Building Blocks to a Baccalaureate Degree - College of Arts and ...

Building Blocks to a Baccalaureate Degree

Smart StartThe University of Delaware’s Associate in Arts Program offersDelawareans all the strengths of a traditional Liberal Arts educationand the prestige of a University of Delaware degree. The associatein arts degree is awarded by the University upon completion ofthe required 60 credits of coursework, with a minimum GPA of 2.0.Designed to be completed in two years, the non-residential programbegins with a Freshman Seminar designed to promote academicsuccess, along with coursework in Mathematics, Humanities, SocialSciences, Natural Sciences, and Languages. The associate in artscourses simultaneously fulfill the core requirements for majorsleading to the bachelor’s degree. Associate in arts students enjoyan uninterrupted transition from the associate degree program to abachelor’s degree program in the junior year.

Benefits of the Associate in Arts ProgramThe Associate in Arts Program is designed to encouragesuccessful completion of the associate in arts degree and toallow a smooth transition to baccalaureate studies on theNewark campus. Courses in the Program are UD coursestaught by UD faculty and are the same courses taught on theNewark campus. Courses taken for associate in arts degreerequirements are recorded on the student’s UD transcriptin our student records system and will be carried forward tocount toward completion of a UD bachelor’s degree.Up to 29 credits of courses transferred from other accreditedinstitutions also may be counted toward associate degreecompletion, if the courses meet degree requirements and ifthey have been completed with a grade of “C” or higher.Program participants will receive academic advisement fromfaculty and full-time professional advisors on each campus.Individual assistance is available in writing and in math, andtutoring can be arranged for other subjects.Students within the Program will carry a UD ID card andwill be granted many of the same privileges as UD studentsat the Newark campus, including admission to athleticevents, use of the Morris Library, eligibility to participatein activities such as Marching Band, ROTC, studentorganizations, study abroad, and more. Students will also begranted access to Delaware Tech facilities on their campus,such as the fitness center, library, bookstore, and more.The curriculum for the associate in arts degree, grounded inthe traditional liberal arts, prepares students to enter a broadvariety of bachelor’s degree majors, and provides studentswith skills that employers want most, such as proficiencyin decision-making and problem-solving, oral and writtencommunication skills, quantitative reasoning ability, theability to work independently or as part of a team, and thecapacity to understand and use different modes of reasoning.The Associate in Arts Program is structured in ways thatpromote student academic success, offering• Small class sizes• Close faculty contact• Personal attention• Curriculum structured to lead students toward an eventualmajor• A close-knit learning community, made possible by a smallcampusenvironment• Freshman seminar in the first semester, focusing on studyskills and time management and other essential skills forstudent success• Additional math and writing assistance• Substantially reduced tuition — perhaps even free, ifeligible for a State of Delaware SEED Scholarship.

Delaware SEED Scholarship HighlightsA SEED (Student Excellence Equals Degree) Scholarshipprovides tuition for full-time students enrolled in the Associatein Arts Program at the University of Delaware at the UDcampuses located at the Wilmington, Dover, and Georgetowncampuses of Delaware Technical and Community College(DTCC). SEED Scholarships are not offered to students whochoose to pursue bachelor’s degrees at the University of Delawarein Newark.Eligibility• Students must graduate from a Delaware public ornon-public high school or home school program.• Students must meet the residency requirements ofthe University of Delaware.• Students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 on a4-point scale or 80% on a 100% scale as stated onthe student’s official high school transcript.• Students must apply to the University of Delawareby January 15 and must be admitted to theUniversity of Delaware’s Associate in Arts Program.• Students must not have been convicted of a felony.• Students must enroll full-time in the Associatein Arts Program at UD no later than the fallimmediately following their high school graduation;therefore, returning adult students are not eligiblefor a SEED scholarship.• In order to remain eligible for the scholarship afterthe first year, students must maintain a 2.5 GPA inthe Associate in Arts Program, take classes full-time,and earn a minimum of 24 academic credits in theacademic year.• Students must apply for all appropriate forms offinancial aid for which the student is eligible andshall have accepted all such financial assistanceoffered or awarded to the student, except for loans.The University does not use a separate applicationfor SEED Scholarships. Students who wish to beconsidered for SEED Scholarships must file the FAFSA(Free Application for Federal Student Aid) or, if thestudent is not eligible to file a FAFSA, the UD FinancialAid Form. The recommended filing date is February 15but it is essential that families file the FAFSA by the endof February.Scholarship funding will be subject to availableappropriation for each fiscal year and program capacity.In selecting students, UD will give priority to studentswho have the most financial need as determined by theFAFSA. Visit www.udel.edu/associateinarts/SEED formore SEED Scholarship Program information.

