Programs included in this collection and when they started submitting digitally is listed below. (See years of coverage in parentheses):
- Doctor of Ministry (2015 - present)
- Education Dissertations (2015 - present)
- Education K-12 Theses (2017 - present)
- Nurse-Midwifery Theses (2016 - present)
- Nurse Educator Theses (2016 - 2020)
- Physician Assistant Theses (2015 - present)
- Seminary Masters Theses
- Special Education Theses (2017 - present)
- Teaching Theses (2017 - present)
- Athletic Training (2020)
- Athletic Training Leadership (2020)
Theses/Dissertations from 2026
Navigating Faith and Duty: A Phenomenological Study of Christian Leadership in Public Schools, Rett Asbury
This phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of Christian K–12 principals in public schools who encounter expectations and practices incongruent with their beliefs. The problem addressed was the limited empirical understanding...
A Quantitative Analysis of the Relationship Between Mentoring and Professional Development Outcomes of Public Senior High School Teachers in Ghana’s Central Region, Frank Ayim
This quantitative study examined the relationship between mentoring and teacher professional development among public senior high school teachers in Ghana’s Central Region. Although mentoring is widely promoted as a strategy for strengtheni...
Paper or Screen: How Do Digital and Traditional Methods Shape Motivation and Reading Outcomes?, Rachel E. H. Bentley
Technological advancements occur with such a high frequency that educators and administrators endeavor to offer as many knowledgeable tools as they can deliver. This sentiment, however, leaves teachers and their pupils asking if this is the...
Collegial Support as a Key Component of Beginning Special Education Teacher Retention, Olivia A. Brammer
This thesis reviews current studies to examine how collegial support is a key component of beginning special education teacher retention through classroom and instructional support, observations and coaching, and emotional and mental health...
Music-Based Interventions and Social Communication Outcomes for Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Tom M. Coughlin
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is characterized by persistent differences in social communication, social interaction, and ritualistic and repetitive behaviors. This thesis examined participation in music-based instruction and intervention ...
The Impact of Somali Parental Involvement on Elementary Education in Minnesota: Opportunities and Challenges, Abdiqani Abdullahi Elmi
Abstract This qualitative study examines the challenges faced by Somali-American parents in Minnesota regarding involvement in their children's education, particularly during elementary school. The elementary level is a critical stage for s...
Examining Leadership Accountability Standards and Protocols in the U.S. Church, Grace E. Emmert
This research project addresses the current condition of accountability standards and protocols in the U.S. church. This research focused on U.S. Protestant denominational and nondenominational churches. First, a review of the Scriptural ma...
The Role of Mentorship in Women’s Pathways to Senior Superintendency Positions in K–12 Public Education, Tara Falasco
Although women comprise the majority of the K–12 workforce, they remain underrepresented in senior superintendency leadership positions, a disparity attributed to systemic and social factors such as implicit bias, gender stereotypes, limite...
Dosage Considerations for Aspirin Therapy to Prevent Preeclampsia in Pregnancy, Melissa S. Haraway
Introduction: Preeclampsia remains the leading cause of maternal and neonatal mortality worldwide despite extensive and ongoing research on the subject. The use of aspirin therapy to reduce preeclampsia in pregnancy is widely researched and...
A Case Study Examining The Strengths And Gaps Of Servant Leadership Within Pentecostal Churches Of Ohio, Octavia Denise Hardaway
This study examined the gaps in servant leadership within Pentecostal churches in Ohio that could contribute to the departure of members from Pentecostal churches. This qualitative study examined the biblical servant leaders Nehemiah and Pa...
The Role of Academic Vocabulary Instruction in Supporting Secondary English Learners' Science Proficiency, Chue Seng Her
This literature review examines the extent to which academic vocabulary instruction influences secondary English learners’ (ELs’) science proficiency. Science learning requires students to interpret complex texts, engage in academic discour...
The Impact of Home Birth Integration on Maternal-Neonatal Outcomes and Patient Satisfaction: An Integrative Review, Mary E. Hillaker and Jennifer K. Jacobitz
Introduction: Home birth is a safe option for low-risk populations. As awareness of home birth increases, so do the families choosing home birth. Governing bodies recommend well integrated maternal health systems, yet the impact of level of...
