PUC Offers Three Degree Completion Programs

Pacific Union College is now offering a Degree Completion Program (DCP), which allows a working adult to continue his or her education, while still working full-time, and receive a bachelor's degree. This accelerated program enables the student to obtain a degree in twenty to twenty-two months by attending an evening class only one night a week. The classes are located close by, based in either Napa or Santa Rosa. The Degree Completion Program is especially designed for the student trying to balance family, career, and education by providing easily accessible classes which meet only once a week.

There are currently three programs offered by the DCP, Early Childhood Education, Management, and Criminal Justice. The course in Early Childhood Education qualifies students to meet the new State guidelines for day-care and pre-school professionals. This program emphasizes the process of planning, administering, and developing programs for young children. Many core topics, including speech and language development, behavior, and counseling, will be covered by the course. This class will convene in Napa on Monday, February 15.

The Management program is designed to help develop the administrative and leadership skills necessary to assume a business leadership position. Classes are taught in

seminar or workshop style with class materials emphasizing behavior, supervision, interpersonal skills, and management problem-solving. This program is immediately applicable for many professionals.

The final program, Criminal Justice Administration, was created for Peace Officers needing a bachelor's degree for career advancement. It focuses on training law enforcement professionals for administrative and managerial leadership roles. Courses cover such areas as criminalistics, forensics, and police-community relations.

All three programs require that the student have at least 60 transferable semester hours of credit and several years of actual work experience. Academic credit to meet this requirement may be granted in several ways, beyond traditional schooling. For example, credit can be awarded for professional, technical, and military training. A wide variety of nationally standardized tests, such as the DANTES and the CLEP, are also recognized and awarded credit.

The program is also financially accessible. Financial aid and tuition plans are available to those who qualify. Some employers also have tuition assistance plans for employees interested in expanding their education.