Grace College: Your Questions Answered

Choosing the right college is a significant decision. This article addresses frequently asked questions about Grace College, providing insights for prospective students and their parents.

For Prospective Students

Finding Your Authentic Self

It's easy to get caught up in trying to be who you think a college wants you to be. During the Presidential Scholarship Days, I tried to be fancy and proper. But everything seemed off before I made a major discovery: I was not a mini-Einstein. I was Max Boruvka. And I didn’t have to feel bad about that. The key is to be authentic. Colleges like Grace value genuine individuals who are true to themselves.

Overcoming Academic Challenges

College coursework can be demanding. When faced with a challenging course like “Physical Science Survey,” don't hesitate to seek help. Meet with your teacher, reach out to a tutor, and utilize available resources. Remember that struggling in a class doesn't define your worth or potential.

Embracing Opportunities

Saying "yes" to new opportunities can lead to unexpected friendships and experiences. I committed to saying “yes” to new opportunities. Saying “yes” to these opportunities, led me to meet some of my closest friends. One of the most valuable tips for incoming college freshmen is to live with the “send it” mindset. Embrace new experiences and step outside your comfort zone.

Building Community

College is more than just academics; it's about finding your community. Everyone in my hall knew how to play Euchre! Each person on the floor had different interests, tastes, and personalities, but as soon as we pulled out those 26 cards, we forgot about our differences and had a blast playing the game. Get involved in campus activities, join clubs, and connect with your peers.

For Parents

A Supportive Environment

Sending your student off to college is a big step, but you can rest assured your son or daughter will be in a safe and supportive environment. Grace is a place where peers, staff, and faculty - who are deeply rooted in and moved by their faith - will inspire your sons and daughters to discover the “more” they were created for. Grace College strives to create a mentally, emotionally, and physically safe space for your student to call home.

Staying Connected

While Grace will become your student’s home away from home, we want you to remain connected to your student’s college experience. The Parent Council is here to support you. These parents serve as an advisory board, supporting Student Affairs programming, promoting communication between parents and the college, and praying for our students. The college parent and grandparent e-newsletter, “Apparently,” allows Grace to effectively stay in touch with parents about what is happening on campus, important upcoming events, and opportunities for your students.

Affordability

Grace College scholarships and grants are offered to 100% of our full-time traditional undergraduate students. A high-quality Christian education from Grace College is affordable and it’s a solid investment.

Athletics and NIL Opportunities

Grace College is committed to providing Christ-centered educational opportunities and championship level athletic opportunities for all students participating in Christ centered intercollegiate athletics.

Understanding NIL

NIL stands for Name, Image and Likeness. The NAIA membership passed legislation in October 2022 which allows NAIA athletes to profit off their name, image and likeness without violating the amateurism rules of the NAIA. Athletes are permitted to use their NIL to earn income in ways that are permitted within the NAIA, state and institutional legislation.

Student-Athlete Responsibilities

Any student-athlete who is being compensated for the NIL, which also makes reference to their school or status as a student-athlete, has the responsibility to report that compensation to their institution in a timely manner (within 10 days, preferably before completing the NIL activity). The primary option is to submit details of the NIL agreement using the NAIA's NIL Disclosure Form. Failure to report an NIL agreement can have consequences on a student-athlete's eligibility.

Grace College's Stance

Grace College has the ability to enforce restrictions on agreements that are deemed to be a conflict of interest with the institution's own mission or current sponsorship agreements. Additionally, many states have, or are in the process of, passing laws that might dictate what is eligible for NIL activities.

Permissible Activities

Receiving reasonable compensation for officiating or coaching in amateur, recreational or interscholastic programs is already permitted by NAIA bylaws. A student-athlete may solicit and be paid reasonable compensation for lessons as well.

Facility Usage

Student-athletes may, subject to availability and subject to the terms of a facility use agreement, use Grace Athletics’ facilities to conduct camps, clinics, or lessons if the student-athlete pays the standard facility rental rate. Student-athletes may not use Grace facilities in such a manner that creates the impression - either express or implied - that Grace expressly or indirectly endorses a third party or product, unless prior written approval is obtained from Grace College.

