With millions of American workers displaced due to COVID-19, many say they’re more likely now than ever to enroll in college courses. With this in mind, UMW’s Continuing and Professional Studies programs are making it faster and easier for adult learners to find a path forward.

Here are SEVEN things to know about UMW’s adult learner programs.

1.  Speedy MBA track packs a punch. UMW’s AACSB-accredited College of Business offers a selective master’s program that helps graduates land jobs at Boeing, Booz Allen Hamilton, Northrop Grumman and more. Just 36 credits, the MBA is GRE/GMAT optional and offers flexible course formats.
2. Post-baccalaureate pathways lead to teacher licensures and M.Ed.’s. The CAEP-accredited College of Education has pathways to master’s degrees for those with bachelor’s degrees who want to become licensed teachers in Virginia. Course options let students aim for the types of classrooms where they’ll make a difference.
3. Master of Geospatial Analysis degrees point in the right direction. UMW’s unique 30-credit MSGA program leads to careers in crime investigation, disaster management, regional planning and more, with nearby opportunities at the FBI, NASA and the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency headquarters.
4. Bachelor of Liberal Studies degree and customized majors make learning personal. The BLS program is the finishing touch for adult learners who already have credits – up to 90 transfer – or Life/Work Portfolios with training, military service and volunteer work that count for credit. Special majors can be created to suit interests and needs.
5. Seminars and certifications for personal and professional growth. Trending topics like leadership strategies, communication skills and computer programs fuel these courses, which build résumés and lives. Study modules and tools foster success, whether the goal is to move up in the workplace or simply learn a new skill.
6. “Communities of practice” multiply connections and opportunities. Cohort-style experiences bring like-minded professionals together to exchange ideas. UMW faculty facilitate groups of educators, museum professionals and more, setting goals and completing projects, while also building affinity … and critical contacts.
7. User-friendly initiatives smooth the way forward. UMW’s Continuing and Professional Studies team is exploring the ways prospective students interact with its web pages, updating its online presence and enhancing the user experience, paving the way toward upward mobility and career advancement.

For more information about graduate programs or continuing and professional studies, please contact Christy Pack at dpack@umw.edu or 540-286-8030