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Thoughtful scholar (AP Photo/Josh Reynolds)
A common buzzword used in graduate programs today is Scholar-Practitioner. The term was once used in reference to graduate programs of a clinical nature, and the model was originally referred to as Practitioner-Scholar. The clinical PhD training program on Alliant's Los Angeles campus is based on a scholar-practitioner model in the more traditional, clinical arena. Accordingly, the guiding principles of Alliant’s philosophy include an emphasis in the awareness of the societal conditions in which treatment is occurring. Santa Barbara’s Fielding University utilizes the scholar-practitioner model for all of its doctoral programs, including a PhD in Human and Organizational Systems. The scholar-practitioner model is commonly used in programs, such as Fielding’s and Alliant’s, that have a strong orientation towards social justice.
The terminology is beginning to be integrated into settings that focus on professionals in fields outside of clinical psychology, such as education. According to the doctoral advice of Jonathan Gehrz from Capella University “At the doctoral level, what distinguishes the doctoral learner…is an emphasis on the investigation and connection to scholarship.” The connection in scholarship is implied to be the link between your studies and your career. Therefore, this model is a more academic way of referring to the fact that you relate your studies to your environmental situation. It is more commonly used in programs that have higher numbers of working professionals enrolled, as life experience is as valued as book knowledge, compared to a theoretical orientation at more traditional universities such as UCLA or USC.
For more information regarding being a successful grad student see:
4 tips for grad students balancing studies and family
For more information regarding preparing for graduate school and other levels of college, visit Edusistance or Race to College Success. Janelle can be contacted via email.
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