Prerequisites

APPLICATION PHASE

To apply requires a “portfolio of information (transcripts, certificates, bio or resume, awards, writings, citations, books or other published material).” From such information, CULA® can award maximum “transfer credits” which could take as much as one year off the time to complete requirements.
To qualify for the two programs CULA® is offering, please read further:

REGISTRATION PHASE

PREREQUISITES for the PADD PROGRAM

(Physician Assistant Doctoral Degree)

--Minimum five (5) years of clinical experience
--Possession of an acceptable License
--Significant professional experience (teaching, research, specialty services, writings, certifications, etc.)
--An earned master degree
--Evidence of ability to conduct independent research (hypothesis testing, etc.)
--A declared special interest in and commitment to advancing the PA profession
--A demonstrated understanding and acceptance of the experimental status of this program

PREREQUISITES FOR RETIREES, ‘COLLEGE DROP-OUTS,” LIFE LONG LEARNERS

CULA®’s philosophy is to “meet you half way.” So, for an initial degree program, you must have already
completed “half the traditional requirements, or the equivalent.” Your Application portfolio will tell CULA® just what is your situation.
AN ASSOCIATE DEGREE: At least 30sem or 45qrt earned credits (as reflected on transcript or sworn affidavit), or the equivalent. All documental credits can be acceptable.
A BACHELOR DEGREE: At least 60sem or 90qrt earned credits, or the experiential equivalent (as determined by CULA®’s own assessment criteria. Affidavits are considered ‘acceptable evidence’).
A MASTER DEGREE (of ARTS or of SCIENCE): A bachelor degree or the equivalent. CULA accepts its own assessment of “life experience learning,” “life long learning,” experiential learning, and/or the equivalent as satisfactory evidence of meeting general academic degree requirements.

A DOCTORATE (IN A VARIETY OF DISCIPLINES): Based upon generally required standards such as an earned master degree or the equivalent; evidence of critical research experience; documented special discipline expertise, such as instructional productions, teaching and/or coaching experience, directing and administering, research and writing, speaking and publishing, and hypothesis testing, and critical comparisons, independently or as a member of a group effort. You nominate three (3) persons qualified “to read and comment upon your thesis project.” This helps keep programs affordable.

SUMMARY

What with life experience, acquired skills, professional expertise, spoken and written content sharing, patents, trademarks, special licenses, copyrights, and other claims to unique contributions, most of you are over qualified for entry-level programs, at whatever degree level. CULA® is not only aware of this phenomenon,, but vehemently defends and supports MINIMIZING COURSE WORK REQUIRED TO COMPLETE AN APPROPRIATE DEGREE, in the shortest possible timeframe.
Now retired, many of you could “qualify” for “a degree based solely upon paid work experiences.” Only no school operates quite like that. CULA® is no exception in that sense, but it is a premiere defender of “recognizing equivalency learning.” YOU HAVE EVERY RIGHT TO BE “DR. Jim Brown, AA, BA, or MS.” So, finish your degree because YOU have always wanted to…for whatever reason!

MATRICULATION

Here is the best part: No matter for which level degree you qualify and/or receive an Acceptance, you can be sure of the following:
1. Your completion program—including coursework, materials, and processing—will be a joyful and exciting experience.
2. You will never be assigned “busy work” and your time will never be wasted.
3. You will be supported, assisted and guided so that you can complete the maximum one course of studies per calendar month.
4. Since CULA® does not issue “failing grades,” an “unsatisfactory” course report is returned and together with a Faculty Adviser the course product is made “Satisfactory.”
5. CULA® recognizes what you already know, and puts that ahead of what you might share or would further explore.
6. CULA® wants you in and out of any program just as fast as you want to be “in and out.”
7. Your required Major Paper/Thesis/Dissertation project will be guided, exciting and fun.
MINIMUM PROGRAM
DOCTORAL LEVEL APPLICANTS WHO QUALIFY FOR A “MINIMUM PROGRAM” COMPLETE FOUR (4) MODULES: 1) A CRITICAL ANALYSIS AND TREATMENT OF A SPECIFIC ISSUE OR PROBLEM IN THE PROFESSION; 2) AN ANNOTATED SUMMARY ANALYSIS OF ‘THE LITERATURE;’ 3) A FORMAL AND DESCRIPTIVE PROPOSAL FOR RESEARCH PAPER OR PROJECT; AND 4) A PREPARED PROJECT REPORT OR DISSERTATION BASED UPON THE APPROVED PROPOSAL. ALL COURSE PRODUCTS MUST BE SATISFACTORY TO FACULTY IN FORM AND CONTENT.
Applicants may qualify for a “Minimum Program” for both the PADD and the RETIREES PROGRAMS. Also, for the Retirees Program, an Applicant may be found qualified for a “Minimum Program” at each degree level: Associate, Bachelor, Master, or Doctoral Level. Every “Minimum Program” earns at least twenty-five (25%) of the total units required for graduation at that particular degree level. However, one may not “apply for a minimum program,” but may well be clearly qualified. Such person would be advised by the Admissions Department automatically.

CERTIFICATIONS AND DECLARATIONS

To ensure honesty, clarity, understandings and acceptances, CULA® requires certain signed “certifications” by enrolling students, setting the record clearly as to the experimental nature of these programs, and the mutual goodwill between you, the student and CULA®, the university, including but not limited to the costs and agreement for providing these educational services.
Certifications: 1) I have read the CULA® WEB CATALOG and PUBLIC STATEMENT and I will abide by all regulations and standards imposed on matriculating students, including paying a $300 Graduation Fee when requirements are met. 2) I am aware CULA® is non-traditional; 3) I understand course offerings are non-classroom; 4) I can achieve my personal goal through CULA®; 5) I can manage the Annual Tuition at this time; 6) I understand programs are experimental and not yet accredited; 7) I have relied upon no other statements, representations, or claims; 8) I support the CULA® system and hold harmless this school from any claims that arise; and 9) I understand third party acceptance is up to that third party.

FINAL NOTATIONS:

Students are led to select their own research topics, out of the richness of their individual backgrounds and unique experiences. Cula® faculty are experts employing the cula® system of “guided, independent study” to conceive, formulate, and actualize a structured major paper, thesis, or dissertation right out of the stuff so familiar to you as mature, accomplished individuals. You will be amazed by the simplicity. Have fun!