Photo by iStock.com/Warchi
As social distancing continues through the summer, it provides the opportunity to stretch and challenge the mind with intellectual and creative pursuits. If you are interested in sparking new possibilities and shaping your future, Villanova University offers Summer Session courses from a wide array of disciplines and for all learners.
Online Learning Opportunities
Villanova offers online summer courses to current Villanova undergraduate and graduate students, as well as visiting students from other universities, high-school scholars, and any professional or lifelong learner. Whether you are looking to get ahead, catch up or stay on track, there is something for everyone, with offerings available from all six of Villanova’s colleges—the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the Villanova School of Business, the College of Engineering, the M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing, the College of Professional Studies and the Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law.
The breadth of what is available online also extends to a robust suite of professional education courses. Villanova’s College of Professional Studies offers a variety of courses in industry demanded areas such as project management, human resources, Lean Six Sigma, paralegal studies and more.
“Summer Sessions provide a micro catalog of what’s offered throughout the academic year,” says Kristy Irwin, assistant vice provost, online programs. “The summer courses are accelerated and designed to allow students the focus and flexibility to accomplish their personal, educational, and career goals.”
Summer Sessions at Villanova University Allows You to…
- Focus on an area or passion that you do not get to prioritize during the school year.
- Catch up or get ahead in your degree program.
- Build and expand your professional network.
- Gain an introduction to online learning if you are considering an online graduate program.
- Prepare for college-level work.
- Learn immediately applicable skills to advance your career.
Stay Home, Stay Engaged
When Villanova moved all courses online for the summer semester in response to the current global pandemic, that decision was made with the knowledge that the University’s faculty are well-equipped, prepared and supported to engage students in a meaningful, high quality learning experience online. Many of our summer courses are already offered each year in a fully online format and our professors are expertly prepared to transition all campus-based courses online.
“Online courses provide the same quality education and are designed with the same level of care and expertise as in-person courses,” says Gabriele Bauer, PhD, director of the Villanova Institute for Teaching and Learning. Villanova offers an academically rigorous curriculum enhanced by application-based assignments, personalization, collaboration, peer to peer engagement, live class meetings and individualized support via feedback and office hours.”
Designed to Ensure Flexibility and Success
Online classes are offered in either synchronous or asynchronous formats, as well as many that are a combination of the two. Synchronous classes “meet” virtually at a scheduled time. Students log into the class together to participate, in addition to completing work outside of class time. Asynchronous courses allow for a flexible time frame for students to complete their work and readings for the class. Both formats facilitate a students’ learning experience and provide content to a student like an on-campus course; built to meet the same learning objectives and count toward the same academic credit.
Online learners need a laptop, a reliable internet connection, and preferably a webcam along with a microphone or headset to participate in live sessions. The University integrates innovative technology tools, like Blackboard and Zoom, to promote and support online teaching and learning. With smaller classes, Summer Sessions enable students to contribute meaningfully to classroom discussions and engage impactfully with teachers and peers. “Just be open to a different way of connecting,” says Irwin. “We use a variety of applications and tools that allow students to communicate with one another, provide feedback and ultimately create a community within and outside the classroom.”
So, what are you waiting for? Make this summer count by fulfilling your higher education goals while expanding your network. Visit the Summer Sessions website to discover the possibilities and explore the wide-ranging online courses available through Villanova.
