Fee-Based Degrees
Core service + ADditional Packages
UW Continuum College has developed a three-tiered service model for fee-based degree programs: Core, Complement and Custom.
Core
Core is the only level of service required in the new model, representing Continuum’s overhead rate. Core services are the minimum required services for using fee-based systems. Continuum maintains a student information system (EOS) that’s integrated with the UW Student Database (SDB). Core includes the required wrap-around services that use this system, such as an online payment portal, student collections, course management, integration with SDB and inclusion in the Professional & Continuing Education catalog and website.
A Partner Success Lead (PSL) will be your primary liaison to Continuum College. Contact your PSL with service questions.
Your first decision is whether to add Complement or Custom services to your Core services package.
Complement
The Complement service level is most similar to our current service options. This second tier (core + financial and marketing services) gives programs access to our most requested support. This level is ideal if you currently utilize many of the available services today and are interested in using Continuum services for marketing, budgeting and financial reporting.
Custom
You can also add Custom add-ons to Core or Complement services. Custom packages allow you to select from additional services to meet the unique needs of your program.
Available custom service packages:
- Continuum learning design packages
- Continuum marketing campaign and web content management packages
- New multi-degree marketing services: Marketing support for multiple programs or all programs within a college or school, both fee-based and state-funded, at a savings
- Pre-qualified vendor services (forthcoming)
Detailed Services At A Glance
| ACTIVITY | CORE | COMPLEMENT |
|---|---|---|
| One primary point of contact at Continuum to ensure service and support needs are met. | X | X |
| Annually assist program leadership in selecting service options for their fee-based degrees. | X | X |
| Ensure annual agreements for service level options are completed and approved by program leadership for each program. | X | X |
| Provide consultation and market research for new program development. | X | X |
| ACTIVITY | CORE | COMPLEMENT |
|---|---|---|
| Monitor and process enrollment confirmation deposits and forfeitures. | X | X |
| Track and adjust admissions records for exceptions and deferrals. | X | X |
| Collect and maintain accurate course inventory in EOS (Continuum student database). | X | X |
| Move students between course sections as appropriate. | X | X |
| Apply student financial aid payments to student accounts. | X | X |
| Time schedule construction and room reservations. | X | |
| Instructional cost sharing notifications (aka, de minimis). | X | X |
| ACTIVITY | CORE | COMPLEMENT |
|---|---|---|
| Complete multi-year budget projections for launch of new programs. | X | |
| Standard, quarterly financial reporting: Quarterly budget versus actual fiscal reports. | X | |
| Provide strategic recommendations for improving program health and meeting program goals. | X |
| ACTIVITY | CORE | COMPLEMENT |
|---|---|---|
| Collection support services, refunds and petitions. | X | X |
| Cash receipts transferred to designated school or college budget number. | X | X |
| Publish a rate sheet and provide a budget template for use by academic department. | X | X |
| Participate in autumn-quarter budget planning discussions; assist in creating program budget and offer recommendations for program sustainability. | X | |
| New fee rate increases submitted to OPB; Respond to OPB requests for additional information. | *Continuum will submit to OPB for Core programs for FY24 only. | X |
| Communicate enrollment or budget concerns early; help re-budget as needed. | X | |
| Process guest speaker payments. | X |
| ACTIVITY | CORE | COMPLEMENT |
|---|---|---|
| Use of fee-based student database and registration system. | X | X |
| Use of online student payment portal. | X | X |
| Connect students with program advising and student services units, (e.g., Student Financial Aid, Office of Student Veteran Life, etc.). | X | X |
| Address basic student questions on UW and Continuum services and fees. | X | X |
| Registration and support of GNM (graduate nonmatriculated) students. | X | X |
| Custom registration forms for GNM (graduate nonmatriculated) students. | X |
| ACTIVITY | CORE | COMPLEMENT | INTEGRATED CAMPAIGN PACKAGE (CUSTOM ADD-ON) | WEB/CONTENT MANAGEMENT PACKAGE (CUSTOM ADD-ON) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Degree included in PCE catalog. | X | X | X | |
| Degree included in PCE website (bridge page linking to degree webpage). | X | X | X | |
| Annual applicant survey. | X | X | ||
| Enrollment benchmark and trend report. | X | X | ||
| Annual marketing campaign and performance reporting. | X | X | ||
Advertising campaign.
