Apr 19, 2024  
2016-2018 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2016-2018 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Center for Continuing and Professional Studies


 

The Center for Continuing and Professional Studies (CCPS) is committed to serve the lifelong educational needs of traditional and non-traditional students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, professional, and personal growth aspirations.

The mission of CCPS is to serve the lifelong educational needs of traditional and non-traditional students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, professional and personal growth aspirations. In keeping with the mission of Morgan State University, CCPS has as its primary focus the delivery of services to non-traditional students. This system of services includes programs that culminate with the acquisition of a baccalaureate degree as well as those programs that are designed to meet personal and career development needs of individuals.

Matriculating students must follow the usual application procedures for admission to the University, successfully complete the general education requirements of the University, and all other requirements for their chosen major. Generally, the programs housed within CCPS meet the specific needs of individuals at any point in their educational development. This affords the opportunity for students to explore learning experiences in a variety of formats, such as Independent Study, Non-credit Courses, Workforce Development, Special Workshops, Intensive Institutes and Conferences.

Grounded in our belief in lifelong learning and community collaboration, the CCPS coordinates a variety of educational activities and community services for learners from culturally diverse populations in Baltimore City, the State of Maryland, nationally and internationally.

CCPS is privileged to provide scholarship and tuition assistance for qualified students. Among the scholarship and tuition assistance programs offered through CCPS are:

Bernard Osher Scholarship. The Osher Re-entry Scholarship Program for adult students. Based on the success of the program, in 2011, The Bernard Osher Foundation provided a $1 million dollar endowed gift to continue the support of the Osher Re-entry Scholarship Program.

The criteria of eligibility for the Osher Scholarship are as follows:

currently enrolled as a part-time or full-time MSU student,

returning to the University after a gap of 5 or more years,

pursuing a Bachelor’s degree,

between the ages of 25-50,

U.S. Citizen and Maryland Resident, and

have a GPA of 2.7 or higher,

The Dr. Beryl W. Williams Scholarship. The Beryl W. Williams scholarship was established in honor of Dr. Beryl W. Williams upon her retirement in 1981 as Dean of Continuing Studies at Morgan State University. Dr. Williams believed that continuing education was of great and lasting value and as the workforce changed there would be a need for people to retool their skills. Over the years, private donors and organizations, particularly the Baltimore Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. have supported the Beryl W. Williams scholarship. Each year, a Continuing Studies undergraduate, non-traditional student enrolled in day, evening and/or weekend classes is selected for the scholarship award. The criteria of eligibility for the Beryl W. Williams Scholarship are as follows:

be a U.S. Citizen.

be an undergraduate, non-traditional matriculating student (age 24 or older) enrolled at Morgan State University.

have completed between thirty-fifty (30-55) credit hours at Morgan State University.

have achieved a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.00.

have earned a minimum of six (6) credit hours each Fall/Spring Semester.

Tuition Waiver for Senior Citizens. The Morgan State University Board of Regents has approved a general policy of tuition waiver for persons in certain categories, among whom are senior citizens. See http://www.morgancounsel.org/files/T-9.pdf. Tuition benefits afforded under this Policy are subject to change. Students receiving tuition benefits at the time a policy change occurs may continue to receive the benefits through the end of the semester in which the policy change occurs and changes to the available tuition benefits shall become effective the next semester. Within the President’s sole discretion, certain programs of study may be exempted from this policy.

Maryland statute (Education Article §14–107) defines “Senior citizen” as any resident of the State who is:

60 years of age or older;

retired and whose chief income is derived from retirement benefits; and

not employed full time.

The criteria of eligibility for the tuition waiver under the University’s policy for senior citizens are as follows:

Senior citizens, unless they are otherwise covered by this Policy, shall be admitted and entitled to tuition waiver for any scheduled credit or non-credit course (graduate and undergraduate), for as many as three (3) courses per semester on a space available basis, not to exceed nine (9) credits per semester.

The University may not allow a senior citizen to enroll in a degree granting program, unless the senior citizen meets the admission standards of the University.

The University may not permit the full-time equivalent enrollment of senior citizens for whom tuition has been waived to exceed 2 percent of its undergraduate full-time equivalent enrollment.

At the end of each semester, the President shall report to the Board of Regents on the number of senior citizens participating under the provisions of this policy.

