Online learning offers access to achieve career goals

By Caitlin Shenk

Molly Griggs was facing a difficult challenge — balancing a full-time job, a full-time family, and a college education. Pursuing her undergraduate degree for more than a decade through five universities, Griggs struggled to juggle all three demands simultaneously. Then Griggs discovered the Human Development and Family Studies undergraduate degree-completion program through Colorado State University Continuing Education.

"I started school 12 years ago and I never thought I would be able to finish," says Griggs. "I will finally finish my degree, even through working full-time and being a full-time mother."

Now a member of the Air National Guard, after completing 10 years of active duty in the Air Force, Griggs says that her undergraduate degree in Human Development and Family Studies is enabling her to pursue her lifelong dream of social work.

The Human Development and Family Studies, or HDFS, program — one of Continuing Education’s four undergraduate degree-completion programs designed for students who have completed at least 60 credit hours — is one of the very few programs of its kind nationally that is offered online.

"I knew there was no way that I would be able to finish my degree if I had to attend classes on campus," says Griggs. "There was not another school out there that [fit] my work schedule and being a mom."

The HDFS degree-completion program offers customized plans of study and prepares students for career opportunities in such fields as teaching, health, community outreach, human services, administration, social work, law enforcement, and student affairs. Courses are taught by CSU faculty, giving online students access to the University’s respected academic foundations and research.

"Now with my degree in HDFS I will finally have the opportunity to continue my education to work as a social worker," says Griggs, who plans to enroll in CSU Continuing Education's Master of Social Work program.

About completing the program, says Griggs, "The benefits are endless."

Caitlin Shenk is a publications assistant for the Division of Continuing Education and a graduate student in technical communication.

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Contact:  Office of Continuing Education
Telephone:  877.491.4336