Working professionals juggling career and future advancement can receive a quality graduate education from St. Mary’s University in community counseling and international relations.

“St. Mary’s is helping busy adults move their career forward by providing a quality education through two new online degree programs that offer them the flexibility to study when and there they choose, on their schedule,” said Ronald D. Merrell, Ph.D., graduate dean.

“Graduate students have the ability to interact with faculty and other students while they earn their master’s degrees in community counseling and international relations,” Merrell said. “The degrees are exactly like the ones that they would earn if attending courses on campus.” St. Mary’s newest distance learning programs debuted with the spring 2004 semester.

The M.A. degree program in community counseling is designed to prepare graduates to work in institutions, agencies and private practice offering counseling services. Client issues may include the effects of socioeconomic status, joblessness, aging, culture, race, ethnicity, chronic illness and domestic violence. Ray Wooten, Ph.D., is the program director.

The graduate program in international relations is currently the largest master’s program at St. Mary’s. In contrast to most programs offering a M.A. in political science with a focus in international relations, St. Mary’s offers a master’s in international relations with an emphasis in security policy. As a result, St. Mary’s program integrates the disciplines of political science, economics, history, international business, sociology and theology. The goal is to graduate students with strong interdisciplinary critical thinking and analytical skills. Larry Hufford, Ph.D., is the program director.

Prospective graduate students may apply online by visiting St. Mary’s Web site at: Students can register, receive a University ID, then login to Blackboard to follow directions for the course. For more information, call the Graduate School at St. Mary’s at (210) 436-3214.

Founded by the Society of Mary in 1852, St. Mary’s University is the oldest institution of higher learning in San Antonio. The University is renowned for its personal attention and powerful academic programs, ranking consistently among America’s best colleges in the West region by U.S. News & World Report.

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