Pastors in Crisis: A Proactive Prayer Life as a Measure Against Pastoral Burnout, Seth W. Hinrichs
This Doctor of Ministry project examines the relationship between a proactive prayer life and pastoral burnout among senior pastors in Converge North Central churches. Addressing the increasing prevalence of burnout in vocational ministry, ...
The Role of Leaderhip in the Diocese of San Diego California: Servant Leadership Theory, Clarissa Jayne Hutcheson
This study examines the impact of the absence of a comprehensive leadership formation process for individuals serving in pastoral leadership roles within the Diocese of San Diego, California. To ground the study theologically, the research ...
Lived Experiences of Special Education Teachers of Color in Minnesota Charter Schools: A Phenomenological Study of Factors Influencing Retention, GiGi Krause
Special education faces a critical shortage of licensed educators, a crisis intensified for teachers of color, who remain underrepresented and experience disproportionately high attrition rates. Although Minnesota has implemented initiative...
Transgender and Gender Diverse Alumni Sense of Belonging in Christian Higher Education: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, Kara Elizabeth Martin
This interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) study explored how nine transgender and gender diverse (TGD) alumni from member institutions of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU) interpreted their undergraduate e...
Fear of Childbirth as a Perinatal Comorbidity: An Integrative Review, Michelle T. McManus and Ashely N. Payne
Fear of childbirth (FOC) and tokophobia have a significant impact on one in every five pregnant women and is associated with enhanced levels of anxiety, depression, pre-traumatic stress, and has led to increased requests for elective cesare...
Integrating Discipline-Specific Literacy in Business Education: Implications for Skill Development, Katherine M. Mitzner and Quinn J. Longueville
Literacy is a vital part of a students’ education. Not only is it important to know how to read, but it is also important for students to comprehend what is read. There are many aspects of literacy, including content area literacy and disci...
Finding Meaning and Value in Old Age, Jane Nell Morgan
This project addressed finding meaning and value in old age. The research conducted explored barriers to achieving meaning and value and how to overcome those obstacles. The research specifically focused on senior adults who reside in a Chr...
Toward a Transformative Church: The Role of Elders in Church Growth in the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Brian Kwalela Mungandi
This study addressed the need for a transformational leadership strategy that engages elders in membership retention and church growth for a Seventh-day Adventist Church. This mixed-method study aimed to identify factors contributing to dec...
Authentic Transformational Leadership: A Model for Empowerment and Organizational Effectiveness for Training and Coaching Modern Ministry Leaders, David Macharia Njau
This thesis examined the influence of authentic transformational leadership on the integration of empowerment and organizational effectiveness among leaders and followers, as a holistic engagement process, to foster ethical leadership and f...
Leading Schools Effectively During a Crisis: Lessons Learned from the COVID-19 Pandemic, La Tonya Elizabeth Overton
Abstract This qualitative study explored the successes, challenges, and lessons learned by elementary principals serving systemically marginalized communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Through in-depth interviews with nine principals ac...
The Relationship between School Climate and Academics, Discipline, and Attendance at Rural Midwest Middle Schools, Hannah Pagel
School climate is a necessary aspect of school improvement. There are many different areas of school climate, making it challenging for schools to focus improvement efforts. Previous research identifies safety and relationships as being two...
Vocational Education and Employment Outcomes for Individuals With Disabilities: Trends, Barriers, and Supported Employment Practices, Taylor John Peterson
This thesis examines literature that focuses on vocational education and employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities. This paper includes current vocational practices, barriers to employment, and the effectiveness of supported emp...
Social Perspective Taking, the Search for Meaning, and a Sense of Belonging in Emerging Adults, Miranda Joy Powers
This quantitative study examined relationships among social perspective-taking, the search for meaning, and a sense of belonging among college students. Drawing on data from the 2021 Multi-Institutional Study of Leadership, this research te...
The Relationship Between Culturally Responsive Teaching (CRT) Training, Teachers’ Children’s Book Choices, and Perceptions of Censorship in Kuwait, Norma Gina Lombardi Sciarra
Teachers who are culturally responsive use classroom materials that reflect their students' ethnicities, traditions, and values. Western teachers have access to diverse books and classroom tools. They have the agency to choose materials tha...
Non-Pharmacological Interventions for the Management and Prevention of Hypertensive Disorders in Pregnancy: A Review of the Literature, Shenelle K. Smith and Laurena E. Lepp
Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP), including preeclampsia (PE), are a leading cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality worldwide. In the United States, rates of HDP continue to rise and are associated with preterm bir...
