The Urban College degree program’s conceptual framework originates from the College’s mission, vision, and values and is designed with an understanding that the most lasting way to empower people is through education. As a result, Urban College’s academic program sets high academic expectations while leveraging available resources to ensure that students not only have access to a college education but also have the social, economic, interpersonal, and academic support they need to be successful.
With these goals in mind, Urban College ensures that all curricula are consistent, integrated, and aligned with workforce and transfer needs. Building on the strengths that every student brings to the classroom, faculty at Urban College use instructional methods and teaching practices that recognize and value different abilities and learning styles; incorporate active and collaborative learning; promote strong academic and critical thinking skills; and ensure the application of knowledge gained.
All Urban College of Boston programs are fully remote.
The Associate of Arts Degree
All Associate of Arts degree programs require successful completion of at least 60 academic credits, which include the following components:
General Education Core
The General Education Core at Urban College includes courses in psychology, humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, computer applications, and mathematics. Students are also required to take two courses in College Writing and one in Speech Communication. All associate degrees require 33 credits in General Education.
Upon successful completion of all General Education Core requirements, students will be able to:
- Engage in a reflective process of information discovery, articulate the value of information and its cycle of development, and conduct discipline-specific research using appropriate technology.
- Examine the diversity of the human experience to develop civic and intercultural knowledge and competence.
- Produce oral, written, and digital communication that best serves the setting and audience and imparts information to others, promotes understanding, and/or influences opinion.
- Utilize quantitative and qualitative reasoning or computational skills to make informed decisions.
Internships
Some degree programs include up to two 3-credit internship courses. Internship placements are directed by an on-site supervisor and are supported by a concurrent seminar at Urban College. Internships help assess professional capabilities and career readiness, apply acquired knowledge and skills in the workplace, and produce a product or portfolio as evidence of professional experience.
The Early Childhood Internship courses require students to spend at least 10 hours per week in a licensed early childhood program.
In order for a student to be eligible to participate in an academic, community, or clinical program that involves potential unsupervised contact with children, the disabled, the elderly, or other vulnerable populations, the student may be required to undergo a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check and/or a Sex Offender Registry Information (SORI) check.
Electives
Program electives offer students the opportunity to enroll in courses of interest across various disciplines.
Certificate Programs
Urban College of Boston offers certificate programs that help prepare students for the workforce and further educational opportunities. Certificate program credit and other requirements range from 21 credits (7 courses) to 27 credits (9 courses). Specific course requirements for each certificate can be found in the college catalog, and each certificate’s coursework can be applied toward an associate degree.
Urban College’s Position on English Language Learning
Urban College of Boston values the skills, experiences, and assets that students from a variety of learning, cultural, and language backgrounds bring to their studies. To this end, the college’s programs and curriculum allow students to begin their studies in a selection of other languages (e.g., Spanish and Mandarin). Some certificate programs even allow for the majority of courses to be taken in one of those languages. However, graduates have the widest range of opportunities for career advancement available to them when they gain some English language proficiency. Additionally, because a fully accredited American college, students are required to gain some English language skills through their education in certificate programs and college-level English skills in all associate degree programs. As a result, students are required to complete an English placement assessment upon entry into the college.
English Placement and Requirements
All incoming students are required to complete an English placement assessment upon admission to the College. The assessment determines the appropriate entry point in the English course sequence and ensures that each student receives instruction aligned with their current proficiency level.
Students who place into ENG 101: Introduction to Academic Writing or above may proceed directly into college-level English coursework. However, all students must meet the English completion requirements associated with their program of study. Students who place below ENG 101 are subject to the English sequence requirements described below.
English Sequence Requirements
Students placed below ENG 101 must begin the English sequence no later than the second term of enrollment, regardless of any gap between their first and second terms. Students may not defer English coursework beyond their second enrolled term. Students taking courses in languages other than English must maintain concurrent English enrollment and take a minimum of one English (ENG) course for every two courses taken in their native language. Students are strongly encouraged to begin English course requirements early, as not all programs or courses are available in languages other than English.
Program-Specific English Completion Requirements
English completion requirements vary by program and define the level of English proficiency students must achieve.
- For associate degree programs, English completion is defined as successful completion of ENG 112: College Writing II.
- For certificate programs, English completion is based on program requirements.
- Certificate programs that require foundational English proficiency (defined as completion of ENG 097: Reading and Writing Skills ESOL) include:
- Early Childhood Education
- Paraprofessional Educator
- Children’s Behavioral Health
- Business
- Digital Marketing
- Project Management
- Certificate programs that require a higher level of English proficiency (defined as successful completion of ENG 111: College Writing I) include:
- Human Services
- Case Management
- Elder Care
- General Studies
- Students who place into ENG 101: Introduction to Academic Writing or above are not exempt from these requirements and must meet the English completion standard for their program of study.
Information about the English Placement Process can be found here.
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