Here’s Why (and How) You Can Complete

Your Bachelor’s Degree in Upstate South Carolina

Affordable Cost

Individualized Support

Distinguished Faculty

Quality Education

Convenient Courses

“There’s no way I can complete my degree with everything I’m juggling.”

If this sounds familiar, it’s possible you have a full-time job, kids at home, and plenty

more on your plate. Maybe you even started going to school again, but found you

were still unable to complete the degree.

You’re incredibly busy. Life happens. We get it.

You need an environment and system that is built to set you up for success. You

need a degree completion program that is local, affordable, customized and flexible.

With your busy life, it’s the only way you can make it happen.

With the uncertainty we’re all facing right now, you may be thinking “When is it ever

the right time?”

With all these factors and questions, how will you decide what to do?

To help you make an informed decision, we created this guide to help answer questions you may have about completing your degree.

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How to Get the Most out of this Resource:Please use the hyperlinks below to easily navigate through each section of the guide.

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The Education Outlook in Upstate South Carolina

Demand for qualified job candidates in the Upstate region is high. Major employers in

Greenville have voiced a need for employees with high quality bachelor’s degrees in

business. Additionally, degree holders in the field of child and family services are in high

demand to help families cope with the pressures they are facing.

Not only that, but also only

27 percent of adults over age

twenty-five in South Carolina

have a bachelor’s degree or higher

So what can you do to stand out?Position yourself to meet a need.

Simply by attaining a useful bachelor’s degree, you can put yourself ahead of nearly

three-quarters of the South Carolina workforce. If you have previously received at least 48

college credits from an accredited institution, then you’re already halfway there and qualify

for our degree completion program!

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Bachelor’s Degree

27%

73%

Less than Bachelor’s

According to the U.S. Census Bureau,

over 60,000 people in Greenville

County have attained some college

experience, but do not have a degree

Greenville, SC

While companies are looking for qualified

applicants, you can secure yourself and

your family a brighter future.

Greenville County is home to more than

forty Fortune 500 companies and over

twenty HQ operations. Major employers

are drawn to Greenville, SC because of

favorable tax rates and the availability of

our workforce. In a pro-business area that

is positioned for more economic growth,

there is great potential for those with a high

quality bachelor’s degree. And guess what?

New degree completion programs—right in your backyard—are now open and accepting applications for the fall semester of 2020.

Your time is now.

The pathway is clear.

Take the first step!

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“Bachelor’s Degree Required”

How many times have you looked at a job posting and read those three words?

Sarah, a hardworking mom of two children in middle

school, says it has happened to her a lot. As a sophomore

in college, fifteen years ago, Sarah left school because of

finances.

After having worked retail jobs for so many years, she’s

learned a lot about work ethic and management, but she’s

hit a glass ceiling and knows it’s time to go back to school

so she can venture on a path that yields more opportunity

and financial security with greater affordability.

Sarah isn’t alone, and neither are you.

Earning your bachelor’s degree will give you a competitive advantage and help you

break through the glass ceiling at your current company and when you’re looking for your

next career move.

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36 million Americans have only

partially completed their

post-secondary education

Your Opportunity Potential: Earning 50% More

Those with a bachelor’s degree earn about 50% more than people who have some or no college experience, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ 2018 data on weekly earnings by educational attainment.

The more you learn, the more you earn.

Doctoral Degree 1.6 $1,825

$1,884

$1,434

$1,198

$862

$802

$730

$553

1.5

2.1

2.2

2.8

3.7

4.1

5.6

Associate’s Degree

Professional Degree

Some college, no degree

Master’s Degree

High School Diploma

Bachelor’s Degree

Less than a high school diploma

Total: 3.2% All workers: $932

Not only will your earning potential increase, you will also likely see other positive changes

in your personal outlook:

More leadership and management opportunities

Opportunity to change careers and leverage your new skills

A boost in confidence and rejuvenated sense of self

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The Value of Degree Completion: Here and Now

You are probably wondering, rightfully so, why is now the time? You may be wondering if you still

have the skills to succeed in school. Several years

ago, it was commonly believed that the brain

stops maturing at age twenty-five.

But more recent developments in the science of

neuroplasticity shows that throughout life, the

brain’s capabilities can continue to enhance. You

can be a lifelong learner!

The Joy of Returning, Older & Wiser

Professors commonly notice how much more prepared and motivated their older students are compared to recent high school graduates. Older students are more interested, less distracted

and more engaged. They ask questions, offer

input, and engage in teamwork in a way that

enhances a culture of success for the class.

In addition, degree-completion students tend to find pleasure in academic work. After

spending so much time meeting work and family

commitments, it’s a nice break—a way of taking

time for yourself. Learning and studying in the

evening is enriching. It’s a nice change of pace

from the day-to-day routine.

Spotlight on James: A Better Student Today

James took a break from his university

degree in 2010 — a break that lasted

much longer than he had expected.

Recently, when he decided to enroll in

a degree completion program, he was

nervous about what kind of student he

would be.

“I hadn’t done research or written an

academic paper in several years. I

wondered how rusty my study skills were.

