This school appears in our ranking 10 Most Affordable Top Ranked Online Master's in Finance 2018.
Celebrating its 150th birthday in 2016, Davenport University has been providing a quality education to students in Michigan since 1866. While initial enrollment was only 16 students, the university now serves more than 7000 students each semester and has 12 campuses throughout the state with the main location being the W.A. Lettinga Campus in Grand Rapids. This private university currently offers over 50 degree programs at all levels from associates to master's degrees as well as a variety of certificates.
The Global Campus program began in 1999 providing completely online degrees and currently enrolls approximately 3000 students each semester. There are currently ten master's degree programs available, and the university is dedicated to adding to this offering.
The philosophy of Davenport University involves looking to the future. In all courses, Davenport professors provide historical context and current theory but always place the main emphasis on where a particular industry is heading.
Davenport University Accreditation Details
The Higher Learning Commission has accredited Davenport University verifying that the education provided meets appropriate standards. This accreditation is valuable because it makes transferring credits between universities easier and attaches credibility to degrees from Davenport.
Some specific graduate degree programs are also accredited by professional organizations. These include the following degrees.
- Master of Business Administration – International Accreditation Council for Business Education
- Master of Accountancy – International Accreditation Council for Business Education with Accounting Designation
- Master of Management – International Accreditation Council for Business Education
- Master of Science in Nursing – Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing
Davenport University Application Requirements
For all online master's degree programs at Davenport, students must have completed a bachelor's degree prior to enrolling. Online applicants have the same requirements as those applying for on-campus admission, and these vary by degree program. For example, programs offered by the College of Technology and the Health Informatics and Information Management program require specific undergraduate classes that provide a framework for masters level coursework, and Davenport offers these foundational classes to students before admittance to the degree programs.
The Master of Science in Nursing program only admits students who have completed an undergraduate degree in nursing and are currently registered nurses. This program is highly competitive, and the admissions board takes GPA, professional recommendations, and an applicant's statement of purpose into consideration when making decisions. The programs offered by the Donald W. Maine College of Business are also competitive, and individuals must submit a resume, transcripts, two letters of recommendation, and an essay with their applications. For these programs, a specific undergraduate degree or coursework is not required, but students without a business background are advised to submit GRE or GMAT scores.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Online graduate tuition for all Davenport University programs is $802 per credit hour. This is slightly more than on-campus tuition. Students are responsible for fees totaling approximately $350 per semester as well as the cost of books. Nearly all students enrolled at Davenport receive some type of financial aid, and everyone is encouraged to submit a FAFSA to get a full picture of the assistance available.
Graduate students can also apply for external scholarships offered by non-profit groups and professional organizations to help offset tuition costs. If students are currently working full-time, some companies offer tuition reimbursement programs for all or part of tuition costs upon successful completion of courses. Finally, there are a variety of loans available for grad students including the Graduate PLUS Loan as well as personal loans dependent upon a student's credit score.
Online Degrees Available
Davenport University offers two different types of online instruction. The first is in the style typical of most online courses where students complete assignments and tests on their own time. There is very limited direct interaction between classmates except for posting on discussion boards. Real-time virtual learning courses simulate an actual classroom environment online. Students all log on at the same time to listen to lectures and participate in discussions. The programs below along with other Davenport University online graduate programs offer a combination of these two types of instruction.
Master of Business Administration
There are three tracks for students earning their Master of Business Administration online from Davenport. All options feature 7-week classes and require the same core courses including Managerial Accounting, Marketing Strategies, and Ethical and Legal Framework for 21st Century Business. The 30-credit option is the most traditional program during which students complete eight core courses plus an elective and a capstone project. Most students graduate after 5 semesters of work. The 39-credit pathway is identical but includes a specialization like Healthcare Management or Human Resources. Finally, for professionals looking to fast-track theirMaster of Business Administration, the 12-month program is similar to the 30-credit option with a fixed schedule and accelerated coursework. In each of these programs, there is the opportunity to receive credit for previous professional experience.
Master of Science in Health Informatics and Information Management
This is a 39-credit hour program offered by Davenport's College of Health Professions and combines the study of computer science, business, healthcare, and analytics. Most students entering the program have experience in the medical field or in database management. During the program, professors teach programming and statistics skills in courses like Data Mining and Information Security Planning as well as management techniques in Health Care Organizations Budget and Financial Management and Project Management and Risk Mitigation courses. Throughout the entire program, students are encouraged to apply new information to the healthcare industry. Before graduating, each student completes a capstone experience during which they have an opportunity to work in the field.
Master of Science in Information Assurance
All students entering this program need a background in network security, computer programming, and statistical analysis. This allows students to learn complex techniques for encrypting information and protecting networks. The 34 required credit hours emphasize coding and security with class offerings like Applied Cryptography and Advanced Computer Forensics. Following coursework, a thesis project is required in order to graduate. While the program is rigorous, these graduates have many employment opportunities, especially since the program is certified by the National Security Agency and Committee on National Security Systems.