Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

1. Are you accredited?
Yes. The Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, 3624 Market St., Philadelphia, PA 19104-2680, (215) 662-5606, accredits Utica College. This level of accreditation, commonly referred to as regional accreditation, is the most widely accepted form of accreditation in the United States.

2. How long will it take to complete the program?
The length of your program will vary based on your prior education background and how many credits you will need to graduate. In addition, the number of courses you are able to take each term will also impact the length of time it takes to complete the program.

3. Do you offer career placement?
The faculty, including your academic advisor, are experts in the industry and will be able to assist you as you explore the job market. Your fellow students located throughout the country and working in a variety of industry related professions also serve as a great resource.

4. Can I transfer in credits?
Utica College accepts transfer credits from other regionally accredited schools depending on the applicability to the UC curriculum and amount of credits you’ve completed. A detailed course by course evaluation of your prior earned credits is completed as part of the admissions process.

5. What classes are required to complete the program?
You can review the curriculum and course requirements for each online degree on each program page throughout this site.

6. Is there an internship?
The undergraduate programs in Economic Crime Investigation and Cybersecurity and Information Assurance require an internship as part of the curriculum. Your faculty advisor will help you identify possible internship opportunities in your area. The online graduate programs do not require an internship.

7. How much time will I need to dedicate to school each week?
On average, you should expect to minimally dedicate 12-15 hours per week, per course. The rigor and expectations for campus and online instruction are the same.

8. What is the online environment like?
Utica College delivers online courses through WebCT – an online course management system. WebCT allows students and faculty to communicate and share vital course information. You can securely access your courses anytime, anywhere by logging in with your username and password. All online courses are supported by 24 x 7 technical assistance.

9. Are textbooks required?
Yes. Students enrolled in an online program at Utica College purchase textbooks via our online bookstore. UC will ship the books to your home so that you have them in time for the start of class.

** For more questions, please call (866) 295-3106 to speak with a Program Manager.

MS-Economic Crime Management FAQs

1. Can I do this program taking one class at a time?
No, this program is designed as a cohort meaning you start with a group and take two classes each semester for 6 semesters total in the span of 2 yrs.

2. What type of jobs can you move into after completion?
All of our students are working in some part of the industry relating to investigations of some sort. There are many different opportunities that this degree can open up to you. The program was designed to take someone from any area of work related to investigations and give them the training and resources necessary to move into a high level management position, or go from law enforcement to corporate fraud investigations work.

3. Is an ECM vs MBA marketable in the corporate environment?
Extremely marketable! This program gives you the resources through the curriculum and the interaction with high level professionals from all areas of the industry, thus giving you the ability to gain insight into varies areas of industry. Corporations are looking for individuals who can understand both the private and public areas to be more effective in their investigations. The MBA is designed for individuals who don’t have any experience in investigations thus it is much more focused on business vs. taking your current skills and opening you up to all areas of industry.

4. What type of experience do I need to enter the program?
All applicants need to have at least 2+ years of experience. The typical backgrounds of our students include: fraud investigations, law enforcement, attorneys at law, private investigators, military police, auditors, compliance officers, etc.

5. Why is there a residency?
There are 2 residencies in the whole program. They are 3 ½ days each from Thursday-Sunday afternoon. The residencies are completed your first and third semester on our campus in Utica, NY. The design of the residencies is to meet three needs: give you the ability to be in a class room environment using the state-of-the-art technology we have on campus, have the ability to network with other professionals in the program, and accomplish any coursework that would be otherwise very challenging online.

** For more questions, please call (866) 295-3106 to speak with a Program Manager.

MBA-Fraud FAQs

1. Will I need a GMAT or another exam?
Files are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Applicants without a business background and a GPA over a 3.0 may be required to take a GMAT.

2. How many courses do I take each semester?
This degree is designed to be taking 6 semester hours per semester (2 classes).

3. What is the job market like for this type of degree?
The area of Fraud Investigations is very much in demand in all areas of industry. This degree propels your career by providing you a better understanding of business at a high level while coupling it with the fraud management and investigation skill sets that will help you be effective in the fraud industry.

4. I have no background in fraud can I still do this program?
This degree was designed for the student who may not have a background in fraud or investigations but is looking to gain the specific training to market themselves into all areas of the fraud field.

5. . Will you explain the residencies?
There are two 3 ½ day trips to our campus in Utica NY. During the 3 days you will be in class from 8:30-5pm utilizing the technology in the computer labs, working on group projects, learning the online environment, and given the time to network with many other professionals in varies industries.

** For more questions, please call (866) 295-3106 to speak with a Program Manager.

BS- Economic Crime Investigation

1.What is a “Bachelor-completer?”
This means that you enter Utica College as a transfer student with either an associate’s degree or 57 credits from a 4 year school. You are now only focused on the major to graduate or “complete your bachelor’s degree.”

2. How quickly can I finish the program?
The program is designed to be completed part time taking 6 credits per semester which typically takes about 3 years and 4 months. You have the ability to take as many classes per semester as you would like, but will want to work with your academic advisor to see what is best with your work and life schedule.

