Nicholas E. Kolb, Associate Provost and Dean

George E. Rogers, Assistant Dean

 

Website: www.iup.edu/continuing-ed

 

The mission of the School of Continuing Education is to serve the lifelong educational needs of nontraditional students, working adults, professional organizations, local and state agencies, and the citizens of the commonwealth by providing access to the academic and human resources of IUP.

 

The School of Continuing Education was created by the IUP Board of Trustees in May, 1966. Today, the school comprises Credit Programs, Conferences and Noncredit Programs, the Criminal Justice Training Center, and the Vocational Personnel Preparation Center. The school is characterized by its commitment to academic excellence and high-quality programs. The school maintains a dynamic environment which fosters innovation and experimentation in order to improve programs continually and respond to the ever-changing needs of society.

 

Credit Programs Associate of Arts—General Studies Bachelor of Science—General Studies Part-time Studies Program (Nondegree) Postbaccalaureate Program Off-Campus Studies Program Adult Advisement Services

Center for Vocational Personnel Preparation Bachelor of Science in Education—Vocational-Technical Education Certificate as Secondary School Cooperative Education Teacher/Coordinator Conferences and Noncredit Programs Criminal Justice Training Center

 

Credit Programs

The Credit Programs area offers a variety of opportunities for the adult and nontraditional learner to access the academic resources of IUP on a part-time basis. Courses may be selected from day or evening offerings.

 

The Associate of Arts degree in General Studies is designed for the nontraditional or adult learner who seeks to acquire a broad base of knowledge in the liberal arts. This program consists of the core of Liberal Studies requirements of the IUP bachelor’s degree programs plus 9 to 12 semester hours of electives. The student is encouraged to develop a plan of study with his or her academic advisor which will bring focus to his or her interest in a particular area or subject. No more than 30 semester hours may be transferred into this degree program from other colleges.

 

The Bachelor of Science degree in General Studies is designed for the mature adult student, who under faculty advisement can explore and develop an individualized plan of study which does not approach any existing IUP major. This individually designed plan of study must be based on a specific theme which incorporates basic and applied coursework within a theoretical framework culminating in a senior-year independent research project. At the time of application for degree candidacy through the School of Continuing Education or transfer from another major, the student must submit a plan of study which contains the proposed theme, rationale, and courses needed to satisfy the Special Interest Area. A faculty member will be assigned to assist with the plan of study prior to acceptance to degree candidacy. Students other than School of Continuing Education students must have completed 45sh before a request for transfer will be honored.

 

The student’s plan of study, which is designed to fulfill the Special Interest Area, must be approved by the student’s advisor and the dean of the School of Continuing Education.

 

Associate of Arts—General Studies

 

Liberal Studies: As outlined in the Liberal Studies Section with the following specifications and modifications:		50-53
Fine Arts	3sh
Health and Wellness/ROTC	3-4sh
Humanities	9sh
Learning Skills	10-11sh
Natural Science	7-8sh
Social Science	9sh
Controlled Liberal Studies Electives	9sh
Free Electives:		9-12
Total Degree Requirements:		62

Bachelor of Science—General Studies

 

Liberal Studies: As outlined in Liberal Studies section		53-54
General Area of Study: Choose at least 6sh from three of the four areas listed below. At least 12sh must be 300-level or above. Courses should relate to theme developed in Special Interest Area. Arts, Letters, and Culture Area: Art, Communications Media, English, French, German, Journalism, Music, Philosophy, Religious Studies, Spanish, Theater Human Behavior and Development Area: Anthropology, Education, Health, Family and Consumer Sciences, Psychology, Sociology Science, Mathematics, and Technology Area: Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Geoscience, Mathematics, Physics, and relevant courses in education Social and Political Systems Area: Economics, Education, Geography and Regional Planning, History, Industrial and Labor Relations, Political Science		24
Special Interest Area:  With approval of advisor, student may select, from any department listed above, courses which focus on a particular need or interest. At least 12sh must be 300-level or above. The program must include either one research course which provides opportunities for extensive writing or an independent study project. Some courses will not be available to General Studies majors.		21
Electives:  At least 6sh must be 300-level or above		25-26
Total Degree Requirements:		124
(1)   Individually planned theme may not duplicate any existing degree programs which are otherwise available at IUP, nor may they be used to circumvent specific requirements within an existing major. (2)   No more than 30sh taken in any one department will count toward graduation. (3)     In the application of university policies, the Special Interest Area is considered as the major. Specifically, in order to graduate, students must be in academic good standing and attain a 2.00 GPA in the Special Interest Area.

