by erin thursby scopes1925@msn.com
Some people who want a degree and work full time respond better to the interaction of a classroom environment than they would to distance learning methods like correspondence schools or online universities.
Jacksonville University has a degree program for just those people. The fully-accredited program is offered year round in 8-week sessions. Classes meet only twice a week, on evenings or weekends.
“The undergraduate Accelerated Degree Program was designed for people who have full-time jobs,” says Diana Peakes, JU’s Associate Director of Adult and Graduate Studies.
The program, which is tested and true, has been around for about 20 years. When they began, they studied the educational needs of Jacksonvillians.
“What we found locally was that around 21% of our adult population has a B.A. That’s a small percentage.” The accelerated program was started to give busy people the option to continue their education in the shortest period of time possible.
It doesn’t mean that these degrees are any easier to earn than traditional degrees; in fact, the coursework often packs in more in a shorter period of time. On transcripts, these degrees are counted as no different than the degrees earned in traditional programs.
Besides the advantage of accelerated weekend and evening courses, students also have the chance to take classes within their peer group. Those who join the Accelerated Degree Program are often already professionals and a bit older than college age.
“There’s great dialogue in the classroom…All these different industries represented in the students- who come from all sorts of industries and work environments- contribute to the discussion.”
It’s a great program for face-to-face learning which can fit around a busy schedule. For more info on the Accelerated Degree Program go to ju.edu/future/admissions/accelerated_terminfo.aspx or email adp@ju.edu
There are ways to get out of courses that might be a waste of time for those with ample life experience. For example, if you already speak Spanish, you might want to take the CLEP exam for Spanish. If you pass, you won’t have to waste time taking a Spanish course that you don’t need. Also, CLEP tests cost less than the cost of the course and the books, so you’ll save money as well.
CLEPing is only worthwhile if the institution you’ll be going to accepts the CLEP credits in exchange for coursework. JU does accept CLEP exams for some coursework, but you’ll want to schedule time with an advisor to make certain you can CLEP out for specific courses. A max of 30 credit hours (about 2 semesters worth) of courses can be CLEPed.
Many of the students in JU’s Accelerated Degree Program opt to CLEP so they can get through their coursework more quickly.
Getting the cash together to go to school can be a major hurdle, and part-time students just can’t get the financial aid that full time students can. In JU’s Accelerated Degree Program, the scheduling and fast pace allows students to work full time while also being counted as a full-time student.
If the degree you’re seeking is job-related, it’s possible that your company may pay for some or all of your educational costs.
According to the JU website: “Accelerated Degree Program students may choose to utilize JU’s Corporate Reimbursement Payment Option in which tuition payment is deferred until the 36th day following the processing of grades for the semester of enrollment. Your only initial obligation is [$75.00-$100] per semester. You then will be responsible for paying the balance due to Jacksonville University, at which time you will be allowed to register for the next term.”
Credit hours for the program will run about $375-$500, depending on how advanced the coursework is. Parking is included, likely because all the classes are in the evening and weekends, when parking isn’t as much of an issue.
· There are about 350-400 people in the program at a given time.
· The graduation rate is 90%
· B.A.’s include business management, marketing and administration.
· Master’s Degree programs include Business Administration and an Executive M.B.A.
· Credit hour cost: $375-$500 per credit hour
· Average cost of books per class: $100.
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