Baker College of Flint

Baker College of Flint has a history that can be traced back to the early 20th century when Woodbridge Ferris, who eventually became Governor of Michigan and a United States Senator, founded Muskegon Business College. The business college had an interesting start, as Mr. Ferris believed that business colleges of the day were not presenting “courses of study worthy of a businessman’s serious consideration.”

Mr. Ferris drew up a contract with H.W. Rathbun to establish a business college in Muskegon with Mr. Rathbun acting as teacher and superintendent for 60 months. Mr. Ferris agreed to pay Mr. Rathbun half the proceeds of tuition after rent for the dorms was deducted. Mr. Ferris provided all the furniture and supplies. He was also to provide advertising for the college. Unfortunately, Mr. Ferris was a failure when it came to running the college, which was then known as the Ferris Business College.

In June 1891, Mr. Rathbun sold all the furniture, fixtures and appliances of the business college, despite the fact that he did not own any of the items, to Edward C. Bisson of Muskegon. Mr. Bisson agreed to pay $1,000 for all the items in $50 increments. Although Mr. Ferris never recovered all the money due to him, he and Mr. Bisson became friendly. Mr. Bisson took over the management of the school, running it for 35 years.

In 1909, Eldon E. Baker, the son of pioneer residents, purchased the Baker Business University and Conservatory. Mr. Baker was an educator who operated a very successful business college in Winfield, Kansas, before moving to Flint, Michigan.

In 1965, Robert Jewell purchased Baker Business University and merged it with Muskegon Collge to become Baker College, the largest not-for-profit independent college in Michigan after more schools and locations joined. There are over 28,000 students enrolled in more than 150 programs, but the school still remains dedicated to providing quality higher education and training that improves a student’s chance for success.

Baker College of Flint Accreditation Details

Baker College of Flint is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. In addition, the following programs have received specialized accreditation:

• Business Administration
• Early Childhood Learning
• Engineering and Technology
• Health Sciences
• School of Nursing

Baker College of Flint Application Requirements

Undergraduate students can complete their admissions application online or may print and complete the application in order to mail it to the college. Graduate students must complete the application online. Students must also provide official transcripts to the admissions office. There are specific admission requirements for certain programs and students are encouraged to discuss those requirements with an admissions counselor prior to applying to the college.

Baker College of Flint Tuition and Financial Aid

For most undergraduate courses at Baker College, the cost of tuition is $240 per credit hour. However, the following courses have different tuition rates:

• Autobody and Automotive Restoration Technology - $265/credit hour
• Culinary Arts - $365/credit hour
• Dental Hygiene - $300/credit hour
• Developmental English - $250/credit hour
• Developmental Math - $260/credit hour
• Diesel Service - $275/credit hour
• Electronic Health Records - $253/credit hour
• Nursing - $285/credit hour
• Orthotic/Prosthetic Technology - $255/credit hour
• Pre-Occupational Therapy - $285/credit hour
• Truck Driving - $315/credit hour
• Welding - $265/credit hour

Graduate tuition for master’s degrees is $435 per credit hour and for doctorate degrees is $590 per credit hour. Undergraduate tuition for active-duty service members is $165 per credit hour for the GoArmy Ed Program, Active Military as well as Guard and Reserve. Graduate tuition for GoArmy Ed, Active Military as well as Guard and Reserve is $245 per credit hour.

Financial aid is available for all students who attend Baker College. Students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in order to qualify. Students must apply for aid every year. Students are encouraged to conduct their own scholarship search through churches, counselors and the Baker website. In addition, there may be scholarships available from the following sources:

• Employer benefits
• Veterans benefits
• Associations such as Kiwanis, Lions, Rotary, Native American
• State of Michigan (or student’s home state)

Baker College of Flint Online Degree(s) Available

Human Services

The undergraduate degree in human services at Baker College of Flint offers students the opportunity to give back to society. Students are prepared to work in a variety of positions, such as working with people who have special needs, helping children learn or providing assistance in the criminal justice system. Students are provided with a solid foundation in psychology and other human service courses in order to help them develop techniques and methods that can be used to resolve problems in society. Students are prepared for careers as case managers, mental health care teams, state social service workers and more. The program combines general education with training in the field of human services so that graduates are prepared for an increasingly demanding industry. Students are required to successfully complete the following courses:

• Introduction to Human Services
• Family Dynamics
• Abuse and Neglect in the Family
• Substance Abuse
• Assessment, Recording and Reporting
• Case Management I and II
• Crisis Intervention
• Family Support Strategies
• Research Methods in Human Services
• Human Services Administration I and II
• Child Welfare Services
• Mental Health Services
• Institutional Treatment and Alternative Settings in Human Services
• The DSM System
• Home Visitation
• General Psychology
• Cognitive Behavior Therapy
• Theories of Counseling
• Abnormal Psychology
• Psychology of Disability
• Human Development I and II
• Psychopharmacology
• Clinical Methods in Mental Health
• Sociology
• Social Problems
• Cultural Diversity
• Professional Career Strategies

In addition, 64 hours of general education are required as well as three internships. The program is accredited by the Council for Standards in Human Service Education.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports an average salary for those who successfully complete human service degree programs is $59,970 and positions in human services are expected to increase by 22 percent over the next ten years, significantly higher than for other professions. Therefore, those who successfully complete the undergraduate degree program in human services at Baker College of Flint are more likely to succeed in their chosen profession than those that do not have a similar degree.