 

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Part-time Studies Program (Nondegree)

The Part-time Studies Program is designed to offer the adult and nontraditional learner the opportunity to begin or renew a college education at IUP. Through this program an individual may enroll in undergraduate credit courses to pursue personal interests, acquire new skills, or work toward formal admission to degree candidacy. Credit earned in this program may be applied to a degree upon formal admission to an IUP degree program.

 

Postbaccalaureate Program

The Postbaccalaureate Program is designed to provide access to undergraduate courses to individuals who have an earned baccalaureate degree. Students may be seeking a second bachelor’s degree, additional teacher certification, or personal enrichment. Postbaccalaureate students may attend IUP on a part-time or full-time basis.

 

Off-Campus Studies Program

The Off-Campus Studies Program is designed to support the efforts of IUP and its faculty to offer academic programs at off-campus locations. The Masters in Education, the Master of Arts in Community Counseling, the Master of Arts in Adult and Community Education, the M.B.A. Program Executive Track, the Master of Arts in Criminology, the Master of Arts in Industrial and Labor Relations, and the Master of Science in Nursing-Administrative Track are offered in the IUP Center in Monroeville. In addition, the M.B.A. Program Executive Track is offered in Johnstown, and the Master of Science in Safety Sciences is available in Harrisburg. Undergraduate and graduate courses are also available periodically at various off-campus locations throughout the commonwealth.

 

Adult Advisement Services

Adult Advisement Services provides the part-time, nontraditional, and adult learner access to academic exploration and planning through individual conferences and workshops. Seminars are offered throughout the year to provide the opportunity for adult learners to become acquainted with the many resources of the university.

Thomas W. O’Brien, Director

 

Vocational-Technical Professional Studies

Karen S. Rivosecchi, Chairperson; Boyd, Debow, Dolecki, Gamble, Monaco, Spewock, Sylves

 

Website: www.iup.edu/voced 

 

The Vocational-Technical Professional Studies program offers undergraduate curricula that prepare preservice teachers, in-service teachers, supervisors, and administrators in vocational-technical education. Students enrolling in one of the vocational education programs may specialize in an area related to interest and/or previous work experience. Programs may lead to either a Bachelor of Science in Education degree with certification or to professional certification only. Program graduates have a broad range of employment opportunities as teachers/trainers in secondary schools, vocational-technical schools, postsecondary schools, and business and industry.

 

Certification to teach vocational-technical education in the commonwealth’s secondary schools is issued to individuals who meet statutory requirements, demonstrate occupational/technical proficiency on a nationally standardized occupational competency examination, and complete 60 semester hours of the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s approved university program. In the IUP program, a plan of studies will be tailored to each student’s unique background (i.e., electrical, electronics, data processing, drafting, welding, dental, etc.) and professional needs.

 

Certification to serve as a cooperative education teacher-coordinator in the commonwealth’s secondary schools can be earned by completing a program of studies tailored to each student’s individual background and professional needs. The program prepares individuals for managing industrial cooperative training and school-to-work transitional experiences. For persons holding a valid Pennsylvania Instructional Certificate, the program of studies will be individualized based upon educational credits earned.

