University of Richmond School of Professional & Continuing Studies

University of Richmond School of Professional & Continuing Studies
Type Private
Established 1962
Dean Jamelle S. Wilson
Location Richmond, Virginia, USA
Campus Suburban
Website spcs.richmond.edu

The University of Richmond School of Professional & Continuing Studies (SPCS) is a part of the University of Richmond and was established in 1962 as University College.[1] It offers degree and non-degree programs targeted primarily toward adults.

History

The university was founded in 1962 as University College, at a time when the city lacked educational opportunities for non-traditional learners. Within a year, its programs had expanded to include the Summer School, the Evening Division, a two-year Junior College, the Business Management Center, and even the university’s first summer study abroad program — all but one of which remain programs of the university.[1]

As the city added education programs for non-traditional learners, including Virginia Commonwealth University and J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College, University College responded by scaling down its programs. In 1974, the university recommitted itself to the school by welcoming University College onto the West End campus.

University College continued meeting educational needs with services that included noncredit programs, an expanded executive education program and the Women’s Resource Center. In 1995, in response to the university’s commitment to lifelong education, the school was renamed the School of Continuing Studies, aligning itself with the other four schools of the university.

The number of Think Again noncredit courses continues to climb. The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute and the Institute on Philanthropy have expanded. New collaborative efforts like the Center for Leadership in Education match the university’s strengths with community needs. Undergraduates can choose from bachelor of arts and bachelor of science degrees; once finished, they can earn graduate degrees in liberal arts, education and human resource management. The program also partnerships with local education providers result in programs like Partners in the Arts.

In 2012, as part of its five-year strategic plan, the school changed its name to the School of Professional and Continuing Studies. The new name more accurately reflects the school’s programs along with its ongoing mission to help the careers of working professionals in general.

During the 2012-2013 academic year, the school celebrated its fiftieth anniversary with a year-long celebration. The event opened with a gala celebration and open house commemorating the first day of University College classes in 1962 and culminated in a special 50th Anniversary SPCS night and commencement celebrating the school’s first graduating class in 1963.

In 2017, the school developed and released its latest five-year strategic plan, which identifies four strategic themes and five strategic goals for the period extending from 2017 through 2022.

Programs

As of spring 2018, the School of Professional & Continuing Studies offers the following programs. SPCS also offers non-degree classes, credit-earning classes for professional development, and classes for Osher Institute members.

Degrees

Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts (BALA)

  • Liberal Arts
  • Interdisciplinary Studies (Weekend College only)

Bachelor of Science in Professional Studies (BSPS)

  • Human Resource Management
  • Information Security
  • IT Management
  • Paralegal Studies

Master of Education (M.Ed.)

  • Curriculum & Instruction
  • Educational Leadership & Policy Studies

Academic certificates

Certificate of Applied Studies (CAS)

  • Information Security
  • Information Systems
  • Paralegal Studies

Graduate Certificate (GC)

  • Educational Leadership & Policy Studies] (post-master's)
  • Human Resource Management
  • Nonprofit Studies
  • Public History
  • Teacher Licensure Preparation

Professional education

Institute on Philanthropy

  • Fund Development Certificate
  • Strategic Marketing & Communications for Nonprofits Certificate
  • Grant Writing & Management Certificate
  • Planned Giving Certificate

Professional development

  • Adjunct Teaching Certificate
  • Beer Brewer Professional Certificate
  • Coding Boot Camp
  • Educators
  • GIS Certificate
  • PELS
  • Permaculture Design Certificate
  • Personal Fitness Trainer Certification

Centers and institutes

  • Center for Leadership in Education
  • Institute on Philanthropy
  • Joan Oates Institute for Partners in the Arts
  • Osher Lifelong Learning Institute
  • Partners in the Arts

Summer programs

  • Summer School is managed by SPCS on behalf of the Schools of Arts & Science], Business] and Leadership Studies.
  • Summer Internships Abroad and International Service Learning opportunities are managed by SPCS on behalf of the Office of International Education.

Partners in education

The School of Professional & Continuing Studies partners with several educational providers for specific programs and general classes. Many provide a custom portal for class and program registration. The following partners are accurate as of 2018:

  • Dalton Education (Certified Financial Planner certification and Social Media Management certificates)
  • ed2go
  • JER Online TechWriter-Certification
  • Learning Resource Network (LERN)
  • Shenandoah Permaculture Institute (Permaculture Design Certificate)
  • Trilogy Education Services (UR Coding Boot Camp])

References

  1. 1 2 History – School of Professional & Continuing Studies – University of Richmond
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