Division of Lifelong Learning

Winston-Salem State University has established the Division of Lifelong Learning to extend the resources of the university to those whose unique needs and interests may be served by involvement in its programs. Many of these activities contribute to the education of all university students. The primary mission is to enhance the personal and professional lives of people of all ages and increase their access to socioeconomic opportunities by offering innovative credit and non-credit programs in alternative delivery methods. The Division assists non-traditional students (25 years and older) who seek to complete a degree after interruption of their formal learning or who wish to pursue further study related to personal or professional interests. Detailed information about the division and its various services can be found on the university’s website, www.wssu.edu. The Division offers the following:

Advisement and academic assistance to adult students returning to college, to all non-degree seeking students, and to students seeking additional degrees who need prerequisites prior to entry into the selected major.
Distance Learning delivery systems—credit courses offered at sites other than the main campus or via technology (web-based, web-assisted, teleconferencing, and the like).
Administration of Summer School (intensive 5, 6, 8 or 10-week sessions).
Delivery of selected degree programs (and appropriate support services) to be offered in their entirety in a compressed 8-week format in the evenings and on weekends (Evening-Weekend Programs).
Development and administration of non-credit courses, seminars, and institutes designed to address professional development, personal enrichment, or vocational interests.
Representation and advocacy within the university for adult students.
Coordination of self-paced opportunities provided by The University of North Carolina Consortium.

Admission

Non-traditional students interested in pursuing part-time studies during the day, in the evening, or on weekends are advised to initially contact the Division of Lifelong Learning (336-750-2630). Students interested in pursuing credit courses and programs at a distance (either through technology or at a site off-campus) should contact the Office of Distance Learning at the above number. All students enrolling for a credit course or a degree program are required to complete and submit transcripts reflecting any previous academic course work from accredited institutions. Students who have no previous college experience are not required to take SATs, but will be required to take the university’s placement tests. Non-credit or professional development programs require no formal admission to the university.

Adult Student Services

Adult Student Services in the Division of Lifelong Learning is designed to provide adult students (25 years or older) with quality instructional and support services that promote open access for this particular group. Services provided include:

Academic Advisement—One-on-one advisement.
Adult Student Orientation—An orientation workshop for new adult students.
Alpha Sigma Lambda—Honor society for nontraditional students.
Non-Traditional Adult Student Organization (NASO) – Advocacy & support organization for adult students Childcare Information—Current childcare agencies in the area.
Registration and Admission Guidance—Assistance with the registration and admission process.
CLEP Tests—College Level Examination Program.
Scholarship Information—Information on scholarships, loans, and grants for the nontraditional student.
Senior Citizen Tuition Waiver Program—Senior citizens (65 or older) may enroll tuition-free on a space available basis.
Special Services by Telephone—Administrative procedures handled without coming to campus.
Community Service Waiver—Adult students have the option of a community service waiver.

Office of Distance Learning

The Office of Distance Learning administers several credit bearing opportunities for North Carolinians to enhance their education. These opportunities include credit courses provided by Winston-Salem State University faculty to students who are place or time bound and cannot take advantage of on-campus offerings. Delivery methods include traditional faculty-led classes at remote sites, videotape, and technology-assisted instruction to include use of the Internet and interactive telecommunications, as well as other media. While technologies are used to provide instruction, instructional support, and student development services, Winston-Salem State University emphasizes customer service and responsiveness to the needs and concerns of all students. Distance learners will have access to full-time faculty and staff committed to delivering quality instruction and services.

Current programs include (1) baccalaureate degree completion programs for registered nurses who wish to earn the Bachelor of Science in Nursing at off-campus sites; (2) a degree completion and lateral entry/certification program in Birth through Kindergarten Education in Surry County; and (3) a Master of Education in Elementary Education at off-campus sites. Internet-based programs include (1) a degree completion program for experienced medical laboratory technicians leading to the Bachelor of Science in Clinical Laboratory Science; (2) a lateral entry program for physical education teachers; (3) a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies, with a concentration in Integrative Studies; and (4) a Master of Rehabilitation Counseling. For a description of these programs and announcements of new programs, visit our website at www.wssu.edu click Lifelong Learning. E-mail inquiries may be
directed to dl@wssu.edu or interested students may contact the Office of Distance Learning at (336) 750-2630.

Summer School

The summer school is an integral part of the university. Summer classes are taught by members of the regular faculty of the university, supplemented by other outstanding educators and scholars. Summer school courses are designed to assist students who wish to graduate sooner; visiting students who wish to transfer earned credit to their home institutions; students who wish to earn credit for internship experiences; recent high school graduates who wish to transition to college student; teachers needing to earn certification credits or update subject matter knowledge; and individuals who wish to take courses for personal and professional enrichment.

The basic schedule for summer school consists of two five week sessions, a six-week session, an eight-week and a ten-week session. Courses are typically provided in most of the university’s academic areas, including art, business, clinical laboratory sciences, computer science, education, English, foreign language, life and physical sciences, mathematics, mass communications, nursing, physical education, physical therapy, and social sciences, including history, political science, psychology, and sociology. For more information, call (336) 750-2630 or email: summersessions@ wssu.edu.

Non-Credit Courses

The Office of Continuing Education provides assistance in planning and conducting short courses, seminars and institutes for groups with various academic and training interests. These are frequently provided with the support of professional, educational and cultural organizations, and in many cases, continuing education units (CEU’s) are awarded as credit for successful completion of the activities. Current on-going activities include a paralegal certificate program, GRE, and GMAT test preparation courses for prospective graduate and undergraduate students. For more information call: (336)750-2630.

Self-Paced Studies (Formerly Named Independent Studies/Correspondence)

WSSU participates in the UNC Self-paced Studies consortium. Students may therefore register for correspondence courses developed by faculty of UNC constituent institutions. Prior approval of the student’s department chair is required. Contact the Division of Lifelong Learning at (336) 750-2630 for additional information or email lifelonglearning@wssu.edu.

Evening and Weekend Programs

Evening-Weekend Programs (EWP) provides adults with the opportunity to earn selected undergraduate degrees entirely by taking courses during convenient evening-weekend timeslots. Working adults can complete degrees in four years or less by attending as full-time students in one of the following two formats (or both): (1) The compressed 8-week block format: Students generally complete two courses every 8 weeks and four courses each semester; during each 8 week block, EWP students attend on 16 Tuesday & Thursday evenings (6-7:50pm & 8-9:50pm) plus 2 Saturdays (9-1 & 1-5); and (2) The traditional semester format: Students generally complete a number of courses by taking “regular” evening courses; during each semester, traditional evening students normally attend on Monday/Wednesday (6:00-7:15 pm & 7:30-8:45 pm); some courses may be scheduled on Tuesday/ Thursday evenings. Online courses are also available to EWC students.

Evening-Weekend degree programs include: (1) Political Science (Public Administration)—Department of Social Sciences; (2) Sociology (Social Welfare)—Department of Social Sciences; (3) BIS (Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies); (4) Business Administration (General Business)—Department of Management and Marketing; (5) Justice Studies—Department of Social Sciences; and (6) Psychology—Department of Behavioral Sciences and Social Work. Prospective students who plan to earn their undergraduate degrees entirely by taking evening-weekend courses in the 8-week compressed format should contact the Adult Programs Admission Officer at 336-750-2250 for information on admissions criteria and applications (See Admissions homepage at www.wssu.edu). The General Business program is taught in the traditional sixteen week evening format. Prospective students should contact the department that offers the program for information about the program of study or review the department’s homepage at www.wssu.edu.