Joins Rowan Education Partners

Fielding has engaged in conversations with several educational institutions to identify opportunities for alliances that would enable Fielding to thrive while remaining aligned with our essential mission to offer quality graduate education to adult learners. A preliminary proposal developed by Rowan University—a public, nonprofit, research university with a global network —was so compelling that the Fielding Board of Trustees authorized the President to begin formal negotiations. 

Since its founding in 1923, Rowan University has evolved from a teacher preparation college to a bustling regional university that is ranked among the best public universities in North America by U.S. News and World Report. Today, Rowan’s more than 18,000 students choose from more than 74 bachelor’s degrees and 51 master’s degree programs, four doctoral programs and two professional programs. The university is one of just 56 institutions in the country with accredited programs in business, education, engineering and medicine.  The main campus is located in Glassboro, New Jersey.

No. Fielding is not being acquired by or merging with Rowan University.  By joining Rowan Education Partners as an affiliate, we remain independent in our management and operations.  Our academic autonomy remains intact.

Yes.

Fielding Graduate University has been offered a remarkable opportunity to be the first institution to join Rowan Education Partners, a new network of independent institutions. This partnership will provide Fielding with several important benefits and opportunities that will enhance the student learning experience, faculty development, and the growth of our university.

Through this partnership, Fielding will be able to join forces with other like-minded institutions and create a powerful network of academic programming. This will allow us to invest in our current academic programs, build new specializations within programs, and create new programs for our future growth. By doing so, we will raise visibility for our experience and knowledge about programs specifically designed for adult learners and mid-career professionals, thus strengthening Fielding.

Additionally, this partnership will enable us to access additional courses and program offerings at the graduate level. We will also share administrative support to create savings that are reinvested in academic programming to achieve greater global impact. Furthermore, we will expand the use of technology, enabling us to increase and diversify our means of reaching and better-serving students. This will enhance the work environment for faculty to facilitate their continued development as educators and scholars, making Fielding more competitive in hiring new faculty and retaining existing faculty.

Joining Rowan Education Partners is not only a great opportunity for Fielding but a strategic move that will help us achieve our mission of providing transformative graduate education through scholarship and practice. Therefore, we strongly believe that this partnership will enhance the student learning experience, faculty development, and the growth of our university.

There are no changes to our assets.  All assets remain within Fielding Graduate University, which will continue to be governed by the Fielding board of trustees.

While there will be no changes in Fielding students’ programs, Fielding will use the affiliation to improve student support services, such as wellness programs, academic technology, and writing support services.  We will also be better positioned to create new specializations and programs to serve the changing needs of our graduate students.

Fielding faculty will not experience any changes in their programs, their employee status, or their responsibilities for shared governance. Faculty also retain their responsibility for the academic quality and integrity of their programs. Under the affiliation, we intend to offer more faculty development resources and support for academic technology.

We will remain accredited by the Western Senior Colleges and Universities Commission (WSCUC) and the American Psychological Association (APA).

There will be no changes.  All of our current funds and any future donations are legally required to be used for the specific purpose for which they were given and are not subject to change.

We have no immediate plans for staffing changes in the process of joining Rowan Education Partners, and we will continue recruiting for the many open positions posted on the Fielding website. Over time, and as our staffing needs evolve, we will work closely with Rowan Education Partners and Fielding’s Office of Human Resources to meet future staffing needs and offer opportunities for career development and support.

The alumni community remains the same.  The alumni association will remain housed within Fielding.

Rowan University has a demonstrable track record in DEI with their diversity by design philosophy and a wide range of student support services.  As an affiliate in the RG network, we are joining a group of institutions committed to DEI. Fielding Graduate University is moving forward on its promise to center Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion throughout the fabric of the institution as part of our overall historical and institutional commitment to social justice.