Virginia State Council Of Higher Education, VA
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A large number of Virginians were enrolled in college at some point in their lives but had to take time off from their academic pursuits for personal, financial or professional reasons. The State Council of Higher Education has researched the availability of programs at Virginia public and private colleges designed for people who want to return to college and complete their baccalaureate-degree requirements.
You are invited to find out more about them through the links provided on this page. Unlike traditional college programs, these programs emphasize flexibility to facilitate a working adult’s ability to earn a degree. They typically offer conveniently scheduled classes and/or accelerated terms and they may also grant credit for a variety of past school or work experience. Financial aid may be available.
To read a brief description of each institution’s program, click on all institutions offering adult education programs. To learn more about a particular program, click on the institution name and you will be taken directly to its website.
Learn more about different types of program listings below:
You are invited to find out more about them through the links provided on this page. Unlike traditional college programs, these programs emphasize flexibility to facilitate a working adult’s ability to earn a degree. They typically offer conveniently scheduled classes and/or accelerated terms and they may also grant credit for a variety of past school or work experience. Financial aid may be available.
To read a brief description of each institution’s program, click on all institutions offering adult education programs. To learn more about a particular program, click on the institution name and you will be taken directly to its website.
Learn more about different types of program listings below:
Institutions Offering Adult Ed Programs
Averett University
Averett University’s IDEAL (Individually Designed Education for Adult Learners) Program provides an alternative for students who are unable to attend classes in a structured environment. Through semester-based independent study courses, students may earn a B.S. degree in Business Administration: Management Science; Computer Information Systems; Criminal Justice; P.E.: Sport Management; or Sociology. A Bachelor of Applied Science (A.A.S. degree required) is also available. Averett’s GPS Program offers an accelerated cohort-based program for working adults who want to earn a Bachelor of Business Administration degree. Classes meet 1 night per week at regional sites throughout Virginia.
Bluefield University
Accelerated Degrees Available:
Three degree completion options are available: Behavioral Science, Criminal Justice, and Management & Leadership. With the appropriate number and type of credits transferred to Bluefield College, a student may complete a bachelor’s degree in about 13 months.
Eastern Mennonite University
This is an accelerated, cohort-based program for working adults. Cohorts are formed four times a year and attend one-night-a-week evening classes together, one course at a time. We offer two majors: Management and Organizational Development (16 months) and Nursing (for RNs only, 18 months). The program is designed for completion of a Bachelor’s Degree and students must have 60 semester hours of credit in order to enroll. Credit for life learning (Portfolio) is an option for many students.
George Mason University
Mason’s Bachelor of Individualized Study (BIS) program is a degree completion program for adult learners. BIS students create an interdisciplinary major that integrates other college-level learning, including professional, military or personal experiences. Eligibility Requirements are completion of high school (or equivalent) at least seven years before admission; prior accumulation of at least 30 semester hours of college credit (15 must be from conventional classroom instruction); and cumulative GPA of 2.5 in previous coursework.
Hollins University
Hollins offers the Horizon Program , an adult baccalaureate degree program for adult women interested in completing a B.A., B.S .or B.A/B.F.A in dance. Hollins is a liberal arts university offering 27 majors, as well as certificate programs in leadership studies and arts management. Women who have never attended college as well as those with transfer credits may apply. Adult students take the same classes, have the same academic opportunities and resources and earn the same degree as traditional-aged students. In addition, they are offered additional services, such at specialized advising, orientation, networking events, and counseling specific to needs of adult learners.
James Madison University
The Adult Degree Program at JMU in Harrisonburg serves adult students 22 and older who have earned at least 30 college credits. Students create a program of study, drawing on University resources, that meet their educational and career goals. Students may take courses online or on campus; however most students complete their degree 100% online. ADP students also have the opportunity for independent study and earning credit for prior learning experience (portfolio). Students can earn a BIS, BA, or BS in Individualized Study through the program. We also offer concentrations that lead to teacher licensure for qualifying paraprofessionals who are employed by Virginia school systems.
