Union Institute & University (Distance Learning)

Undergraduate Study at Union Institute & University

Established in 1964, Union Institute & University offers low-residency and online bachelor's degree programs to individuals seeking relevant education that allows them to pursue degree programs while maintaining career, family, and community commitments.

The university is a private, not-for-profit institution that has accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association. Its 6 academic centers are located throughout the United States, including its headquarters in Cincinnati, Ohio, in the Midwestern region of the country.

Union Institute & University offers students Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BS) degrees in a variety of disciplines including business, criminal justice, education, psychology, social work, and liberal studies with a number of concentrations, including education, psychology, environmental studies/sustainability, and self-designed concentrations.

What distinguishes Union Institute & University is its focus on the individual students, who are mostly working adults seeking to complete their undergraduate degrees, and its commitment to social relevance in all studies. Faculty and staff members honor what each student brings to his or her degree program and helps each student find accelerated, but rigorous, methods to fulfill his or her goals and passions. Union's goal is to ensure its graduates communicate effectively, articulate a global perspective, think creatively and critically, and express the ethical and social implications of their scholarships.

Bachelor of Arts Degree Programs at Union Institute & University

The BA in Liberal Studies program consists of 120 credit hours of coursework and allows up to 78 transfer credits. Students work closely with faculty members to develop individualized curricula that meet the learning styles, academic interests, and career goals of each student. The program is offered either online or through a low residency `weekend' option that meets one weekend per month at one of the university's academic centers in Montpelier or Brattleboro, both in Vermont.

Students who enroll in the online program participate in 7-day online residencies that include vibrant classroom discussions, exciting presentations, and time to create their study plans.

Because students work one-on-one with faculty members and participate in small study groups, they receive the support and collaborative study needed to excel in their chosen programs.

Bachelor of Arts Education Concentration

The BA with a concentration-in Education includes an interdisciplinary curriculum that examines the social, psychological, political, cultural, and economic aspects of education. The curriculum also places special emphasis on the complex relationship between the purposes and effects of education.

Bachelor of Arts -- Psychology Concentration

The psychology concentration in the Bachelor of Arts program helps students gain fundamental knowledge about the discipline. In addition to the core education, students explore areas of the field that are of interest to them such as counseling, addiction studies, child and adolescent development, holistic health, and spirituality.

Students graduate from the program prepared for career advancement in the human services field or for advanced study in the field of psychology.

Bachelor of Science Programs at Union Institute & University

Union Institute & University offers Bachelor of Science degree programs that require 120 credit hours of coursework including up to 90 transfer credits. These programs help students develop or enhance their critical thinking and problem-solving skills as well as develop the professional know-how necessary for advancement and leadership.

Although Bachelor of Science programs are offered in a low-residency or online format, students receive personalized attention from faculty members. They also have access to fellow students and faculty members via e-mail, phone, or the university's distance learning platform.

Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Degree

The BS in Criminal Justice Management is designed for professionals who are in any segment of the criminal justice system including line personnel and law enforcement supervisors, managers, executives, and professional staff.

The program, designed by criminal justice experts, emphasizes organizational management responses to policies, programs, personnel, and technology. Courses include applied ethics in criminal justice management, writing for criminal justice administrators, and multicultural issues for the criminal justice manager.

Several accelerated degree completion options make it possible for some students to complete the program in as few as 12 months.

Bachelor of Science Degree in Social Work

Students in the BS in social work degree program learn from a curriculum that integrates classroom knowledge with field education. The curriculum focuses on human behavior and the social environment, social welfare policy and services, multicultural social work, human diversity, social and economic justice, social work ethical standards, strengths-based practice, and research.

In addition to general education courses, students complete a set of core social work courses and elective courses. They may take elective courses that focus on their special interests such as aging, behavioral health, case management, childhood trauma, clinical assessment and diagnosis, motivational interviewing, and social work professional writing.

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration

Union Institute & University offers a BS in Business Administration program that uses the case study method to address issues regarding domestic and international business operations.

Students acquire the skills that are essential to managing businesses, including planning, organizing, leadership, communication, teamwork, and critical thinking skills. They also receive solid theoretical foundations in management principles, organizational change, and development practices.

Core business courses include business ethics, business law, and operations management, and elective courses include financial accounting, managerial accounting, and statistics.

Experienced Faculty Members are Experts in Their Fields

Faculty members teaching in bachelor's degree programs at Union Institute & University (UI&U) are accomplished practitioners, skillful researchers, and dedicated teachers who are experienced in working with adults.

