From the Dean

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Welcome to DePaul University's School of Continuing and Professional Studies (SCPS).
 
Founded in 1972 as the School for New Learning, DePaul University's School of Continuing and Professional Studies launched on July 1, 2019 after a large-scale study of the adult learner landscape. Building upon SNL's 45-year history, SCPS is now organized to expand its mission and scope of operations to be more responsive to new markets. SCPS builds on DePaul's longstanding commitment to providing adult learners access to higher education through curricular structures and services that serve lifelong learning needs. This is what makes SCPS the premiere destination for adult and nontraditional learners who desire to transform themselves, their communities, and the world around them. 

At SCPS, we recognize that individual academic and professional paths are unique, and we partner with adult and nontraditional learners to actualize their educational goals and professional aspirations.  We provide a transformative educational experience that harnesses experiences to maximize learning. Post-degree completion, our students demonstrate a continued passion for learning to succeed during a lifespan of professional and personal achievements. Learning is limitless. 

Commitment to Excellence

SCPS focuses on addressing critical issues through the work of our centers, networks, and specialized services. We cultivate success through:

• Expertise in adult education, conveyed through ideas, research, and practice
• Scholarship and advancements in liberal arts disciplines 
• Well-balanced, rigorous, transformative, and immersive learning experiences
• Delivery of innovative technologies and learning approaches
• Demonstrated post-completion student success
• Professional, community, and societal impact
  

DePaul's motto translates to “I will show you the way of wisdom". We work diligently to live by our motto and leverage our understanding of the lives of adult learners to ensure that learning extends beyond the classroom, integrates into the workplace, and continues throughout life. Lifelong learning leads to a transformative impact in professions, communities, and personal lives. We strive to manifest this transformation in each of our students. 

The SCPS culture centralizes experiential learning, elevates solution-driven outcomes, and attends to a wide array of learning styles and interests through comprehensive program design. Our community was built for the adult learner to personalize and embark on their academic journey when they are ready, while we champion their success. There is a place for all learners, and that place is @SCPS.

By making meaning of experiences, our students demonstrate the essentiality of lifelong learning skills and use their talents to impact results. In addition to academic success, our students engage in special opportunities such as Intensive Study Abroad Courses, Career Communities, Peer Mentorship, Justice Fellowships, and support networks such as the Adult Men of Color Initiative.

Again, welcome to DePaul University's School of Continuing and Professional Studies and congratulations on the start of your new academic adventure. 

 Warm regards,
Dean Tatum Thomas, PhD