 

Each program offered by the Center for Vocational Personnel Preparation requires completion of the following semester hours:

Bachelor of Science in Education	124sh
Cooperative Education Teacher/Coordinator Certificate	75sh
Vocational Technical Education Certificate	60-62sh

 

Bachelor of Science in Education—Vocational-Technical Education

 

 

Certificate—Vocational-Technical Education

 

Liberal Studies: As follows:    Mathematics: MATH 101 English: ENGL 101 Humanities: one course from lists Fine Arts: one course from list Natural Science: one course, lab or non-lab Social Science: PSYC 101 Liberal Studies Electives: one course, no course with VOED prefix			21-23
College: Professional Educational Sequence:			6
EDSP 102	Educational Psychology	3sh
FDED 102	American Ed in Theory and Practice	3sh
Major: Required Courses			30
ENGL 310	Public Speaking	3sh
VOED 100	Prep of the Vocational Professional I	15sh
VOED 400	Prep of the Vocational Professional II	15sh
Free Electives:			0
Total Certification Requirements:			60-62

 

Certificate as Secondary School Cooperative Education Teacher/Coordinator

 

Liberal Studies: As follows: Mathematics: MATH 101 English: ENGL 101 Humanities: one course from lists Fine Arts: one course from list Natural Science: one course, lab or non-lab Social Science: PSYC 101 Liberal Studies Electives: one course, no courses with VOED prefix			21-23
College: Professional Educational Sequence:			6
EDSP 102	Educational Psychology	3sh
FDED 102	American Ed in Theory and Practice	3sh
Major: Required Courses			30
ENGL 310	Public Speaking	3sh
VOED 100	Prep of the Vocational Professional I	15sh
VOED 400	Prep of the Vocational Professional II	15sh
VOED 402	Special Topics in Vocational Pedagogical Preparation	15sh	6
Free Electives:			0
Total Certification Requirements:			75-77

 

Robin A. Gorman, Director of Workforce Development and Community Programs

 

The School of Continuing Education offers a wide variety of noncredit programs which meet business, industry, and community needs in the areas of workforce training and development, professional development, personal enrichment, and public service.

 

Business and Technology

Courses and workshops are offered in the following areas: Computer Literacy, Professional Development, Small Business Development, and Customized Training for Business and Industry. Courses may be offered at IUP or at the business/industry site, as preferred.

 

Community-University Studies

Noncredit courses and workshops are offered in Indiana throughout the year. Personal growth and enrichment topics include creative leisure, self-improvement, fitness and dance, culinary arts, languages, outdoor pursuits, Elderhostel, and Great Decisions. There are no exams, no grades, and the instructors are knowledgeable and enthusiastic about introducing others to their areas of expertise.

 

In addition, the Academy of Living and Learning, a collaborative effort between the School of Continuing Education and Calvary Presbyterian Church of Indiana, offers a potpourri of trips, lectures, and discussions on a wide variety of subject matter. Held during the day, all classes are open to interested community people. These programs are provided as a service to the community.

 

Special Programs

The education and training needs of health and human service professionals are met through course offerings, one-day workshops, seminars, and conferences. In addition, Youth Experience in Summer (YES) provides educational enrichment for youth in elementary grades.

 

Conferences

The professional staff of the Office of Conferences assists in planning and implementing experiences for a variety of professional, subject matter-related, and general interest groups. Assistance in budgeting, marketing, designing of brochures, on-site registration, and evaluation are examples of services available to our clients. Coordination of off-campus events is also a service available to conference planners.

Gary M. Welsh, Director

 

Website: www.iup.edu/crimjustice

 

The Criminal Justice Training Center’s role in both the university and the community is to provide high-quality education and training programs for the continuing professionalism of the criminal justice system.

 

These programs include seminars for in-service personnel in fulfillment of mandatory continuing education requirements. They are conducted on an “as needed” basis covering an unlimited range of topics, such as vehicle and criminal law updates, search and seizure, accident investigation, alcohol enforcement, and driver proficiency. Special programs are provided to offer the basic 750-hour academy training required for law enforcement service under Mandatory Act 120. Training under the Lethal Weapons Act 235 provides the basic requirements and mandatory recertification for armed security personnel.