Admission to the Associate in Arts ProgramProspective students apply for admission to the Associatein Arts Program through the UD Office of Admissions usingthe regular freshman application. Applications may be foundonline at www. udel.edu/apply. There is a question on theapplication supplement which allows applicants to specifythat they are applying for the Associate in Arts Program.Students who apply after January 15 will be consideredon a “space available” basis. Applicants must demonstratescholastic aptitude, motivation for academic achievement,and adequate preparation for degree completion. AllDelawareans who demonstrate the capacity to succeed willbe admitted to the Program.Applicants must be graduates of accredited secondaryschools or have equivalent credentials, and must havecompleted coursework at the high school level appropriatefor continued academic achievement and learning; acomplete list of expected high school courses is listed on theFreshman Application for Undergraduate Admission.All applicants must submit SAT and/or ACT scores.Please Note: All Delawareans who apply to a four-yearprogram at the University of Delaware but are not admitted tothat program will automatically be considered for and may beoffered admission to the Associate in Arts Program instead.Students must have no more than 29 credits in the liberal artsto be eligible to apply to the Associate in Arts Program.Enrollment in the Associate in Arts ProgramAll Associate in Arts Program students will be expected toremain in the Program until the completion of all 60 creditsof the requirements. For most full-time students, completionof the requirements will take two years. Earlier relocation toNewark is not possible—students must complete the entire60-credit curriculum and earn the associate in arts degree inorder to be eligible to relocate to Newark.The main body of students enroll in the Associate in ArtsProgram in the fall. A limited number of students may beadmitted for spring enrollment, based on the number ofseats available.Tuition and Financial AidFor a Delaware resident, tuition for the Associate in ArtsProgram is about one-third the cost of Newark tuition;the lower tuition is made possible because the Universitysubsidizes tuition for associate in arts students. The exactamount is determined annually and is posted online in July;see www.udel.edu/finaid/rates.html. There are nominalfees for laboratories, technology use, and registration.Books and supplies are additional. The lower tuition appliesonly to students formally enrolled in the Associate in ArtsProgram; students who elect to start a four-year majorin Dover, Wilmington, or Georgetown are billed at theNewark tuition rate.The Associate in Arts Program is designed for students whohave shown evidence of the ability to succeed at the Universityof Delaware, but who may require an opportunity to firststrengthen their academic skills through the program’s smallclasses, individualized attention, and structured curriculum.As an incentive to enroll these students, the Universitysubsidizes their tuition, and the State of Delaware providesSEED scholarships that cover the remaining tuition. Thelower tuition and the eligibility for a SEED scholarships applyonly to students who formally enroll in the Associate in ArtsProgram and complete an associate in arts degree. Therefore, ifyou take advantage of the lower tuition or a SEED Scholarship,please realize that you must be willing to spend two full yearsin the program and to complete the associate degree beforeyou will be permitted to enroll on the Newark campus.Connected Degree ProgramsAnother option for Delawareans choosing to pursue atwo-year associate degree en route to a bachelor’s degreeis a Connected Degree. A Connected Degree is a transferagreement between Delaware Technical & CommunityCollege and the University of Delaware that allows you tograduate in a specific major with an Associate in Technologydegree from Delaware Tech, and then transfer to theUniversity of Delaware as a junior in the matching major.A complete list of programs is available at www.dtcc.edu/connecteddegree.

