The University of Richmond School of Professional & Continuing Studies (SPCS) is a part of the University of Richmond and was established in 1962 as University College. It offers degree and non-degree programs targeted primarily toward adults. The school's foundation is rooted in University President Frederic W. Boatwright's desire to provide higher education opportunities to working adults and in President George M. Modlin's vision to create a separate university division dedicated to non-traditional learners.
Video University of Richmond School of Professional & Continuing Studies
Programs
As of spring 2018, the School of Professional & Continuing Studies offers the following programs. SPCS also offers non-degree classes, credit-earning classes for professional development, and classes for Osher Institute members.
Degrees
Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts (BALA)
- Liberal Arts
- Interdisciplinary Studies (Weekend College only)
Bachelor of Science in Professional Studies (BSPS)
- Human Resource Management
- Information Security
- IT Management
- Paralegal Studies
Master of Education (M.Ed.)
- Curriculum & Instruction
- Educational Leadership & Policy Studies
Master of Human Resource Management (MHRM)
Master of Liberal Arts (MLA)
Master of Nonprofit Studies (MNS)
Academic Certificates
Certificate of Applied Studies (CAS)
- Information Security
- Information Systems
- Paralegal Studies
Graduate Certificate (GC)
- Educational Leadership & Policy Studies (post-master's)
- Human Resource Management
- Nonprofit Studies
- Public History
- Teacher Licensure Preparation
Professional Education
Institute on Philanthropy
- Fund Development Certificate
- Strategic Marketing & Communications for Nonprofits Certificate
- Grant Writing & Management Certificate
- Planned Giving Certificate
Professional Development
- Adjunct Teaching Certificate
- Beer Brewer Professional Certificate
- Coding Boot Camp
- Educators
- GIS Certificate
- PELS
- Permaculture Design Certificate
- Personal Fitness Trainer Certification
Centers and Institutes
- Center for Leadership in Education
- Institute on Philanthropy
- Joan Oates Institute for Partners in the Arts
- Osher Lifelong Learning Institute
- Partners in the Arts
Summer Programs
- Summer School is managed by SPCS on behalf of the Schools of Arts & Science, Business and Leadership Studies.
- Summer Internships Abroad and International Service Learning opportunities are managed by SPCS on behalf of the Office of International Education.
Maps University of Richmond School of Professional & Continuing Studies
Partners in Education
The School of Professional & Continuing Studies partners with several educational providers for specific programs and general classes. Many provide a custom portal for class and program registration. The following partners are accurate as of 2018:
- Dalton Education (Certified Financial Planner certification and Social Media Management certificates)
- ed2go
- JER Online (TechWriter-Certification)
- Learning Resource Network (LERN)
- Shenandoah Permaculture Institute (Permaculture Design Certificate)
- Trilogy Education Services (UR Coding Boot Camp)
History
University College thrived in a city that lacked education opportunities for non-traditional learners. Within a year, its programs had expanded to include the Summer School, the Evening Division, a two-year Junior College, the Business Management Center and even the University's first Summer Study Abroad program--all but one of which remain programs of the University.
As the city added education programs for non-traditional learners, including Virginia Commonwealth University and J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College, University College responded by scaling down its programs. At this pivotal moment in the school's history, the University recommitted itself to the school by welcoming University College onto the West End campus in 1974.
University College continued meeting educational needs with services that included noncredit programs, an expanded executive education program and the Women's Resource Center. In 1995, in response to the University's commitment to lifelong education, the school was renamed the School of Continuing Studies, aligning itself with the other four schools of the University.
The School continues to meet the community's educational needs. The number of Think Again noncredit courses continues to climb. The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute and the Institute on Philanthropy have expanded. New collaborative efforts like the Center for Leadership in Education match the University's strengths with community needs. Undergraduates can choose from bachelor of arts and bachelor of science degrees; once finished, they can earn graduate degrees in liberal arts, education and human resource management. And partnerships with local education providers result in programs like Partners in the Arts.
In 2012, as part of its five-year strategic plan, the School changed its name once again to the School of Professional and Continuing Studies. The new name more accurately reflects the School's programs along with its ongoing mission to enrich the lives and careers of working professionals.
During the 2012-2013 academic year, the School celebrated its fiftieth anniversary with a year-long celebration. The event opened with a gala celebration and open house commemorating the first day of University College classes in 1962 and culminated in a special 50th Anniversary SPCS Night and Commencement celebrating the School's first graduating class in 1963.
In 2017, the School developed and released its latest five-year strategic plan. The plan identifies four strategic themes and five strategic goals for the period extending from 2017 through 2022.
References
External links
- University of Richmond School of Professional & Continuing Studies
Source of article : Wikipedia