Mel Finkenberg, Ed.D.

Adjunct Faculty,
Department of Healthcare

Dr. Mel Finkenberg taught in public schools in West Haven, Connecticut, and Clear Creek ISD, Texas, for three years before beginning a career in higher education at California State University, Los Angeles, where he assumed a department chair position after his fourth year. He then served as department chair at Stephen F. Austin State University in Texas, where he was named a Distinguished Professor and recipient of a Regents Professorship, the highest honor given. He served as dean of the College of Education during his time at SFASU as well. Before entering teaching, he served as an exercise physiologist with the NASA Astronaut Program.

Dr. Finkenberg has served numerous professional associations in leadership positions. He has served as president of the National Association of Kinesiology in Higher Education where he was awarded its national leadership award, as well as its service award, and was selected the Dudley Sargent Lecturer. Additionally, he served as vice president at The Southern District Association for Health, Physical Recreation, and Dance where he was awarded its Honor Award and Presidential Citation.As President of the Texas Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance, he was awarded the David K. Brace Award, The Honor Award, and several other awards. He was the first recipient of the Texas Administrator Award and was also named the association’s Scholar.

With an extensive publication record, Dr. Finkenberg has published approximately 90 journal articles and presented more than 50 papers at professional conferences. However, his greatest joy is teaching, particularly nontraditional learners. He believes that every student can succeed, with proper guidance and support.

Education

  • Bachelor's in Health and Physical Education
    Southern Connecticut State University
  • Doctorate in Health and Physical Education
    University of Houston
  • Master's in Health and Physical Education
    Stephen F. Austin State University

Research Interests

  • Kinesiology
  • Health and physical education

Program Affiliations

Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction Doctor of Education

This customizable degree is designed to help you advance your understanding of a wide range of curriculum development and instructional methods that can improve teaching and learning in diverse educational settings.

64

Semester Credits

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Ed.D. in Instructional Technology Doctor of Education

This customizable degree is designed to help you advance your understanding of methods of instructional technology for a wide range of educational settings. Through a tailored approach to the dissertation process, you can complete the program in as little as three years.

64

Semester Credits

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Ed.D. in Leadership Doctor of Education

The Doctor of Education in Leadership program is designed to help you advance your leadership and research skills within your chosen discipline, whatever that may be. Through a tailored approach to the dissertation process, you can complete the program in as little as three years.

64

Semester Credits

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Ed.D. in Nursing Education Doctor of Education

The Doctorate in Nursing Education is for master’s degree nurses who want to help address the growing need for more RNs in today’s ever-expanding healthcare system. The American College of Education Ed.D in Nursing Education program is a fully online curriculum to prepare nurses as educators in either an academic or professional development setting. The program uses a unique interdisciplinary approach to focus on the science of teaching and learning. Students will engage in scholarly research to support their dissertation while developing the competencies to create and evaluate curriculum, develop effective teaching strategies, use innovative technology to promote learning and much more as they prepare to educate the next generation of nurses.

64

Semester Credits

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Ed.D. in Public Health Education Doctor of Education

The customizable Doctorate in Public Health Education is designed for healthcare educators and professionals who wish to address public health issues through education in local, national and international communities at the post-master’s level.

64

Semester Credits

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Ed.D. in Second Language Instruction Doctor of Education

The Doctorate of Education in Second Language Instruction is designed for professionals with a master’s degree who wish to advance their second language instruction skills and knowledge at the post-master’s level. Through a tailored approach to the dissertation process, you can complete the program in as little as three years.

64

Semester Credits

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Ed.S. in Curriculum and Instruction Educational Specialist

The Educational Specialist in Curriculum and Instruction degree is for leaders who wish to advance their skills in curriculum development and instructional methods at the post-master’s level without having to complete a dissertation.

34

Semester Credits

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Ed.S. in Instructional Technology Educational Specialist

The Educational Specialist in Instructional Technology degree for leaders who want to advance their knowledge in instructional technology at the post-master’s level without needing to complete a dissertation. You will use theoretical foundations and current real-world practices to support the development of relevant technology that meet the needs of diverse learners.