Liberty University
With over 40 degrees, Liberty University Online offers quality, affordable, 100% online, Christian education. Liberty offers Bachelor of Science degrees in Accounting, Business, Criminal Justice, Education, Information Systems, Psychology, Religion, and Multidisciplinary Studies. The Multidisciplinary Studies degree is designed for students with a significant amount of transfer credit, enabling them to complete their degree faster. This program is especially beneficial for military or public service personnel with previous college credit or life experience.
Mary Baldwin College
Mary Baldwin's coeducational Adult Degree Program offers the flexible learning options you need, combined with the individual attention you deserve to achieve your goals. Whether you're earning your bachelor's degree, pursuing teacher licensure, completing a certificate program, or taking courses for personal growth, ADP embodies the academic excellence that has made Mary Baldwin a leader in the liberal arts and career preparation for over 150 years.
Norfolk State University
Norfolk State's degree completion program is called the “Reclamation Project”. It is designed to assist former NSU students in returning to the university to complete their degrees. To be eligible the student must a former NSU student over the age of 24 who has been away from the university for more than five years. The modes of delivery are online, weekend and evening, as well as daily classes. Any current undergraduate degree may be completed.
Old Dominion University
Old Dominion University, a public doctoral research institution with its main campus in Norfolk, Va., is a national leader in distance learning. ODU has been a pioneer in technology delivered distance learning since the mid-1980s. Our current distance learning network consists of nearly 50 locations throughout Virginia and as far as Arizona and Washington State, as well as on U.S. Navy ships deployed around the globe. This doesn’t count the many students taking online courses that let them learn when and where they choose. Choose from over 50 programs online or at an extended campus site. Programs are available in business, communication & writing, computer sciences, education, engineering, health sciences & nursing, and social sciences at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
Troy University
Founded in 1887, Troy University offers accredited undergraduate and graduate degree programs that are designed for busy adults who want to complete their education while balancing job and family responsibilities. Today, TROY’s Global Campus operates more than 60 sites in 17 U.S. states and 11 nations. Through its distance learning division, called eTROY, Troy University offers 12 online bachelor’s programs and 15 online Graduate programs in an accelerated format - 9 week courses / 5 terms a year. College is about giving yourself options, and no one is better at that than TROY.
University of Mary Washington
The University of Mary Washington offers two adult degree completion programs—the Bachelor of Liberal Studies (BLS) and the Bachelor of Professional Studies (BPS)—which are available in a variety of disciplines. BLS classes are generally offered during the day, and BPS classes are offered in evening, weekend, and online formats. Transfer students have a minimum of 30 credits upon entering these programs, and are required to complete at least 30 UMW credits toward their bachelor’s degree. Both programs offer opportunities for full- and part-time study.
University of Virginia
The University of Virginia’s School of Continuing and Professional Studies (SCPS) offers two bachelor’s degree completion programs: the Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies (BIS) and the Bachelor of Professional Studies in Health Sciences Management (BPHM). Both provide undergraduate study designed around the lives and schedules of working adults while offering online courses from experienced faculty. For each program, students will begin course work with SCPS after having already earned 45-60 transferable credits including core and prerequisite requirements. A total of 120 semester credits are required for completion of each degree; at least 60 of those credits must be completed at UVA.
University of Virginia at Wise
UVA-Wise offers bachelor's degrees at the Southwest Higher Education Center in Abingdon, Virginia. Students may enroll in courses leading to degrees in one of four majors currently available: Accounting, Business Administration, Management Information Systems and Psychology. Classes are scheduled in the evening, on-line and/or on weekends to accommodate working adults. Students primarily transfer to the program after having completed their lower-division courses at a community college or another four-year college or university.
Virginia State University
Virginia State University offers the Bachelor of Individualized Studies (BIS) degree specifically for adult students. The BIS allows returning adults the opportunity to complete a college degree through a combination of traditional earned college credit as well as credit by examination, credit for educational experiences in the Armed Forces, and credit for work/life learning as documented by a personal portfolio. All BIS students must have a specialization, and may choose from a wide range of disciplines.
