It doesn't need to take forever to earn a degree in the Extended Programs Division (EPD). But you need a plan, or you could be here for years trying to finish. So we've drawn a couple of little charts to help you plot a plan of attack. The secret is simple: you've got to "get your feet wet," then stick with it and take classes every semester until you are done. A class here and a class there likely will NEVER get you to the commencement platform!
First, it takes 124.0 credit hours to earn a baccalaureate (also called "bachelor's") degree. The majority of classes at U of I are 3.0 credit hours. This means you probably will have to take 40-45 different courses to earn your degree. During the regular school year (August to May), most EPD classes meet ONE night a week for FIFTEEN weeks. During summer sessions (May to August), most EPD classes meet TWO nights a week for SEVEN weeks. Therefore, some students take TWO classes during the regular school year and ONE class during each Summer Session (two nights a week year round), like this:
|
Fall Semester (15 weeks) |
6.0 credit hours (2 classes, 2 nights) |
|
Winter Semester (15 weeks) |
6.0 credit hours (2 classes, 2 nights) |
|
Summer Session I (7 weeks) |
3.0 credit hours (one class, 2 nights) |
|
Summer Session II (7 weeks) |
3.0 credit hours (one class, 2 nights) |
|
TOTAL |
18.0 credit hours = ONE YEAR |
If you take 18.0 credit hours in one year, it will take you seven years to finish a bachelor's degree (124.0 credit hours divided by 18.0 credit hours per year). Some students are determined to finish more quickly, so they take two classes year round (6.0 credit hours every session), like this:
|
Fall Semester (15 weeks) |
6.0 credit hours (2 classes, 2 nights) |
|
Winter Semester (15 weeks) |
6.0 credit hours (2 classes, 2 nights) |
|
Summer Session I (7 weeks) |
6.0 credit hours (2 classes, 4 nights) |
|
Summer Session II (7 weeks) |
6.0 credit hours (2 classes, 4 nights) |
|
TOTAL |
24.0 credit hours = ONE YEAR |
Four nights a week all summer! Are you willing to do THAT? If you take 24.0 credit hours in one year, it will take you more than five years to finish a bachelor's degree (124.0 credit hours divided by 24.0 credit hours per year). That is only one year longer than a full-time, Day Division student that lives in a residence hall. Depending upon your personal circumstances (children, spouse, work and social commitments, etc.), you might be able to take as many as 30.0 credit hours per year, like this:
|
Fall Semester (15 weeks) |
9.0 credit hours (3 classes, 3 nights) |
|
Winter Semester (15 weeks) |
9.0 credit hours (3 classes, 3 nights) |
|
Summer Session I (7 weeks) |
6.0 credit hours (2 classes, 4 nights) |
|
Summer Session II (7 weeks) |
6.0 credit hours (2 classes, 4 nights) |
|
TOTAL |
30.0 credit hours = ONE YEAR |
If you take 30.0 credit hours in one year through EPD, you MIGHT find yourself walking around in a daze! That's a load! It can and has been done, but would require a MAJOR commitment on your part! However, if you take 30.0 credit hours in one year, it will take you slightly more than four years to finish a bachelor's degree (124.0 credit hours divided by 30.0 credit hours per year), or about the same length of time as a full-time, Day Division student.
In the interest of fairness, however, we feel obligated to say that not very many EPD students will be able to complete 30.0 credit hours in one year. It is certainly possible, but family and work commitments generally preclude this from happening, in reality. The number of hours you will be able to complete in one year will depend upon a wide variety of personal factors.
What's a credit hour? 1.0 credit hour = 1.0 clock hour in class each week. Many of our classes meet from 5:45 p.m. to 8:35 p.m. (basically three hours). The experts say that you should study 3.0 hours a week for every hour of class to do justice to university-level studies. So if you take a 3.0 credit hour class, that's at least 9.0 clock hours of study outside of class! Are you willing to make this kind of commitment to obtain your college education?
Also, please be aware that not all degree programs offered by the University of Indianapolis may be completed at night. There are about two dozen programs that may be able to be completed entirely through the Extended Programs Division. Consult with your Key Advisor.
If you have questions about how to plot your degree plan, contact your Key Advisor. In the School of Business it is Cam Flora; in the School of Education it is Steve Smith; in the School of Nursing it is Flora Valentine; in the College of Arts and Sciences it is Krista Swisher; and in the School for Adult Learning it is Kathy Simpher. Best wishes in the pursuit of your degree!
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