Continuing Education
Continuing Education is Aquinas' undergraduate program for post-traditional students approximately 23 years and over to start or finish a bachelor's degree, to earn an additional bachelor's degree or to take classes for personal or professional enrichment.
Continuing Education programs at Aquinas are designed and intended for persons beyond
conventional college age who are established in their adult lives and careers and
whose education has been interrupted. Accordingly, a person is eligible for admission
to our Continuing Education program if any one of the following categories matches
him or her.
- Students whose education has been interrupted (an interruption of two or more years in higher education, or four or more years since high school graduation), or who have been continuously employed on a fulltime basis for two or more years and who qualify as a self-supporting student as defined by financial aid regulations.
- All veterans of the Armed Forces or persons who hold a bachelor’s degree or professional diploma.
- Students must meet the normal eligibility requirements for any on campus instruction.
Explore everything Aquinas has to offer. We have an extensive list of programs and courses to help you reach your career goals and further your education.
- Complete the request information form. You will be contacted by email with further details. If you are ready to apply now, proceed to step 2.
- Fill out the application online. There is no fee to apply. If you would like to discuss attending Aquinas with an advisor before you apply, proceed to step 4.
- Please have your school’s registrar mail your official transcripts to the Aquinas
College Registrar/Academic Advising Center. Aquinas will need transcripts from each college you have attended as well as from
the high school you attended.
Schools that send electronic transcripts should email them to registrar@aquinas.edu.
Hard copies of transcripts should be sent to:
Registrar/Academic Advising Center
Aquinas College
1700 Fulton St. E.
Grand Rapids, MI 49506-1801 - Schedule an appointment with the Aquinas College Academic Advisor - (616) 632-2871 or registrar@aquinas.edu. If you have attended college before, make sure you bring copies of your college transcripts with you so the advisor can thoroughly discuss transferability of your credits. Unofficial transcripts may also be used for this appointment. The registration process will be discussed at this time.
- Contact the Veteran Certification Officer, If you are a veteran of the US armed forces (or an eligible dependent or spouse) entitled to educational benefits, call (616) 632-2893 or email financialaid@aquinas.edu
- Complete the financial aid process to learn about possible sources of financial assistance.
Students find Aquinas financially manageable through a variety of grants, scholarships, loans and payment plans. To apply for financial aid, you will need to file a FAFSA as early as possible. Complete the FAFSA online (Obtain a FSA ID through that site before you begin if it is your first time completing the FAFSA. Note: Aquinas’ school code is 002239.) Feel free to contact the Financial Aid Office at (616) 632-2893 or financialaid@aquinas.edu. - Contact Student Accounts at (616) 632-2864 or studentaccounts@aquinas.edu if you would like to set up a payment plan or arrange to have your employer billed directly. >Complete Details
The Michigan Transfer Agreement is designed to facilitate the transfer of credits between participating Michigan
colleges and universities. Review requirements and applicable general education courses.
Review the Transfer Equivalency Guide for the institution you are transferring from.
Other Transfer and Program Guides:
- Lansing Community College Transfer Guide
- Grand Rapids Community College Articulation Agreement Program Guides
- Montcalm Community College Articulation Agreement Program Guides
- Muskegon Community College Articulation Agreement Program Guides
- Oakland Community College Articulation Agreement Program Guides
*If you do not find a specific class, please contact the Registrar's Office at (616) 632-2866.
Transfer Credit Policy
- Aquinas accepts up to 60 semester hours of credit from an accredited community or junior college. If coming from a four-year institution, you may transfer all liberal arts and science credits earned at your previous school(s) and applicable to your degree program.
- If you hold an Associate of Arts degree, you will automatically have fulfilled the general education requirements at Aquinas, with the exception of a Theological Foundation course, a Writing Intensive course, and a Senior Capstone. Students may need to complete the competency requirements of English and Math.
- If you hold any other Associate's Degree, an official transcript review will determine which credits will still need to be completed.
- If transferring from an accredited four-year institution, an official transcript review will determine which credits will be accepted. However, at least 30 semester hours must be earned in residence at Aquinas. Certain departments require at least half of the major course work to be completed at Aquinas.
- Prospective transfer students from other colleges cannot be admitted if they have been dismissed from or are currently on academic probation at another college.
Featured Highlights
Military Friendly School
Meet Mayerlyn Benscome
You’ve served your country; now let us serve you. We will help you take the classes
and get the degree that will guide you to the next step in your career.
LEARN MORE ABOUT BENEFITS
Life for the working mother of three young children was already an uphill climb, considering she does not speak English as her native language and she’s legally blind, but she made the decision to come to AQ and finish her degree, leading to a job in the Justice Department.
![student at desk with texts](/_files/continuing_ed.jpg)
Aquinas is about academics
At Aquinas College, we pioneered the idea of continuing education for adults back in 1969. We provide an opportunity like no other, with the high standards you would expect from a private liberal arts college in an environment that will prepare you for success in the real world. Choose from over 60 programs with classes taught by highly experienced professors. You’ll get personal attention from the beginning of your application process to the end of your final exams.APPLY NOW
![Professor in front of students](/_files/classroom_0.jpeg)
An affordable opportunity
Between federal and state grants, Federal Direct loans, scholarships, employer tuition reimbursement, and a host of other programs, this investment in your future could cost a lot less than you’d imagine. And, Aquinas makes financing your education even easier with payment plans. Financial Aid
![Graduating Student](/_resources/images/2023_Commencement-185.jpg)
Services abound to help you succeed
From one-on- one attention in the library, to math labs, writing centers and tutoring, Aquinas has what you need to succeed.EXPLORE SERVICES
![Statue of Thomas Aquinas in Winter](/_resources/images/thomas-aquinas-winter-statue.jpg)