Greetings Alumni!!
Welcome to our inaugural edition of
The Benchmark, your alma maters' publication specifically designed to provide up-to-date information related to NGS Alumni. We are experiencing rapid growth and undergoing numerous changes that will help our school become an even more vital institution of higher learning in the future. This publication will keep you informed of the latest innovations during editions that will be distributed each month.
I am delighted to report that several new degrees have been added to the NGS curriculum. One that has already received widespread praise from you Alumni and others across the nation is the addition of our
Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) degree program. We now offer a 24-month, low residency doctoral degree in Quality Systems Management. Beginning April 2009, cohorts will begin at four strategically located sites: Farmington, CT; Washington, DC; St. Louis, MO; and Los Angeles, CA. Students will attend one weekend session every six weeks during the first semester (approximately six months) and return to their respective communities to independently complete assignments, conduct research, and accomplish tasks related to their doctoral projects.
At the Master's level, we have now added the MS in Homeland Security and Defense and proposed addition of the MS in Environmental Policy and Quality Management. Although representative of two distinct disciplines, the new degrees will prepare students to apply the principles of Quality Systems Management to each.
Two Bachelor of Science degrees have also been added to our curriculum. BS degrees in Quality Systems Management and in Homeland Security & Defense are now offered to individuals who possess either an associate degree or 60 college credits that include the undergraduate core courses required of freshmen and sophomores. Officially entitled Bachelor of Science Degree Completion Programs, both are provide the upper-level courses required to earn the degree in just 18 months. For more information on any of the degrees mentioned above, please check our website.
Another enhancement is the establishment of our Center for Organizational Transformation (COT). A combination research center and Quality Systems think tank, it serves as the ultimate repository of case studies and learning that results from all student projects. The COT monitors the overall progress of every project, validates the return on invested capital, and formally reports results to sponsor organizations and Senior Champions.
As you see, NGS is continually growing and I want to thank each of you for the support you have provided throughout the years. The Benchmark will be published on a regular schedule to provide you with the latest happenings at our School. Future editions will include themes related to relevant topics as well as "spotlights" that highlight the accomplishments of NGS alumni around the world.
Farewell and Happy New Year!
Robert Gee, Ph.D.
President and Founder
The National Graduate School
of Quality Management
