Choosing a degree program at UM
Every year, the University of Montpellier offers more than 500 institutional degrees. It’s a rich and varied selection, but one that isn’t always clear to the general public. So what exactly is an institutional degree? Who is it for? In which fields, and what is it for? We’ll tell you more with Céline Ritterszki, deputy director of the Continuing Education Department at UM (SFC-UM).
University degrees, college degrees, institutional diplomas, certifications… It’s not always easy to navigate the wide array of educational programs offered by universities today. In addition to national degrees—such as bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees—administered by the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, and Innovation, there is in fact a whole range of degrees offered by the universities themselves. These are institutional degrees (DE), and there are more than 500 of them at the University of Montpellier.
Meet a specific need
The term “institutional degrees” encompasses university diplomas (DU) and certifications.“Institutional diploma is the generic name given to degrees approved by the University’s Board of Trustees,” explains Céline Ritterszki, deputy director of the Continuing Education Service (SFC-UM). “They are administered by the academic units with the support of the Office of Academic Programs and the SFC.”
While these degrees do not carry national accreditation, in the case of inter-university degrees (DIUs), they may be awarded jointly by several institutions. In any case, they offer significant and definite advantages. The unique value and appeal of an institutional degree lies primarily in its ability to address a specific, identified need. “This may be a response to a demand from the business world, a regional specificity, or a need for specialization in a targeted field, ” explains the deputy director. Institutional diplomas (DE) are the ideal setting for a competency-based approach.
A diverse and ever-changing selection
The University of Montpellier’s School of Medicine offers no fewer than 194 institutional degrees. It is not the only department to offer this type of specialization. There are about thirty at the Faculty of Law and Political Science, ranging from cybercrime to coastal law. There are also about thirty in management, administration, and economics, about twenty in sports science, and others in chemistry, dentistry, pharmacy, or education. New institutional degrees are created every year, “at the initiativeProfessors identify a need in the field or of a department that wishes, for example, to train staff on a new legislative framework, as is the case with the new data protection regulations [ GDPR].”
Some university diplomas can also be interdisciplinary and apply to all fields of study. The new university diploma in“Scientific Data Management” is one such example. Finally, the continuing education department also offers several highly specialized programs, such as the University Diploma in Specialized Aquaculture and Aquariology Technician and the University Diploma in Aquaculture Project and Operations Management.“This is a program we’ve been offering for 39 years, and we’re very proud of it,” says Céline Ritterszki. “These DU programs take place at the Mediterranean Station for Coastal Environment in Sète, in a sector that lies at the heart of MUSE’s priorities (Feed, Protect, Care).”
Packages tailored to active individuals
Another key feature of the DE programs is their target audience. Available at various academic levels, they can be taken in addition to a traditional university degree, but they are primarily intended for working professionals: employees, self-employed individuals, independent professionals, job seekers, and others who wish to specialize, return to school, or change career paths. It’s worth noting that the Continuing Education Department is also accredited as a training provider, allowing students to use their Personal Training Account (CPF).
With this in mind, the certificates offered by the SFC are generally short courses organized on a schedule tailored to working adults.“It is possible to attend classes one week per month or one day per week. Other certificates focus on distance learning; this is the case, for example, with the DU in Club Management, which is delivered entirely through e-learning,” concludes Céline Ritterszki. This flexibility allows for adaptation to all professional schedules and caters to every interest, enabling everyone, through the University of Montpellier, to find the degree that suits them best.