NSU Launches College for Adults in B.A.
Northeastern State University will open a new college this fall semester created specifically for non-traditional students who want to complete a college degree or advance in their careers. Housed on the Broken Arrow campus, the new College of Extended Learning empowers students to successfully fit schoolwork into schedules that are often full of other priorities.
“As a public university, Northeastern State University has an obligation to provide as much access as possible to everyone in our region, regardless of their circumstances,” says Dr. Martin Tadlock, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs at . “The College of Extended Learning is designed to provide that access through quality courses and degree completion programs created to meet the needs of working adults in the Tulsa region.”
Degree programs in the College of Extended Learning focus on both quality and convenience, offering a mixture of accelerated eight-week courses; blended, online and weekend classes; and expanded support services. The College of Extended Learning not only offers adults an affordable, customized option to complete a degree but also serves as a valuable resource for the region’s employers.
“This is not just an education issue; it is an economic development issue,” says Dr. Christee Jenlink, dean of the -Broken Arrow campus and interim dean of the College of Extended Learning. “Increasing the number of college graduates in the Tulsa region provides companies – both existing and new – with the talented workforce they need to meet the demands of today’s global economy.”
Research by s for Cities, a national business and education organization, revealed 185,000 individuals in the Tulsa area have some college credit but do not hold a degree. According to the organization, raising the number of college graduates by just 1 percentage point, or around 5,900 graduates, would mean a $646 million impact for the Tulsa region.
NSU’s Degree Completion Programs are the first set of programs offered through the College of Extended Learning and provide adult students the opportunity to go from an associate’s degree to a bachelor’s degree in two years. Areas of study include criminal justice, health care administration, human and family sciences, and, through the statewide Reach Higher program, organizational leadership.
“The College of Extended Learning allows adult students to meet their educational goals in a collaborative, student-centered environment while working with professional and experienced instructors who understand the unique challenges working students face,” says Dr. Cari Keller, chair of Criminal Justice and Legal Studies for . “Flexible schedules and convenient access to services and information is critical to non-traditional learners, and we are excited to provide these opportunities through the new college.”
The College of Extended Learning will add continuing education courses and other degree programs for the spring 2012 semester.
For enrollment information, contact Kris Rider at 918-449-6225 or email riderka@nsuok.edu.
About Northeastern State University
Northeastern State University is a comprehensive regional university providing Oklahoma’s diverse communities a broad array of lifelong learning, undergraduate, graduate and professional doctoral degree programs.
Founded on the rich heritage of the Cherokee Nation, is Oklahoma’s fourth largest public four-year institution, and one of six regional institutions governed by the Regional University System of Oklahoma board. The university has campuses in Tahlequah, Muskogee and Broken Arrow. For more information, visit www.nsuok.edu.
Updated 08-31-2011
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