University News
Western, John Wood Establish Partnership
January 8, 2008
MACOMB/QUINCY, IL -- John Wood Community College (JWCC) students now have the opportunity to optimize their earned college credits through the Western Illinois University Board of Trustees Bachelor of Arts (BOT/BA) degree program.
JWCC, located in Quincy (IL), and Western recently signed an agreement that will allow John Wood students maximum transferability from all associate degrees to WIU's BOT/BA program.
According to Richard Carter, director of nontraditional programs at WIU, students can transfer up to 80 semester hours of credit from JWCC to the BOT/BA degree program and can complete BOT/BA degree requirements through online and independent study courses. The partnership provides placebound John Wood students an opportunity to complete a baccalaureate degree from a quality public institution, Carter added.
"The BOT/BA program is individualized and flexible. Our partnership with John Wood allows students to finish their associate degree at JWCC, and have a seamless transfer to Western to obtain their bachelor's degree while remaining in the Quincy area," Carter said. "John Wood students will also have the benefits of Western's innovative Cost Guarantee program, which means that a John Wood student who earns his or her associate degree in Spring 2008 and transfers to Western for the Fall 2008 semester will lock in Western's 2007-08 tuition and fees rate."
The Board of Trustees program (originally called 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.
"Another unique aspect of the partnership is that John Wood students enrolled in the BOT/BA program will have access to JWCC resources, including computer labs, so they can complete assignments and connect to their online courses," added William Simpson, John Wood Community College president. "Being able to transfer up to 80 JWCC credits is a big plus for our students. We're pleased to partner with Western to offer our students a quality, affordable education."
Western's BOT/BA program also has a partnership agreement with Lincoln Land Community College, Carl Sandburg College, Illinois Central College and Black Hawk College. For more information on the JWCC/WIU partnership, contact Carter at 309/298-1929 or Susan Deege, director of career and advising services at JWCC, at 217/641-4360 or sdeege@jwcc.edu.
Posted By: Darcie Shinberger (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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