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Frequently Asked Questions
As the first Christian College in the United States to offer holistic, community based development programs, Eastern has been helping change the world – one community at a time – for over 22 years. The proof of this long-term commitment is an experienced team of faculty and a dynamic curriculum, which combines classroom learning with extensive hands-on experience. Eastern’s Leadership and Development alumni are highly skilled practitioners of holistic, faith-based development.
Where are the various SLD’s Leadership and Development programs offered?
Programs Offered in US:
- MBA in Economic Development - International or Urban concentration (16 months)
- MA in International Development (12 months)
- MA in Organizational Leadership (22 months)
- MS in NonProfit Management (24 months)
- Certificates (1 year)
Programs Offered Overseas:
- MBA in Economic Development - International Concentration (3 year program)
- MA in International Development (2 year program)
- MA in Organizational Leadership (2 year program)
- Certificates (1 year)
What are the delivery options for these programs?
- The US based MBA in Economic Development (International) and the MA in International Development are full-time intensive programs with a mandatory field semester component. Students in these programs spend 75% of their time on campus and the other 25% is completed in a developing country putting their development training into practice while completing two courses via distance education. Students in the Urban concentration of the Economic Development program do the same in the United States.
- The US based MA in Org Leadership is delivered in a weekend intensive residency model where students will attend a weekend residency 9 times over the duration of their program (approximately every 2 months) and the remainder of their coursework is completed via online discussions and distance education.
- The overseas programs are offered in a hybrid residency format, where students attend a two to three week residency annually in South Africa and the remainder of their coursework is completed via online discussions and distance education.
Can I continue working a full time job and still attend classes?
This is a definite option for the distance programs as those programs are designed for working professionals. The only time away from your position will be the time required during each short-term residency. The US-based full time programs are quite intensive and students generally do not work more than 10-15 hours weekly due to the intensive in-class schedule.
Where will I be taking classes?
The School of Leadership and Development will facilitate your classes at the following locations:
- Eastern University's St. Davids, Pennsylvania campus for the full time programs (MBA in Economic Development, MA in International Development)
- Eastern University's St. Davids, Philadelphia, Harrisburg and Washington DC campuses (MS in NonProfit Management and MA in Organizational Leadership)
- South Africa for the distance/overseas options
What is the profile of the typical student group?
The average age is 34; the school has approximately 67% men and 33% women; the average group has 15-20 students.
Where do I go with questions about an SLD program or the admissions process?
For questions regarding the SLD programs delivered in the US you should contact Mike Sheridan at msherida@eastern.edu or by phone toll free (US only) at 800-597-9324. For questions regarding the SLD programs delivered in South Africa you should contact Lauren Gauthier at lgauthie@eastern.edu or by phone toll free (US only) at 800-597-9324. You can also direct general questions to us by e-mailing sld@eastern.edu.
Are there non degree options?
We offer several certificate options for non-degree applicants, including NGO Leadership, Development Studies, and beginning in 2008 - Small Enterprise Development.
What are the application requirements?
Please see the admissions requirements for each program on their webpages. (MA in Organizational Leadership, MA in International Development, MS in NonProfit Management or MBA in Economic Development programs)
How do I apply to Eastern University’s Graduate Programs?
You can complete an online application or download an application for admission from www.eastern.edu/sld. Once completed, the application can be submitted to GPSADM@eastern.edu or mailed to:
Eastern University - GPS Admissions
1300 Eagle Road, St. Davids, PA 19087
We will verify receipt of your application by electronic acknowledgment checklist. This checklist will also inform you of what we have received and what you must submit to complete your application. You will receive an update on your file whenever we receive additional items.
When will I hear if my application is approved?
Once your application is complete (meaning we have received all required documents), we will review your file and respond to you within two weeks. Our commitment is to keep you well informed through all stages of this process.
Are standardized examinations required for admission?
All students applying for the MBA program only must take the GMAT exams, and Eastern University requires a passing score of 450 or higher on the GMATs. No other standardized tests are required.
What are the business foundation (pre-requisite) courses?
Business foundation courses are core courses required of all students applying to the MBA program, who did not receive an undergraduate degree in business or who have not taken these courses at another university, with a successful passing grade of B or better. The foundational courses provide a base of understanding for the graduate level courses in Business Administration.
