DeVry
Top Jobs, p1
DeVry University prepares students for business, technology, biomedical careers
By Heidi Howell
Writer, Bee Creative
Attention
college-bound students: According to the National Center for Education
Statistics (www.nces.ed.gov) it now takes between four and five years to
earn a bachelor’s degree. DeVry University challenges that figure.
“DeVry
University operates on a trimester calendar, which provides fewer
breaks between sessions and allows students to complete a traditional
four-year program in three years or less,” says Norma Melone, PhD, dean
of academic support services for DeVry University, Fremont.
“For
working students who prefer a more compressed schedule, classes are also
available in six, eight-week sessions during the year,” she says.
Another degree-oriented option is DeVry University Online
(www.devry.edu/online).
DeVry at a glance
Founded in
1931, regionally accredited DeVry University (www.devry.edu) has an
enrollment of nearly 50,000 students and operates in 75 locations across
North America. Northern California locations include Sacramento (Elk
Grove), San Francisco and Fremont, with a new Fresno campus opening in
September.
“We have students from the Modesto, Turlock and
Stockton high schools who attend our various campuses,” says Molly Blum,
admissions advisor for DeVry University, Sacramento.
DeVry
University serves both working adults and young people seeking degrees.
Based on the needs of the region, each campus offers a somewhat
different selection of undergraduate degrees in business, technology and
biomedical studies – on a foundation of general education courses.
Melone
says classes are led by professors who possess academic credentials and
experience in business and industry. Class sizes are relatively small,
giving students more personalized attention.
“Because DeVry
University invites regular input from industry, our graduates are
especially prepared for careers upon graduation,” Melone observes.
“Every DeVry graduate must complete a career development course and
works during his or her final trimesters with an adviser who offers
counsel on research, interviewing skills and professional presentation
and image.”
The price is right
Regarding fees, Melone
says costs for tuition, books and supplies are competitive with other
private colleges and universities in California. Financial aid is
available through grants, scholarships and loans.
According to
Elyane Harney, center dean for DeVry University, Sacramento, DeVry is
attractive to students because “every meeting, they take away something
they can use (immediately),” she says. “In some universities, the
curriculum is so theory-based. Here, it’s very hands-on, very
practitioner based – students learn the skills they need to be
successful in the workplace.”
For those who wish to further their
educational goals, master’s degrees are available through DeVry
University’s Keller Graduate School of Management (www.keller.edu).
Call for teachers
There
is a growing need for educational instructors at DeVry University.
“We’re always hiring part-time faculty; it’s an ongoing process,” Harney
notes. More positions, including full-time posts, are expected to open
as the school grows, especially over the summer.
“For every
session, we add 20 to 30 students – so that’s one or two instructors,”
Harney says. “Not only are we growing in student population, our
(Sacramento) facility is expanding by 15,000 square feet.” Construction
is slated for completion by mid October.
Because teachers at
DeVry hold other jobs as well, the school accommodates busy schedules
whenever possible. A typical part-time instructor might teach two
courses per session if they choose, Harney says, which equals eight
hours a week. Time commitments depend on the session: For evening
courses, instructors usually teach one night a week; morning sessions
often require two mornings per week. There are also online instructor
opportunities.
The school employs about 35 people and plans to
hire roughly 15 to 20 part- and full-time employees this year. To be
considered for a teaching position, candidates need a master’s degree or
higher and a passion to teach, Harney says, plus pertinent professional
experience.
Sacramento campus openings include instructor
positions in accounting, electronic engineering, PC applications,
project management and psychology. Candidates can view opportunities at
www.devry.com/inc/employment.html or visit www.monster.com.
Bonus courses
Part-time
faculty are hired as independent contractors, “which is a nice tax
break,” Harney adds. Part-time instructors enjoy a special perk: “For
every class they teach, they (or a dependent) can take a DeVry class for
free.”
Full-time faculty and staff receive full benefits and a
free education for themselves and their dependents, regardless of the
number of classes taught, Harney says. “One of my instructors, who has a
master’s in business, is getting a master’s degree in accounting while
he’s teaching for us.”
Prospective instructors may email Elyane
Harney at eharney@devry.edu with a resume and cover letter indicating
types of courses they are interested in teaching. Selected candidates
receive a phone interview followed by a test lecture.
In
addition to instructor positions, an opening exists for a corporate
development specialist in Sacramento and an educational adviser in
Modesto. Check the website for other DeVry career opportunities.
© HHWS for The Modesto Bee
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