening and weekend programs, distance learning courses, study tours and corporate training needs.

DCS’s purpose complements the University’s mission. Seattle Pacific is an evangelical Christian university, affiliated with the Free Methodist Church of North America. As such, Seattle Pacific seeks to integrate Christian faith and truth as taught by the community of Christian believers and the Scriptures into every aspect of programming. Whenever not prevented by law or contract, Seattle Pacific offers explicitly Christian programs, integrating faith with learning as appropriate to the subject and the age of the student. Where prevented by law or contract from being explicitly Christian, Seattle Pacific delivers implicitly Christian educational programs; i.e., those compatible with Christian faith and values.

It is University policy to hire only evangelical Christians as full-time, on campus faculty. The preference is also to observe this policy with part-time faculty, but availability of qualified part-time instructors may not always make this possible. For this reason DCS may hire non-Christians as adjunct faculty, provided they agree to respect Christian values and faith and abide by University lifestyle commitments while engaged in University-related activities.

All adjunct faculty are expected to maintain the University’s standards of moral, ethical and professional conduct while in class and in other official interactions with students. Each is expected to (a) refrain from using profane or vulgar language, (b) demonstrate respect for the religious beliefs of students and the University, (c) propagate no doctrines, philosophies or practices contrary to orthodox Christianity, and (d) refrain from the use of tobacco, alcohol, or illegal drugs while in class or in other official interactions with students.

If you would like further explanation or additional information regarding the DCS Purpose or Seattle Pacific University, please call (206)281-2121 or (800)648-7898.

For further information regarding SPU accreditation and memberships please refer to the current Undergraduate Catalog.

Seattle Pacific University is accredited by the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges to offer courses in the following off-campus areas:

• Distance Learning courses - Internationally
• Crowley Biology laboratories - Blakely Island
• 5000-level SPIRAL courses - Washington state
• All other courses - SPU Educational Service Area (ESA), which includes King, Snohomish, Island, Pierce, Thurston, Kitsap and Mason counties.

Any SPU programs offered outside the ESA, other than those noted above, must be approved in advance by the provost; the president; the Board of Trustees or the Executive Committee of the Board; and the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges.

DCS PROGRAMS

Seattle Pacific University, focused through the Division of Continuing Studies, offers a variety of programs appealing to the adult student market. DCS seeks to extend the educational services of the University to a "broader community" of learners through evening degree-completion programs, professional development programs and events, and promotion of our graduate programs. Programs are provided on campus, through distance learning formats, or on site for educators’ professional development. Seattle Pacific University also provides cutting-edge, educational conferences in one to three day formats.

All DCS credit/clock hour/continuing education unit (CEU) courses meet state, regional and national accreditation standards.

For more information on any DCS program or event, please call (800)648-7898 or email dcsmkt@spu.edu.

Professional Development

The Division of Continuing Studies seeks to provide high-quality, innovative professional development programs in areas that are served by the existing SPU graduate and undergraduate programs.

Education:

The SPIRAL program (Seattle Pacific Instruction Reaching All Learners) at Seattle Pacific University provides innovative, convenient and high quality professional development for educators. To focus our efforts in fulfilling this mission, the Division of Continuing Studies seeks opportunities to

• Offer proactive leadership to meet the challenges of the 21st Century.
• Assist constituents in meeting their district/building goals.
• Develop new, and enhance existing, productive partnerships.
• Provide flexible, responsive and efficient support services.

Designed for K-12 educators, DCS offers courses for credit or clock hours in partnership with approved adjunct faculty in Washington state for continuing professional education. These offerings are typically held on-site at school buildings, districts and educational service districts (ESDs). Courses are reasonably priced and may be offered at any time of the year, varying in length from two days to one year. Many courses for the professional development of educators are also available in a distance learning format.

Mental Health:
DCS offers conferences and special events that meet CEU requirements for the licensing of mental health professionals, and general professional growth opportunities. Seattle Pacific is currently the only higher education institution offering a consistent program of professional development for mental health professionals in the greater Puget Sound region.