34

Semester Credits

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Ed.S. in Leadership Educational Specialist

The Educational Specialist in Leadership degree is designed for leaders who wish to pursue advanced training at the post-master’s level without having to complete a dissertation. You will learn advanced leadership skills and competencies that will make you a more effective leader.

34

Semester Credits

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Ed.S. in Nursing Education Educational Specialist

This program is perfect for nurses who want to advance their knowledge in nursing education beyond a master’s degree without completing a dissertation. It’s also stackable, if you decide after completing the Ed.S. program that you would like to continue and complete an Ed.D. program with a dissertation. This means that you can apply your Ed.S. credits to the Ed.D. in Nursing Education and complete that program in just 37 credits.

34

Semester Credits

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Ed.S. in Public Health Education Educational Specialist

The Education Specialist in Public Health Education degree is designed for educators and healthcare professionals who wish to address public health issues through education in local, national and international communities at the post-master’s level without having to complete a dissertation.

34

Semester Credits

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Ed.S. in Second Language Instruction Educational Specialist

The Educational Specialist in Second Language Instruction is for professionals with a master’s degree who wish to advance their second language instruction skills and knowledge at the post-master’s level without having to complete a dissertation. Students will become more effective leaders in the field of Second Language Instruction through in-depth knowledge of research-based theories of language acquisition, assessment and instructional methods, strategies that promote cultural understanding, and current best practices to meet the needs of second language learners across diverse educational settings.

34

Semester Credits

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M.Ed. in Advanced Studies Master of Education

This program is designed to help those wanting to teach at the secondary or college level meet education requirements. With more than 10 majors and more than five Focus of Study areas, it allows you to obtain 18-credit hours in the area of your choosing.

34

Semester Credits

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M.Ed. in Health and Wellness Education Master of Education

The Master of Education in Health and Wellness degree will help you teach others about healthy life choices. You will learn about a wide range of health topics, and how to assess a community or an organization to determine health education priorities. Once you graduate, you will be prepared to take the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) exam.

31

Semester Credits

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M.Ed. in Higher Education Master of Education

Designed for individuals who wish to advance their skills or career in higher education, this program focuses on the ever-changing global, economic, and technological environments that impact the field of higher education.

34

Semester Credits

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M.Ed. in STEM Education Master of Education

This program will help you empower students to think like scientists. It was designed in conjunction with The National Institute for STEM Education (NISE) and Accelerate Learning and offers a holistic overview of historical and current issues impacting integrated science education while cultivating research-based strategies to improve student learning.

25

Semester Credits

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M.Ed. in STEM Education for graduates of the M.Ed. in Integrated Curriculum Master of Education

22

Semester Credits

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Master of Healthcare Administration Master of Science

The Master of Healthcare Administration prepares students for advanced leadership roles in the healthcare field, providing real world experience in management and strategy development. It also includes coursework that results in eligibility to take the Lean Healthcare exam.

36

Semester Credits

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B.S. in Healthcare Administration Bachelor of Science

Designed for individuals with an associate's degree or some college credit, this bachelor’s degree completion program gives you a direct pathway toward earning a bachelor’s degree.* You will learn the skills necessary to work in growing field of healthcare administration.

36

Semester Credits

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Certificate in Leadership Certificate

This program is for graduate students who wish to develop their personal and professional leadership skills. This certificate provides leadership skill development that spans all disciplines, including education, nursing and other healthcare roles, administration and business.

18

Semester Credits

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Micro-Credential in Leadership Micro-Credential

Leadership is more than managing tasks; it involves investing in individuals, pursuing effective policies and procedures to ensure an organization is successful. Enhancing personal and professional abilities and traits, this micro-credential identifies practices of exemplary leadership, asking students to engage in actions leading to change through shared vision, analyzing processes, and enabling others to reach their potential through shared modeling and advocacy. Leaders make a difference as they bring change.

9

Semester Credits

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