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The door's always open
Soon to celebrate its 35th anniversary, UWW is one of the longest-running adult bachelor's degree programs in the United States.
“University Without Walls is almost too good to believe,” says 39-year-old Gina Johnson, who’ll graduate in May from UMass Amherst’s adult bachelor’s degree program. “When I began thinking about going back to college, I came to UWW and was blown away. I’ll tell you this. Had I not discovered UWW, I may never have gone back to school.”
Soon to celebrate its 35th anniversary, UWW is one of the longest-running programs of its kind in the United States and one of the most successful: about 50 percent of its approximately 3,000 graduates have gone on to earn advanced degrees. Working out of the delightfully New England Montague House on campus and satellite offices in Springfield, Mass., UWW offers individualized degree programs in every discipline offered at UMass Amherst with specialized programs in education, human services, health care, and organizational leadership.
“People come to UWW from all backgrounds,” says Gary Bernhard, director. “We’ve had political aides, dog walkers, jazz musicians, aquaculturists, supermarket managers, computer artists, a marathon runner – people in many different occupations. Often they come to us because we give credit for experiential learning and they want the piece of paper. They’re in a hurry for a new career or promotion.
“But they soon realize they’re getting so much more from UWW,” he continues. “They become aware of the principles of operation and behavior they unconsciously developed while working. They undergo a change in perspective; they get a clearer sense of who they are and what they know, and it makes them more innovative, confident, and communicative. For some people, it’s transforming.”
University Without Walls provides an uncommon degree of advising. All UWW instructor/advisors have both a doctorate in their discipline and a genius for helping students “find a field of study that leads to a field of work,” as Bernhard puts it.
Students are required to take three UWW courses that combine advising and skills instruction. In Perspectives on Learning, they’re familiarized with learning styles and academic writing, “learning to see writing as a process and not a hoop to go through,” says Bernhard. In Degree Development, they do extensive research on job trends and other aspects of the field they’re interested in; they then design their degree program and sign a class plan.
In Writing about Experience, students earn credit for a written portfolio of their work and life experiences. “Students write not just about paid work experiences, but about their passions, volunteer service, training, other pursuits,” says Bernhard. “The difference is, we’re interested in students’ personal reflections. For example, we had a student who’d been a high school principal in Vietnam, and he contrasted an incident of potential violence in his school there with what happened at Columbine.”
“I can’t imagine another place that would give you the opportunity to reflect on your life like you can in the portfolio review and then get feedback on it,” says Johnson. After students have finished the UWW courses, they begin departmental courses guided by a faculty sponsor.
“It’s wonderful how UWW acknowledges people’s work experience,” says Johnson, who’s completing a B.A. in mental health and alternative therapies, with a minor in psychology. “Many people put a lot of energy into their work before they think about getting a college degree. They’re the salt of the earth, they’re amazing, and UWW just attracts them.”
A single parent and massage therapist, Johnson began taking classes in fall 2003, working from 30 credits that UWW accepted as transfer for her massage work, after evaluation by departmental faculty, and 65 credits from college courses she completed right after high school.
“The UWW faculty bend over backwards to help you,” says Johnson. “At first, I was calling Karen Stevens, my instructor/advisor, every other day. She was an angel about it; she said, ‘Ask me as many questions as you need to. I want you to succeed.’ As time went on, I needed her less.
Johnson has applied to four graduate programs in social work and, delighted with a medicinal herbs class she took in the Department of Plant, Soil, and Insect Sciences, plans to open an herbal remedy shop. “Somehow you make all the right connections, meet all the right people who are into what you’re interested in,” says Johnson. “There’s no way you can fail!”
Among the students who’ve stepped into the homey halls of Montague House and progessed to McGuirk Stadium for Commencement are former NBA star Julius Erving; Claire Higgins, mayor of Northampton, Mass.; and Jeff Taylor, founder of monster.com.
more: UMass Amherst University Without Walls