1a. IntroSUS 2003 - University of Maryland University College

SERVING ADULT STUDENTSUMUC understands the needs of adult working students. In fall2001, the median age for students enrolled in UMUC’s statesideundergraduate programs was 33 years old. Four out of five of ourundergraduate students are working full time, and half have atleast one child. Students take our classes at sites around the stateof Maryland and around the world. We understand the demandsof balancing work, family, and study.Recognizing that adult students may have gained college-levellearning from multiple sources, UMUC offers a number of innovativecredit options that can accelerate progress toward thedegree and recognize the learning achieved through work and lifeexperience. These options include Cooperative Education, whichoffers credit for new learning in the workplace, and Prior Learning,which offers credit for college-level learning acquired throughprevious life or work experience (details on pp. 17–18). UMUCalso accepts community college coursework and a variety of otherexternal credit, including military service credit and credit byexamination (described pp. 19–20).In keeping with the needs of working students, undergraduateclasses are offered at convenient times and places, including eveningsand weekends. They are also offered in convenient andinnovative formats including accelerated terms.ONLINE STUDYIn addition, most of UMUC’s degree and certificate programsare available online. Those who prefer the convenience and flexibilityof online study may choose from nearly 300 courses online.Seventeen majors, 21 minors, and 20 undergraduate certificatesare available online. UMUC’s award-winning online courses andprograms offer a technology-enriched experience conducted by thesame excellent faculty as its on-site offerings. Classroom coursesare also “Web enhanced,” providing access to online materials andresources.Online programs are supported by the full range of student servicesand academic resources, from extensive online library databasesto distance advising, admissions, and registration. UMUC’s role asa virtual and global university means that students can access andparticipate in the university experience from any place in the state,the nation, or the world.Students may choose to pursue the entire degree online, or (as manystudents do) “mix and match” online and on-site classroom formatsto fit their schedules and preferences. The rapid growth in undergraduateenrollments at UMUC (up by more than 50 percent in thelast four years) testifies to the convenience, flexibility, and substantivecontent of its academic offerings in all formats.EDUCATIONAL PARTNERSHIPSUMUC is dedicated to the fundamental tenets of collaborationand cooperation with other Maryland educational institutions,both public and private, and actively seeks partnerships with thoseinstitutions to benefit Maryland citizens. Indeed, UMUC is an“academic integrator,” bringing other Maryland institutions intoits half-century partnership with the U.S. military in Europe andAsia as well.In support of the university’s mission to extend access to educationalopportunities, UMUC has formed alliances with sevenMaryland community colleges, enabling students to earn anassociate’s degree at an allied community college and finish abachelor’s degree by completing upper-level coursework at UMUC,or in some cases even go beyond the bachelor’s to the master’sdegree at UMUC. Participating colleges include Anne ArundelCommunity College, Carroll Community College, College ofSouthern Maryland, Frederick Community College, HagerstownCommunity College, Montgomery College, and Prince George’sCommunity College. These alliances offer students dual admission,simultaneous enrollment, seamless transition between curriculathrough linked degree programs, and convenient locations to completeassociate’s and bachelor’s degrees throughout Maryland andthe Washington, D.C., metropolitan region. (Alliances are describedon p. 304.)UMUC is also a charter member of MarylandOnline, a consortiumof Maryland community colleges and universities formed toencourage collaboration among institutions across Maryland andto extend resources for the development and offering of onlinecourses. Through its flexible policies on transfer credit and recognitionof varied sources of credit, UMUC also offers communitycollege students across the nation the opportunity to completetheir bachelor’s degrees wherever they may live.UMUC works to develop strong strategic partnerships with localleaders in business and industry, government, and nonprofitorganizations, and is an important partner in the region’s economicdevelopment. The university has developed a certificate programwith the National Volunteer Firefighter Council and other customizedprograms for employers and organizations. Consistentwith its mission of bringing convenient and relevant learningopportunities to the workforce, UMUC has developed strong relationshipswith many prominent area businesses to assure that theireducation and training needs and those of their employees will bemet. The School of Undergraduate Studies has an advisory councilmade up of corporate and nonprofit leaders who assist in advancingthe mission of UMUC.For more information on UMUC and the School of UndergraduateStudies, students should call 800-888-UMUC or e-mail umucinfo@umuc.edu.9