OAS – Walden University Scholarship Opportunities

under the

OAS Emergency Scholarship Program for Haiti

The General Secretariat of the Organization of American States (GS/OAS) and Walden University are offering professional development scholarships opportunities to qualified candidates that are citizens of Haiti to further their professional education through the following program:

About the OAS and Walden University

The General Secretariat of the Organization of American States

GS/OAS is the central and permanent organ of the Organization of American States (OAS). Through its Department of Human Development, Education and Culture (DHDEC), GS/OAS supports OAS member states in creating policies and executing programs that promote human capacity development at all educational levels. By enabling formative opportunities to citizens, DHDEC strengthens democratic values and security under the framework of regional integration. DHDEC does this: (i) by supporting the efforts of OAS member states to improve the quality of and equity in education while enhancing and highlighting the contribution of their diverse cultures to economic, social, and human development; and (ii) by assisting the citizens of the Americas in realizing their full potential by giving them access to knowledge and skills through training that improves the standard of living for individuals, families and communities in the region.

Walden University

Walden University was founded in 1970 by two teachers (Bernie and Rita Turner), and a faculty member at the University of California, Berkeley (Harold “Bud” Hodgkinson), who sought a way for adults in the workforce to pursue their doctoral degrees. Brought together by a shared vision of a new kind of institution for higher education—one that focused on positive social change and allowed professionals to continue working while earning a degree—the educators named their institution “Walden University.” More than 42,500 students from all 50 states and more than 100 countries are pursuing their online education at Walden. The majority of them, more than 91 percent, work full or part-time or are self-employed. Walden’s diverse community of learners has earned the university a top ranking from Diverse: Issues in Higher Education as a top producer of minority master’s and doctoral graduates in a number of disciplines. Walden University is also the flagship online university in the Laureate International Universities network—a global network of more than 55 accredited online and campus-based universities that spans 27 countries with more than 600,000 students worldwide.

I. ABOUT THE PROGRAM

For detailed information about the courses, please review each description:

1. Criminal Justice: Students will focus their understanding of key issues confronting the American criminal justice system, as well as policy analysis and the contemporary decision-making models. This certificate is designed for criminal justice professionals in policing, the courts, corrections, security, and associated support agencies.

2. Strategic Planning and Public Policy: This program will help students understand how public policy is created and implemented. Designed for emerging leaders in law enforcement, corrections, and probation and parole, students will study how to develop effective strategic plans that can further its organization’s mission and vision and adhere to federal, state, and local policies.

3. Public Management and Leadership: With this certificate, students will improve the effectiveness and efficiency of their organization. They will explore how transformative change occurs in complex public systems and study how to use the language of leadership to shape policy as they motivate, inspire, and lead their organization.

1. APPLICANTS’ PROFESSIONAL PROFILE:

These certificate programs are designed for professionals and leaders at all levels of public and private sector organizations who want to create and sustain change in their organizations. All students should be able to understand, read and write English.

2. STUDY VENUE/ MODALITY:

The courses will be delivered entirely online (Internet) through Walden University’s online classroom and related websites.

3. LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION:

English.

4. APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION DEADLINE AND PROGRAM ADMISSION PROCESS:

The scholarship application deadline for admission to this program is April 2, 2012.

II. ABOUT THE SCHOLARSHIP

1. BENEFITS:

Walden University will cover 100% of the tuition fees and the OAS will provide computer and internet access through the OAS Computer Room at Ecole Supérieure d’ Informatique d’ Haiti (ESIH).

The scholarship recipient will be responsible for the cost of the English Exam delivered at the Haitian American Institute in Port au Prince.

2. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

All Applicants must:

· Be a Haitian national residing in Haiti;

· Have experience or knowledge in related fields;

· Already possess the equivalent to a US bachelors degree

· Provide official transcript(s) of highest degree or coursework completed to date IN ENGLISH

· Submit a current résumé or CV IN ENGLISH.

· Provide a formal letter of professional recommendation that addresses the suitability of the candidate for the scholarship, nature of the relationship with the candidate, and length of time of the relationship.

