The Office of Continuing Education offers high quality, academic education for adults seeking undergraduate degrees through part-time study. The Continuing Education staff provides academic advising and counseling for those students seeking information about transfer courses, degree options, or resources related to career options. The goal of the Division of Continuing Education is to provide legendary customer service to our students. The Division is eager to serve its students at the highest level of service possible.
Delaware Valley College provides a variety of career-oriented degree programs. Many students can complete their degrees through part-time (11 or fewer credits per term), or daytime study. Others who are looking to improve their skills for their jobs or to develop new career opportunities can do so by completing study in our numerous certificate programs.
Individuals wishing to pursue part-time studies during the day are welcome. Most of the college’s degree programs are available to part-time day students. It is advisable for part-time day students to meet with a representative of the Continuing Education Office and with the Department Chairperson of the degree program in which they are interested.
Current students are encouraged to meet with an academic advisor to review their record and discuss registration options, new career changes, and more. Appointments are available weekly and are scheduled at the student’s convenience.
ASPiRE Program
The ASPiRE Program is an accelerated degree completion program designed for adult students who have earned at least 45 credit hours and have a minimum 2.0 GPA. The program is a cohort program where students complete their degree requirements with the same group of adults with which they started. Cohorts begin every September and January. Following the cohort schedule, students will be able to complete their undergraduate degree requirements in less than 20 months.
Evening College Programs
The College’s Evening College provides the opportunity for students to participate in classes that meet once a week with a class schedule that is considerate of the adult student’s life.
The following programs may be taken and completed through the Evening College. Please check the appropriate department listing in this catalog for requirements, prerequisites and course descriptions.
Associate of Science Degrees
Bachelor of Science Degrees
- Business Administration, Accounting, B.S.
- Business Administration, Financial Services Specialization, B.S.
- Business Administration, General Business Specialization, B.S.
- Business Administration, Management Specialization, B.S.
- Business Administration, Marketing Specialization, B.S.
- Chemistry, B.S.
- Criminal Justice Administration, B.S.
- Secondary Education
- Ornamental Horticulture and Environmental Design
Not all courses in every program may be available through the Evening College. Please contact the Continuing Education Office for further information.
Certificate Programs
Certificate programs help adults develop their skills in a variety of specialized areas. Certificate programs usually enable individuals to “step-up” to an associate or baccalaureate degree. All courses are credit-bearing courses and can be applied to a degree. One-half of the required courses must be taken at Delaware Valley College and a 2.00 GPA is required for completion.
Credit Certificate Programs in:
Teacher Intern Certification Program (TICP)
The Teacher Intern Certification Program is designed for students who have a bachelor’s degree and desire to obtain a Secondary Education Certificate from the Pennsylvania Department of Education. This program provides the student the opportunity to obtain this certificate in less than a year. Incoming students must have a minimum GPA of 2.8 in an area that the College certifies. Students complete 21 undergraduate classes in Education courses while achieving a 3.0 GPA. After the completion of 6 credit hours, certain students may apply for an Intern Certificate which enables the student to obtain an intern position with an accredited school. During the internship, the student is observed by a mentor for guidance. After the completion of coursework and internship, the student may apply for a Level 1 Teaching Certificate from the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
High School Honors Program
High School junior and senior students with a C+ or better average may take courses for credit at Delaware Valley College. This is an excellent way for these students to gain advanced standing at their future college or university. To receive approval, the students must have a letter of recommendation and a transcript from their guidance counselor sent to Delaware Valley College which states that the student demonstrates the knowledge, ability and maturity to take a college level course(s) for credit.
The letter is to be addressed to the Director of Continuing Education for approval. Upon approval, the Registrar will be notified to permit the student to register. These students may take one course per semester or summer session.
If a high school senior is certified by the high school to have completed all academic requirements for graduation by January, and meets Delaware Valley College’s admission requirements, the student may enroll as a part-time or full-time commuter student for the spring semester.
Academic Services for Continuing Education
Advising
All new and current students are encouraged to meet with an advisor in the Division of Continuing Education at least five weeks prior to registration. Advising for evening and part-time day students is done through the Division of Continuing Education. Call the Office of Continuing Education to schedule an appointment.
Evaluation of Transcripts
The College has articulation agreements with many colleges and private schools. These agreements facilitate the transfer of coursework into Delaware Valley College’s degree programs. There is no time limit on transfer credit, and only college level courses which have earned a grade of “C” or better will transfer. Individuals wishing to have their prior coursework evaluated may have copies of their previous academic transcript sent or faxed to the Division of Continuing Education (215-345-1599) for review, stating the intended major. You will then be invited to meet with an advisor to review your previous coursework and determine an educational plan that works for you. Unofficial copies of transcripts may be submitted for an initial evaluation, however, official transcripts are required to apply for degree candidacy.
