Abstract:

The Professional Communications Studies (PCS) degree is an Accelerated Bachelor’s Degree Programs prepare adult students for successful professional careers. The program has been designed for adult students who cannot or prefer not to attend traditionally scheduled classes, have experience in the workplace, have an associate’s degree or equivalent, and are motivated to learn in an online electronic environment. The PCS program is designed to serve students who need flexibility in terms of time and support for successful completion.

The PCS was first offered in 2012 as part of the iPace program of Pace University in New York. This program also offers degrees in Business, Nursing and Education. In 2013, iPace has been ranked among the 10 Best Online Bachelor Providers in the US in the last four years. Students enrolled in the iPace program are typically non-traditional students. Typically, these students are working full-time and have families. The average age is 36 years old.

Devising and implementing such a program came with a number of challenges, from information processing, advisement to online pedagogies. This presentation will address some of the best practices adopted by the iPace group, in particular designing a multidisciplinary program, learning outcomes and assessment methodologies to improve the program and new directions to serve a larger population.

Keywords:

Adult education, online education, course design, lifelong learning, assessment.