Division of Continuing Education

Dean

Kathleen Bemis
1997, Dean of the Division of Continuing Education. BA Southern Illinois University; MA, PhD Florida State University

Associate Dean of Nursing for Distance Education

Jacqueline Dolberry

The Division of Continuing Education (DCE) Adult Degree Program (ADP) offers working adults the opportunity to earn a Linfield bachelor’s degree. Majors are available in Accounting, Arts & Humanities, Business Information Systems, International Business, Management, and Social & Behavioral Sciences. Each major, except Arts & Humanities, is available in a BA or a BS degree program. Students may also elect a minor in Environmental Studies. An online RN to BSN program is open to registered nurses with active RN licenses.

Certificates are available in Accounting, Marketing, Human Resource Management, and Computer Information Systems.

The DCE summer term meets the needs of Linfield residential students who wish to complete Linfield coursework over the summer through evening, weekend and online courses.

Academic Policies and Procedures

Except when the contrary is explicitly indicated, all provisions of the Academic Policies and Procedures section of this catalog are applicable to the degrees offered through the Division of Continuing Education. Some of these exceptions are repeated below. Additional information is outlined in the DCE Student Handbook.

Admission

Those interested in pursuing a degree through the Division of Continuing Education’s ADP may write, call or email the Office of the Division of Continuing Education for an information packet. Complete program information and application forms are also on the website (www.linfield.edu/dce). Application may be made by (a) completing and returning an application form and (b) arranging to have official transcripts of work at other colleges sent directly to the DCE Office from the registrars of those colleges. Admission may be sought at any time of year, and before or after beginning classes. An application fee of $100 is assessed. Under most circumstances, a student who has earned a GPA of 2.00 or higher in previous college work will be granted admission to Linfield’s ADP. A student who has earned a GPA lower than 2.00 will need to petition the college’s Admission and Financial Aid Committee for consideration. The petition should include (a) two letters of recommendation,  (b) an essay addressing the student’s motivation to succeed academically, and (c) a recommendation from the student’s academic advisor.

Upon occasion, even though a student has earned a GPA of 2.00 or higher, his or her transcripts may indicate reasons to be concerned about his or her ability to succeed in Linfield’s ADP. In those cases, the student will be asked to petition the college’s Admission and Financial Aid Committee for consideration. The petition will require the same items enumerated in the previous paragraph.

Applicants who are non-native English speakers will be required to show evidence of English proficiency prior to admission. Students who present TOEFL scores of 550 and above (paper-based exam) or 213 and above (computer-based exam) are generally eligible for admission with a minimum grade point average of 2.00 in previous college work.

Prospective students may choose to take a Linfield Essay Test in place of the TOEFL. Those who earn a score of 0-3.5 out of a possible 6 on the essay test are not admissible to Linfield. Those who earn a score of 4-5.5 are admitted and are required to complete ENGL 376 Exploring Language within their first year in the program. Students who score higher than 5.5 are admitted with no restrictions.

Degree Programs

To earn a BA or BS degree, a candidate must complete 125 credits and must achieve a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.00 (see section on Grades).

Degree programs offered through DCE may be completed on a part-time basis. Courses are taught by full-time Linfield faculty members, qualified people from the faculties of other institutions of higher learning, or practicing professionals or business people. Adjunct faculty are selected by the academic departments of the college to deliver the quality education long associated with the traditional residential program of Linfield.

Courses are offered during the entire year, including summer. Traditional classes meet in the classroom one evening per week or on weekends. Many courses are available online, and some majors may be completed entirely online.

Certificate Programs

DCE students may complete certificates in Accounting (postbaccalaureate only), Computer Information Systems, Human Resource Management and Marketing. Each certificate program consists of a cluster of four to eight courses (12-24 credits). No more than one of the required certificate courses may be earned by portfolio or through coursework transferred from another institution. No more than one course may be used to fulfill both certificate and major requirements. Students enrolled in degree programs on the McMinnville or Portland campus are not eligible for DCE certificates. Contact the DCE office for specific requirements.