West Chester University

34 v——Fall/Winter 2021• Volume 7——vThe Progression of Change in Adult and Continuing Education • The Progression of Change in Adult and Continuing Education |CONNECTIONS| With an enrollment of more than 17,000, West Chester University is the largest institution in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. Part of the University’s success lies in its variety of academic opportunities (more than 180 options), its growing number of online programs, and its dedication to customizable education for businesses and workers alike. Across the country, the majority of college students are considered nontraditional. WCU’s many academic opportunities are designed to help these adult students take the all-important next step in their careers, whether they need a workshop or training seminar, a new professional certification, a college degree to facilitate a career change, or an advanced degree. For businesses and employees, there are many West Chester University offers more than 180 academic opportunities in 50 different fields of study, including resources for professionals and businesses alike A world of educational opportunities at West Chester University Continued on Page 36 different programs and services that WCU offers that can be beneficial in today’s quickly changing world. The University’s robust Continuing Professional Education (CPE) program provides training to businesses in the tri-state area through a variety of topical seminars and courses. According to Eileen Jenkins, director of CPE, these customized courses, certificate programs and workshops are beneficial to organizations and individuals in pursuit of the next step toward developing their career or business. WCU’s Continuing Professional Education works with businesses to create meaningful content that will fit the company’s specifications, including the location, budget, and training timeline that suits the business. Flexibility is important for this audience. There are in-person and virtual sessions, and the experts who provide the training offer real-world knowledge and experience that adds value For businesses and employees, there are many different programs and services that WCU offers that can be beneficial in today’s quickly changing world.

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West Chester University

36 v——Fall/Winter 2021• Volume 7——v West Chester University Continued from Page 34 for a greater return on investment for the business and its employees. Continuing Professional Education also participates as a certified WEDnetPA partner and is able to administer the WEDnet training grant, which provides financial help to Pennsylvania companies to up-skill staff and maintain their organization’s competitive edge. Andre J. Richburg, the executive director of WCU’s Graduate School, said that many professionals today are finding that they need an advanced degree to achieve what they want in their professional lives. “It has become more and more important to have a master’s degree,” Richburg explained. “The master’s degree trend has been building for the last decade, and today there are a lot more jobs out there that require it.” For those individuals who have been in a career and need an additional degree to reach the next level, or for those who are looking to transition to a new career, the Graduate School at WCU is an accredited and affordable option. With more than 80 certificate, master’s and doctoral degree programs, including in-person, hybrid, and fully online delivery methods, WCU offers plenty of opportunities and support to help people with busy lifestyles earn the degree they need. “While we do offer some full-time programs, like our new physician assistant master’s degree program or the doctor of psychology program with on- and off-campus clinical rotations, the majority of our programs are designed for working professionals,” Richburg said. “Our main demographic is working full-time and juggling advanced courses with home and work life, so our programs emphasize flexibility. The University has seven colleges, and we offer graduate programs through six of them, so we try to meet the needs of all of those colleges as well as their students.” WCU offers graduate programs through the Colleges of Arts and Humanities, Business and Public Management, Education and Social Work, Health Sciences, the Sciences and Mathematics, and the Wells School of Music. The University’s steady growth over the last decade is no accident. In addition to working collaboratively with local businesses and boards to introduce in-demand programs, like the bachelor’s degree in pharmaceutical product development, WCU has intentionally moved beyond its own borders to provide more options to students. One example of this is the University’s presence in Center City. West Chester University in Philadelphia offers the same top-ranked, accredited degree programs that are available on main campus in a convenient downtown location. West Chester University offers more than 180 academic opportunities in 50 different fields of study, including resources for professionals and businesses alike WCU has intentionally moved beyond its own borders to provide more options to students. A world of educational opportunities at West Chester University.The Progression of Change in Adult and Continuing Education • The Progression of Change in Adult and Continuing Education

Joseph H. Santivasci, the senior associate vice president of financial aid and campuses, said that the programs at the Philadelphia location are designed for adult learners who are balancing multiple priorities. That means offering part-time and evening courses as well as online options so a person can pursue the education they need while also balancing everything else in their life.

“It’s about convenience and flexibility, and about meeting the students where they are,” said Santivasci.

He added that WCU in Philadelphia features state-of-theart classrooms and experienced faculty with a full array of support services, all designed to meet the unique needs of adult students. Additionally, WCU offers students attending the Philadelphia campus reduced tuition and fees, making the programs among the most affordable in the entire region.

Santivasci also pointed to a partnership with Delaware County Community College as another example of how WCU has expanded beyond its borders to boost convenience for students. West Chester University and Delaware County Community College signed an on-site degree completion agreement that allows students to earn both their associate and bachelor’s degree at the Community College. Delaware County Community College graduates with an A.S. in Business Administration degree (or other associate degrees with the required business prerequisite courses) can earn a B.S. in Business Management degree from WCU without ever having to leave the Marple Campus. Students can also choose between a minor in Business Law or an internship to make their resumés stand out even more.

WCU and Delaware County Community College also offer a concurrent nursing degree program. Students can earn an associate degree in applied nursing while concurrently taking bachelor of science in nursing courses through WCU. The agreement allows students to earn both their AASN and their BSN in just 24 to 30 months.

The agreements offer students convenience of location, ample free parking, and on-site admissions and academic advising from WCU representatives. Students can take University courses online and/or at the College’s main campus in Marple Township.

“It’s been a great partnership,” Santivasci said.

For more information about any of the programs that West Chester University offers, visit www.wcupa.edu.

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