This post is by Dr. Emad Rahim of Colorado Technical University, a new partner in our College Credit Pathways initiative, and coincides with the Saylor Foundation’s press release on guaranteed transfer credits for several of our courses.*
It can be a difficult decision trying to figure out which degree program and University to transfer your credits to. You worked hard and have successfully completed your Saylor.org courses. Identifying the right degree program that suits your academic and professional goals is extremely important. Also, the flexibility and structure of the program is just as important if you are a working adult and are unable to travel to a traditional campus to continue your education.
Here are a few things you should consider in your decision making process:
- Regional Accreditation: Regional accreditation is the highest form of accreditation for a University in the United States. Regional accreditation is the most accepted for transferring credits and for enrolling in a new degree program. There are 6 Regional Accrediting Organizations recognized by CHEA and the Department of Education: http://www.chea.org/Directories/regional.asp
- Program Accreditation: In addition to Regional accreditation, programmatic accreditation for the degree program and specialization are often favoured by employers and required for certain certifications and state licences. Business, engineering, teaching, nursing and computer science are examples of disciplines that may require programmatic accreditation. Business Program Accreditation Examples: AACSB, ACSBP, IACBE, GAC (PMI), EQUIS
- University Reputation: The University’s reputation, culture and history should reflect what you are looking for in an institution. You want to make sure the institution is respected by their (university) peers, students, corporate partners, alumni and employers. Consider what graduates are doing (career), what employers are hiring their students, who are their faculty and leaders, what colleges and universities have articulation agreements with the institution, what type of grants and scholarships are offered? All of this information is out there or can be provided by the University. All you have to do is ask and conduct some research on your end.
- Flexibility and Structure: If you are an adult student and have a full-time job and family obligations, you are most likely in favor of a flexible degree program and University. Choosing a degree program that can be completed fully online, on campus or by hybrid would be your best option. The type of technology being used for online classes and the University’s ability to support adult students are vital to your success. Many Universities will allow you to test drive their online learning platform and discuss their student services and programs with you prior to enrollment.
- Faculty: Your education will be taught by professors from the University. They will shape your knowledge and confidence. You should do some research to figure out who these faculty are. Universities will often provide faculty profiles on their website which include a professor’s education, work history, publication and awards. There are also websites out there that provide you an opportunity to review faculty surveys, data and student comments.
I hope this information was useful to you in your decision. You are one step closer to achieving your academic goals. You should not rush in this decision. Take your time and do some research to make sure you are making the best choice for your education. You owe it to yourself!
Dr Emad Rahim
University Dean of Business
Colorado Technical University
Twitter: @CTUBusiness
Profile: http://www.coloradotech.edu/About-CTU/Our-Faculty/Emad_Rahim
Check out his story on YouTube (Against the Odds): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cn6tCmtNUsg
About Colorado Technical University’s Degree Programs:
Colorado Technical University (CTU) College of Business offers a variety of degree programs that are “designed to help you develop knowledge, skills and confidence that could impact the business world and generate ideas that can advance management practice”. CTU’s programs maintain an applied research approach and problem solving focus in the CTU Professional Learning Model™ to promote an educational background at all levels that promotes students to adapt to dynamic environments, become life-long learners as well as life-long contributors to themselves, their families, their profession, and our society.
University Website: http://www.coloradotech.edu/
Tuition Information: http://www.coloradotech.edu/Tuition-and-Financial-Aid
Accreditation: http://www.coloradotech.edu/About-CTU/Accreditation
Faculty & Leadership: http://www.coloradotech.edu/About-CTU/Our-Faculty
Undergraduate Degree Options:
Students transferring courses from the Saylor Foundation have the option to pursue an Associate Degree in Business, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (multiple concentrations) or a Bachelor of Science in a business specialization. At CTU, we understand that students learn in unique ways. Some absorb material by reading, watching or hearing it. Others learn best through problem-solving using real-world examples or by practicing an activity until they’ve mastered it. To best serve students with varied learning styles, we have integrated our flexible My Unique Student Experience (M.U.S.E.) learning platform into our online courses so that students can take control of their online learning experience in a way that can suit them best.
College of Business: http://www.coloradotech.edu/Degree-Programs/Business-and-Management
CTU Awards and Recognitions
TOP 20
CTU’s College of Business was ranked 15 in the nation for “Best for Vets” by Military Times
Top 10
CTU’s online MBA was ranked as a 2012 top-10 online MBA program by CEO Magazine
4 OUT OF 5
Alumni agreed they were satisfied with their experience at CTU
NEARLY ALL
Employers surveyed found CTU grads as prepared or even better prepared to work
4 OUT OF 5
Alumni agreed their instructors provided the coaching and support needed to complete their degree
BEST OF THE BEST
CTU’s Virtual Campus was named “Best of the Best” in the 2009 Computerworld Honors program in the Academia and Education Category
Contact us: 1-866-942-6555 Email: [email protected] Website: www.coloradotech.edu
*Content belongs to Dr. Rahim and/or CTU and may not be available under the same license as other Saylor.org content — please direct inquiries to the author.