Bachelor of Arts Completion Program

Program Outcomes

Designed to deliver six learning outcomes critical for your success at work and in living a satisfying and productive life. When students graduate from the Bachelor of Arts Completion Program, they say the impact on their lives is transformative and immeasurable in value. While taking classes, you’ll become a member of a vibrant community where we’re serious about academics, community, and supporting you. When you graduate, you’ll join a worldwide network of DU alumni who are passionate about improving the world they live in. Critical program outcomes include:

CREATIVITY The ability to conceptualize and rework problems, and to generate solutions to those problems that open up new worlds of knowledge. CRITICAL THINKING

The skill of analyzing and defining issues, developing an appreciation for multiple view points, and generating well crafted arguments.

EMPOWERMENT

The confidence that comes from knowing how to act, when to act, and how to respond to the opportunities and constraints that affect your efforts to get things done. With a sense of empowerment comes the ability to lead and bring about change for the good.

EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION Knowing your audience and learning how to empathize with it; reading, writing, and speaking effectively; making presentations that are persuasive and entertaining; and arguing to powerful effect.

DECISION MAKING

The ability to analyze options and outcomes for decisions in terms of their values and effects and to make decisions that are rational, legal, and ethical.

KNOWLEDGE UTILIZATION

The ability to find useful information, ideas, concepts, and theories, to synthesize them and build on them, and to apply them in the workplace, as well as life.

A Premier Educational Experience

A bachelor’s degree from the University of Denver has several aspects which distinguish it from other degree programs.

CHALLENGING

You will be treated as an adult and will be encouraged to develop self-awareness about your motivations, abilities, and learning goals. You will be given personal attention, but will also be expected to meet deadlines and contribute in a thoughtful, well-prepared manner during class activities. You will be challenged to truly learn and not be preoccupied with what’s required or what will be on the test, but rather asking yourself what you want to learn from your experience and studying for what you will need to reach your goals.

CUSTOMIZED

All majors include opportunities for independent study, service learning, and an integrative project on topics you will choose in consultation with an advisor. This ensures that your coursework will apply specifically to your professional situation and personal interests.

IMMEDIATELY APPLICABLE

The skills you gain in the Bachelor of Arts Completion Program — effective communication, creativity, empowerment, decision making, and more — are practical and can be used immediately. The curriculum has been thoughtfully designed with you in mind and the outcomes can be used today and into the future.

HIGH TECH

Online instruction will be supported by the latest instructional technologies through Canvas which includes built-in multimedia, customizable notifications, easy-to-use discussion boards, and a mobile app available for Android, iPhone, and iPad devices.

PRESTIGIOUS As a DU student, you will have access to the vast world-class resources of the University of Denver, and eventually you will have a Bachelor of Arts from a top 100 university.

A Top 100 University The University of Denver has the distinction of being the oldest independent university in the Rocky Mountain region, giving it a tradition of 150 years of academic excellence. Founded before Colorado was a state, the university now enrolls approximately 11,500 students in its undergraduate and graduate programs, and has consistently been ranked as a top 100 university by U.S. News & World Report. The Bachelor of Arts Completion Program itself ranks #13 on the 2014 U.S. News & World Report list of best Online Bachelor’s Programs. This vibrant 125-acre campus is conveniently located just minutes south of downtown Denver, and showcases the best of its historic legacy along with state-of-the-art classroom and research buildings, library, career center, and recreation and wellness center.

Costs Earning your bachelor’s degree is an investment in your future. Every year you postpone making this investment, you also delay the potential rewards you can reap from it. In the business world, this is called opportunity cost, the price you pay over time for not doing something. The Bachelor of Arts Completion Program is designed, delivered, and priced exclusively for busy adults who seek a career-relevant degree. There are a variety of resources available to assist in financing this important investment: tuition reimbursement from your employer, student loans, federal financial aid, or other options. Contact our Financial Services office for information regarding financial aid at 303-871-3945.

The tuition cost of the University College BA in 2014/2015 is $535 per credit hour. When you consider the lifetime benefits a DU bachelor’s degree will bring you, the value of an investment in your future becomes obvious. The Bachelor of Arts Completion Program offers a scholarship opportunity for current and continuing students in the program. Learn more at universitycollege.du.edu.

