Bridgepoint Education's University of the Rockies to Offer Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Arts in Organizational Development and Leadership

SAN DIEGO, Jan. 28, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- University of the Rockies, a Bridgepoint Education (NYSE: BPI) academic institution, has just introduced a Doctorate degree and a Master of Arts degree in Organizational Development and Leadership. Both degrees serve as ideal foundations for aspiring educators, institutional professionals and careers in human resources.

Organizational Development and Leadership degrees are designed to be a growth device for future managers and corporate workers. Advanced degrees in this field, however, are rare. According to the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology (siop.org), a division of the American Psychological Association, fewer than 80 schools offer these degrees, and fewer than 10 offer these degrees online. University of the Rockies will offer both Organizational Development and Leadership degrees online and at the school's Colorado Springs campus.

"With the new Ph.D. and M.A. programs in Organizational Development and Leadership, University of the Rockies joins the handful of institutions that offer this academic opportunity," stated Dr. Stephen Kirkpatrick, dean of University of the Rockies' School of Organizational Leadership and vice president for Publishing. "With a combination of academic rigor and practical application, our Ph.D. and M.A. programs will be an opportunity to prepare for career opportunities with tremendous potential."

University of the Rockies' Organizational Development and Leadership Ph.D. and M.A. provide critical foundational understanding for students seeking careers in advanced instruction and human resources management. Graduates who have earned their doctorate in this program have gone on to work as college professors, human resources executives, consultants and government directors. University of the Rockies will support both the Ph.D. and M.A. with dedicated research, writing and professional resources.

"These Ph.D. and M.A. programs position University of the Rockies among the leading universities in the U.S. offering a range of programs in the social and behavioral sciences," added Dr. Charlita Shelton, president of University of the Rockies.

University of the Rockies' Ph.D. and M.A. degrees in Organizational Development and Leadership do not lead to licensure or certification of any kind.

About Bridgepoint Education

Bridgepoint Education's postsecondary education services focus on offering associate's, bachelor's, master's and doctoral programs in such disciplines as business, education, psychology, social sciences and health sciences. Bridgepoint Education's regionally accredited academic institutions – Ashford University and University of the Rockies – deliver their programs online as well as at traditional campuses located in Clinton, Iowa, and Colorado Springs, Colorado. For more information about Bridgepoint Education, visit www.bridgepointeducation.com or call Shari Rodriguez, associate vice president of Public Relations, at 858.668.2580.

About University of the Rockies

University of the Rockies is a graduate school specializing in master's and doctorate degree programs in the social and behavioral sciences. Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (www.ncahlc.org), classes are offered online and at the University's Colorado Springs, Colorado, campus. For more information, please visit www.rockies.edu or call Shari Rodriguez, associate vice president of Public Relations, at 866.621.0124 x2513.

Contact: Shari Rodriguez, Associate Vice President of Public Relations

858.668.2580 * [email protected]

SOURCE Bridgepoint Education Inc.