School of Adult and Professional Studies

Faculty

Beth Madison (2007). Associate Professor of Science. B.S., University of Tennessee; M.S., University of Kentucky; Ph.D., Kansas State University.

Staff

Paige Holmes (2022). Online Course Design Coordinator. B.S., Freed-Hardeman University; M.S.Ed., Purdue University; M.B.A., Union University.

Dawn Patterson (2024). Academic Advisor and Testing Administrator. B.A., Lambuth University.

Luanne Powell (1984-87; 1999). Senior Program Director. B.A. and M.B.A., Union University.

Chris Sumner (2023). Admissions Specialist. BSOL, Union University.

Emily Winter (2024). Administrative Assistant, B.A., Middle Tennessee State University

Mission Statement

The mission of Adult and Professional Studies is to deliver an integrated, multi-disciplinary education within a Christian context for adult learners, equipping persons to think Christianly and serve faithfully in ways consistent with the University’s core values of being excellence-driven, Christ-centered, people-focused, and future-directed.

Degrees Offered

Curriculum

The School serves undergraduate non-traditional adult students in degree-completion programs, undergraduate and certificate programs, and continuing education initiatives at the University. It focuses, as well, on community extended learning efforts.

The Associate of Science in Professional Studies (ASPS) degree is uniquely designed to facilitate the degree progression for adult students who have little or no previous college credits. The ASPS degree features a rotation of courses created specifically for adult students and offers concentrations in: Organizational Leadership, Christian Leadership, and Human Services (General and Pre-Nursing tracks). After completing the Associate of Science in Professional Studies program, students are prepared to enroll in one of Union's Adult Studies bachelor's degrees as well as many of our traditional degree offerings.

The Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership (BSOL) is a degree-completion program designed to meet the needs of working adults. The program is for adults who have an associate degree or at least 60 hours of earned college credit. The rotation of classes allows for degree completion in as little as 18 months.

The BSOL major may be completed with a concentration in one of seven areas: Organizational Management, Health Management, Church Leadership, Project Management, Criminal Justice Administration, Cybersecurity Management, or Manufacturing and Industry Management.

The School also offers the Bachelor of Science in Christian Leadership (BSCL). The BSCL is designed for students interested in furthering their pastoral aspirations, or for students interested in the undergraduate degree for other reasons, such as preparation for ministry or church leadership fields.

For additional information, including direct contact information to program personnel, please check www.uu.edu/succeed.

Program Admission

The Associate of Science in Professional Studies (ASPS) program accepts qualified adult students who have little or no prior college credit. The goal of ASPS is to provide individualized programs to include academic advising and course selection to help beginning adult students in their transition into academic life and foster their strengths and achievements to help them complete a degree from Union University. Students admitted into the ASPS, BSCL, or BSOL Programs must be 24 years of age or older. Prior to admission, the student must submit an application for admission and processing fee; High School Diploma or GED/HiSET or equivalency; transcripts from all institutions of higher learning attended and written rationale statement describing desire to attend Union University. Students with 24 hours of college credit may be admitted under the University transfer admission guidelines. Students with less than 24 hours of college credit may be admitted under the University's freshman admission criteria. Students who do not meet one or more of these criteria for admission may apply for conditional admission. Conditional admission will be evaluated based on the student's application portfolio by the Undergraduate Admissions & Retention Committee. Students may be fully admitted to the program after satisfying the conditions determined by the committee.

In addition to University admission requirements, the BSOL or BSCL applicant must provide official transcripts documenting completion of a minimum of 60 semester hours of acceptable college credit including ENG 111 and 18 additional hours applicable to the General Core. All coursework attempted must document a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher. If the student has below 60 semester hours, they may apply for a conditional admission through the process listed above.

Testing and Credit for Prior Learning

Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) may be awarded for experiential learning using portfolio-style documentation of learning. Students must be fully accepted and registered in the BSOL or BSCL Program before submitting the portfolio. Check with your advisor for application and full details.

Union University participates in several credit by examination programs following the guidelines of The Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) and The American Council on Education (ACE). A maximum of 32 semester hours by examination and a maximum of 28 CPL hours may be applied toward the BSOL or BSCL degree. See the "Admissions" section of the Catalogue for additional information.

Union University awards credit for non-collegiate sponsored education in accordance with ACE and CAEL guidelines.

Transcription of this credit is available to matriculated students. It includes credit for learning experiences in all branches of the military and through participating industry education programs.

Credit by Testing

CLEP and DSST/DANTES credit by testing may be applicable to the student’s program as detailed in the Advanced Placement section of the catalogue. CLEP and DSST/ DANTES attempts can be made no later than ten weeks prior to graduation. This deadline also applies to exams taken at other institutions that are to be applied toward graduation from Union. Registration for testing is limited; therefore, students are encouraged to make plans and register for testing as early in their program of study as possible.

Financial Information

ASPS Tuition $364/hour
BSOL Tuition $504/hour
BSCL Tuition $504/hour
General Student Fee $27/hour