Welcome to our BGS Team

Dean – Rebecca FoxAssociate Dean – Craig Wilson

Director – Gisela Delgado Marketing Director – Leeann Hall

Advisors – Monica BunsenAdvisors – Ann Schopp

BGS Student – Amanda WernerBGS Student – Kenneth Rubi

BGS Alumni – Kris CregoBGS Alumni – Jim Tillett

Marketing Specialists – Jessica Giraldo, Marta Gierczyk

Agenda

9:00 Registration

9:15 BGS Opening Session / “The Value of a BGS Degree”

10:00 Presentation by UM Campus Resources The Value of a UM Degree / Toppel Center Director - Eddie CruzThe Power of the Cane Network / Alumni Relations– Adlar GarciaYou are Not Alone / Academic Resource Center – Jennifer Wilson

10:45 Steps to the BGS degree ( Application process, Transfer credits, Saturday & Online Options)

11:00 & 11:30 UM Courtyard Fair CourtyardFinancial Aid - Associate Director , Joanne Brown Room 101 Student Panel – BGS Advisor & BGS Graduate Room 109Online Course Demo – BGS Advisor Room 102Campus Tour – BGS Student Ambassador Courtyard

Don’t Forget to complete your surveys and BGS card for your UM “Swag”

What is the BGS program?

The Bachelor of General Studies program is an exciting degree program that allows you to pick an Area of Concentration (similar to a major) based on your personal preference and career goals.

The overall objectives of this bachelor’s degree program is to enhance students’ marketability and help them achieve their lifelong goal of completing their degree.

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Why finish my degree now?

• Improve resume and marketability• Qualify for a job promotion (Break through the glass

ceiling!)• Need a career change• Increase salary potential• Learn essential skills to remain competitive• Personal enrichment• Finish what you’ve started

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According to the Education Advisory Board, 2014, adult learners which are non-

traditional student, seek a sense of assurance of support prior to enrollment.

Can I afford to return to school?

Will this program

advance my career?

Will I get credit for previous

college experience?

How long will it take to finish?

Is it convenient to attend classes?

Top Criteria for Non-traditional Applicants

#1 #2 #3Convenient and flexibility of offering Cost and availability of financial assistance Academic

reputation and outcome

Famous people who went back to finish their bachelor’s

degree……

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Sandra Bullock

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Actress Sandra Bullock, who starred in movies like While You Were Sleeping and The Blind Side and has won an Oscar and Golden Globe, among several other awards, left East Carolina University in favor of acting. However, she later returned and earned her bachelor's degree.

Michael Jordan

The Brooklyn-born player earned a scholarship to University of North Carolina Chapel Hill and studied cultural geography while playing basketball. One year before he was supposed to graduate, Jordan dropped out to join the NBA, where he started playing for the Chicago Bulls. In 1986, Jordan did return to his alma mater to finish his degree.

James Franc

o

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Born in New York, James Franco moved to California to attend UCLA. After his freshman year, Franco left to try his hand in acting. After a few roles, he returned to finish his bachelor’s degree in English, In 2010, he earned an MFA from Columbia University. Franco is currently working on a PhD from Yale.

Shaquille O’Neal

O'Neal is a star both on the basketball court and in the classroom. The multiple award-winning NBA All-Star left school to pursue his athletic career, but promised his mother he would go back someday. In 2000 he graduated with his Bachelor's in Business from Louisiana State University… O'Neal said he decided to go back to college after thinking about what he will do when he retires from basketball.

U.S. Secretary of

Defense, Chuck Hagel

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Everyone loves Jaws and E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial but few people realize the man behind these movie successes earned his degree at the age of 55. Spielberg went back to college to earn his Bachelor of Arts from Cal State University's film school even after a successful and busy career and after being awarded five honorary doctorates. If Spielberg can benefit from going back to college, so can you.

Steven Spielbe

rg

Chuck Hagel was sworn in as the 24th Secretary of Defense on February 27, 2013 becoming the first enlisted combat veteran to lead the Department of Defense.

Secretary Hagel joined the United States Army and volunteered to go to Vietnam, rising to the rank of Sergeant and serving as an infantry squad leader. He earned numerous military decorations and honors, including two Purple Hearts. Following his tour in Vietnam, Secretary Hagel returned to school and graduated from the University of Nebraska at Omaha using the G.I. Bill in 1971.  Where he earned a B.G.S. degree.

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, earned his B.G.S. degree in 1995.

