ACCELERATED DEGREE COMPLETION FOR ADULT LEARNERS

Adult Education

Online Accelerated Degree Completion for Adult Learners . . .

Celebrating Over 45 Years of Serving Adults

Since 1974, Neumann University had been serving adult learners with its accelerated degree completion programs. Several new programs have since been created for adults who may have earned previous college credits or who did not attend college after high school. These programs may provide opportunities for adults to complete a bachelor of arts, or a bachelor of science degree.

A unique feature of these programs is its’ applied curriculum in seminar format. Seminars feature learning opportunities called Experiential Learning Projects (ELP) that blend theory and practice. ELPs can be professional initiatives that enable you to further research and develop projects from your place of work- a return on investment--- ROI ---for employers. ELPs can also be projects that have personal meaning, for example developing a new community service initiative, starting a small business, or launching a new career. Because the courses are accelerated and include ELP’s, adults are responsible for learning outside class, on your own. You may attend courses face-to-face, online, or a combination of both, either full- or part time.

Benefits of Neumann’s Learning Environment

Neumann’s curriculum values and promotes thoughtful and ethical leadership in service and response to a global and technologically complex world. The core curriculum for degree completion programs focuses on key competencies needed in today’s world -- for any profession, any industry, including writing, presentational skills, research, and use of technology, problem solving, and the ability to think creatively, reflectively and critically.

Adults typically enroll in the program to:

• To start a degree or finish a degree begun at some point in their lives
• Advance in the workplace
• Enhance a career
• Explore courses for personal interest, career planning, or job enhancement
• Prepare for graduate school

Proudly rooted in the Franciscan Tradition, Neumann presents students with moral, spiritual and intellectual challenges. Classes, both online and face-to-face, foster the meaningful exchange of ideas and opinions. Case studies, team projects, group presentations and guest speakers are among the many experiences within our curriculum.

Time to Completion

An Academic Advisor can help to determine your potential number of credits that can be applied to your degree. All adults bring different backgrounds and experiences; therefore, no two program plans are alike! Review of this information is time well-spent, so you know walk away with your own personal program plan, knowing “up front” how much time is needed to complete your degree.

For most returning adults, the many ways to obtain credit enable further acceleration, depending on experiences and prior learning. Examples of ways to obtain credit include:

• Transfer Credit for courses taken at other institutions
• Documented Prior Learning
  You may have accumulated credit through documented prior learning from your respective places of employment- credits that can count toward your degree. Examples include certificates of program completion, military training documents, and professional licensures. There is no guarantee of such credit until appropriate documents are evaluated in detail by the Executive Director of Adult and Continuing Education and the Registrar
• ACE Review
  If you have taken a course that has been evaluated by The American Council on Education (ACE) and recommended for credit, you may receive that credit pending a review of the course by the Registrar. Examples may include military experience, police training, government work.
• Challenge Exams
• CLEP
  The College Level Examination Program (CLEP) offers exams in a variety of subjects, including English Composition, Literature, History, Foreign Languages, Science, Math, Computers, Marketing, Accounting, and Management. Passing a CLEP test with an acceptable score will earn you credit in that specific subject area.
• Portfolio Assessment
  You may have acquired knowledge in areas equivalent to college courses. A portfolio is a written document about the college-level learning that you have gained through life, work, or volunteer experience.

For assistance and questions, please contact the Office of Adult & Graduate Admissions by calling 610-361-5208 or (800) 9-NEUMANN or feel free to e-mail us at GradAdultAdmiss@neumann.edu.