NEWPORT, R.I. - Rhode Island residents who enroll in an undergraduate continuing education degree program at Salve Regina's new Center for Adult Education in Warwick may get their first course for free this fall thanks to the University's Kick-Start RI awards program.
The University will present awards equivalent to the tuition cost for one class ($810) to 25 students who want to pursue their college degrees. Recipients will be randomly selected from the pool of first-time applicants to one of its continuing education undergraduate degree programs. Each recipient must meet the admissions criteria and successfully answer the application essay, "Why is now the right time to kick-start your education?"
"With so much media attention directed at our state's unemployment rate and work force skills gap, now is the perfect time for Salve Regina to step up and invest in those who want to better position themselves in their careers by investing in their education," said Dr. Traci Warrington, Salve Regina's dean of professional studies. "Undergraduate continuing education degree programs will benefit adults who are currently working or looking for jobs, and a well-trained workforce will also benefit our economy."
All application materials must be received by Aug. 1. More information is available at www.salve.edu/academics/continuinged, or by calling (800) 637-0002 or e-mailing warwickinfo@salve.edu.
Salve Regina's new Center for Adult Education at 144 Metro Center Blvd. in Warwick will open in the fall, offering graduate and continuing education courses. The 12,000-square-foot facility will provide instructional, student and faculty space in a location convenient to prospective students in Greater Providence.
"The Kick-Start RI program is a great way to help celebrate Salve Regina's expansion into Warwick and to promote the University's continuing education degree program," said Warwick Mayor Scott Avedisian. "Providing these awards not only helps to relieve some of the financial burden for people who want to further their education but hopefully will inspire others to think about pursuing a college degree. We are looking forward to the opening of the Warwick location, and I thank Salve Regina for their continued work to ensure that Rhode Island has a highly-skilled workforce."
The new site in Warwick will provide spacious classrooms, a student lounge area, collaborative learning spaces for student group meetings, expanded computer lab facilities, and expanded services including enrollment counseling, program advising, registration assistance, and more.
Salve Regina's continuing education programs are designed to meet the needs of adult learners, many of whom are already in the workforce, by offering flexibility in both time and location. Courses at the Center for Adult Education will be offered year-round in both the traditional classroom and hybrid formats, including semester-long courses and seven-week condensed courses.
The University will offer bachelor's degree programs in business administration, accounting and marketing, as well as a liberal studies degree for students bringing in 60 or more credits from other regionally accredited institutions.
Salve Regina's business studies department is accredited by the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE), an outcomes-based professional accrediting organization.
Salve Regina's existing RN-BS nursing program will also be administered at the Warwick site. The RN-BS nursing program is designed for applicants who are currently working in the field of nursing and who have an RN license. The program encompasses both an accredited nursing program and a liberal arts core curriculum addressing the values of Salve Regina's mission.
The University also offers nine master's degree programs with options for concentrations and a doctoral program in humanities. Programs include administration of justice and homeland security, business administration (MBA), expressive and creative arts, health care administration and management, holistic studies, humanities, international relations, management and rehabilitation counseling. Several of these graduate programs will be offered at the Warwick site.
"Salve Regina's Center for Adult Education represents a significant investment in the instructional facilities and program offerings that will provide greater benefit for our current and potential students in graduate studies and continuing education," Warrington said. "The opening of the new site is the culmination of over two years of research, analysis, discussion, and planning by the administration, but it also marks the beginning of an exciting new phase of activity."
Recruitment is underway now for classes starting in September. Financial aid is available. For more information, contact (800) 637-0002 or warwickinfo@salve.edu.