Virginia Wesleyan College
Virginia Wesleyan's Adult Studies Program features degree programs including Business Management, Education, Interdivisional, Social Sciences, Social Studies and Social Studies Education, and the Alternative Certification for Teachers (ACT) Program. You receive a high level of personal attention from faculty, staff and advisers – and we are military friendly. With class sizes averaging fewer than 15, the program fosters close relationships among students and with professors. Classes are scheduled evenings and weekends with traditional, accelerated and modified distance learning options.
Averett University’s IDEAL (Individually Designed Education for Adult Learners) Program provides an alternative for students who are unable to attend classes in a structured environment. Through semester-based independent study courses, students may earn a B.S. degree in Business Administration: Management Science; Computer Information Systems; Criminal Justice; P.E.: Sport Management; or Sociology. A Bachelor of Applied Science (A.A.S. degree required) is also available. Averett’s GPS Program offers an accelerated cohort-based program for working adults who want to earn a Bachelor of Business Administration degree. Classes meet 1 night per week at regional sites throughout Virginia.
Bluefield University
Accelerated Degrees Available:
Three degree completion options are available: Behavioral Science, Criminal Justice, and Management & Leadership. With the appropriate number and type of credits transferred to Bluefield College, a student may complete a bachelor’s degree in about 13 months.
Eastern Mennonite University
This is an accelerated, cohort-based program for working adults. Cohorts are formed four times a year and attend one-night-a-week evening classes together, one course at a time. We offer two majors: Management and Organizational Development (16 months) and Nursing (for RNs only, 18 months). The program is designed for completion of a Bachelor’s Degree and students must have 60 semester hours of credit in order to enroll. Credit for life learning (Portfolio) is an option for many students.
George Mason University
Mason’s Bachelor of Individualized Study (BIS) program is a degree completion program for adult learners. BIS students create an interdisciplinary major that integrates other college-level learning, including professional, military or personal experiences. Eligibility Requirements are completion of high school (or equivalent) at least seven years before admission; prior accumulation of at least 30 semester hours of college credit (15 must be from conventional classroom instruction); and cumulative GPA of 2.5 in previous coursework.
Hollins University
Hollins offers the Horizon Program , an adult baccalaureate degree program for adult women interested in completing a B.A., B.S .or B.A/B.F.A in dance. Hollins is a liberal arts university offering 27 majors, as well as certificate programs in leadership studies and arts management. Women who have never attended college as well as those with transfer credits may apply. Adult students take the same classes, have the same academic opportunities and resources and earn the same degree as traditional-aged students. In addition, they are offered additional services, such at specialized advising, orientation, networking events, and counseling specific to needs of adult learners.
James Madison University
The Adult Degree Program at JMU in Harrisonburg serves adult students 22 and older who have earned at least 30 college credits. Students create a program of study, drawing on University resources, that meet their educational and career goals. Students may take courses online or on campus; however most students complete their degree 100% online. ADP students also have the opportunity for independent study and earning credit for prior learning experience (portfolio). Students can earn a BIS, BA, or BS in Individualized Study through the program. We also offer concentrations that lead to teacher licensure for qualifying paraprofessionals who are employed by Virginia school systems.
Liberty University
With over 40 degrees, Liberty University Online offers quality, affordable, 100% online, Christian education. Liberty offers Bachelor of Science degrees in Accounting, Business, Criminal Justice, Education, Information Systems, Psychology, Religion, and Multidisciplinary Studies. The Multidisciplinary Studies degree is designed for students with a significant amount of transfer credit, enabling them to complete their degree faster. This program is especially beneficial for military or public service personnel with previous college credit or life experience.