| X | X | ||
| Direct-mail campaign. | X | X | ||
| Print collateral: Copywriting, design and print production of a one-sheet, postcard or trifold updated annually as needed. | X | X | ||
Email subscription, communication and governance.
| X | X | X | |
| Bi-annual (every other year) market assessment. | X | |||
| Bi-monthly (every other month) marketing meeting to review campaign performance while digital advertising campaign is underway. | X | |||
| Student personas for advertising. | X | |||
| Keyword planning across programs (applies to multi-program package). | X | |||
| Advertising landing page (if recommended for campaign). | X | |||
Ongoing maintenance of Continuum hosted degree website.
| X | X | ||
| Degree website design and development (UW branded template). | X | X | ||
| Professional writer for development of new site program content and annual refresh as needed. | X | X | ||
| Develop value-added content to educate and inform prospective students, e.g., student success stories, job trends, salaries, job titles, etc. | X | X | ||
| Program overview or featured faculty member video (every 3 years). | X | X | ||
| Student testimonial content (one per year). | X | X |
Online and Hybrid Learning Add-On Services
New Course Build
Work with a dedicated team of learning professionals to create a new fully-online or hybrid course.
Course Redesign
Take an existing online or hybrid course and thoroughly rework it with a team of learning professionals.
Program Design & Pattern Development
Work with our design team to develop robust program outcomes, curriculum maps, reusable assignment frameworks and custom LMS layouts.
HOURLY ENGAGEMENTS
Reserve time with our learning designers, video production team, faculty developers or course producers in blocks to enhance learning experiences.
Hosting & Technical Support
Our dedicated support team provides Canvas hosting support, which includes troubleshooting all student and instructor technology issues and providing training on all supported learning technologies. Each time the course runs, our team will ensure that all links are working and that all technical integrations are functioning as intended.
Fees
| FEE STRUCTURE | PURPOSE | RATE(S) |
|---|---|---|
| UW central overhead | Rate charged for recovery of campus expenses. | 7.85% (online and off campus) 16.6% (campus) |
| Continuum core overhead rate | Systems and services required for Continuum fee-based programs to operate. | 4.59% |
| Total Overhead | 12.44% or 21.19% |
| FEE STRUCTURE | PURPOSE | RATE(S) |
|---|---|---|
| Complement service | Choice to maintain current most common Continuum services including marketing & budgeting. | +1.9% (6.49% total) |
| Custom add-on | Additional marketing, learning design and 3rd party contracts. | Unique to each program need. |
| Risk management fees | Currently known as risk/opportunity. | Anticipated to remain at the current state through FY24. Consult with your PSL for more information. |
For detailed pricing, please see the partner programs pricing sheet.
Tiered Rate for High Revenue Programs
To minimize the impact of a percent of gross revenue model on high revenue programs, the new financial model includes a reduced fee tier to maximize opportunities for scaled programs.
The new tier uses a threshold to determine when a program is eligible for this substantial reduction in program rates: Once a program has generated $3.5 million in gross revenue, the Continuum rate is reduced.
High revenue program tier structure:
- 4.59% (Core only) or 6.49% (Complement) on first $3.5 million of program gross revenue
- 1.5% on all gross revenue over $3.5 million (whether Core or Complement)
Transition Plan
To support a smooth transition to this service and financial model, Continuum College is covering the costs of a one-year transition plan for programs paying more in fees under the new model. This transition plan will provide an additional year to adapt to the increases.
| July 1, 2023 (FY24) – Transition Year | July 1, 2024 (FY25) | |
|---|---|---|
Core services Qualifying programs: Paid less than 4% in Program Management and Infrastructure (PMI) fees in FY22 , and would pay more than 4% during the FY24 transition year. | Core fees = 4% Not to exceed an increase of $12,000 per degree program over FY22 fees in FY24. | Core fees = 4.59% |
Complement services Qualifying programs: Paid less than 5.9% in PMI fees in FY22 and would pay more than 5.9% during the FY24 transition year. | Complement fees = 5.9% | Complement fees = 6.49% |
EVALUATE CHOICES ANNUALLY
Each year you can review your options and determine whether to update your service selections. You must make decisions on service levels each October to inform budgeting and fee rate submission to the Office of Planning & Budgeting (OBP) by February.