University College launches new certificate and financial aid programs, schedules information sessions for prospective adult studentsJuly 21, 2004Peggy Morgan
As the 2004-05 academic year begins, Syracuse University’s University College (UC) is offering new programs, expanding its successful approach to making a university education affordable and hosting information sessions to tell prospective students about what the college has to offer.
Building on its successful Bachelor of Professional Studies program, which launched in 2001, UC has announced two new Professional Studies certificates, which offer a shorter and more condensed format of study for career-advancing or career-changing adults.
The certificate in Organizational Leadership features classes in leadership principles and skills, organizational behavior, introductory accounting and finance, human resource management, oral communication, writing, critical thinking, and negotiation. The program is designed to accommodate the busy schedules of part-time students who must fit coursework into their work and home life. The second new certificate, in Professional Communication, is intended for adults who need to hone their communications skills in writing, presentation delivery and group dynamics. It also
provides instruction in organizational diversity and intercultural communication. This certificate is designed for adults from any profession seeking to expand their communication abilities and advance in their workplace.
According to Associate Dean of Academic Affairs Geraldine de Berly, “Today’s employee is expected handle multiple responsibilities for which they often have never received formal training. These certificates are intended to connect SU with employees, and those seeking employment, who find they need to broaden their skill base in a short amount of time in order to launch or advance a career.”
Each of the new certificate programs requires 15 credit hours of study, three of which can be transferred in. Upon completion, a student could apply the 15 credits toward completion of a bachelor’s degree in Professional Studies at SU, through UC. The new certificates join current UC credit certificate programs in Applied Computer Technologies and Legal Studies.
On the financial-aid front, UC’s creation of new financial aid opportunities for middle-income, part-time students is making news in the world of continuing education. The “UC Supplemental Grant” for middle-income students will begin this fall, with financial aid grants ranging from $250-400 per semester for each qualifying student. The grant fills a gap for students who often don’t qualify for other monetary awards based on financial need.
According to Financial Aid Director Margaret Stearns-a specialist in creating financial aid packages for part-time students-a number of factors are considered when calculating a student’s financial need, and middle income students often feel shortchanged when the federally calculated expected family contribution is higher than the student believes he or she can comfortably afford. The new grant will fill this gap, and will be awarded in addition to other UC financial aid for which the student might be eligible.
“University College created this fund to answer a need that is very real but is not always addressed by many federal financial aid programs,” said Stearns. “We hope it will make the dream of an SU degree a reality for more students than ever before.”
The new funding category adds to the variety of grants and scholarships already in place at the College and will not replace or take away from financial aid for lower income students.
For information about financial aid for part-time students, call 443-3261 or e-mail finaid@uc.syr.edu.
In an effort to tell prospective students about financial aid, certificates and other new and existing opportunities at UC, a series of information events have been planned in the Baldwinsville and Liverpool communities. An information session will be held at the Baldwinsville Library on July 27 at 5:30 p.m.; another will take place at the Liverpool Library on Aug. 2 at 5:30 p.m.
“Recent market research determined that many of our current students hail from the suburbs northwest of Syracuse,” says Associate Dean Bea Gonzalez. “We want to create a convenient one-stop service night for current or potential students in these areas who may need academic or financial aid information.”
Advisors at the information sessions will discuss undergraduate and graduate degree options and will introduce the two new professional certificate programs.
“For professionals who are looking to earn a promotion or who find themselves faced with new responsibilities, these certificates can jump-start a person’s career in just a year,” says Gonzalez.
University College provides certificate, degree, and workforce training programs to a worldwide community of part-time students who seek flexible formats of study. For more information, call 443-9378 or visit http://www.yesu.syr.edu.
