"For 25 years, Hollins has been a source of stimulation and community for me. No matter what my focus — raising children, working outside the home, volunteering in the community — Hollins enriched my life and that of my family. I'd like to think it is no coincidence that our daughters have advanced degrees and pursue lifetime learning. As my CPA husband says, 'Hollins provides an excellent return on investment.'" Lucy Lee, M.A.L.S. '85, C.A.S. '03

The Certificate of Advanced Studies (C.A.S.) is granted when students have completed 10 graduate level courses beyond the master’s degree. This certificate provides current teachers holding a master’s degree an opportunity to obtain courses necessary to teach dual enrollment courses at the high school level. The certificate is also useful to those who desire to teach in a community college setting but do not have the required number of graduate-level courses in a particular subject area to meet the college’s faculty requirements.

The C.A.S. requires all students to complete an advanced seminar in the humanities designed to provide an interdisciplinary overview of diverse cultures. Five of the graduate level courses taken toward the certificate may be independent studies, giving students the opportunity of working closely with a faculty member on a subject of mutual interest.

Two graduate-level courses may be transferred from another regionally accredited college or university provided the courses were not used to meet requirements for another degree, that the grade received was a “B” or better, and that the course is a substantive one that ties in with the student’s program.

Tuition for students enrolled in the Certificate of Advanced Studies is $325 per credit hour for the 2011-12 academic year. Therefore, the cost to complete the certificate with all course work being done at Hollins during this same time period would be $13,000. Students are charged a technology fee of $73 per term if enrolled part-time; $145 per term if enrolled full-time. (Since most students take more than one academic year to complete the C.A.S., the cost to complete the certificate may be greater as tuition is reviewed on an annual basis. Once admitted to the program, students may take as long as eight years to complete the requirements.)

Recent review finds that most students enrolled in the C.A.S. are currently employed by either a public school system or community college system. Those employed outside the field of education, have aspirations of entering it and take this course work as preparation. (Applicable SOC codes: 25-3099, 25-1199)