Dr. Gregory Stewart teaches classes in the Bachelor of Science in Social Work Program. He is a Licensed Social Worker and National Certified Counselor who has published articles about diversity and higher education.

Stella Marrie, PhD, teaches psychology in the Bachelor of Arts program. She is also a practicing psychotherapist who focuses on women's issues.

Financial Assistance

Applicants to UI&U may qualify for federal grant, loan, and work study programs. The university also provides some scholarships for undergraduate students that are based on financial need. Furthermore, its articulation agreements with several community colleges in the six areas where Union has centers provide tuition discounts and scholarships for degree completion. In addition, students can earn college credit through CLEP, DANTES, Challenge Exam, Prior Learning Experience, and military certification through ACE. This saves both time and money and allows each student to fulfill his or her dream of earning a college degree.

• Business/marketing
• Business Administration and Management
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Organizational Leadership
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Education
• Special Education
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Elementary Education
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Secondary Education
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Family and consumer sciences
• Child Development
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Health professions and related sciences
• Maternal and Child Health
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Homeland security, law enforcement, firefighting, and protective services
• Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Crisis/Emergency/Disaster Management
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Liberal arts/general studies
• Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Public administration and social services
• Public Administration
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Social Work
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.

• Acceptance Rate
• Applied
• Accepted
• Acceptance Rate
• Enrolled1,162
• Female Applicants
• Females Accepted
• Female Acceptance Rate
• Male Applicants
• Males Accepted
• Male Acceptance Rate
• Applying
• Application Fee$
• Required for All Essay or personal statement
  recommendation from program faculty
  
• Required for Some Transcript of high school record
  Letter(s) of recommendation
  
• Average high school GPA for first-year freshman
• Application Deadlines
• Type Application Closing Notification Date Rolling Admissions
• Fall freshmen Yes
• Out-of-state Fall freshmen Yes
• Early decision plan Not Reported
• Other early decision plan Not Reported
• Transfer Yes
• Test Scores Accepted
• Test Average School Accepted 25th Percentile* 75th Percentile*
• * 25th and 75th percentile is the score that 25/75 percent of students score at or below.

• Tuition
• In-state tuition *$11,352
• Out-of-state tuition *$11,352
• In-district tuitionN/A
• * Tuition costs are based on a full academic year typically extending from September to June.
• Fees
• Full-time student fees$240.00
• Room and board *Not Reported
• Room only *Not Reported
• * Room and board charges vary according to board plan selected (i.e., 12-meal plan, 19-meal plan, etc.) and student level (freshman, sophomore, etc.)
• Other Payment Considerations
• Guaranteed tuition plan offeredNot Reported
• Tuition pre-payment planNot Reported
• Tuition payment plans offeredNot Reported
• Student groups that qualify for full or partial waiver of tuitionNot Reported

• Gender
• Total Undergraduate Students1,162
• Male Student Percentage45%
• Female Student Percentage55%
• Ethnicity
• Hispanic/Latino12.99%
• Black or African American26.33%
• White or Caucasian33.48%
• American Indian or Alaska Native.52%
• Asian1.38%
• Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander.34%
• Two or more races1.72%
• Unknown17.99%
• Other Student Statistics
• International BreakoutNot Reported
• Out-of-state Students12% out-of-state student

• Housing
• College-owned housing available Not Reported
• Housing Requirements Not Reported
• Housing options Not Reported
• Percentage of undergraduate students who live in college-owned housing Not Reported
• Student Activities
• Student-run campus newspaper No
• Drama / theater group No
• Student-run radio station No
• Student-run television station No
• Marching band No
• Choral groups No
• Student Services
• Legal services No
• Health clinic No
• Personal / psychological counseling No
• Women's center No
• Student Organizations
• Greek fraternities No
• Greek sororities No
• Local fraternities No
• Local sororities No
• Other organizations Not Reported
• Most popular organizations Not Reported
• Campus Security and Safety
• 24-hour emergency telephone / alarm services Yes
• 24-hour patrols by trained officers Not Reported
• Students patrols Not Reported
• Late-night transport / escort services Yes
• Electronically-operated dormitory entrances Not Reported
• Other security personnel on site during business and class hours

• Faculty Breakout
• Total Faculty353
• Full-time Percentage9%
• Part-time Percentage91%
• Female Percentage51%
• Male Percentage49%
• Student:Faculty Ratio9:1 or 1,589 students to 341 faculty