Virtual High School Classes and the Impact on Rural Students and Teachers, Ashley M. Storck
This literature review examines the impacts, advantages, and disadvantages of virtual high school classes on rural teachers and students. The review examines research on academic outcomes, instructional models, funding structures, stakehold...
Teacher Burnout in 2026 - Context, Student Effects, and Interventions, Colin David Thies
In order to aid teachers in 2026, this paper aims to identify what teachers and administrators can do to protect against and treat teacher burnout in K-12 schools. To achieve this, research was conducted on the post-pandemic context of teac...
The Relationship Between Principals' Servant Leadership and the Retention of Mid-to-Late-Career Elementary Teachers in Minnesota Public Schools, Teresa Widen
Teacher attrition, particularly among experienced educators, significantly impacts school stability and student outcomes. This quantitative study examined the relationship between mid-to-late-career elementary teachers’ perceptions of their...
Antecedents of Trust: Emotional Intelligence and Organizational Justice as Predictors of Faculty Trust in Principals, Brandon Wolf
Trust between school principals and faculty is critical to school effectiveness, influencing teacher job satisfaction, engagement, and ultimately, student achievement. While the importance of trust in educational leadership is well-document...
Theses/Dissertations from 2025
Equitable Educational Outcomes for New-to-Country SLIFE Students in Minnesota: The Student Perspective, Krista Lynn Aadland
Students who are new-to-country and arrive with limited or interrupted formal education (SLIFE) are increasing in number in Minnesota schools, which is forecasted to continue to grow. Many of these students arrive with trauma, and this ulti...
Facilitators and Barriers to Reducing Maternal Mortality Rates in Non-Hispanic Black Women: An Integrative Review, Melissa Marie Andersson and Elizabeth L. Goes
Introduction - Black maternal mortality remains a crucial public health crisis in the United States despite a plethora of research on the incidence. This presents in the persistent disparities in health outcomes between Black and White moth...
The Effect of Covid-19 Lockdowns and Social Isolation on Adolescence, Madeleine J. Bakken
Adolescents around the world were impacted by social isolation resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Students experienced sudden school closures and isolation from classmates resulting in increased screen time, the erosion of social skills,...
Decreasing Disruptive Behaviors in Elementary Students With Emotional and Behavioral Disorders to Promote Academic and Social Success, Parker K. Bakke
This thesis investigated how elementary special education teachers can support students with EBD to promote social and academic success. Students with EBD struggle with behaviors that can negatively affect the classroom environment such as ...
A Phenomenological Study of the Lived Experiences of Online Business Faculty During the Transition to Offering Online Programs, Joseph Andrew Bakker
The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand the experiences of online business faculty at private nonprofit postsecondary institutions as their online programs were launched. The experiences of how business faculty encounte...
Overidentification of Learning Disabilities Among African Immigrants English Language Learners, Ololade Khafayat Banire
This thesis explores the over-identification of learning disabilities among African immigrant English Language Learners (ELLs) in U.S. schools, examining both the individual and systemic factors contributing to disproportionality. By review...
Neurocognitive Teaching Strategies in the English Language Learner Classroom, Susan Annette Biasco
The emergence of advanced medical technology in the past 30 years has allowed doctors and researchers to look inside the brain to more accurately model cognition and memory. The concept of neuroplasticity has replaced the outdated idea that...
How Assistance Dogs Impact the Academic and Social/Emotional Development of Students With Disabilities, Elizabeth A. Bloom
This literature review explores the impact of using assistance dogs in special education to address social-emotional development and academic success for students with various disabilities. The review evaluated dog-assisted interventions, a...
Increasing Academic Engagement in Underserved Elementary Students, Molly K. Boss
The issue of student disengagement has been troubling teachers and school systems for years. The COVID crisis brought the issue to the forefront and renewed attention to the critical effects of disengagement on students’ academic and life p...
Barriers to Spiritual Growth, Brian A. Brunke
This thesis examined the barriers to spiritual growth among believers, analyzing biblical and theological sources alongside perspectives from additional literature. The study identified significant obstacles to spiritual development, includ...
Reimagining the Canvas: Exploring Culturally Responsive Teaching in Art Education, Elice F. Brunnette
Considering the inequities faced by culturally diverse students inside and outside of art classes, it is crucial to build a greater understanding of the specific challenges they encounter and to creatively implement more effective pedagogic...
