It is an accelerated degree completion program for students seeking a degree or the completion of a certificate program because of the many sources of >advanced standing= credit and the variety of course delivery options available to eligible students. Generally, students can pursue their educational program with minimal interference with their employment, family, and personal commitments.
Academic credit may be awarded to eligible students for prior college attendance, military training and experience, CLEP or other standardized exams, and non-traditional learning experiences.
The School of Continuing Studies offers a wide variety of courses, certificate programs and programs leading to baccalaureate degrees.
Allows students to choose from three different types of course offerings:
- Classroom courses (which meet on a regular weekly basis late afternoons or evenings.)
- Directed Seminars (which meet 4-6 times per semester and use online instruction between meetings.)
- Online courses (which have no class meetings and provide comprehensive online instruction.)
Classes are scheduled at convenient times and locations, including the main campus in Bristol, the Providence Campus, and at the Newport Naval Base. Classes are held in the late afternoons, evenings, and weekends.
The School of Continuing Studies offers many distance learning courses and several bachelor degree programs to off-campus students. These serve students who are geographically removed from the campus and who are unable to spend long periods of time in residential study.
Continuous advisement is available throughout the year, and the advisement process establishes a working relationship between each student and a personal advisor.
Enrollment takes place within the University's regular Fall and Spring Semesters as well as the Summer Sessions; this provides enrollment opportunities throughout the entire year. Students in the School of Continuing Studies are eligible to enroll in many of the University's day and evening classroom course offerings on the main campus or at other satellite or University locations which may be available.
Students are not required to complete an on-campus residency. In addition to the other academic and program requirements which may apply to a specific program, degree or major, all students in the School of Continuing Studies are required to complete a minimum enrollment requirement of thirty (30) credits at the University, although these credits do not need to be completed in the classroom or on campus
Review of information and programs from the School of Continuing Studies
- Submission of Application Form and Fee
- Meeting (communication) with Advisor
- Selection of program of study
- Selection of program of study
- Development of a Degree Plan for student
- Program enrollment and Course Registration
- Completion of courses as outlined on the degree plan
- Completion of other requirements as outlined on the degree plan
- Degree Completion / Graduation
Students may be awarded up to 90 credits toward their degree using one or more of the following:
- Transfer Credit: As much as three years of applicable college credit (90 credits) may be transferred from work completed previously at other colleges or universities.
- Military Training: As much as three years of college credit (90 credits) may be granted for military training and/or experience.
- Credit Documentation: As much as three years of college credit (90 credits) may be granted for job and work experience, personal enrichment, or participation in conferences and workshops (up to 24 credits of this total may be granted through portfolio assessment).
- College Level Examination Program: As much as three years of college credit (90 credits) may be granted for successful completion of CLEP tests.
These exams measure the learning of an individual compared with a student who has completed two years of college. A wide variety of subjects can be tested. To qualify for CLEP credit, students must have been out of high school for at least three years and must not have earned equivalent course credit at another institution of higher education.
Students in the School of Continuing Studies are eligible for all of the traditional forms of financial aid which are normally associated with adult and continuing education students. In addition, various forms of military tuition assistance are usually available to service members.
In order to register for classes, it is necessary for students to contact their advisors. Although online registration is available, advisor contact is essential to process student registration.
Each student is assigned to an advisor and must meet with (or communicate with) the advisor to complete a variety of activities. The advisor will assist with the formulation of a degree plan and assessment of the student's status including a listing of requirements already completed and those which need to be completed. The advisor assists with registration and enrollment procedures, identifies appropriate courses and learning experiences, supervises students' work and monitors students' records, and communicates with faculty and others who may be involved with students' programs. The advisor is responsible for guiding the student through the stages of the educational program. The advisor has primary responsibility for the student, from the formulation of the student's program to its completion.
Advisors also assist students by: arranging learning experiences through which the student can achieve his or her goals; verifying that a student's records are kept current; communicating with instructors and adjunct faculty and others involved in the student's program; recommending the assignment of credits and the awarding of the degree. Meetings with advisors take place on any of the University's campus or at appropriate off-campus sites and/or by electronic communication. The School of Continuing Studies offers continuous advisement throughout the year.
Students are urged to meet with an advisor to discuss their educational and career interests and goals. Advisors can review and explain the requirements for a degree or for a major program; determine how much eligible credit may be granted through such program options as Transfer Credit, CLEP Exams, Military Training and Experience, and Credit Documentation; and estimate how many courses and how long it might take to complete degree programs. Advisors also assist with the steps involving admissions, registration, and enrollment.
Students in the School of Continuing Studies are eligible to receive credit for past life and work experience which represents college-level skills or competencies and can be properly documented and verified. Through the credit documentation process, it is possible to earn as much as 90 credits. Such credit becomes a permanent part of a student's record upon completion of 30 credits at Roger Williams University as a School of Continuing Studies student. Students who wish to ask for such credit are assisted by an advisor for credit documentation. Some eligible credit may be granted through the University's recognition of standardized non-collegiate learning experiences for which no fees or costs are charged. Other forms of nontraditional learning experiences may require enrollment in a Portfolio Development Workshop for which a fee is charged. Students are assessed a fee for the academic credits granted through portfolio assessment, and students are limited to a maximum of 24 credits through this procedure.
Students should consult with their advisors and follow up with the advisor for Credit Documentation to learn more about this program.
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