This paper provides a prospective-student overview of Davenport University, a Michigan-based private university specializing in business, technology, and health professions. It covers the institution's history, degree offerings, articulation agreements, tuition and financial aid options, student life activities, career services resources, and expected salary ranges for Information Technology graduates. The paper functions as a persuasive recruitment-style guide, walking readers through the key factors a prospective student would weigh when choosing a university, and concluding with a call to compare Davenport's offerings against competing institutions before making a final enrollment decision.
Founded in 1866 with its main campus in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and 14 campuses located throughout the state, Davenport University offers both graduate and undergraduate degrees along with a distance learning option, focusing on innovative, practical, and affordable education. Davenport is the only Michigan-based private university specializing in business, technology, and health professions, serving approximately 12,400 students. The university "prepares individuals and organizations to excel in the knowledge-driven environment of the 21st century."
Davenport's School of Technology prepares students for technology careers that will exist tomorrow and well into the future. The U.S. Department of Labor projects that three of the ten fastest-growing occupations are computer-related. By focusing on security and the most current programming and networking systems, Davenport stays ahead of the curve in educating students for the future. An additional advantage is that Davenport's technology degrees include a strong business foundation, exposing students to the business and leadership skills needed for success in the fast-paced technology field. With today's economy and competitive job market, few institutions can offer comparable reassurance for career placement.
Associate's, Bachelor's, and Master's degrees in Business, Health Professions, and Technology; certificate programs; online distance learning; career services and job fairs; both on- and off-campus housing; collegiate athletics; and 22 different clubs and organizations are just a few of the resources available to Davenport students. The university's business and technology-focused curriculum helps students achieve their goals and pursue careers in computer gaming and simulation, database management, programming, and web design.
In addition to their major courses, students take introductory-level courses to build a business foundation — such as Advanced Composition, Professional Writing, Accounting Basics for Managers or Accounting Foundations, Professional Ethics, and Management Foundations. Students can earn an Associate's, Bachelor's, or Master of Science degree in Technology and even pursue a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate to enter or advance their careers.
Whether a student comes to Davenport immediately after high school graduation, takes time off, or begins coursework early, the university accepts transfer credit hours and assists students in receiving appropriate credit for previously completed coursework. Davenport strongly encourages articulation — the earning of college credit through high school or a career and technical education center.
Articulation agreements allow students to build an additive degree program by taking courses at different institutions or at different campuses of one institution. Davenport offers options for high school students to get an early start in college by articulating high school credits for college credit. Students save money on rising costs of tuition, fees, and books while accelerating their progress in their college major rather than being slowed down by duplication of courses. Additional benefits of articulation include expanded program content, improved job-readiness skills, improved job-placement potential, and greater motivation to continue schooling. Davenport also offers benefits for military experience and veterans, including tuition reductions, recognition of nontraditional learning activities, and VA benefits.
Davenport's undergraduate tuition for the 2010–2011 academic year was $5,772 per semester, or $11,544 for the full academic year. Undergraduate online tuition was $5,892 per semester, or $11,784 for the full year. Students should also budget for a $100 registration fee and a $35 technology fee per semester. On-campus room and board costs approximately $8,300. Davenport generally encourages students to budget between $200 and $300 per course for books — a conservative estimate designed to prevent under-budgeting. In practice, students can reduce this cost by purchasing used books, swapping books with other students, or participating in a book rental program.
At the higher end of the budget estimate, the grand total for one academic year at Davenport comes to approximately $23,000. That figure compares favorably with the $30,000 to $40,000 that students may spend at other institutions — particularly those whose programs may not be as directly focused on preparing graduates for careers in technology and business.
Davenport offers several options for financial aid in the forms of employment assistance, gift aid, and self-help aid. The Career Services Center helps students find part-time jobs while attending school. Self-help aid is generally in the form of student loans, which do not require repayment until after graduation. Davenport also offers gift aid — funds that do not have to be repaid — in the form of federal grants, state grants and scholarships, Davenport institutional scholarships, Davenport Foundation scholarships, and external scholarships funded by third parties. With all of these options combined, students can bring that grand total down to a more manageable figure.
"Clubs, sports, events, and student involvement"
"Career checklist, fairs, and internship resources"
"IT salary ranges and top hiring cities"
"Closing argument for enrollment at Davenport"
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