Call, click, or connect with University College As the University of Denver’s college of professional and continuing studies, University College is dedicated to providing education that matters for busy adults. Along with the Bachelor of Arts Completion Program, University College offers nine graduate programs and non-credit short courses. The faculty and staff understand the challenges facing adult learners and specialize in providing the highest quality learning experience for working professionals. The University of Denver and all of its academic programs are accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, one of eight regional accrediting bodies in the nation. Regional accreditation is the recognized standard for universities in the United States.

Bachelor of Arts Completion Program WHERE YOU EARN YOUR DEGREE DOES MATTER 303-871-2291 or 800-347-2042 ucolsupport@du.edu universitycollege.du.edu twitter.com/DUcollege or facebook.com/DUcollege

ONLINE AND EVENING COURSES DESIGNED, DELIVERED, AND PRICED FOR BUSY ADULTS

WRITING

Every student will begin the program

BA MAJORS

COMMON LEARNING COURSES

Choose one

Students take all 10 courses

Communication Arts

Effective Communication

with the Writing Workshop. Even if you consider yourself a solid writer, this course will benefit you. This workshop

Leadership & Organization Studies

will refresh or provide you with the skills essential for successful university

A Different Experience

study as well as workplace writing.

Finally, busy adults have a high quality option for completing their undergraduate degree at a distinguished university.

This course is not just about writing mechanics. It sharpens interpretation,

AN EXCEPTIONAL EXPERIENCE

THE RIGHT DEGREE FOR A NEW ERA

Education has to be more than just courses on a piece of paper — it should be a life-changing experience! Instead of asking you to pick up where you left off by matching your past courses with a set of requirements, we offer you a new educational opportunity quite different from the traditional undergraduate program you began some years ago. We’ll start with the credits you’ve already earned and build from there. The interdisciplinary education you’ll receive reflects the reality of today’s professional environment, and it is our promise to deliver a personalized experience.

In order to be part of the creative and dynamic workforce so vital to the information age, you need the highly developed talents most valued by organizations today. Our program outcomes were designed with input from the business, non-profit, and public sector communities and include:

There are many reasons why students don’t complete their initial undergraduate degree: family obligations, career opportunities, financial issues, and motivation. Perhaps for you the experience was not the right one at the right time. Now your situation is different. Now you want something more out of your career — advancement, fulfillment, professional respect, or a career change. At the University of Denver, our aim is to provide you with the most up-to-date and relevant subjects delivered in a way that you can learn quickly and take pride in your success. You’ll be treated as an individual, not just a number. The curriculum has been thoughtfully designed with you in mind, as it takes into consideration your current experience and builds a skillset necessary to thrive. Whether you attend in the evenings on campus or study online, classes will be small and the instructor’s attention will be personal. Quality, engagement, innovation, integrity, and personal attention are the characteristics on which the University of Denver’s reputation is built. That’s what makes our program different from your past undergraduate experience and other programs that view your education as a commodity. This time you deserve an exceptional experience.

• • • • • • •

Ability to communicate effectively Solve problems Think creatively Handle multiple tasks Make sound decisions Understand and use technology Be productive on teams

Developing these talents is the focus of this degree. If you are willing to be an active learner in stimulating courses with lively discussions, you will thrive in this program. Advanced courses led by professional practitioners who work in the fields they teach provide insight into the latest best practices that can be applied immediately. Interdisciplinary skills will be highlighted throughout each major, and students will have the opportunity to explore emerging sectors.

SOME COLLEGE, BUT NO DEGREE? Don’t let the time, effort, and money you spent earning college credits go to waste. If you are a working adult with at least one year of transferable college credits and three years of work experience beyond high school, you may qualify for admission to this program. This degree provides the solid educational foundation needed for you to move ahead to more challenging and creative work assignments. It also provides the pathway to future graduate study, where specialized certificates and degrees are more appropriate.

Where you earn your degree does matter.

Education Pays...

Education pays in higher earnings and lower unemployment rates. The median weekly earnings in 2013 for professionals with a bachelor’s degree was $381 more than someone without a degree, and the unemployment rate nearly doubled from 4% for those with a bachelor’s vs. 7% for those without.

Environmental Studies

summarization,

paraphrasing,

and

Information Technology

study skills. You will also learn the connection between writing and critical

Global Studies

and creative thinking, and much more. This workshop will lay the foundation for your success in this program.

Global Commerce and Transportation

Alumni Spotlight Being an effective communicator is essential for Justine Lopez, who runs her own consulting business where she fills the role of communication

Discovering Creative Energies

specialist, internet marketing expert, and strategist for small businesses, non-profit organizations, and “Solopreneurs”—individuals who are starting

Organizational Behavior

up companies on their own. From branding to sales development, training to marketing, Justine does it all—and goes to University College.

