This is where you can find answers to frequently asked questions about:
Winthrop Elevate is a collection of flexible, online programs designed to help adult learners level-up and meet their professional and lifelong aspirations.
Winthrop Elevate is part of our School of Graduate, Continuing, and Online Education.
Currently, the only program under Winthrop Elevate is the Competency-Based Education (CBE) model of our Bachelor of Professional Studies (BPS), but we will be adding more programs soon.
Competency-based education (CBE) is a self-directed, self-paced learning model that provides maximum flexibility for adult learners at an affordable cost. Delivered through subscription periods instead of rigid class schedules, Winthrop Elevate’s CBE programs allow adult learners to manage their own schedules and maximize their learning experiences.
Since these courses are fully self-directed, students can complete courses and move through competencies on their own timeline without any set deadlines or schedules.
Currently, we are only offering our Bachelor of Professional Studies (BPS) using the CBE model. BPS is a degree completion program uniquely designed for adult learners and busy working professionals to finish their bachelor's degree. Four concentrations are offered: Health Informatics, Organizational Leadership, Organizational Operations, Community and Health Services.
We do have plans to expand our CBE options in the near future.
A subscription period for CBE is 14 weeks long, which is a similar length to a traditional college semester.
The cost is $1,750 for a part-time subscription or $3,500 for a full-time subscription.
The part-time subscription gives students access to up to 11 credit hours per subscription period, while the full-time subscription gives students access to 12 credit hours or more per subscription period.
Students must choose if they want to be part-time or full-time at the beginning of their academic program. In addition, students can only switch subscription types between subscription periods once per year to stay compliant with financial aid requirements and payment processing.
There is not a limit to the amount of courses that you can take at the full-time rate, but whatever you do not complete would roll over into the next subscription period that you would have to renew to complete.
If you started a course and made progress, you will earn an “in progress” (PR) grade, and be able to return to that course in the next subscription period. Any classes that roll over will also contribute to the credit hour load of the next subscription term.
Financial aid will not be available for the January 2025 term, but it will be available for future terms. Details are still pending.
Financial aid processes are still to be determined.
The CBE programs will eventually be compatible with veterans benefits, but benefits will not be available for the January 2025 subscription term. Learn more about veterans benefits.
The Bachelor of Professional Studies (BPS) program is a degree completion program for adults.
This degree is uniquely designed for adult learners and busy professionals who want to complete their bachelor's degree while gaining practical knowledge and skills to land a new job or advance their careers.
Learn more about our Bachelor of Professional Studies.
Completing your bachelor's degree makes you more competitive in the job force and can allow you to earn more money in your career.
On average, individuals who possess a bachelor's degree will earn significantly higher income over their lifetimes.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2022, individuals with a bachelor's degree were earning a median salary of $74,000 per year, while those with less than a bachelor's degree were earning a median salary of $52,000 or under.
No. There is no time limit on undergraduate academic credit.
Because this is a degree completion program, you must transfer to Winthrop University with a minimum of 30 credits. Your advisors will help you schedule and complete your General Education requirements before you can begin the BPS program if necessary.
There are a few options for receiving credit for prior learning or past training. These include the College-Level Examination Program, military credit, and prior learning assessments.
The College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) gives students the opportunity to receive college credit for what they already know through independent study, prior course work, on-the-job training, cultural pursuits, or Life experiences by earning qualifying scores on any of the many examinations.
For military credit, our team will review students' JST and make every effort to maximize their credit award. If you have any questions about this process, please email elevate@winthrop.edu and we will be happy to assist you.
Students can receive up to 15 credits for prior professional experience. We determine the credits that you receive for prior experience through prior learning assessment.
The Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) defines Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) as one way that colleges and universities can evaluate a person’s college-level extra-institutional learning for the purposes of awarding college credit or advanced standing.
Winthrop recognizes that many adult learners have acquired significant knowledge through work experience and personal enrichment. In order to determine if these experiences can be awarded academic credit, the Bachelor of Professional Studies (BPS) program has instituted a PLA Portfolio process.
The portfolio method enables the student to demonstrate that a past learning experience warrants course credit. The student assembles materials documenting past training experiences and composes an argument that they satisfy the learning outcomes of a specific course offering. Each PLA portfolio must correspond to a course that is currently offered at Winthrop.
The PLA portfolio process will be covered in your first BPS course, PFST 301. During the course, students will identify and document their learning experiences and assesses whether the option for obtaining credit by portfolio assessment is appropriate to pursue.
If you decide to pursue PLA credit, your professor will assist you in documenting your learning experiences in a comprehensive portfolio. Once the portfolio is complete, it is then evaluated by faculty members from the relevant discipline – and course credit is granted or not based on that evaluation.
Students may create up to five portfolios for a maximum of 15 credits awarded by PLA.
Yes. Details are currently pending.
Because the CBE model is very flexible, you can complete the CBE version of our BPS program at a pace that works for you. On average, students can complete the program in two years. However, the program's duration depends on how many credits you transfer and whether you study full-time or part-time.
Yes, you'll choose one concentration from the following:
Community and Health Services: Develop knowledge and skills in community health, nutrition, healthcare management and more. Prepare to become a medical and health services manager.
Health Informatics: Analyze and evaluate how data-driven solutions are utilized in healthcare systems. Explore clinical decision support, arrangement of care, patient privacy, medical record-keeping and more.
Organizational Leadership: Cultivate ethical leadership practices as you learn to enhance talent and retention. You'll also develop coaching and mentoring skills.
Organizational Operations: Analyze the role that operations, inventory, data analytics and supply chain processes play in providing economic and financial value to an organization.
Yes, all students must choose a concentration from one of the four options.
With the CBE model, each course is separated into 6 competencies (similar to modules) that you complete in whatever order and whatever speed that you want to.
With the CBE model, the courses do not have a set duration or any set deadlines. You can complete each course in whatever timeline works for you, and any courses that you do not complete in a subscription period will roll into the next subscription period. You can skip to the Subscriptions FAQ for more information.
No. You will have access to our online learning system, so you can access your coursework anytime, day or night.
Absolutely! The CBE model is designed to be the best possible model for people who are working full-time.
No, the CBE version of our BPS program is offered 100% online without campus requirements.
To complete the program, you must finish all required courses for graduation with satisfactory grades. This includes program-specific courses, concentration-specific courses, and elective courses.