The Impact of an Effective Co-Teaching Model for Elementary Students With Disabilities, Emma Y. Carlson
Co-teaching has become a widely utilized practice between a general education and a special education teacher to make inclusive education possible for students with disabilities. This thesis examines the characteristics and impacts of an ef...
Special Education Student Success Factors for the Online K-12 Learning Setting, Cassie Castro
This study investigates the dynamics of teacher-student communication and its impact on the academic success of students receiving special education services in grades 6–12 within an online school setting. With the growing adoption of onlin...
Embodying Jesus' Mission: Trauma-Informed Pastoral Care, Melanie Cole
The goal of this dissertation was to ascertain the need for trauma-informed training in pastoral preparation programs. To achieve this goal, the researcher examined the main components of Jesus’ mission manifesto as detailed by Luke in his ...
The Role of Maternal Position During the Second Stage of Labor on Reducing Perineal Injury: An Integrative Review, Ericka L. Dalton and Tabatha Ruth Erlandson
Introduction: Perineal lacerations remain a common occurrence amongst vaginal deliveries. While there are some recommendations for supportive techniques throughout the literature, position is typically not included in these. Perineal trauma...
Emulating God’s Heart in Embracing and Regulating Our God-Given Emotions, Cyndie Claypool de Neve
Christians need a Bible-based tool to help them move from emotionally dysregulated to emotionally regulated. Instead of processing their emotions, some Christians have a tendency to ignore and suppress their emotions, which can lead to poor...
Exploring the Lived Experiences of People with Adverse Childhood Experiences who have Graduated from College and Broken the Cycle of Generational Poverty, Darlene Denmark-Brown
Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) as defined by Drs. Felitti and Anda are prevalent in the general population of the United States. These childhood traumas have a profound and lasting impact on emotional, psychological, and social develo...
Inspiring Success: Methods and Interventions for Empowering and Motivating At-Risk Students, Rebecca Diaz
This literature review focuses on proven techniques to motivate at-risk, reluctant learners to actively engage in their education. Specific interventions for motivating students are discussed, as well as the reasoning behind those intervent...
The Impact of a Label: The Relationship Between Perception of Care and Outlook of Future Aspirations as Influences of Identity for Students Who Receive Special Education Services, Tamara Dobbins
This study examines the relationship between students who receive special education services and students who do not, their perception of care from adults and peers, and their future outlook. Students want to feel care from adults and peers...
How Effective Structured Linguistic Phonics Instruction in K-2 Classrooms Support Early Literacy Development, Madison G. Dorn
This literature review explores what current research shows about how young children learn to read and what kinds of instruction best support students in kindergarten through second grade. The studies make it clear that early readers benefi...
Uncovering the Links: Drug Use, Mental Health, and Undergraduate Student Academic Success Using Data from the 2022–2023 Healthy Minds Study, Brooke Inez Ellingson Eischens
Substance use and mental health challenges are prevalent among college students, raising concerns about their impact on academic success. Using secondary data from the 2022–2023 Healthy Minds Study (N = 76,406), this study examined associat...
Reading Motivation and Achievement: Exploring Theories, Strategies, and School Climate Contexts, Andrea L. Esterly
This literature review examined the intersection of self-efficacy and motivation, and their impact on reading achievement. The analysis demonstrated how motivation and context support and shape students’ reading outcomes. This synthesis of ...
The Effects of Literature Groups on Social-Emotional Learning and Reading Motivation Among Adolescents, Jennifer Krista Geisinger
As students move into adolescence there is an increased need for social and emotional competencies to navigate academic expectations, personal identity, and social structures. Research has shown that social and emotional learning can increa...
Teacher Burnout and the Impact on Special Education Students and Strategies to Cope and Manage Burnout, John T. Gerding
The teaching profession requires educators to fulfill multiple roles—beyond instruction, they serve as counselors, mentors, behavior managers, and sources of emotional support, especially in underserved urban and rural communities. These ro...
Cognitive Behavioral Strategies and Academic Success Among Students Experiencing Trauma, Michael G. Gibbs
This study explores literature focused on the impact of implementing the Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for Trauma in Schools (CBITS) method to improve academic achievement among students who have experienced trauma. CBITS is a school-...
