Liberal Studies Accelerated Associate Degree Program, A.A.

The Division of Continuing Adult and Professional Studies offers an accelerated associate degree completion program in Liberal Studies for the adult learner.

History

The Liberal Studies Accelerated Associate Degree Program at Neumann University has been serving adult students in the Delaware Valley since 1974. The program is designed to provide adult learners who may have earned some previous college credits, or who did not attend college after high school, with the opportunity to complete the Associate of Arts degree. The uniqueness of this educational opportunity is found in the program’s 6-credit seminar courses, which enable working adult students to attend classes in the evening, online, and/or in a hybrid format. These seminars blend learning approaches, thereby allowing students to learn theoretical material and apply that theory through the development of Experiential Learning  Projects (ELPs). Often projects can be developed that are helpful to students at their place of employment or with their personal or career goals. Students may attend classes on either a part-time (1–11 credits) or fulltime (12–19 credits) basis. Liberal Studies courses are available in the Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters.

Students may choose to work toward an Associate of Arts degree either as a terminal degree, or to design their course work in such a way that courses for the Associate of Arts degree fully articulate with the requirements for either the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree in Liberal Studies. An additional 60 credits are required beyond the Associate of Arts to complete the bachelor’s degree.

Program Outcomes

In addition to meeting the Goals and Learning Outcomes of Neumann University’s Core Curriculum, as described in the Core Curriculum — Goals and Learning Outcomes section of this catalog and upon completion of all degree requirements, graduates of the Liberal Studies Associate Degree Program will be able to:

• Utilize writing skills developed through written assignments in a variety of disciplines as well as in work and life situations.
• Use oral communication effectively in daily living.
• Think critically and creatively about problem solving.
• Combine life and classroom experiences in seeking new career directions.
• Assume responsibility for continuing a lifetime of learning.
• View the diversity of cultures and peoples in the world through many perspectives.
• Initiate, design, and complete research papers.
• Develop Experiential Learning Projects which complement seminar subjects.
• Apply the body of knowledge learned in a selected area of concentration to work environments and life situations.

Admission Criteria

Any student 21 years or older who has either completed high school or earned a GED may apply to the Liberal Studies Accelerated Degree Program. Application procedures are detailed in the Admissions Information  section of this catalog.

Progression Criteria

Students in the Liberal Studies Accelerated Degree Program must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.00 to progress through the program.

Special Features

The Liberal Studies Accelerated Degree Program offers many additional options for acceleration in addition to the 6-credit seminars. These options include:

• Portfolio Assessment of prior college-level learning.
• Challenge Examinations.
• CLEP Examinations.
• Credit for course work completed through the Department of Defense/DANTES or from corporations offering courses which have been evaluated for credit by the American Council on Education (ACE).
• Independent Study.
• Cooperative Education/Internship experiences.

For additional information about any of the above options, please consult the appropriate section of this catalog or contact the Liberal Studies Accelerated Degree Program Office at 610-558-5529.

Tuition Information

Tuition for all six-credit seminar courses is calculated on a per-credit basis. For additional information, please consult the Tuition and Expenses  section of this catalog.

Degree Requirements

In addition to the University’s general requirements for graduation, the following must be completed:

• For the Associate of Arts: A minimum of 60 credits in Liberal Studies with a 2.00 minimum cumulative GPA.