Recent changes to admission policies for UWindsor’s Liberal Arts and Professional Studies program are providing broader opportunities for mature students to complete a degree.

Graduates of community colleges can receive advanced standing in the liberal arts program—and an opportunity to pursue their personal and career interests on a flexible schedule. The program has enrolled college graduates from such areas as business, dental hygiene, and early childhood education.

Kiran Saini considers herself “blessed” to have this opportunity. Holding a diploma in early childhood education from St. Clair College, the 32-year-old mother of two says enrolling in University is working out so far.

“A university degree just opens up more doors,” she says. “You can do a lot of post-graduate diplomas after this degree.”

Lecturer and program coordinator Tim Brunet says that this type of program is known as an “upside-down” degree because it is suited to people already working who want to return to university to expand their knowledge and qualifications. He says students can delve into nearly every faculty and build a degree that suits their personal needs and interests. This includes the ability to study online, part-time or full-time. 

Students in the program may study languages, psychology, fine arts, philosophy, business, political science, history and sociology, as well as new interdisciplinary courses in knowledge management, diffusion of innovations, online collaboration, and auctions.

“The primary goal of the degree is that students will engage in the kind of academic exploration that will promote a more fulfilling and exciting approach to their life and career,” says Brunet.

Find more information on the liberal arts program on its website.

Representatives will also be on hand during the University’s open house on Saturday, November 7, for the information fair in the CAW Student Centre’s Ambassador Auditorium, and in a special session at 2 p.m. in room 110, Odette Building.