Would I learn as easily as my younger self could?”

The answer was yes. James found that at age 30, his life experience gave him higher motivation, stronger discipline, and more resiliency. The degree-

completion courses are challenging him,

but he also sees that he’s ready and

excelling.

“After I really started getting into the

coursework, my years of life lessons

sometimes made me feel like I was finally

getting credit for what I already know,

even as I’m learning even more.”8

Why and How You Can Make the Leap

Although it may feel like it, you’re not too old—or too busy— to go back to school. There is

clearly-demonstrated economic value to having a bachelor’s degree. And close to your home

and work, right in Greenville County, there are employers in essential industries with gaps in

their workforce. The reasons for you to complete your degree are all there. But if you need

a few more hard facts, let’s look more closely at why the Upstate region is considered the

“economic engine of South Carolina”—and how that could factor into your decision to go

back to school.

The Immense Opportunities In Your Backyard

The Upstate region has grown into one of the nation’s premier areas for business. Greenville

County is home to companies like GE Energy, Michelin, BMW, Bosch, Fluor, Magna,

ScanSource, and other top leaders that are influencing the automotive, aerospace, and

biotech industries. The IT industry in the Upstate has also been rapidly expanding, with many

companies receiving investments and growing their operations in the area. Because of this,

bachelor’s degrees are a highly prized commodity here in the local region.

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How can you leverage this opportunity?

There’s no way around it. Taking the time

to complete your bachelor’s degree is

exactly what could put you in a position to

be present with your family and grow as

a professional. However, the question still

remains, what would it actually take to finish your degree?

Any person wearing several hats is going to

want in-person night classes augmented

by strategic online coursework. This allows

for maximum educational attainment and

total flexibility. With the responsibilities

of school, parenthood, and employment,

there is no greater priority for working

parents and busy people who are seeking

to complete their education than a

program that is designed for their unique constraints.

On the next page, we’ll walk you through

the key components of a degree

completion program that not only make

this possible, but also an absolute pleasure.

Why? So that you can finish your degree

without disrupting your life.

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Finding the Perfect Program Fit

Converse College, which has made its home in the Upstate since 1889, offers six essential features

to look for in a degree completion program.

Earning a higher income later means spending some time and money now. As you seek to invest in

completing your degree, it will be important to know what to look for.

With busy, working adults in mind, we structured our degree completion programs to check all of

the boxes, so that you can spend less time worrying if you will finish, and more time learning and

preparing for your future career.

LocalWith Converse’s convenient

University Center of Greenville

location, you don’t have a lengthy

commute to get to class. Our

local program makes it easier

to meet up with other students

and professors outside of class if

necessary. Additionally, choosing

a local program raises the chance

that Greenville’s leading employers

recognize the value and prestige of

your Converse education.

AffordableYou may be expecting to pay

what colleges regularly charge

for tuition, but Converse’s Degree

Completion Program is affordable

with consideration to your

family’s busy lives. Our lower rate

encourages your investment now

towards continuing your education.

Individualized SupportPrograms will have prerequisites,

but Converse considers the

background of all applicants, even

those who took an unconventional

path in their initial college work.

We work closely with you and your

unique goals to help you achieve

your educational goals.

Distinguished & CapableAccredited, established and

respected, Converse excels with

a 12:1 student to faculty ratio in

which 98% of our faculty hold

a PhD or appropriate terminal

degree in their field. Our small

class sizes allow for personalized

attention, leading to a more in-

depth program of study. Converse

faculty are real-world practitioners

with a strong commitment to

providing transformative learning

experiences for our students.

AccessiblePrograms should be designed to

avoid disruptions to your existing

commitments. Converse offers a

combination of face-to-face and

select online coursework, which

helps students complete the

program in as little as two calendar

years.

SupportiveConverse’s Degree Completion

Program uses a cohort model:

students enter the program with

a group and progress through

the program as a group, building

confidence together as they go.

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Finding Friends for Life

As Ana wraps up her degree completion program, she

says that her life experience informs her studies.

“I’m getting way more out of courses now than I would

have straight out of high school.”

But the reverse is also true. Her class at night has

added direct value to her job during the day. “At

work, every day, I’m applying what I’m learning in my

program. Like, yesterday, I solved a problem for my

boss after telling her, ‘We just talked about this issue

last night in class.’”

Ana also found unexpected social benefits. Leaving

college years ago had meant losing her community of

college friends, but her new classmates share much in

common, including family and work challenges.

Being with the same cohort of classmates each term

means that they have bonded strongly. “I admit I was

lonely before I got into this program, but not so much

anymore. Some of these people will be my friends for

the rest of my life.”

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Converse College: Making a Difficult Decision Easy

In order to bridge the need for skilled workers and the regional demand for higher

educational attainment, Converse decided to leverage its creative-thinking faculty and

provide a solution. Specifically with busy Greenville residents in mind, we developed two

degree completion programs that are now open and accepting applicants.