Student Behavior in the Special Education Setting, Ashley Ila Gilbertson
The implementation of positive reinforcement in special education settings plays a crucial role in shaping and modifying student behavior. This approach involves rewarding desired behaviors, thereby increasing the likelihood of their recurr...
Improving Academics Using Brain Breaks, Nicole Rose Graeve
This thesis investigates how brain breaks, also known as activity breaks, impact student learning and retention as well as student overall well-being. The compiled research in this review demonstrates how breaks taken throughout the day not...
Effective Reading Comprehension Strategies for Secondary Students With Disabilities in the General Education Setting, Karlie N. Groves
Concern regarding the quality of reading instruction continues to be a topic addressed by researchers, educators, administrators, and policymakers. Historically, there have been many avenues reported to teach reading comprehension skills. T...
Using Social Media to Enhance Student Engagement and Promote Academic Success, Jordan Gustafson
This thesis explores how social media can be effectively leveraged to enhance student learning rather than act as a distraction in the classroom. Drawing on a comprehensive review of current literature, the study examines the instructional ...
Genetic Insights Into Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase Polymorphisms and Inherited Thrombophilia: Advancing Precision Screening and Therapeutic Interventions to Optimize Perinatal Outcomes, Taylar Hash
Introduction: Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene polymorphisms and inherited thrombophilia, such as Factor V Leiden and Prothrombin G20210A, have been implicated in adverse pregnancy outcomes, including recurrent pregnancy los...
Special Education Teachers’ Burnout: Exploring the Impact of Special Education Setting and Teaching Experience, Adriana Noel Haugen
This quantitative study investigated the extent to which special education teachers' perceptions of burnout are associated with two contextual variables: federal instructional setting and years of teaching experience. Although burnout in sp...
Emotional Health as a Preventive Measure to Reduce Abuse in Evangelical Ministries, Tammie Jean Haveman
This study addressed the relationship between emotional health and abuse in Evangelical ministry contexts in the United States. A mixed-methods design explored how the emotional health of leaders contributed to organizational dynamics withi...
Measuring Change Readiness in Congregations Searching for a Pastor During a Pastoral Vacancy, Paul Hennings
This study addressed the problem of measuring change readiness in Midwestern LCMC (Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ) congregations searching for a pastor during a pastoral vacancy. Measuring change readiness is important because...
Hmong American Caregivers and Kindergarten Readiness, Cheng Y. Her
Researchers identified a gap in literature and suggested the need for further study by parents from all ethnic groups regarding their perceptions of their children’s school readiness. The participants in this qualitative study were Hmong fe...
Incorporating and Aligning an NGSS Phenomena-Based Approach in Science and the Impacts on Student Learning, Mallory A. Hoffman
The Next Generation Science Standards represent a significant shift in how science has traditionally been taught. They incorporate the three dimensions of disciplinary core ideas, science and engineering practices, and crosscutting concepts...
The Impact of Postsecondary Programs on the Transition to Adulthood and Key Strategies Educators Can Implement to Support Students With Disabilities, Dava M. Huls
Postsecondary education (PSE) programs play a crucial role in preparing students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) for adulthood by enhancing employment, independent living, and social skills Zhang et al., (2023). The e...
Vocational Ministry Leader Burnout: Exploring the Effects of the Spiritual Discipline of Resting in Solitude on the Mitigation of Burnout for Vocational Ministry Leaders in South Florida, Sandra L. Ives
Vocational ministry leaders are at an increased risk of burnout due to the demands of their roles in ministry, which can result in burnout. The problem this project addressed was the mitigating effect of the spiritual habits of resting in s...
Racial Disparities in Public Education: Examining the Black-White Achievement Gap, Cheryl A. Jackson
This study examines the persistent achievement gap between African American males and their White peers in public schools, focusing on how historical and systemic factors continue to shape educational outcomes. The research aims to understa...
The Effect of Extracurricular Engagement on Academic Performance, Personal Growth, and Positive Behaviors in Students, Jonah Jackson
Extracurricular activities play a significant role in student development. They drive learning, encourage friendships, and build confidence. For many students, clubs, sports, or group activities enhance their potential and help them develop...
The Supporting of Teachers of Experiential Learning, Natalia Noemi Jankowski
This literature review investigates best practices for supporting teachers in experiential learning, including project-based, inquiry-based, service, and problem-based approaches. Grounded in constructivist learning theory, the research exp...
