Samford University is restructuring its evening program to enable graduates of the Alabama Community College System to enroll at Samford and complete their bachelor degrees in less than two years.

Samford's new Evening College will offer shorter terms and faster paths to graduation than was possible in its Adult Degree Program, which Evening College is replacing. 

In the new program, Evening College will offer two eight-week terms each fall and spring, one January Term and two five-week terms in the summer.

"Students who have already completed their associate degree, and meet other admission requirements, can finish their bachelor's degree in the evenings at Samford in less than two years," said Laura Tomlin, Evening College executive director.

"All freshman and sophomore level credit from the Alabama Community College System will transfer to Samford," she said.

Evening College students at Samford enjoy a significantly reduced tuition rate, competitive with other degree completion programs in the area, Tomlin noted.

The new program will offer bachelor of arts and bachelor of sciences degrees, along with the paralegal certificate.  Samford's paralegal certificate program is approved by the American Bar Association.

The new program is planning to offer new majors in 2013 and 2014.

This fall, Samford Evening College will start offering the Bachelor of Science with a major in Youth Studies, aimed at students interested in continuing their education at the graduate level in counseling, human services or education, or for students pursuing careers working with youth and adolescents in a social service, church-based, community service or education setting not requiring certification.

In 2014, Evening College plans to add a Bachelor of Science with a major in Criminal Justice.  "It may be possible to begin coursework now and continue as a student in that new major once it is available," said Tomlin.