Our Degree Completion Program is being offered at the conveniently accessible Greenville

learning center in partnership with the University Center of Greenville (UCG), where

students will be taught by our accomplished Converse faculty—integrating a convenient

location with academic excellence. The program’s hybrid approach combines face-to-face

learning and select online coursework, making it ideal for adult learners.

We currently offer degree completion programs in Business Administration and Child and

Family Studies, with plans to add additional degree options in the future.

At Converse, we understand that going back to school can be a difficult decision for

busy, working adults. That’s why it is so important to us to offer a flexible, affordable solution that allows you to pursue your degree while balancing your family and career. Converse’s Degree Completion Program is an outstanding pathway for busy individuals

to complete their bachelor’s degree and to increase employment and advancement

opportunities.

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The Fast Track: Converse Degree Completion Programs

With each program taught close to your home at the University Center of Greenville and select

classes offered online, our hybrid approach makes it possible for students to receive the education

they need in a timely and enriching manner.

Our degree completion program allows you to transfer 48 or more undergraduate credits toward a

BA in Business Administration or a BA in Child and Family Studies.

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BA in Business Administration

The BA in Business Administration Degree Completion Program

provides you with the skills and knowledge to make decisions,

participate in team management exercises, and provide valuable

input into your organization. Our program emphasizes real-world

applications using experiential projects grounded in the workplace.

Employers see the BA in Business Administration as a benchmark

of required competencies for moving up into management or

administration.

You will learn to:

• Develop effective business communication skills

• Process and analyze business data to generate insights

• Interpret financial statements and evaluate the economic

environment

• Apply your developing skills to analyzing real-world case

studies, with global and cross-cultural perspectives

With a BA in Business Administration from Converse, you will be

equipped with the foundational skills needed for a career in a

variety of business fields, including accounting, marketing, sales,

human resources, and finance. The program will help you hone

your business skills and prepare you for success upon graduation,

whether you’re hoping to pursue advancement opportunities in

your current field or switch career fields.

Careers Within Reach through your BA in Business Administration

Advertising,

Promotions, or

Marketing Manager

Financial Manager

Sales Manager

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BA in Child and Family Studies

The BA in Child and Family Studies Degree Completion Program at

Converse combines a common core of liberal arts with an in-depth

study of current practices in the field of child and family studies.

Converse will actively engage you in scholarly excellence while

preparing you to be an innovative and knowledgeable leader in the

high-need area of child and family services.

You will learn to:

• Develop excellent written and oral communication skills

• Build your leadership expertise

• Implement innovative solutions to solve problems

• Apply your skills to real-life situations involving child welfare,

community enrichment, and family-oriented program

development

With a BA in Child and Family Studies from Converse, you

will develop an advanced level of knowledge of the roles,

responsibilities, and necessary skills used in child and family

services. Upon graduation, you will feel confident to analyze

problems and synthesize information using critical thinking skills

and offer defensible solutions within your field.

Careers Within Reach through your BA in Child and Family Studies

School and

Career Counselor

Social and Human

Service Assistant

Training and

Development

Specialist

Complete the Academic Journey

When Eric completed his degree, he felt immensely

grateful and fulfilled for achieving what he had envisioned

for so long. Dressed in cap and gown, Eric received his

degree and turned to the audience, seeing his spouse and

children applauding him. He had earned his degree without

disrupting commitments to his family — or his work.

Soon after the graduation ceremony, Eric received more recognition professionally. During his new

round of job applications, he received favorable responses from employers who required a BA for

the job. Ultimately, Eric accepted a new position, where he is flourishing. “My success in my degree

program gave me the confidence to knock on this door, to step in, and to make a difference for my

new company, for my family, and for myself.”

During this time of ongoing economic uncertainty, we want to encourage you in your next step. The

opportunities open to Eric are open to you too. We hope that we can join you and be a valuable

resource on your journey to a completed Bachelor’s degree.

Outcomes of Our Graduates:

As students like Eric complete their academic journey, we are proud to showcase their success and

what they are doing now. Here are some quicks stats of our graduates’ job placements and salaries:

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Almost 2/3 of Converse graduates in 2019 had jobs

or graduate school acceptances upon graduation

*These statistics are from all 2019 Converse graduates.

Over 1/3 of Converse graduates in 2019 report

being the first in their immediate family to earn a

bachelor’s degree

Connect with Converse

At Converse, we are committed to building a vibrant community fueled by creativity

and collaboration. Now is your chance to finish your undergraduate degree at a highly

respected and accredited academic institution with a program designed for busy

adults. We look forward to guiding you through the steps needed to achieve your

educational and professional goals.

For more information about Converse and our Degree Completion Programs, connect

with us today!

About Converse College

Established in Spartanburg, SC in 1889, Converse College is a nationally recognized

and accredited university that provides an engaging co-educational environment for

learning. Converse is consistently recognized as a top college by Forbes, U.S. News

& World Report, and Washington Monthly, and is named among the top private

colleges in the nation for “excelling in access and success” by the U.S. Department of

Education.

Learn About Converse

Start Your Application

Discover University Center of Greenville

Request More Information

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