Mary Baldwin College
Mary Baldwin's coeducational Adult Degree Program offers the flexible learning options you need, combined with the individual attention you deserve to achieve your goals. Whether you're earning your bachelor's degree, pursuing teacher licensure, completing a certificate program, or taking courses for personal growth, ADP embodies the academic excellence that has made Mary Baldwin a leader in the liberal arts and career preparation for over 150 years.
Norfolk State University
Norfolk State's degree completion program is called the “Reclamation Project”. It is designed to assist former NSU students in returning to the university to complete their degrees. To be eligible the student must a former NSU student over the age of 24 who has been away from the university for more than five years. The modes of delivery are online, weekend and evening, as well as daily classes. Any current undergraduate degree may be completed.
Old Dominion University
Old Dominion University, a public doctoral research institution with its main campus in Norfolk, Va., is a national leader in distance learning. ODU has been a pioneer in technology delivered distance learning since the mid-1980s. Our current distance learning network consists of nearly 50 locations throughout Virginia and as far as Arizona and Washington State, as well as on U.S. Navy ships deployed around the globe. This doesn’t count the many students taking online courses that let them learn when and where they choose. Choose from over 50 programs online or at an extended campus site. Programs are available in business, communication & writing, computer sciences, education, engineering, health sciences & nursing, and social sciences at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
Troy University
Founded in 1887, Troy University offers accredited undergraduate and graduate degree programs that are designed for busy adults who want to complete their education while balancing job and family responsibilities. Today, TROY’s Global Campus operates more than 60 sites in 17 U.S. states and 11 nations. Through its distance learning division, called eTROY, Troy University offers 12 online bachelor’s programs and 15 online Graduate programs in an accelerated format - 9 week courses / 5 terms a year. College is about giving yourself options, and no one is better at that than TROY.
University of Mary Washington
The University of Mary Washington offers two adult degree completion programs—the Bachelor of Liberal Studies (BLS) and the Bachelor of Professional Studies (BPS)—which are available in a variety of disciplines. BLS classes are generally offered during the day, and BPS classes are offered in evening, weekend, and online formats. Transfer students have a minimum of 30 credits upon entering these programs, and are required to complete at least 30 UMW credits toward their bachelor’s degree. Both programs offer opportunities for full- and part-time study.
University of Virginia
The University of Virginia’s School of Continuing and Professional Studies (SCPS) offers two bachelor’s degree completion programs: the Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies (BIS) and the Bachelor of Professional Studies in Health Sciences Management (BPHM). Both provide undergraduate study designed around the lives and schedules of working adults while offering online courses from experienced faculty. For each program, students will begin course work with SCPS after having already earned 45-60 transferable credits including core and prerequisite requirements. A total of 120 semester credits are required for completion of each degree; at least 60 of those credits must be completed at UVA.
University of Virginia at Wise
UVA-Wise offers bachelor's degrees at the Southwest Higher Education Center in Abingdon, Virginia. Students may enroll in courses leading to degrees in one of four majors currently available: Accounting, Business Administration, Management Information Systems and Psychology. Classes are scheduled in the evening, on-line and/or on weekends to accommodate working adults. Students primarily transfer to the program after having completed their lower-division courses at a community college or another four-year college or university.
Virginia State University
Virginia State University offers the Bachelor of Individualized Studies (BIS) degree specifically for adult students. The BIS allows returning adults the opportunity to complete a college degree through a combination of traditional earned college credit as well as credit by examination, credit for educational experiences in the Armed Forces, and credit for work/life learning as documented by a personal portfolio. All BIS students must have a specialization, and may choose from a wide range of disciplines.
Virginia Wesleyan College
Virginia Wesleyan's Adult Studies Program features degree programs including Business Management, Education, Interdivisional, Social Sciences, Social Studies and Social Studies Education, and the Alternative Certification for Teachers (ACT) Program. You receive a high level of personal attention from faculty, staff and advisers – and we are military friendly. With class sizes averaging fewer than 15, the program fosters close relationships among students and with professors. Classes are scheduled evenings and weekends with traditional, accelerated and modified distance learning options.
