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From l-r, WIU Provost and Academic Vice President Ken Hawkinson, Vice President of Quad Cities and Planning Joe Rives, WIU President Jack Thomas, Executive Director of the WIU School of Distance Learning, Outreach and International Studies Rick Carter, Palmer College Chancellor Dr. Dennis Marchiori, Palmer College Vice Chancellor for Academics Dr. Robert Percuoco, and Palmer College Provost Dr. Dan Weinert.
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WIU, Palmer Enter Partnership

May 7, 2014

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MACOMB, IL -- Select students in the Western Illinois University Bachelor of Arts in General Studies (BGS) degree program will have the opportunity to earn degrees from both Western and Palmer College of Chiropractic (PCC) in Davenport, IA, thanks to a new partnership between the two institutions, beginning this fall.

Western and Palmer signed a Memorandum of Understanding today (May 7) that allows qualified BGS majors at WIU to earn a doctor of chiropractic degree from Palmer. According to Rick Carter, executive director of Western's School of Distance Learning, International Studies and Outreach, the dual degree program requires three years of attendance at Western Illinois University, followed by a minimum of five academic years (eight months each year) of attendance at Palmer.

"This new partnership will provide additional educational opportunities for students. We are excited to sign an agreement with Palmer College of Chiropractic," said WIU President Jack Thomas. "This is a true example of a win-win partnership and the biggest winners are the students. By working together we are able to offer a unique educational opportunity to students."

Students who enroll in the WIU/PCC dual degree program must receive 90 hours of credit in approved pre-requisite courses at Western prior to enrolling at Palmer. Current Palmer students may also earn a BGS degree from WIU by transferring a minimum of 30 credit hours from Palmer toward the WIU degree.

"We're pleased to sign a strategic partnership between Palmer College of Chiropractic and Western Illinois University. By signing this articulation agreement, students seeking a chiropractic career can begin their undergraduate training at WIU with an expedited path to achieve both a bachelor's degree from WIU and a doctor of chiropractic degree from Palmer College," noted PCC Chancellor Dennis Marchiori. "In addition to the shared commitment to a high-quality student learning and educational experience, this articulation agreement will enhance accessibility and career advising, as well as reduce educational costs, for our students."

The general studies program (originally called the Board of Governors program) was created in 1972 to serve adult students who are unable to attend a traditional college program due to family, work or community obligations. Rather than requiring a specific major, the program allows the student to design her or his program to meet individual educational goals. Students may also be eligible for academic credit for college-level learning that was done in a non-collegiate setting, such as the military or on-the-job training.

"The BGS program is individualized and flexible. Our partnership with Palmer allows their students to obtain a general studies degree from Western, and allows our students to work toward a doctorate in chiropractic," Carter added.

For more information on the BGS program, visit wiu.edu/distance_learning or contact Carter at (309) 298-1929 or R-Carter@wiu.edu.

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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