Graduate and Community Education Programs

http://www.rockford.edu/admission/graduate/

There are two important ways in which Rockford University lives out its mission as a liberal arts University that strives to prepare students for fulfilling lives, career, and participation in a modern and changing global society:

• First, we believe deeply, as we have for more than 169 years, that the best education must be grounded in the firm links between scholarship and engagement in the world. In fact, we argue that education that separates scholarship from engagement, and theory from practice, is not worth pursuing. That radical claim is at the heart of our mission as a University.
• Second, we also firmly believe that access to education for a lifetime is something that every citizen should expect and pursue. The graduate and community education programs at Rockford University are committed to providing education to members of the community from every walk of life. Whether you are a 10-year-old participating in one of our Center for Learning Strategies programs or a 90-year-old coming back to audit a philosophy course, we welcome you as a fellow traveler in the lifelong journey of learning.

Our graduate and community education programs encompass the following areas:

• The Return-to-College program is for adults desiring to finish their undergraduate degree. Currently, if offers one adult accelerated degree completion program: the Bachelor of Science in Management Studies (BSMS). Adults can work full-time and earn a University degree in approximately 24 months (depending upon the number of credits they have coming in to RU), while attending classes just one night a week. http://www.rockford.edu/admission/accelerated/
• The Master of Business Administration (MBA) at Rockford University is not for those who want to do business as usual. Our MBA is a skill-based program emphasizing development of real-world management and leadership competencies – with special emphasis on oral and written communication skills – instead of being highly theoretical. Classes are scheduled with the full-time working adult in mind. Choose a general, management, marketing, accounting/CPA, nonprofit and public administration, finance, project management, strategic, or entrepreneurship track. http://www.rockford.edu/admission/graduate/mba/
• The Rockford University Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program is designed to further students’ knowledge in one or more academic disciplines, increase understanding of the educational process, and enhance various skills involved in teaching. All MAT tracks require at least 36 credits; 32 credits for the thesis option. For those seeking a Professional Educator License (PEL), we offer several tracks that meet requirements for early childhood, elementary, secondary, K-12, and special education endorsements in Illinois. Please note that state licensure requirements may change and that students must satisfy requirements in effect at the time of application for licensure, endorsements, or approvals. http://www.rockford.edu/admission/graduate/mat/ 
• The Rockford University Master of Education (MEd) program is designed for students who have earned a baccalaureate degree and seek an advanced degree in the field of education. The MEd degree does not lead to Professional Educator licensure in the State of Illinois. However, the degree may be customized to include Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE)-approved coursework leading to endorsements for educators already holding a Professional Educator License (PEL). In addition, the MEd may be customized for those who are not interested in teaching but desire an advanced degree in the field of education to work in related settings which do not require a PEL. All MEd tracks require 36 credits.

For more detailed information about the Graduate and Community Education programs, please visit our website.