Academic and Professional Development Courses

The CCPS offers instructional services for academic credit and for professional development. These instructional services include certificate programs, non-credit courses, continuing education units/professional development hours, and workforce development training opportunities.

Certificate Programs

The CCPS administers certificate programs in Bioinformatics, Health Leadership and Management, Museum Studies and Historical Preservation, Project Management, and Urban Planning and Health Management. Please check the Center’s website for updates regarding certificate programs.

Non-Credit Courses

Our continuing education program offers a variety of non-credit courses focused on workforce readiness, professional development and personal enrichment. Our cadre of professors provide high-quality instruction to a diverse population from various ethnic, linguistic and cultural backgrounds.

Continuing Education Units (CEUs)/Professional Development Hours (PDHs)

As an accredited academic institution, Morgan State University offers Continuing Education Units (CEUs) and Professional Development Hours (PDHs) and sponsors activities for CEUs/PDHs for university departments, organizations in the State of Maryland, and nationwide. CCPS is the authorized unit at the institution responsible for awarding, administering, and reviewing CEUs/PDHs procedures to ensure compliance with established criteria.

Workforce Development

The CCPS offers courses tailored to meet workforce development and/or training needs of individuals and organizations. For organizations, we provide cost-effective solutions that allow the delivery of courses on Morgan State’s campus or at locations convenient for participants. We offer several options to individuals for course delivery including: online, face-to-face, or through our intensive institute course format.

Independent Study

Students who petition independent study courses must be juniors with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5 and are allowed to take no more than two (2) courses independently during a semester. If a failing grade is received in any course, that course may not be repeated as independent study. All students pursuing independent study classes must receive approval from the chairperson and the dean of the requested course. The Independent Study Program process begins in the Center for Continuing and Professional Studies.

Community Partnerships

Summer Programs

Morgan State University hosts a variety of summer programs, to include participants from University departments, Baltimore City, and surrounding communities. The University partners with area schools and community based organizations to provide academic enrichment programs and recreational activities for adults and children. Program applications are submitted and processed through the Center for Continuing and Professional Studies.

Educational Testing Service

In partnership with the Educational Testing Service (ETS) in Princeton, New Jersey, The Center is a Certified Test Administration Site (CTAS) for the Internet-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT). Testing sessions are conducted on scheduled Fridays and Saturdays. Candidates travel from the Baltimore area, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Virginia and the District of Columbia to take this admissions examination.

Continuing Studies Student Programs

The CCPS offers unique programs to support, honor, recruit, and retain adult and continuing students who are pursuing their studies through credit (degree programs) and/or non-credit courses. The following programs are offered by CCPS.

Alpha Sigma Lambda Continuing Education National Honor Society.

The Alpha Sigma Lambda Honor Society recognizes and honors those dedicated adult students who, while adroitly handling their life responsibilities, achieve and maintain high scholastic standards. To the adult learner in higher education, Alpha Sigma Lambda stands as an inspiration to scholastic growth and an invitation to associate with similarly motivated students. The Morgan State University Gamma Pi Chapter of Alpha Sigma Lambda was initially chartered in 1984 and after an eleven year absence from the campus, it was reinstituted in 2007. To be eligible for membership into Alpha Sigma Lambda students must:

be at least 24 years of age;

have completed a minimum of 24 credit hours earned at Morgan State University in an undergraduate degree program;

have earned at least 12 credits in Liberal Arts/Science courses; and,

have a minimum grade point average of 3.2 on a 4.0 scale.

Improved Opportunities for Parents (IOP) Program

The Improved Opportunities for Parents (IOP) Program is supported by Morgan State. Located in the Center for Continuing and Professional Studies (CCPS), the program is designed to assist individuals, especially parents, in obtaining a bachelor’s degree. The IOP program facilitates college matriculation for community residents who would not otherwise pursue the bachelor’s degree.

For additional information about the Center for Continuing and Professional Studies and/or any of its programs contact:

Willie A. Bragg, Ph.D.
Assistant Dean, School of Graduate Studies
Director, Center for Continuing & Professional Studies

Morgan State University
308 McKeldin Center
Baltimore, MD 21251

(443) 885-3155 (Phone) (443) 885-8204 (Fax)

willie.bragg@morgan.edu