Dean College - Overview
The Dean College Method Emphasizes Individualized Education and Achieving Personal Goals
Dean College is a small college located on a picturesque 100-acre campus in Franklin, Massachusetts. Dean has an enrollment of about 950 full-time students and 500 part-time students. The college is committed to helping each student unlock his or her potential. The 145-year-old private residential college is distinguished by an approach to higher education called the Dean Method. The Dean Method focuses on creating a customized, extremely supportive experience that guides students through every step of the college experience as they strive to achieve their academic and personal goals.
Dean Provides Both Individualized Educational Guidance and a Diverse, Active Student Life
Dean College strives to avoid the "sink or swim" atmosphere that can often characterize more traditional institutions of higher education. Dean ensures that each student has access to a customized team of faculty, advisers, mentors, and peers who work with the student to identify goals and to recognize and seize opportunities to reach those goals. This level of personal attention is made possible in part by the college's small size, but Dean is also big enough to deliver the full college experience.
The school fields almost a dozen intercollegiate varsity sports teams, including a football team that won 2008's NJCAA championship title, in addition to several intramural teams. Students can also take advantage of many on-campus clubs, ranging from Phi Theta Kappa to the Ski and Snowboard Club. Dean's strong and active performing arts departments offer students the opportunity to take part in the school's countless productions.
The college's location also gives students access to many recreational opportunities, with both Boston and Providence just a short 45-minute train ride away.
Dean College Graduates Achieve Success Under the Guiding Principles of Commitment and Tenacity
Dean College is dedicated to principles of commitment and tenacity. These principles are visible on Dean's campus, on which banners are posted to remind students to "Never give up" and "Never settle." Dean's mascot, the Bulldog, also represents commitment and tenacity, and both students and faculty participate in this vision with pride. The positive achievements of Dean graduates serve as an indication that their hard work and team spirit has yielded results.
A Variety of Two- and Four-Year Degree Options are Available to Dean Students
Dean College awards associate degrees in more than a dozen academic areas, including business administration, business technology, communications, criminal justice, dance, early childhood education, English, health sciences, history, liberal studies, math/science, psychology, sociology, sport/fitness, and theatre arts. A remarkable 98 percent of Dean graduates who earn associate degrees are accepted for transfer to other four-year colleges and universities.
Dean also offers several four-year bachelor's degree programs in business, liberal arts and studies, theatre, dance, and arts and entertainment management. These options have a demonstrated success rate, as more than 85 percent of Dean's recent B.A. graduates secured jobs in their respective fields within six months of graduating.
Dean Helps Students Build Solid Educational Foundations and Develop Competitive Skills
In every course of study, Dean strives to impart students with a solid general education foundation, which will serve them in whatever they set out to do, whether they intend to transfer to another institution or enter the workforce.
In order to help give students the practical tools they need in today's highly competitive job market, Dean has established many ties with the corporate world and local community. Students have access to internships, a special work-and-learn program, community service projects, and many on-campus leadership opportunities designed to build valuable skills as well as the confidence necessary for long-term success.
Dean's motto is "Prepare for what's next." Dean College strives to provide the academic foundation and the personal development necessary to put each student's individual goal within reach.
Generous Financial Aid Awards Ensure that Students of All Backgrounds Can Finance a Dean College Education
Dean College works with students and their families to arrange significant financial aid packages in order to make the Dean experience affordable. The typical Dean student receives a grant package in excess of $10,000 per year. In addition, for students who complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the average federal award for Dean students is $7,500 per year. Dean offers options for two year (Associate Degree) and four year (Baccalaureate Degree) programs. Students can pursue an Associate degree and transfer; or remain at Dean and pursue one of five Baccalaureate degrees.