Procedure for Degree Candidacy
Schedule an interview with either the Continuing Education staff and meet one or several of the following criteria:
- Have a 2.0 (“C”) grade point average in previous college (post-secondary) work
- Already possess a bachelor’s or associate’s degree
- Submit high school diploma or GED (if student is not applying for financial aid and has previously attended another college with a GPA of 2.0 or higher, only the official college transcript will be required
If a student’s previous high school or college work is deemed to be deficient (less than a GPA of 2.0, “C” average), the student will receive Conditional Approval for Degree Candidacy. The student will be required to take at least two three-credit courses (6 credit hours) at Delaware Valley College and achieve at least a “C” in each course, after which the “conditional” status will be removed. Application forms for Degree Candidacy are available from the Continuing Education Office and at the college’s website.
Academic Standing
Continuing Education students are expected to maintain normal academic progress in their respective degree programs. Please refer to the Academic Progress section of the catalog under Academic Regulations for an explanation of the required progress standards.
Dean’s List
Evening students who are degree candidates and who complete six credits and earn a grade point average of 3.5 or higher in a semester or term will be placed on the Dean’s List at the conclusion of the Fall and Spring semesters. ASPiRE students follow the same criteria for each term. The six credits must be taken in the same semester or term and may not be split between semesters or terms.
Alpha Sigma Lambda
Delaware Valley College is a member of Alpha Sigma Lambda, the national honor society for adult students. Continuing Education students are considered for induction into Alpha Sigma Lambda if they are matriculated, have a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher, and have taken a minimum of 30 credits at the College. The top 10% of this group is selected for induction into Alpha Sigma Lambda each spring.
Non-traditional Credits
Students may earn credit toward their degree through a variety of non-traditional strategies thereby reducing the amount of time to earn a degree.
American Council on Education - ACE Credit
Delaware Valley College grants credit for military experience based on the American Council on Education (ACE) guidelines. Students who wish to receive such credit must provide a copy of their SMAR T or AARTS transcript for evaluation. ACE credits are noted with a grade of “TR” which does not affect the GPA.
College Level Examination Program - CLEP
Proficiency in a subject may be validated by satisfactory completion of the College Level Examination Program test offered through Educational Testing Service. These tests are taken in the Office of Continuing Education. Credits earned through CLEP receive a grade of “CL” which does not affect the GPA.
Course Challenge
Students in good academic standing (2.0 GPA or higher) who believe they have at least an average (“C” or better) competence in a course’s subject matter may petition the Registrar’s Office to challenge the course. Not all courses may be challenged. All prerequisites must be satisfied prior to challenging a course. The student may not have been previously registered for the course. Unsuccessful challengers are not permitted to challenge the same course again. The fee for a course challenge is not included in regular tuition charges. The student will consult with the Chairperson of the course’s department to request an appropriate faculty member to administer the challenge. The faculty member will determine the basis upon which the challenge will be assessed and will confer with the student in preparing a portfolio of evidence in support of the student’s contention of competency. A successful course challenge is graded with a grade of “CC” which does not affect the GPA. Students may petition to challenge a course at any time during the semester, but the challenge must be completed within the semester in which it was approved.
Independent Study
Matriculated students who have completed 92 or more credits in good academic standing (2.0 GPA or higher) may request to complete up to two courses by directed independent study. This alternative approach is a faculty supervised, self-paced student learning experience. Students should regard an independent study course as being at least as demanding as a regularly scheduled course and allocate the necessary resources of time and energy. Not all courses are available in an independent study format. Students must first make application to the Office of the Registrar within five business days of the start of a semester. A course syllabus, from the instructor of record, must be submitted to the Registrar before final approval is granted to begin the independent study. A copy of the syllabus will be forwarded to the appropriate department chairperson. The independent study must be completed and graded within the semester in which it is registered. In cases where a student is seeking an independent study to complete a graduation requirement, a student must pursue all other options in conjunction with the academic advisor to complete the requirement to obtain approval. Alternative options include, but are not limited to, DelVal evening courses, course substitution, transferring an approved course from another institution, and deferring a course to a future semester. Independent study fees are not included in regular full-time tuition charges. Independent studies are charged by the credit and will be processed by the Bursar’s Office once all necessary approvals are obtained by the student.