The four required foundation courses are:
- Introduction to Economics (Micro and Macro)
- Introduction to Business Statistics
- Introduction to Accounting (Managerial and Financial)
- Introduction to Business Finance
Where Can I take the Foundation Courses?
You can take them at Eastern or at any accredited institution, including through on-line learning. Some of the courses can be waived through a successful completion of the CLEP examinations accepted by Eastern.. Please visit www.collegeboard.com/clep to get more information. If you are interested in completing the Business Foundations courses elsewhere, you must consult Mike Sheridan, Program Coordinator regarding course descriptions before doing so. We want to ensure you will be receiving the proper content material to successfully enroll in the programs.
Do I have to have taken both Micro and Macro Economics, and Accounting I & II?
Yes, if you have not had these courses at the undergraduate level, you must complete both areas of Economics and Accounting. The Accounting pre-requisite must also be completed prior to enrolling in Business Finance. Recommended online options include the following:
What is an official transcript?
An official transcript is one that is sent directly from the attended university to Eastern University in the original sealed university envelope and on the official paper of the university. If the university does not issue official transcripts, but only gives the student a diploma and mark sheet at the time of graduation, Eastern must receive a true copy of the documents. All applicants who attended universities in the U.S. must provide an official transcript. True copies will not be accepted for U.S. universities.
What is a true copy?
A true copy is document that has been certified by a prothonotary of the court (the equivalent of a Notary Public in the U.S.). The prothonotary of the court will verify that they have seen the original document by taking a copy of it and then certify that it is a true copy of the original.
Who needs to take the TOEFL or IELTS?
Applicants who did not attend a university in an Anglophone nation or who did not complete their program of study in English must take the TOEFL or IELTS. The acceptable TOEFL scores for admission are 213 or higher on the Computer Test and 550 or higher on the Paper Test. For the IELTS we require a band score of 6.5 or higher.
How are these scores transferred to Eastern University?
Students taking the GMAT and TOEFL are asked to select Eastern University as the institution to receive their standardized test scores and submit Eastern’s code, which is PND-9L-30 for the GMAT and 2220 for the TOEFL. Students taking the IELTS should ask that their scores be sent to Eastern University. There is no institutional code number for the IELTS exam.
What are the reasonable expectations in terms of homework assignments?
Normally, the student can expect to put in as much as 12 hours outside the classroom for each course (4 hours preparation for every one hour in class). You can expect an average of 36 – 48 hours a week of readings, research and assignments each semester.
How much do these programs cost?
The graduate tuition rate is currently $530 per credit and is subject to increase annually. The certificates are $500 per certificate with discounts already built into this price. Currently, the MBA is 42 credits, both MA degrees are 30 credits, and the MS is 33 credits.
Are scholarships or bursaries available for the programs?
We have EU grants, graduate fellowships for the campus programs and EU grants and scholarships for the distance programs. EU grants are built into the cost for the certificate programs.
Is internet access critical?
Because of the online delivery component included in many of our programs, and especially for the programs delivered overseas and via weekend residencies, internet access is very important. Students are required to log on weekly during the online follow-up to complete their assignments, so students must have viable internet connections to be successful in the programs.
What type of job can I get with a Leadership or Development Degree?
The following are areas for which the degrees in Leadership and Development prepare students to work with or in:
- Church leadership, church planting and evangelism
- Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)
- Community organizations and revitalization
- Community banking
- Entrepreneurship and Microeconomic Enterprise Development
- Housing Development
- Organizational Leadership and Management
- Municipal Development
- Rural Development
- Pastoring or Ministerial Service
- Youth work
- Working with Advocacy Organizations
- Work with city government for community development
- Head up own economic initiative
- Teach at university level
What if I am not sure about choosing a degree program at this time?
You can email Mike Sheridan, Program Coordinator at msherida@eastern.edu for questions regarding the programs delivered in the US or Lauren Gauthier, Program Coordinator, at lgauthie@eastern.edu for questions regarding the programs delivered in South Africa, and discuss your options with them. They will answer your questions and can also direct you to other people to talk with as well.
