Summer & Fall 2012 (PDF) - Whitworth University

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FREQUENTLY
ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: I work full time during the day. Is there any way I can
complete my bachelor’s degree in the evening without going to
school forever?
Yes. Whitworth designed its bachelor’s-degree programs specifically
for working adults. Our six-week accelerated-format courses make it
possible for you to complete a bachelor’s degree in the evening, in about
half the time it would take in a traditional semester- or quarter-credit
format.
Q: I don’t know where to begin the process of returning to
college. What’s my first step?
Contact the Whitworth Graduate and Continuing Studies Office at
509.777.3222 with questions about undergraduate (bachelor’s degree)
programs and teacher certification; for information about master’s
degree programs in education or counseling; for information about the
master of business administration degree; and for information about the
M.A. in Theology Program.
Q: Is financial aid available for adult evening students?
Yes. Adult students may qualify for federal aid, depending upon income
and degree program. Contact the financial aid office at 509.777.3215
for more information. Adult students should also check with their
employers, who often have tuition assistance or reimbursement
programs for employees.
Q: I work full time and I have my A.A. degree from a community
college in Spokane. How long will it take me to get my
bachelor’s degree?
That depends on how many credits you want to complete in a year. Typically,
students can complete 24-30 semester credits per year by taking a
full schedule of six-week accelerated courses. A student transferring in
with two years of coursework (an A.A. degree) from a community college
can usually finish in approximately 2.5 years.
Q: I live in the valley; do I have to travel to the Whitworth
campus to complete my bachelor’s degree?
No. Whitworth’s U-District location is conveniently located for those
living in the valley and in other locations close to downtown. All of the
courses you need for a bachelor’s degree are offered at the U-District
location; you can earn your organizational management or a liberal studies
degree there.
Q: I want to become a licensed counselor; does Whitworth
offer an evening program in counseling?
Yes. Whitworth offers two options for those who want to pursue counseling.
We offer either an M.Ed. or an M.A. in clinical mental health
counseling as well as in school counseling. Both degree programs are
conveniently scheduled in the evening for working professionals.
WHITWORTH IN THE EVENING SUMMER AND FALL 2012
Q: Does Whitworth accept military credit?
Yes. Depending on the type of credit you’ve earned, Whitworth does
recognize some military credit as college-level coursework. Contact the
Whitworth Continuing Studies Office (509.777.3222) for information.
Q: Will Whitworth’s evening bachelor’s degree programs
transfer to a master’s degree program?
Yes. You do not actually “transfer” to a graduate school; most master’s
degree programs require a bachelor’s degree, just as you would need a
high school diploma or GED for acceptance into a two- or four-year college.
Graduate schools may require specific undergraduate courses in
order for you to enter their programs. Check with the office of the master’s
degree program you are considering to determine the undergraduate
coursework required for admission.
Q: I’m currently a public school teacher, and I want to obtain
my principal certification and master’s degree in educational
administration. Can I do that, even though I work full time?
Yes. Whitworth offers graduate degree programs in the evening for
those who work full time. See the graduate programs section for a list
of programs, then contact the Whitworth Graduate Studies in Education
Office (509.777.3222) for more information.
Q: I have my bachelor’s degree but I want to become a public
school teacher; can I do that?
Yes. Whitworth offers two options: If you work full time but still want to
work toward your teaching certificate, consider our accelerated-format
Evening Teacher Certification (ETC) Program for elementary education
teaching certification, and call 509.777.3222. The second option is our
Master in Teaching (MIT) Program. The MIT is a full-time 13-month,
or part-time 25-month, program that allows you to earn your teaching
credential and a master’s degree at the same time. Check the brief
description in this bulletin, then contact the MIT office (509.777.3222);
the staff will be glad to assist you.
Q: I want to move up in my organization while making myself
more marketable in general. Does Whitworth offer a graduate
degree that would allow me to pursue my education while I
continue to work?
Yes. Whitworth’s School of Global Commerce & Management offers a
master’s degree in business administration (MBA). With seminarstyle
classes taught in the evening in a six-week accelerated format,
Whitworth’s MBA program provides students with a collaborative
learning environment that applies to a variety of real-world business
situations. Full- or part-time programming offers students the option to
complete a degree in one or two years. Call us at 509.777.3222.