WILSON, N.C. — A perfect complement to Barton’s traditional full-time academic program, the College’s Accelerated Professional Programs (APP) provide expanded options for our adult students, specifically designed with the working adult in mind. Expanding beyond the College’s popular ‘Weekends at Barton’ program that began in 1989, Barton’s redesigned Accelerated Professional Programs now include online and evening courses in addition to weekend classes, giving adults more choices in completing their degrees on their individual time schedule.
The course of study and advising is customized to meet the needs of each student, and each student progresses at the speed that best complements their professional and personal commitments. That accelerated speed has been enhanced with a new class schedule to better meet the needs of Barton’s APP students.
Transitioning to the semester format provides APP students with five accelerated sessions in which to enroll, two eight-week sessions each fall and spring semester as well as an accelerated summer session. APP students will be able to earn nine credit hours per accelerated session. This updated format will accelerate the rate that APP students are able to progress through their chosen program. Classes schedules can include week-day evenings, Friday evening, Saturday all-day, and Sunday afternoon meeting times, as well as online class meetings.
In addition to being well prepared for a chosen professional career, the benefits of choosing a Barton Accelerated Professional Program will include the ability to enter the program at five different points (as opposed to three times), complete a program in a shorter amount of time, the opportunity to achieve full-time student status, which will provide opportunities to qualify for the new North Carolina Need-based Scholarship (NBS), class meetings that are scheduled closer together to maximize the student’s retention of knowledge, and additional evening and online course opportunities.
The fastest growing segment in the higher education population today, adult students aged 22 and older are eligible to apply for enrollment in the Accelerated Professional Programs. Adult students will find Barton is a community of motivated learners and highly qualified faculty and staff who are prepared to help students reach their academic goals while also assisting the professional who is preparing to make a career change.
Bringing a wealth of knowledge and real-world experience to the classroom, Barton professors engage students in challenging discussions and activities that have immediate application in the workplace. In the classroom, students debate, problem-solve, and collaborate. And, the work experience that adults bring to the classroom provides a more meaningful and rewarding experience for all enrolled in APP courses.
Under the Accelerated Professional Programs, current offerings include Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degrees in Accounting, Business Management, Birth-Kindergarten Education (B-K), Elementary Education (K-6), Special Education: General Curriculum (K-12), Criminal Justice and Criminology, and Gerontology; an R.N. to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.) degree; and a Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.) degree. In addition to the Accelerated Professional Programs, Barton College also offers a Master of Education degree in Elementary Education (K-6) for educators who currently hold a teaching license in Elementary Education and who want to pursue licensure on the master’s level.
All courses necessary for earning degrees in the majors offered in the Accelerated Professional Programs are rotated through the semesters. Each APP student should meet with his/her academic advisor to determine the course work necessary for completion of a degree program. The evaluation of transfer credit, the general catalog of enrollment, and the course rotation schedule are used by the advisor and the student to develop a plan of work. This will eliminate missing prerequisites and courses that may not be offered frequently.
Students may submit their application for admission to the Accelerated Professional Programs free online. The tuition rate for qualifying Accelerated Professional Programs students for the 2012-2013 academic year is $410 per semester hour – less than half of the regular hourly rate of $941. Payment options and deferred payment are available to students enrolled in APP. Individuals who are reimbursed by their employers for their educational expenses can have the portion to be reimbursed deferred until 30 days after the term ends. A photocopy of an approved employer tuition reimbursement form must be presented at registration to qualify for this deferment. Financial aid may be available to those who qualify. To apply for Financial Aid, students should visit www.fafsa.gov to complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
APP students may still apply for fall term. Orientation for fall term classes will be held on Aug. 14, and APP classes will begin on Aug. 20. For additional information, please contact the Office of Accelerated Professional Programs, at 1-800-345-4973, email: accelerate@barton.edu, or visit www.barton.edu/app.
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Questions? Please contact Kathy Daughety, director of public relations, at 252-399-6529 or email: kdaughety@barton.edu.