Why I Stay: A Qualitative Appreciative Inquiry Study Exploring Teacher Longevity in an Urban Educational Settings, Rachel Renee Jorgensen
Teacher shortages have become a critical issue across various educational settings, with urban schools experiencing disproportionate levels of teacher attrition (Lamboy, 2023; Wiggan et al., 2021). This study investigated the philosophical ...
Navigating the Crossroads: Peer Academic Support, On-Campus Work Experiences, and the Journey Toward Self-Authorship, Sarah Michelle Kofler
Leaders of higher education institutions often articulate goals for undergraduate students’ academic and social development that correspond with the essential learning outcomes identified by the American Association of Colleges and Universi...
Facilitators and Barriers to Interprofessional Collaboration Between Physicians and Midwives: An Integrative Review, Kathy D. Lambright and Anesha E. Martin
Introduction: Early models of interprofessional collaborative care suggest that when there is a collaboration between midwives and physicians, the outcomes for mothers and babies are improved. The purpose of this integrative review of the r...
Benefits of Fluency Instruction for Students With Disabilities, Rebecca Lapham
Computational fluency is a foundational skill in math instruction that allows students to access a variety of higher level skills. Mastery of fluency requires the coordination of several brain systems, including the hippocampal memory syste...
The Importance of Executive Function Skills in Neurodivergent Students, Charlene M. Loverink
This literature review examined three main areas: (a) the impact of executive function skills on academic achievement in students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), specific learning disabilities (SLD), and attention deficit hyperactivity...
Effective Instructional Strategies for Students With Special Needs in a Co-Taught Classroom, Adam J. Ludwig
This study explores the effectiveness and strategies of co-teaching, with a focus on teacher preparedness, co-teaching models, and the benefits and drawbacks of implementation. Through a literature review of teacher surveys and anecdotal ex...
The Impact of Hearing Loss on D/deaf and Hard of Hearing People: Strategies for Academic, Social, and Emotional Support for Students, Mikayla Magnuson
Deafness is described as the complete loss of hearing, and the different degrees of hearing loss include mild, moderate, or severe or profound. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, one in eight people ages 12 or ol...
Restorative Justice in Secondary Schools: Benefits, Challenges, and Academic Impact, Joseph S. Matia
This literature review examines restorative justice practices in secondary education, focusing on academic outcomes and comparison with traditional disciplinary methods. Drawing from research published between 2013-2024, this review analyze...
School-Wide Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports as a Framework for Equity: Addressing the Discipline and Academic Achievement Gap in Minnesota Schools, Amy Danielle McGuire
In response to state-level legislative initiatives, many Minnesota schools have implemented Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) to improve student behavior and school climate, guided in part by the assumption that these im...
Recovering Motor Skills, Grit, and Social-Emotional Learning Through Art Education: The Lasting Impact of Covid-19 on Middle School Students Who Were in Kindergarten–Third Grade During the Pandemic, Melissa A. McKinnon
The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted education, and students in early grades missed critical motor and social-emotional skill development. These students are now in middle school, where delays are evident in motor skills and decreased perseveran...
An Exploration of Inquiry-Based Learning: Effects on Critical Thinking, Engagement, and Achievement, Madelyn J. Mehr
This thesis explores the effects of inquiry-based learning on three key student outcomes: critical thinking, engagement, and academic achievement. Drawing on studies from which the methodology was applied across K-12 and higher education se...
Culturally Relevant Pedagogy in Mathematics Education, Efe Mensah-Brown
The literature review explored how Ladson-Billings’ (1995) definition of culturally relevant pedagogy (CRP), with the three tenets of academic achievement, cultural competence and sociopolitical consciousness, could be used in mathematics e...
College and Career Readiness Through Business-Focused CTSOS, Krystal W. Murphy
The purpose of the literature review was to explore how business-focused Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs) in secondary education contribute to preparing students for post-secondary education and career success. This review...
Freestanding Birth Centers-Safety and Efficacy Related to Maternal and Neonatal Outcomes: An Integrative Review, Nicole Lynn Muzik and Casey Renee Workman
Introduction: The goal of this literature review is to determine the safety of community birth by evaluating if low-risk pregnant women at term, who deliver in the community setting, specifically at freestanding birth centers, have comparab...