Opendorse Partnership

In January 2022, the NAIA and Opendorse announced a first-of-its-kind partnership to prepare NAIA student-athletes for success in the NIL era of college sports. As the first-ever association-wide deal in college athletics, the three-year partnership will provide all NAIA athletes with free access to the market’s leading NIL solutions. Additionally, Opendorse will launch an NAIA-specific marketplace, empowering student-athletes to connect with supporters for compliant NIL deals.

Read also: The Life of Ashley Flowers

Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC)

Accreditation and Licensure

The Grace College Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree is CACREP accredited and leads to licensure in the State of Indiana. Accreditation certifies that the content and quality of the clinical mental health counseling education offered by Grace College has been evaluated extensively by the institution and accrediting council and meets the standards set by and for the profession. Students graduating from CACREP accredited programs have been found to have higher level counseling skills and knowledge. It may not meet the specific licensing requirements in other states, which, therefore, may mean additional action is needed to fulfill individual state’s licensing requirements. There may also be state restrictions related to fully online programs. Applicants and graduates should contact their state’s licensing board to determine the requirements needed in the state in which they are seeking licensure.

Program Structure

Practicum and Internship may be completed at a qualifying counseling site of the student’s choice.

Program Outcomes

Our M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) degree meets the licensure academic requirements for the state of Indiana.

School of Education and Licensure

The School of Education prepares graduates for professional licensure. In order to teach in an Indiana public school, a teacher must hold a valid teaching license. This document asserts that the holder has met certain legal minimum standards as specified by the state. Upon completion of all degree and program coursework, passing the Praxis ® Pedagogy and the Content Knowledge/Subject Assessment(s), as well as other *certification requirements, the Licensing Advisor approves licensure applications for graduates via the online LVIS platform.

Initial Practitioner License

The Initial Practitioner License issued to a beginning teacher is valid for two years. After receiving an Initial Practitioner License, the new teacher can then commence working toward the Practitioner License (a 5-yr.

Praxis Assessments

All applicants for initial instructional licenses must take and pass the Praxis® Principles of Learning and Teaching Pedagogy Assessment (PLT) for the developmental level of the license they are seeking. The purpose of the Praxis® PLT series (Early Childhood, Grades K-6, Grades PreK-12, Grades 7-12) is to assess a new teacher’s knowledge and understanding of educational practices foundational to beginning a career as a professional educator. The test is designed to reflect the Interstate Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium (InTASC) Model Core Teaching Standards. The test content assesses key indicators of the beginning educator’s knowledge of topics such as human development, learning processes, instructional processes, diverse learners, educational psychology, and professional issues. Examinees taking Praxis® PLT will typically have completed, or will have nearly completed, an undergraduate education program.

Early Literacy Endorsement

To support Indiana’s statewide goal of ensuring 95% of third grade students can read by 2027, House Enrolled Act (HEA) 1558-2023 required the Indiana State Board of Education (SBOE) to establish a required literacy endorsement for teacher candidates applying for an initial Professional Educator License covering the pre-K-5 grade span or special education licensure after June 30, 2025.

Required Training

Educators are required to complete training in identification and reporting of human trafficking prior to initial licensure. Per IC 20-28-5-12.3, educators seeking an initial DOE-issued license or permit are required to complete training in identification and reporting of human trafficking prior to initial licensure. This training will be required for any initial educator license or permit first issued to an applicant, regardless of content area or setting.

Additionally, training is required for school employees who do not hold a DOE-issued license/permit, but who are likely to have direct, ongoing contact with children within the scope of the employee’s role.

Reciprocity

Indiana is a participant in the NASCTEC (National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification) licensure reciprocity/interstate agreement, along with most states, though not all. Teaching certification reciprocity can be complex, and many states may have additional requirements. Prospective teachers are encouraged to consult the licensing board or agency of their state of interest for the licensing requirements of that state.

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