This degree was developed for individuals who have earned an Associate in Applied Science degree from regionally accredited community, junior or technical colleges. It is also open to students who have completed approved IBEW* apprentice-ship programs.
What is the Professional Studies Degree?
The Professional Studies degree is a bachelor of science degree that allows a student to build upon his or her background by combining a core of required arts and science courses with a component of professional development courses. In consultation with an advisor, each student prepares a professional development plan which will enhance personal and professional skills and goals. Within the professional development area, the student selects a minor or chooses a group of courses that advances career and educational goals.
Advanced Standing and Transfer Credit
Advanced Standing (BLOC credit of 30 or 45 credits) is determined by the content of the associate degree. Other transfer credits for courses corresponding to Widener subject areas will be evaluated on a course-by-course basis.
General Education and Free/Limited Electives
9 credits in humanities electives
8 or 23 credits of free electives - dependent upon BLOC credit award.
Admissions Information
Before formal acceptance into the Professional Studies degree program, a student must submit official transcripts and complete a professional development course plan.
There are no entrance examinations for adult students. Prospective students merely complete a University College application indicating an interest in the Professional Studies major. After receiving official transcripts from all colleges previously attended, University College will evaluate all prior college work toward the intended major. Students may begin taking classes before being officially admitted to a degree program.
Pre-admission academic advising is available during the evening and on weekends when Weekend College is in session. Appointments may be scheduled through either the main campus or Delaware Campus University College office.
Students may earn additional credit through CLEP (College Level Examination Program), portfolio assessment, challenge exams, advanced placement tests, military training and PONSI/ACE recommendations for college credit equivalency of non-credit training programs.
Students may also accelerate their degree completion through independent study along with regular evening and weekend classes
*IBEW stands for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
Required Courses
| NUMBER |
COURSE NAME |
CREDITS |
| Advanced Standing – BLOC Credits (Based or type of transfer program) |
30 or 45 |
| Professional Development courses** |
24 |
| ASC 400 |
Values Seminar |
3 |
| COMM 215 |
Effective Communication |
3 |
| ENGL 101 |
Composition & Critical Thought |
3 |
| ENGL 102 |
Advanced Exposition and Literature |
3 |
| IS 101 |
Introduction to Personal Computers |
3 |
| OR |
| IS 105 |
Introduction to Computer Based Systems |
3 |
| PSY 105 |
Introduction to Psychology |
3 |
| OR |
| SOC 105 |
Introduction to Sociology |
3 |
| USC 400 |
Capstone Seminar |
3 |
| |
Humanities area courses |
9 |
| |
Social Science area courses |
9 |
| |
Free Electives |
27 or 12 |
| (Credit amount is dependent upon the number of bloc credits awarded) |
_______ |
| TOTAL |
120 |
**Professional Development courses may be the selection of a specific minor or certificate program. The student may also meet with the advisor to develop a plan that selects meaningful courses to further the student in academic or career endeavors.
Graduation Requirements
Students must have at least a 2.0 grade point average and complete the last 36 credits of this degree at Widener to meet graduation requirements.
For further information, contact:
University College
Widener University
One University Place
Chester, PA 19013-5792
(610) 499-4282
University.College@widener.edu