· Write a goal statement describing the reason for which the candidate is interested in the selected certificate program and how he/she intends to apply the acquired knowledge in his/her field of work.

· Have good command of English, with documentary evidence. Applicants for whom English is not the first or native language or who have not completed at least a 2 year degree program at an educational institution where the language of instruction is English should submit one of the following to verify English proficiency

o An official transcript verifying completion of secondary education in which English is the primary language of communication.

o Satisfactory English language proficiency test scores, which can be any of the following:

1. ListenTOEFL: 550 (paper-based), 213 (computer-based), or 79-80 (Internet-based), or

2. IELTS of 6.5 overall band score; or

3. MELAB with a score of 82; or

4. Pearson Test of English with a score of 53; or

5. An English Evaluation Certificate delivered by an accredited institution in Haiti, such as the English Exam administered by the Haitian American Institute in Port au Prince, Haiti.

· Possess basic computer and internet skills

· Please note: All documents should be in English. Official documents (i.e. transcripts/diplomas) should be translated and notarized along with the original copies.

3. SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION RESTRICTIONS

Please note that you are not eligible to apply for this scholarship if:

· you were awarded an OAS Professional Development Scholarship in the past twelve (12) months or if you currently hold an OAS Scholarship for Academic Studies;

· you are not a Haitian citizen living in Haiti;

· you are already enrolled in a Walden University program;

Also, Staff members of the General Secretariat, persons under performance contracts with the General Secretariat, staff members of the permanent missions to the OAS, and their relatives are not eligible for OAS academic scholarships.

4. SUBMISSION OF SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS:

Required documents:

· Completed OAS Scholarship Application

· Official transcript of the latest degree obtained

· Updated resume

· One professional letter of recommendation

· Document showing proof of language proficiency

· Goal statement

Applicants should complete the OAS Scholarship Application Form, print the completed application form and submit it with all the abovementioned required documents in PDF format to the Bureau National de Liaison in Haiti (ONE) located at the Ministère de la Planification et de la Cooperation Externe via e-mail to [email protected] with the subject matter: “OAS-Walden Scholarships for Haiti”, and by regular mail to the Bureau. The application deadline is April 2, 2012.

For additional information about the OAS Emergency Scholarship Program for Haiti, please contact [email protected] with subject: “Haiti Scholarship Program”.

5. SCHOLARSHIP SELECTION CRITERIA:

Scholarships shall be granted based on the following criteria:

• The merits and overall credentials of the candidate, including his/her academic and professional background;
• Proof that the candidate is living in Haiti at the moment the application is submitted and commitment to stay in Haiti while performing the online studies.

6. RESPONSIBILITIES OF SCHOLARSHIPS RECIPIENTS:

All Scholarship Recipients must:

· Fulfill all requirements of the program for which the OAS scholarship is awarded;

· Have unrestricted Internet access and a computer with the minimum technical specifications as required by the program or have the means to reach Ecole Supérieure d’ Informatique d’ Haiti (ESIH) located at 2e Ruelle Nazon #29, where OAS scholarship recipients will have free access to the OAS Computer Center, including internet access.

· Confirm their acceptance of the scholarship award by signing and returning to DHDEC their completed form: “Acceptance of the Scholarship Award”.

· Inform the OAS Department of Human Development, Education and Culture in the event he/she is unable to begin the program of study so that the scholarship may be offered to the next ranked candidate.

· Reimburse GS/OAS the total amount of the scholarship costs if he/she declines the scholarship after the start of the program without compelling proof/reason.

ALL SCHOLARSHIPS ARE AWARDED CONDITIONALLY BASED ON THE CONTINUED AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS FOR THE OAS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM. Students are advised that in the event of loss of funding for the Scholarship program, the GS/OAS will be forced to end payment of money to scholarship recipients and/or educational institutions. The GS/OAS does not guarantee the continued availability of funding, and all recipients must be aware that scholarship funding may be end at any time regardless of the projected amount or duration of the award.