Johnson played college football at the University of Miami where he had great success until a back injury cost him a spot in the NFL. So he entered the ring with the Word Wrestling Federation. As "The Rock," and won the WWF Heavyweight title six times. Johnson parlayed his wrestling fame into a film career,

Johnson received the Edward T. Foote II Alumnus of Distinction award, which honors an alumnus or alumna for personal or professional achievements that bring honor and recognition to the University

Today’s Agenda

9:00 Registration

9:20 BGS Opening Session / “The Value of a BGS Degree”9:50 Break : Sign-up for Workshops and Visit our Campus Resources

• Campus tour – Student Ambassador • Online Learning – BGS Advisor • Student Panel – BGS Advisor & BGS Alumni

10:00 Presentation by UM Campus Resources • Toppel Center Director - Eddie Cruz• Financial Aid Director – Joanne Brown• Alumni Center Director – Adlar Garcia• Academic Resource Center – Jennifer Wilson

10:45 Steps to the BGS degree ( Application process, Transfer credits, Saturday & Online Options)

11:00 UM Courtyard Fair – Exhibitor Tables, Online Learning Workshop, Area of Concentration, Student Panel, Campus Tour & Financial Aid. Don’t Forget your Completed Passport for your BGS “Swag”

9:00 a.m. Registration and Sign Up for Breakout Sessions

9:15 a.m. BGS Opening Session / “The Value of a BGS Degree”

10:00 a.m. Presentations by UM Campus Resources The Value of a UM Degree / Toppel Center Director - Eddie CruzThe Power of the Cane Network / Alumni Engagement Director – Adlar GarciaYou are Not Alone / Academic Resource Center – Jennifer Wilson

10:45 a.m. Steps to the BGS degree (Application, Transfer credits, Saturday & Online Options)

11:00 & 11:30 a.m.UM Courtyard Fair CourtyardFinancial Aid - Asst. Director , Joanne Brown Room 101

Student Panel – BGS Advisor & BGS Graduate Room 109Online Course Demo – BGS Advisor Room 102Campus Tour – BGS Student Ambassador Courtyard

Don’t Forget to complete your surveys and BGS card for your UM “Swag”

www.miami.edu/bgsdegree

www.miami.edu/bgsdegree

Who is eligible for the BGS program?BGS Admissions Criteria

Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.2 from all previous college or high school courses (if applicant has less than 30 college credits). Official transcripts are required.

Applicants must be at least 22 years of age and 4 years out of high school

U.S. Citizen or permanent resident

Has not enrolled in the last calendar year in another credit-program at the University of Miami

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What about previously earned credits?

Transfer credits from accredited institutions. Grades of “C” or better are transferrable

UM accepts up to 64 transfer credits from 2-year, and up to 75 credits from 4-year accredited colleges

Credits do not expire

Last 45 credits of your degree must be completed at UM

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Is this degree affordable? Yes!

The BGS program tuition is designed to enable working adults to reach their educational goals.

Next classes begin August 25th.

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Standard UM Tuition Special UM BGS Tuition

$1790 per credit $750 per credit

$5370 per course (3 credits) $2250 per course (3 credits)

BGS Program Structure

General Education (60 credits)

English, History, Math, Natural Sciences, Humanities, etc.

Electives (15 credits)

Area of Concentration (30 credits)

Interdisciplinary Courses (15 credits)

Total = 120 credits

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Area of Concentration Students with diverse personal and/or professional interests and goals can

design a curriculum that makes sense to them and furthers their professional growth and development far more than a standard, one-size-fits-all program.

Students may select upper level coursework from any UM department and even blend curriculum from distinct departments to meet their individual academic objectives. 

Examples of previously approved Areas of Concentration:

Management and Public Relations

Leadership and Communication

Management and Communication

Computer Information Systems

Human Resources Management

Flexible Options (45 credits)

NEW!! Online Option

AoC in People and Society

On-Campus Saturday Option

AoC in Public Policy, Civic Engagement and Communication

Classes meet on Saturday mornings

Two classes offered per Saturday between 8:00 am to 1:30 pm

Completion in 2 ½ years

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Online Program Online courses range from the introductory level to the upper

level courses (100 Level to 300 Level).

Online courses are 3 credit value and do not incur additional costs for BGS students.

Online Courses can apply to meet BGS requirements in General Education, AoC , and Interdisciplinary Courses

Online Course have been designed by our Continuing Studies Division Team to be interactive, web-based, and fully online.

Online Demo in Room 102

Available Scholarships

The Englander Scholarship

Osher Re-Entry Scholarship

Hirsch Scholarship

Stanley Bertram Goldstein Scholarship

Women’s Guild Scholarship

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Financial Assistance

Grants, scholarships, subsidized and unsubsidized loans

are available for students through the Financial Aid Office. Awards are based on part-time student status.

UM Employees are eligible to apply for Financial Aid, but are not eligible for BGS Scholarships.

Students are required to complete a FAFSA (free application) to be eligible – www.fafsa.ed.gov

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It’s Time to Achieve Your Dream

Q & AHave more questions? Schedule an advisement session

online:

Students with Last Names A-Mb: https://mbunsenbgs.youcanbook.me/

Students with Last Names Mc-Z:http://a_schopp_bgs.youcanbook.me

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