Students enrolling at the University of La Verne this month will have a variety of course delivery options to meet their individual needs. In-person instruction is resuming at the university’s nine campuses for fall term. The university is also continuing to provide robust online offerings, with 11 programs available fully online.
At the undergraduate level, students can earn a bachelor’s degree online in business administration, information technology, organizational management, public administration, criminal justice and criminology, child development, or educational studies, and an associate degree in general studies. Graduate students can earn an MBA for Experienced Professionals, a master’s degree in child and adolescent development, or a master’s degree in leadership and management.
The University of La Verne prides itself on offering degrees designed for working adults that provide maximum flexibility. Some course offerings are fully online. Others are hybrid, which combines the benefits of in-person instruction with the convenience of completing some work online.
“Teaching and learning preferences plus skill in time management are all important factors to consider when choosing the degree structure that’s right for you,” said Mary Aguayo, vice president for strategic enrollment management.
The university’s new and streamlined academic calendar now makes it easier than ever for students to cross-register between campuses and course delivery modes. In some programs, students may be able to shorten their time to degree by enrolling in an extra session each year that the new academic calendar makes possible.
U.S. News & World Report, one of the nation’s leading organizations that ranks higher education programs, has recognized the quality of the University of La Verne’s online programs in four categories of its 2021 rankings. Among California colleges and universities offering online bachelor’s degree programs, the University of La Verne ranked fourth. It also ranked fourth in bachelor’s programs for veterans and third for undergraduate business degrees in the state. The online MBA program ranked sixth among California institutions.
These rankings draw on both statistical information provided by colleges and universities and a peer reputational survey. Ranking scores are based on a formula giving weight to major factors viewed as important to student success. Among these are graduation rate, class size, student indebtedness, technological infrastructure, and student support services. Faculty preparedness to teach distance learners is also part of an institution’s score.
“The key to successful online teaching is proactive engagement from the faculty member and clear expectations from the get-go,” said Issam Ghazzawi, a professor of management who teaches online courses at the University of La Verne.
Ghazzawi sends out a welcome message with the course syllabus before classes start in order to build enthusiasm and to help alleviate fear and isolation. He also responds to all student email.
“Keeping the engagement makes students feel they are not alone,” he said.
In recognition of the financial challenges many students are facing as a result of the pandemic, the university is holding tuition flat for the 2021-22 academic year for most academic programs. Generous financial aid is also offered to students at both the bachelor’s and graduate levels.
Founded in 1891, the University of La Verne is a private, nonprofit, comprehensive institution founded on four core values: lifelong learning, ethical decision making, civic and community engagement, and diversity and inclusion. The university serves approximately 7,000 students on the historic La Verne central campus, eight additional campuses, and online.
Learn more at laverne.edu.
