University News
WIU Signs Agreement with DAU
May 6, 2010
MACOMB/MOLINE, IL – Western Illinois University and Defense Acquisition University (DAU) joined forces today (May 6) at the Acquisition Insight Day at the i wireless Center in Moline (IL) by signing a Memorandum of Understanding to provide educational opportunities DAU students at Western.
"We are excited to enter into this agreement with Defense Acquisition University to provide quality educational opportunities to not only those DAU students residing in the Quad Cities region, but those around the globe as well," said Joe Rives, WIU vice president for Quad Cities, planning and technology.
According to Richard Carter, director of Western's Board of Trustees/Bachelor of Arts (BOT/BA) program, as part of the cooperative agreement, DAU coursework will transfer to Western's BOT/BA degree program to provide a seamless transition for those Acquisition University students who wish to obtain a bachelor's degree. Western's degree programs at the WIU-QC campus are available to Rock Island Arsenal employees who are enrolled at DAU. Military credits can also be awarded as part of the agreement, Carter noted.
The DAU provides mandatory, assignment specific and continuing education courses for military and civilian personnel.
"The BOT/BA degree program, which was established in 1972, serves adult students who are unable to attend a traditional college program due to other obligations, like military service," he explained. "In addition, 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. I'd like to thank Dr. Rives and the WIU-Quad Cities faculty and staff for providing the leadership and outstanding academic opportunities."
While the BOT/BA degree is designed as a distance learning/online program, students majoring in the program also have the option of attending classes on Western's Macomb and Quad Cities campuses. For a student-veteran, the program provides a great deal of individualization and flexibility, Carter added.
In Summer 2009, Western was designated as a "Military Friendly School" and is featured in the "Guide to Military Friendly Schools." According to Carter, a few of the many reasons behind Western's selection as a military friendly school include the University's strong on-campus resources for veterans and the flexibility of academic program offerings, including online courses and the BOT/BA degree program.
The WIU-Quad Cities campus recently entered into a partnership agreement with the Rock Island (IL) Arsenal (RIA), which allows current – and potential – college students interested in completing college proficiency exams to complete the exams at the Rock Island Arsenal.
The WIU-QC exam facility, which is open to the public, is the first testing site in the Illinois Quad Cities. The agreement between Western and the Arsenal allows individuals the opportunity to complete an exam, such as a College Level Examination Program (CLEP) test, in person on Arsenal Island. A full-time WIU academic adviser, whose office is at the Arsenal, will assist in administering exams, provide course and program information and advise students how to register for classes at Western.
This is the second agreement between the Arsenal and WIU-Quad Cities. In January 2008, the two entities joined forces to allow members of the RIA community to seek undergraduate and graduate degrees offered at the WIU-QC campus in accordance with a Department of Defense Directive on Voluntary Education for Military Personnel.
For more information about the the BOT/BA program, the recent agreement with DAU or online and distance courses at Western Illinois University, contact Carter at (309) 298-1929 or R-Carter@wiu.edu. For more information about DAU, visit dau.mil.
Posted By: Darcie Shinberger (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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