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MADISON AREA TECHNICAL
COLLEGE OFFERS BACHELOR’S DEGREE COMPLETION PROGRAM
Students combine on-campus, online classes
Madison Area Technical
College (MATC) has entered into an alliance with Franklin University to
offer MATC students and alumni the opportunity to earn bachelor’s
degrees. By combining resources, the two institutions will begin offering
instruction this fall to students seeking degrees in business administration,
technical management, computer science, health care management, management
information sciences, public safety management and digital communication.
“We are extremely
excited about our new partnership with Franklin University and the ability
to offer our students and alumni an innovative and convenient way to complete
a bachelor’s degree without leaving MATC,” states Ed Clarke,
vice president of Instructional Services at MATC. “Now our students
can build class schedules around their jobs, families and other activities
that allow them to finish their bachelor’s degrees locally and within
a familiar campus setting.”
Although many community
colleges and universities offer ways to obtain a bachelor’s degree,
Franklin University’s Community College Alliance is unique. Students
take core courses at MATC, earning an associate’s degree or equivalent.
They then complete 24 credit hours in “bridge” courses at MATC
designed to prepare them for upper level courses taken from Franklin University.
In addition, students connect with professors and classmates via computer
to complete 40 credit hours in Franklin’s upper level courses. Online
assignments are completed by email, and chat sessions are scheduled for
the class to discuss study topics. When all classes are complete, the
student is awarded a bachelor’s degree from Franklin University.
Following the completion of an MATC associate degree, which is estimated
to cost a total of between $7,000 and $9,000, the total cost of Franklin’s
bachelor degree completion program is between $8,000 and $10,000. Financial
aid is available to qualifying individuals through both institutions.
“The alliance
allows students to build upon their positive community college experiences
and attain a bachelor’s degree without leaving the community,”
said Franklin University President Paul Otte. “I’m excited by
the chance to work with Madison Area Technical College.”
Both MATC and Franklin
University offer strong student support services, including personnel
who can answer technical questions or help with research. The strength
of this distinctive program is that students have the benefit of belonging
to two schools at one time. They can access Franklin’s academic advising,
help desk and library system, while retaining full use of MATC resources
such as advisors, libraries, retail services, student activities and its
fitness centers. Each student also is assigned a regional director by
Franklin University who provides support and guidance by answering questions
about transcripts, financial aid or even how to purchase textbooks.
Franklin University,
founded in 1902, is an independent, not-for-profit institution located
in Columbus, Ohio. It is fully accredited and serves about 7,000 students
annually. The school specializes in business education and offers 17 campus-based
undergraduate majors and four graduate programs. Franklin University began
offering bachelor degree completion programs in alliance with 2-year institutions
in 1998 and currently has established alliances with 110 institutions
across the nation and in Canada. It currently has established alliances
with several other Wisconsin technical colleges, including Nicolet, Lakeshore,
Blackhawk, Fox Valley, Northeast and Milwaukee.
MATC is one of the
largest of the Wisconsin Technical College System’s 16 colleges and
serves about 50,000 individuals annually. It provides a comprehensive
curriculum of technical, liberal arts and science, adult basic education
and life enrichment studies and activities. It awards associate degrees,
diplomas and certificates, and offers non-degree courses. The college
serves all or part of 12 counties located in south-central Wisconsin and
offers instruction through five campuses and various other locations throughout
its district.
Key Information
1. MADISON AREA TECHNICAL COLLEGE (MATC) students can earn a bachelor’s
degree without moving or commuting.
2. MATC has teamed with Franklin University to provide a combination of
local courses and online courses that lead to a bachelor’s degree.
3. Seven high-demand majors are offered in the bachelor’s degree
program.
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Last
Modified:
September 17, 2001
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