How Can Educators Distinguish Special Education Accommodations/Modifications from General Education Differentiation to More Effectively Support All Learners, Olivia R. Nelson
Teachers often use the terms differentiated instruction, accommodations, and modifications, but research shows that these words are not always understood or used correctly. This thesis reviews current studies to examine how these difference...
Barriers to Churches Understanding How They Are Impacted by White Supremacy Culture, Pamela R. Ngunjiri
The problem this project addressed was the barriers to Christian churches' understanding how they are impacted by white supremacy culture. The research identified themes that hinder racial equity and arrived at recommendations on how to dis...
Telehealth in the Postpartum Period: An Integrative Review, Ann Elizabeth Niedermayer and Laura Orrock
Introduction: Improving postpartum care by addressing the steep decline in postpartum care utilization is important to maternal and newborn health. This integrative review explores the use of telehealth in the postpartum period and its impa...
An Examination of Clinical Self-Efficacy and Confidence after the Rolling Through the Complications Clinical Debriefing Experience, Laura Nugteren
Inadequate educational preparation for the clinical judgment demands of complex patient scenarios further perpetuates stress and burnout in the nursing profession. Self-efficacy and self-confidence have been correlated with decreased percei...
Understanding the Lived Experiences of Minnesota's PSEO Students: A Qualitative Exploration, Joel Edward Olson
In my dissertation, Understanding the Lived Experiences of Minnesota's PSEO Students: A Qualitative Exploration, I explored students’ experiences of the transition from high school to college via Minnesota’s PSEO program. As a Bethel Univer...
Teaching Financial Literacy: How Educator Background, Confidence and Preparedness Shape Student Financial Behavior, Abigail M. Osborn
Many states have adopted high school personal finance graduation course requirements to address the lack of financial literacy in the United States. The purpose of this thesis is to examine the role of teachers’ backgrounds, confidence, and...
Peer Mentoring in Education: Academic and Social Outcomes for Students With Disabilities, MacKenzie Peterson
This thesis explores the academic and social outcomes of peer mentoring for students with disabilities, as well as the outcomes for peer mentors themselves. Through a review of research, the findings indicate that peer tutoring and mentorin...
Investigating the Relationship Between Discovery Learning and Students' Engagement and Knowledge Acquisition in Montessori and Traditional Schools, Jessica Phelps
This quantitative study examines the relationship between discovery learning and student engagement and knowledge acquisition in Montessori versus traditional schools within the Dallas Independent School District (DISD). This study, grounde...
A Model for Understanding Anxiety and Practices to Alleviate it as it Relates to Divine Sovereignty and Human Free Will, Patrick K. Prentice
This research focuses on the lack of practices that address emotional anxiety in rural church attendees in Southwestern Iowa caused by the apparent absence of control over situations that require trusting divine sovereignty or human free wi...
The Impact of Gender on Learning Styles of Students With Learning Disabilities, Caleb Quernemoen
This thesis examines how gender influences the learning styles of students with specific learning disabilities (SLDs). While students inherently learn in different ways, factors such as gender and the presence of a learning disability add c...
Nature-Based Learning in Visual Arts Education, Ava D. Raisanen
This literature review and application thesis examines the concerns related to nature-deficit, specifically screen usage, student disengagement, and mental health issues. This review examines how nature-based educational approaches can enha...
The Association Between Adverse Childhood Experiences and Professional Quality of Life: Assessing Secondary Traumatic Stress, Burnout, and Compassion Satisfaction in Minnesota Teachers, Jaclyn Rehmke
This study explored the relationship between Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and professional quality of life among Minnesota special education teachers, focusing on compassion satisfaction, burnout, and secondary traumatic stress. Par...
Impact of Trauma on Learning, Megan Rinerson
Trauma has large and often long-lasting effects on individuals, particularly in how it influences learning in educational settings. When students experience trauma—whether from abuse, neglect, violence, or loss—it can significantly disrupt ...
Importance of Inclusion for Special Education, Martha Roberts
This literature review aims to inform inclusive education and why it is crucial for all students. Inclusion is based on the students’ academic and social-emotional success from learning with their general education peers from both general e...
Co-Teaching Models to Meet Academic and Behavioral Needs of Elementary School Students, Shannon L. Roy
Co-teaching is a collaborative instructional model in which general and special education teachers work together to plan, deliver, and assess supporting students with and without disabilities. Research indicates that successful co-teaching ...