3. What is job market like for when I graduate?
While this can depend on the area you live in, the job market is very strong for these types of positions. Through internships, a large alumni network, and our exclusive Economic Crime Institute comprised of multiple companies and government agencies, Utica College helps students get connected with a company or government agency.

4. Can I take more than 2 classes at a time?
Yes, it is recommended to take 2 classes if you work full time. However, if you are able to take on more classes you are allowed to take up to 5 classes per semester.

** For more questions, please call (866) 295-3106 to speak with a Program Manager.

Cyber Security

1.How quickly can I finish the program?
The program is designed for working professionals who are completing this on a part time basis taking 6 credits a semester (2 classes), thus completing the program in about 3 years. However, this program can be completed in a shorter time frame if the student is able to take on more than 6 credits per semester.

2. Can I take more than 2 classes at a time?
Yes, but your academic advisor will need to approve the course load.

3. How do I find a job when I am done?
There are multiple ways we help students attain positions in the field at the time of graduation. First, we have an internship which is a required part of the program. This can be completed through working with a company or agency and having that time count as internship credit. Some students do empirical research for a company. Secondly, we track all our alumni for the economic crime programs for 10 years after they graduate. This helps us find jobs in areas outside of NY. Finally, we have an Economic Crime Institute with a board of advisors from companies like Microsoft, KPMG, US Marshals, AOL, JC Penny, Lockheed Martin, etc. Many of these companies look to hire our graduates.

4. Would I be able to take the CCIA/CCIF coursework simultaneously?
You can add a couple electives to the CCIF program from the CCIA program under the approval of your academic advisor. The CCIA program however, does not offer any electives.

** For more questions, please call (866) 295-3106 to speak with a Program Manager.

RN-BS Nursing

1.Are there clinicals?
You do not take clinical in the traditional sense. You will earn two credits by taking Community Health Nursing (NUR 474C) and Nursing Management (NUR 475C). Those credits are applied in place of clinical.

2. Do you accept additional outside credit?
We will accept up to 6 additional credit hours to be applied towards your degree. You can receive credit by being accredited through ANCC (3 credits) and work experience (3 credits).

3. How long is the program?
The program can typically be completed in 2 years. However, it may be completed sooner based on credit transfers.

4. Is the program 100% online?
Yes. You will take all coursework and tests online. There are also no residencies.

5. Are there books?
Yes. You will take all coursework and tests online. There are also no residencies.

** For more questions, please call (866) 295-3106 to speak with a Program Manager.

tDPT

1.Do I have to have a Master’s degree to be admitted to the program?
No. The program is designed for all licensed physical therapists in the United States. You may enter the program with a certificate, bachelor’s, or master’s degree in physical therapy. Each application will be reviewed to determine the coursework that will be required to complete the degree.

2. How do I prepare my professional portfolio?
Once you request more information regarding the program, we will send you a portfolio checklist that will detail how to prepare your professional portfolio. Typically, the portfolio must include a curriculum vitae and proof of licensure.

3. How long will it take me to complete the program?
Completion of the program varies. Most students continue to work full time while pursuing their degree and are encouraged taking one course per semester. The time to complete the program will be determined by how many courses you need to take and how many you take per semester.

4. Are there on campus residencies?
There will be brief (typically one weekend) on site residencies at the beginning of each of the 5 core courses. The week end residencies are designed to meet a number of needs from getting the “business” end of things accomplished to course content delivery. A common focus for all residencies throughout the program will be professional networking so that you may interact with your professional peers.

Gerontology

1.Does the program have more than one focus?
Yes, there are three tracks you may choose from depending on what outcomes you desire from the program. These tracks or concentrations include: The Public Policy Track, the Service Delivery Track, and the Community Design Track.

2. Who is entering this program?
Depending on which track you complete, the certificate program is geared towards those looking to strengthen their marketability and job performance. While designed for those whose goal is a credential in gerontology, it can be used as a supplement to a master’s degree or Doctoral program. This certificate is a perfect complement to such fields as occupational therapy, physical therapy, health care management, and public health and planning.

3. Who will benefit from this program?
Virtually anyone coming in contact with the aging or soon-to-be aging population will benefit from this certificate program. And with the aging population growing at a tremendous rate, the need for specialized knowledge in all areas of business and life will be needed. Areas may include everything from financial planners to housing developers.

4. How long will the program take to complete?
While this is largely determined by your persistence to complete the program, this certificate is designed to be completed in roughly 1 year.

MS- Health Care Administration

1.What is the profile of a successful person in this program?
This program is designed for leaders and/or aspiring leaders in the health care field. A successful admissions candidate will bring three plus years of health care or management experience. As this is a broad scope, we have seen students from many different areas of the field.

2. What is the focus of the program?
There are three main areas that are woven into each class: management, leadership, and the continuum of care. These dimensions are offered to help students understand the foundational theories that integrate with current and future best practices in health care.

3. How long does the program take to complete?
While this is largely determined by your persistence to complete the program, this Masters Degree is designed to be completed in two years.

4. Will you explain the virtual residencies?
Rather than requiring students to travel to campus, you will have four virtual residencies throughout the whole program. Expect a Saturday afternoon spent online with your classmates and professor using webcams and audio.