Leadership Ethical Decision Making

”As a working professional, my decision to complete my BA at the University of Denver University College was a great decision based

Concepts of the Public Good

on quality courses, experienced instructors, accomplished alumni, and national recognition.

Scientific Method The Digital Age

Continuing my education program through the convenience of online classes has allowed me the opportunity to leverage my study

21st Century Global Issues

time and balance my professional obligations; at the same time, my experience is enhanced as I am able to connect with peers

The Past as Prologue

and make new contacts from across the nation. I look forward to staying involved and connected as an alumnus. In the meantime, I continue to gain a combination of

Each of the majors provides opportunities for interdisciplinary study in subjects relevant to the workplace as well as independent study, a civic engagement opportunity, and an integrative project — your chance to apply what you learn to your individual situation.

personal and professional insights, confidence, and working networks through the program.” Justine finished her BA in Communication Arts through the

TRANSFER CREDITS WITH NO HASSLE

INTERDISCIPLINARY APPROACH

TIME TO COMPLETION

At University College, you’ll have a fresh academic start as we treat your first 96 transferable quarter credits (64 semester hour credits) as credits toward a DU bachelor’s degree. Although certain occupational or technical courses may not transfer, no time limit applies to the courses that do transfer.

An interdisciplinary approach means you will be studying subjects from all relevant areas that apply to it. For example, the Effective Communication course is not just a writing course. You will develop communication skills from the multiple disciplines of speech communication, English, art and design, theater, and digital media studies.

The time for completion depends on the number of hours transferred initially and the rate at which courses are taken. For example, students who take two courses per quarter and transfer 90 quarter hours (60 semester hours) into the program can complete their degree in three years. The program does not have a campus residency requirement.

STRUCTURE AND SEQUENCE

This approach will provide you with the ability to evaluate situations in a thorough and strategic manner, while creatively and critically thinking about solutions and outcomes.

The recommended course load for working students is two courses per quarter. At this rate, a student can complete eight credits per quarter or 32 credits in a calendar year.

BACHELOR’S AND MASTER’S PLANNING

CONVENIENTLY FITTING YOUR SCHEDULE

Although finishing an undergraduate degree is surely the highest priority, planning for further study can begin now. This degree provides a solid foundation for further practical study in business or industryspecific fields such as management, communications, human resources, environmental policy, project management, or information and communications technology. University College advisors are prepared to help you link your bachelor’s and master’s degree course plans so that you reduce the number of courses needed to complete both degrees. Contact an academic advisor to discuss what combinations of majors, certificates, and degrees may work best with your career plans.

This program is offered both evenings on campus in University of Denver classrooms and online. In both delivery modes, the Canvas learning management system will be used to make the course syllabus and assignments accessible as well as facilitate outside-of-class discussion. Whether you take courses online or on campus, you can expect to be actively engaged five to ten hours per course per week, depending on the assignments, activities, and projects for that week. And you will receive guidance — early, regular, and timely feedback on your progress.

You choose one of six interdisciplinary majors, all of which involve advanced study in arts and sciences subjects relevant to the careers of working adults. Regardless of the major you choose, you’ll begin directly with a series of courses that all students take called the Common Learning experience. It is here where you develop advanced skills in writing, critical thinking, problem solving, and scientific reasoning, as well as convergency with key issues of the day — the intellectual skills needed for creative and strategic thinking in a global environment. The ten Common Learning courses are grouped in pairs, and each pair leads to, and may be counted toward, one of the interdisciplinary majors. Thus, you will encounter introductory studies for all of the majors in the Common Learning experience, providing the broad-based perspective needed in today’s complex professional environment.

Bachelor of Arts Completion Program and went on to pursue

Time Example

a master’s in Organizational and Professional Communication at University College. Lessons learned

Students with 90 quarter hours (60 semester hours) of transfer work — the equivalent of two years of undergraduate study — will have a course work plan that includes the following:

in the classroom on effectively communicating, solving issues, and thinking critically are immediately applied to Justine’s everyday life, where it’s not just useful, it’s business.

Quarter Hours

Quarter Hours at DU

Transfer

90

—

Writing Workshop

4

Common Learning

40

Major

40

Electives

6

180 Total

90

Justine Lopez University College alumnus