Frequently Asked Questions1. What majors can I pursue as a student in the Associate inArts Program?The associate in arts degree is a general degree in the liberalarts and does not have a specific major attached to it. Uponcompletion of the associate in arts degree, students maychoose to continue toward a bachelor’s degree in a specificmajor. If you know what major you would like to pursue whenyou relocate to the Newark campus, you should discuss yourplans with your academic advisor as soon as possible so youcan create an appropriate academic plan. If you don’t knowwhat you would like to major in now, that is OK. Your academicadvisor can assist you in choosing courses based on your currentinterests. Students who earn the UD associate in arts degreeare guaranteed the opportunity to complete a bachelor’sdegree at the Newark campus, choosing from more than 120undergraduate majors. Many majors can be completed in justan additional two years while others may require more thantwo years based on necessary course sequencing. Still othermajors are selective and use a competitive admissions process.Associate in Arts Program graduates compete for seats in thesemajors on an equal footing with students from the Newarkcampus. Some majors may have course prerequisites for entry, orrequire a specific GPA, portfolio, or audition.2. If I’m accepted into the Newark campus, can I choose toenroll at one of the Associate in Arts Program sites instead?Some Delaware students who are accepted into a four-yearbachelor’s degree program in Newark may choose their earlycourses from those offered by the Associate in Arts Program inDover, Georgetown or Wilmington, rather than in Newark. Studentsmust realize that in such a case, their course selections will belimited and they may need extra time to complete their degree.Students should make such intentions known as soon as possible,so that they can work with an advisor to map their course selectionsand develop a timetable for moving to the Newark campus forcompletion of their degree. In most cases, we recommend thatstudents who are admitted to Newark should enroll there.3. I know that I want to enter the Associate in Arts Program.Can I apply directly to it?Yes. If you are a Delaware resident, you should use the regularapplication for freshman admission and specify the Associate inArts Program on your application by checking the appropriate box.4. If I apply to Newark, is there a chance I will be placedin the Associate in Arts Program instead?Yes. Although the majority of Delaware residents who apply toUD will be offered admission to Newark, there will be a numberof students who will be offered admission to the Associatein Arts Program instead if it offers them a better chance foracademic success. The letter of admission will specify theprogram that you are being admitted to. If you are offeredadmission to the Associate in Arts Program, you will have anopportunity in April to attend an information session at theWilmington, Dover, or Georgetown campus. At this time youcan ask questions before making your decision on whether theprogram is the right choice for you.5. If I enroll in the Associate in Arts Program will I have tostay there for a full two years before moving to the Newarkcampus?All students enrolled in the Associate in Arts Program areexpected to remain in the program until the completion ofall 60 credits of the requirements. For most full-time students,completion of the requirements will take two years. Earlierrelocation to Newark is not possible — students must completethe entire 60-credit curriculum and earn the associate in artsdegree to be eligible for relocation to Newark.6. I would like to start the Associate in Arts Program inspring, not fall. Is that possible?A limited number of students may be admitted for springenrollment in the Associate in Arts Program, based on thenumber of seats available. We anticipate that the majority ofstudents will enter in fall, and we plan course seats accordingly.7. I have transfer credits from another school. Can I use thesecredits toward the associate in arts degree?UD accepts transfer credits from regionally accredited institutions,as long as the courses were completed with grades of C or higher.Up to 29 transfer credits may be applied toward the associatein arts degree; however, we prefer that transfer students enterwith no more than 12 credits from another institution. In manycases, the Associate in Arts Program might not be the bestchoice for a transfer student. The suitability of the Associate inArts Program for a prospective transfer student will depend onthe number of credits already earned, the nature of the coursestaken, the student’s intended major, and other factors includingthe student’s academic performance at the previous school.Prospective transfer students are encouraged to consult the UD’sOffice of Admissions before submitting an application.8. After I complete the associate degree, will I have to submitanother UD application if I intend to continuein Newark for a bachelor’s degree?No, it is not necessary for Associate in Arts Program graduatesto submit a second application to UD. Students are guaranteedadmission to many majors on the Newark campus, and UD staffwill assist you in completing the paperwork to enable you tomove directly into one of these majors. If you are interestedin pursuing a competitive major our advisors will help youunderstand the requirements for admission to that major(requirements will vary by major) and assist you in creating aback-up plan, if necessary.

For DelawareansThroughout DelawareUniversity of DelawareAssociate in Arts CampusesDoverDTCC Terry Campus100 Campus DriveDover, DE 19904Phone: (302) 857-1214Fax: (302) 857-1280GeorgetownDTCC Owens CampusRoute 18, Jason Technology Ctr.Georgetown, DE 19947Phone: (302) 855-1657Fax: (302) 856-5654WilmingtonDTCC Wilmington Campus333 Shipley Street, Room 309Wilmington, DE 19801Phone: (302) 571-5395Fax: (302) 657-5198University of DelawareOffice of Undergraduate AdmissionsNewark Campus210 South College AvenueNewark, DE 19716Phone: (302) 831-8123Fax: (302) 831-6905Associate in Arts AdministrationAssistant Dean109 Mitchell HallUniversity of DelawareNewark, DE 19716Phone: (302) 831-3020Fax: (302) 831-4358Faculty DirectorRoom 101, 77 East Main StreetUniversity of DelawareNewark, DE 19716Phone: (302) 831-2743All full-time students enrolled in the Associate inArts Program at the University of Delaware mayreceive scholarships and financial aid, includingthe SEED (Student Excellence Equals Degree)Scholarship. Students must fill out a FAFSA to beeligible for financial aid, including SEED.Visit www.udel.edu/associateinarts/SEED formore SEED Scholarship Program information.www.cas.udel.edu/associateinartsThe University of Delaware does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, age, veteran status, gender identity or expression, or sexual orientation in its programs and activities as required by Title IX of the EducationalAmendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and other applicable statutes and University policies. The University of Delaware prohibits sexual harassment,including sexual violence. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Rehabilitation Act, and related statutes and regulations: Tom Webb, Director, Office of Disabilities Support Services, 240 AcademyStreet, Alison Hall Suite 119, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, 302-831-4643. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies and to serve as the overall campus coordinator for purposes of Title IXcompliance: Bindu Kolli, Chief Policy Advisor, Office of Equity and Inclusion, 305 Hullihen Hall, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, 302-831-8063. The following individuals have been designated as deputy Title IX coordinators: for Athletics, Jennifer W. Davis,Vice President for Finance and Administration, 220 Hullihen Hall, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, 302-831-2769; and for Student Life, Dawn Thompson, Dean of Students/AVP for Student Life, 101 Hullihen Hall, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716,302-831-8939. Inquiries concerning the application of anti-discrimination laws may be referred to the Title IX coordinators or to the Office for Civil Rights, United States Department of Education. For further information on notice of nondiscrimination, visit http://wdcrobcolp01.ed.gov/CFAPPS/OCR/contactus.cfm for the address and phone number of the U.S. Department of Education office that serves your area, or call 1-800-421-3481. 62/10M/1.11/W