|
|
Frequently Asked Questions-BA
Questions about AA / AAS/ 2 year degrees and transfer credit
Questions about online education
Questions about the residency
AA/AAS/2 YEAR DEGREES
What is a "ACCELERATED DEGREE" program?
Are all 2 year (Associate)degrees the same?
How do I know if the school I attended is accredited or whether my degree meets Concordia's general education requirements?
Will previous credits transfer?
If I already have a 2-year degree, why do I have to take more classes than those in the Criminal Justice Program?
Is Concordia University the only school with such requirements?
Why wasn't I ever told an "AA" degree would be "better"?
Can I go back and take additional classes to upgrade to an "AA" degree?
If I need additional classes and/or credits, how do I get them?
When should I take additional classes?
Can I get credit for work experience?
WHAT IS A ACCELERATED DEGREE PROGRAM?
Similar to other 4-year degree programs, Concordia University requires 128 credits to graduate, which includes a specific number of credits in different learning areas: the major, general education and elective credits.
The specific series of courses comprising the criminal justice major provide a total of 49 credits. Therefore, another 79 credits are necessary to graduate. All accredited colleges and universities require credits be earned in specific areas (i.e, math, science, writing, etc.). In other words, Concordia's criminal justice program completes 49 credits of the 128 credits necessary to graduate.
There are circumstances in which a student will likely need credits in addition to the 49-credit criminal justice degree program itself. These include when the student:
Does not enough credits to equal 128;
Has not satisfied the general education credit distribution; and
Does not have a 2-year degree Concordia University accepts as satisfying the general education requirements.
back to top
ARE ALL 2 YEAR DEGREES CREATED EQUAL?
ALL 2-YEAR DEGREES ARE NOT CREATED EQUAL. Some, but not all, Associate in Arts degrees satisfies Concordia's general education requirements. And if one does, unless the student has 79 credits that transfer, additional credits will be needed to total 128.
If the 2-year degree program earned is not from an accredited school or does not include the necessary general education course & credit distribution (which is most likely with Associate in Science or Associate in Applied Science degrees), additional credits are necessary to meet Concordia's graduation requirements.
back to top
HOW DO I KNOW IF THE SCHOOL I ATTENDED IS ACCREDITED OR WHETHER MY DEGREE MEETS CONCORDIA'S GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS?
Concordia's criminal justice program academic advisor can tell you.
WILL PREVIOUS CREDITS TRANSFER?
Yes, IF they are from a regionally accredited school from which Concordia University accepts transfer credits. Credits earned on a quarter basis will be converted to semester credits with quarter credits, of course, equaling less than semester credits.
back to top
IF I HAVE A 2-YEAR DEGREE, WHY DO I HAVE TO TAKE MORE CLASSES THAN THOSE IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROGRAM?
Because to graduate you need a total of 128 credits distributed over specific areas, and not all 2-year programs provide this, including Associate in Science and Associate in Applied Science degrees.
BUT THIS DOESN'T SEEM FAIR!
It does if you understand the purpose of different 2-year degrees. An Associate in Arts degree is designed to provide a broad liberal arts basis of study, oftentimes intended to serve as the first two years of a 4-year degree. An Associate in Science or Applied Science degree because they are more specific in nature when a student does not need or desire to take the additional coursework an Associate in Arts degree requires. For example, many law enforcement 2-year degrees are A.S. or A.A.S. programs, necessitating more credits and additional specific classes to satisfy Concordia's B.A. degree requirements.
IS CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY THE ONLY SCHOOL WITH SUCH REQUIREMENTS?
No, all do.
back to top
WHY WASN'T I EVER TOLD AN "AA" WOULD BE "BETTER?"
To be honest, it would make our advisor's job a lot easier if you had been! But in fairness to the 2-year programs, the A.S. or A.A.S. degrees may have best met the needs of the student at that time. Sometimes students don't anticipate pursuing a bachelor's degree. And, unfortunately, some schools do not sufficiently explain the options.
CAN I GO BACK TO TAKE THE ADDITIONAL CLASSES TO UPGRADE TO AN AA DEGREE?
You would need to check with that school, and while you oftentimes can, this may not be the best option for you. Please speak with the Concordia criminal justice academic advisor to help you determine the best course of action to meet your needs.
back to top
IF I NEED ADDITIONAL CLASSES AND/OR CREDITS, HOW DO I GET THEM?
You can earn them from any school from which Concordia University accepts transfer credits. Or you can take them at Concordia through our online program, weekend program or by independent study. You may also do so by passing CLEP or DANTES tests approved by Concordia University.
WHEN SHOULD I TAKE ADDITIONAL CLASSES?
This becomes a matter of personal choice; however, it is one that is important to consider as you formulate your own plan. If you elect to earn the additional credits while engaged in your online major program, you will be taking more than one course at a time. It's likely you have done this before, so you know you can do it -- the question becomes whether this will fit into your schedule now. Other options include not beginning your major program until you complete these credits or after you complete your major program. Remember, we begin degree programs several times during the year.
back to top
CAN I GET CREDIT FOR WORK EXPERINCE?
Possibly; however, credits granted for prior experience only satisfies the category of elective credits, and the student is required to pay a fee for this option.
ONLINE EDUCATION
HOW DOES ONLINE EDUCATION WORK?
The online education program for criminal justice begins with a week-long online orientation held at the beginning of your program. During orientation, students learn the technology they will be using, how to access their online courses, how to order books, polices/procedures, and student services. Students will begin interacting with each other, the CJ department, and the first instructor.
The cohort is a group of 10 to 15 people who will travel through the program together. The members of the cohort will attend each class together. Other students do not typically drop in and out of individual courses--the members of the cohort start together and graduate together. Throughout the program, cohort members will interact with each other and the university in online discussion groups, e-mail and/or phone conferences.
Online courses have the same objectives as traditional "on-campus" classes; online courses have the same requirements and usually the same assignments. It is only the teaching methodology that is different. While traditional students will attend four hours of class time a week, online education students use a variety of means to meet course objectives and interact with other students and the instructors.
back to top
Learners will have a 45 minute "class" each week. This will be a live, online chat room session where the instructor and learners will discuss questions and content issues together. This will be the same day each week for the duration of the program. Various printed media will also help learners develop concepts and learn new skills.
Lectures are written out and posted on the World Wide Web (in WebCT). Each week, instructors will post questions on an Internet discussion board (in WebCT). Learners will respond to questions, and respond to each other's responses, etc. Professors will have office hours each week so that learners who have questions will be able to call in and discuss the course.
Each student is assigned an academic advisor. This person will be a stable link to Concordia throughout the program. The academic advisor will be available to help students with their academic progress.
The online education cohorts are very interactive; there is a great deal of communication that goes back and forth between learners and between learners and professors. The online education process relies heavily on e-mail. Like the traditional "on-campus" cohorts, the online education process is reading intensive and writing intensive.
back to top
WHAT COMPUTER SKILLS DO I NEED FOR THE PROGRAM?
Technology skills are a necessary element of a successful educational experience. Students should understand basic internet navigation, personal computer skils (i.e. send/receive email, cut/paste in word processing programs, etc.). While user skills vary, one can be assured technology is an integral part of the program. Your admissions counselor can provide you with the specific technology requirements for the program.
back to top
|
|