Human Resources:
DCS offers courses for professionals in the human resource field ranging from certification examination preparation to professional development coursework. Courses are offered throughout the year and are held in the evenings.

Other:
Other areas in which DCS offers professional or personal development include business conferences and seminars, Adventure-Based Education, GRE and SAT test preparation and a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer certificate training program.

Undergraduate Adult Learner Program

The Division of Continuing Studies seeks to provide access for adult learners to complete their undergraduate higher education goals at SPU. Currently there are five evening-based degree completion programs with courses offered on a quarterly basis. They include electrical engineering, business administration, computer science, computer engineering and general studies.

Distance Learning

The Division of Continuing Studies works in collaboration with other departments of the University to deliver courses to audiences through the use of technology. This enables students to take classes from SPU without traveling to campus.

Distance Learning offers professional development courses for educators (SPIRAL) as well as general education and foundation courses for undergraduates. SPU is also exploring opportunities in "real-time" and asynchronous distance learning as a way of offering parts of programs at the undergraduate, graduate and professional development levels.

Many of SPU’s Distance Learning courses are developed entirely by the resident or adjunct faculty members who instruct the courses. Other courses utilize pre-produced course materials and are developed in partnership with the producing agencies.

The Division of Continuing Studies assists the provost in managing other programs that are non-traditional in terms of audience, schedule, or other delivery modes. These other programs include the campus-wide summer quarter offerings, study tours and between-term courses.

Summer session is a mix of undergraduate, graduate and post-baccalaureate courses offered on and off- campus. DCS administers the majority of summer session activities, courses and programs that are academic in nature. (University Services coordinates all on-campus housing and Conference Services is responsible for all on-campus conference events.)

The Summer academic program at SPU is held in four sessions: pre-session (2 weeks), first and second session (4 weeks each), and the post-session (2 weeks).

Summer Institutes are conducted in three- or five-day formats focused on a single theme. They focus on a sub-set of the education professional development program (see page 6) with an emphasis on research and active learning that can be implemented in the classroom "on Monday morning." Summer Institute adjuncts are chosen by invitation and programs are planned at least 18 months in advance.

To best meet the needs of K-12 educators in Washington state and beyond, most Institutes are held at satellite locations within easy access of I-5.

Institutes focus on the direct needs identified by teachers and administrators, and are led by national and international experts; SPU adjuncts sometimes serve as summer Institute staff.

On-campus housing can be provided for out of town participants.

Graduate Programming

DCS does not manage or coordinate the graduate programming for Seattle Pacific. However, many DCS initiatives work in cooperation with the graduate programs. Graduate degrees are available in the areas listed below. For more information on any of these programs call the academic school offering the degree at the number provided.

Master’s and Post-master’s Certification

Adult and Gerontology Nurse Practitioner Pathway, (206)281-2888
Family Nurse Practitioner Pathway, (206)281-2888

Graduate Degrees

Master of Business Administration, (206)281-2054
Master of Arts

• Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, (206)281-2670
  Master of Science
• Information Systems Management, (206)281-2753
• Marriage & Family Therapy, (206)281-2987
• Leadership in Advanced Nursing Practice, (206)281-2888

Doctoral Degree in Clinical Family Psychology, (206)281-2987

Master’s and Doctoral Degrees in Education

• Master of Arts in Teaching, (206)281-2210
• Master of Education, (206)281-2210
• Superintendent Certification, (206)281-2214
• Doctor of Education, (206)281-2710

Continuing Education Units/Clock Hours

Seattle Pacific offers non-credit continuing education units (CEUs) for a variety of courses and events within Washington state. Non-credit hours may be offered as an option with most credit offerings; however students may not receive both credit and CEUs for the same course or event.

Some SPIRAL courses offer a non-credit continuing education, or clock hour, option. Seattle Pacific University clock hours (CEUs) are approved by the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), and meet state, educational certification and salary advancement requirements.

If you are teaching a credit course you may request a clock hour option by checking the appropriate box on the Course Form. Students are responsible to work with their individual district for any processes required for pre-approving credit and clock hours.

Distance learning courses are not eligible for a CEU/Clock hour option.