Evening/Weekend Degree Completion Programs
Online Degree Completion Programs
Institutions Certified by Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges
| Institution | Contact | |
|---|---|---|
| Averett University - external link | Susan Rowland | srowland@averett.edu |
| Bluefield University - external link | Cathy Matherly | cmatherly@bluefield.edu |
| George Mason University - external link | Stephanie Barnett | bis@gmu.edu |
| James Madison University - external link | Pamela Hamilton | brownpg@jmu.edu |
| Liberty University - external link | ||
| Norfolk State University - external link | Khadijah Miller | komiller@nsu.edu |
| - external link | Heather Huling | dl_support@odu.edu |
| Virginia Wesleyan University - external link | Tom Farley | tfarley@vwc.edu |
| Virginia State University - external link | Alan Boese | aboese@vsu.edu |
| Troy University - external link | Christine Burge | cburge@troy.edu |
| Saint Leo University - external link | Susan J. Paulson | susan.paulson@saintleo.edu |
Institutions Offering Programs in Business
Institutions Offering Programs in Engineering
| Institution | Contact | |
|---|---|---|
| George Mason University - external link | Stephanie Barnett | bis@gmu.edu |
| James Madison University - external link | Pamela Hamilton | brownpg@jmu.edu |
| Norfolk State University - external link | Khadijah Miller | komiller@nsu.edu |
| Old Dominion University - external link | Heather Huling | dl_support@odu.edu |
| Virginia State University - external link | Alan Boese | aboese@vsu.edu |
Institutions Offering Programs In Information Technology
| Institution | Contact | |
|---|---|---|
| George Mason University - external link | Stephanie Barnett | bis@gmu.edu |
| James Madison University - external link | Pamela Hamilton | brownpg@jmu.edu |
| Liberty University Online - external link | ||
| Norfolk State University - external link | Khadijah Miller | komiller@nsu.edu |
| Old Dominion University - external link | Heather Huling | dl_support@odu.edu |
| University of Mary Washington - external link | Charles Tate | ctate@umw.edu |
| Virginia State University - external link | Alan Boese | aboese@vsu.edu |
| Troy University - external link | Christine Burge | cburge@troy.edu |
| Saint Leo University - external link | Susan J. Paulson | susan.paulson@saintleo.edu |
| University of Virginia at Wise - external link | Scott Blevins | pb8q@uvawise.edu |
Institutions Offering Programs in Nursing
| Institution | Contact | |
|---|---|---|
| Eastern Mennonite University - external link | Sue Cockley | cockleys@emu.edu |
| George Mason University - external link | Stephanie Barnett | bis@gmu.edu |
| Liberty University Online - external link | ||
| Norfolk State University - external link | Khadijah Miller | komiller@nsu.edu |
| Old Dominion University - external link | Heather Huling | dl_support@odu.edu |
Institutions Offering Programs in Teaching
| Institution | Contact | |
|---|---|---|
| George Mason University - external link | Stephanie Barnett | bis@gmu.edu |
| Hollins University - external link | Celia McCormick | cmccormick@hollins.edu |
| James Madison University - external link | Pamela Hamilton | brownpg@jmu.edu |
| Mary Baldwin University - external link | Nancy Krippel | nkrippel@mbc.edu |
| Norfolk State University - external link | Khadijah Miller | komiller@nsu.edu |
| Old Dominion University - external link | Heather Huling | dl_support@odu.edu |
| University of Mary Washington - external link | Charles Tate | ctate@umw.edu |
| Virginia Wesleyan University - external link | Tom Farley | tfarley@vwc.edu |
| University of Virginia at Wise - external link | Scott Blevins | pb8q@uvawise.edu |
Other Important Resources for Adults Seeking Postsecondary Education
Virginia has four Higher Education Centers which are convenient for students who prefer to stay within their region to pursue a degree. The centers offer access to bachelor's degree completion programs, master's degrees, teacher endorsement programs, teacher recertification courses, and more through partnerships with colleges and universities. They are located in the following areas: