An associate degree is the first level of a degree you can pursue following a high school diploma. Typically designed to be completed in two years or less, associate degree programs include “foundation of learning” courses through which students can start to learn about a particular field or academic discipline.
Courses in an associate program may overlap with the introductory courses in a bachelor's program of the same field or subject.
A bachelor's degree is the next step after an associate degree and usually is completed in approximately 4 years. It requires more credit hours to complete and includes more specialized courses that build on the information covered in an associate program of the same subject.
An associate's degree does not need to be earned prior to a bachelor's, as the requirements for the former are often built into the latter.
At Davenport, we have the following colleges from which you can earn your degree.
All students may register for up to 20 credit hours in any semester, in any combination of delivery formats for which they are eligible. Students wishing to take more than the allowed number of credit hours in one semester must receive permission from the University Registrar.
| Undergraduate | |
|---|---|
| Full-Time | Enrolled in 12 or more credits for a given semester |
| 3/4 Time | Enrolled in 9-11 credits for a given semester |
| Half-Time | Enrolled in 6-8 credits for a given semester |
| Less Than Half-Time | Enrolled in 5 or fewer credits for a given semester |
| Graduate | |
|---|---|
| Full-Time | Enrolled in 6 or more credits for a given semester |
| Half-Time | Enrolled in 3-5 credits for a given semester |
The four categories of course delivery at Davenport are In-Seat, Blended, Online, and Real-Time Virtual (RTV). The length of delivery time may vary, so make sure you know whether you are in a 4, 7, 10, or 15-week course, so you can prepare for a successful experience.
This format is often referred to as “Traditional.” An in-seat course is delivered face-to-face, in real-time, with you and your students together in a classroom or computer lab. Courses may meet once, twice, or three times per week; course credit hours and contact hours will determine the length of your per class meeting times.
The Blended course format combines features from both in-seat and online courses. You will meet face-to-face with your instructor in a classroom or computer lab for 60% of the course, and 40% will be completed in an asynchronous online environment. Blackboard will be used for the online portion.
When we say Online at Davenport, we actually mean asynchronous online courses. There are occasional situations where you may have specified, limited, face-to-face meetings with your instructor, but, most often, this format means that you will not meet in-seat, in real-time, in a classroom. Rather, 100% of your course will be delivered through the Blackboard.
Livestream (formerly Real-Time Virtual Learning) classes are held at scheduled times, rely on synchronous (real-time) online technology, and feature the use of Blackboard Collaborate for their delivery. Students can meet on campus in computer labs, in dedicated spaces for livestream, in computer lab classrooms, or at any off-campus location of their choosing provided it is equipped with a broadband internet connection (e.g. their primary office space, or their home).
A credit hour reflects the amount of work associated with meeting the learning outcomes for a course. It is a standard way of measuring the workload of a course, including actual course time and the projected amount of studying outside of class.
At Davenport, there will be classes that will have different credit hours due to the workload of the class and its contact hours. For example, our labs are usually only one credit hour as courses can be three or four credit hours.
At Davenport University, to graduate with a bachelor’s degree, a minimum of 120 credits is required. Specifically, for our Bachelor of Science in Nursing, the minimum ranges from 120-122 credits.
To keep on track, students normally take 30 credit hours per year, ideally 15 per semester. You will not be able to graduate if you do not complete all the degree requirements for your chosen major.
Check out the degree requirements for your program on the DU website.
Internships help students gain broader perspectives on the world of professional work through on-the-job work experiences and training that directly relates to their field of study.
FERPA stands for Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.
Once students are enrolled, their educational records are private. Due to this protection, the University will not disclose information without written consent from the student, including not disclosing information to family members. Students have the option to complete a FERPA Waiver form to provide access to the educational record.
A prerequisite in college represents when an individual has to pass a course with a satisfactory grade before enrolling in another course towards their desired degree program.
Your advisor will make sure what prerequisites must be completed before taking the next course that is needed throughout your time in college.