SCC Forms New Partnership with Mid-Continent

For adults in Southern Illinois getting a college degree is now easier thanks to Shawnee Community College's new partnership with Mid-Continent University and the Advantage Accelerated Degree Program. Southern Illinoisans can now take classes on the SCC campus to complete their bachelor's degree through Mid-Continent beginning the Spring 2006 semester. Mid-Continent specializes in bringing the university to the student with a degree program designed for the adult learner. "SCC is very pleased to partner with Mid-Continent in offering the opportunity to access a B.S. degree close to home," SCC President Dr. Larry Choate said. An informational session will be from 5 to 9 p.m., August 9 on the SCC Main Campus in Ullin.

In years past, if one did not enter college immediately upon graduating high school, one was not likely to return to school as an adult. Today, however, more and more adults are going back to school. Innovative approaches like the Advantage Program offered by Mid-Continent University now provide the opportunity for adults to reach their educational goals.

There are many reasons for deciding to continue one's education and earn a degree. Some want to go back to school to secure a job or to improve their earning potential. Others want additional skills for the job they already have or for the promotion they desire in the future. Yet others want to go to school just because they want the satisfaction of knowing they were able to become all they could be. Whether it is for financial, professional or personal gain, making the decision to go back to school is only the first step.

Unfortunately, this may be the only step many are able to take because they find themselves hindered by obstacles. Traditional educational programs are not designed with the adult student in mind. The Advantage Program removes many of these obstacles and makes those they cannot remove easier to negotiate.

Adults with full-time jobs, families, and commitments to church and community, find they must budget their time and energy just as they do their money. The Advantage Program offers a new way of thinking about education. The Advantage Program demonstrates "this new way of thinking" by (1) taking the university to the student - registration, financial aid, book and module delivery are all taken to the student at the class site before the class begins, (2) providing the classroom in or near the town where the student lives and sending the instructor to the class, (3) providing a module for each course that organizes and uses time-conserving techniques for both individual preparation and classroom participation, (4) placing students in an adult cohort group to develop cohesiveness and provide support and (5) using a delivery system that allows students to take classes one night a week, one class at a time in a sequential order until all classes have been completed.

Mid-Continent University is located in Mayfield, Kentucky in the heart of the Jackson Purchase in far western Kentucky. Founded in 1949 as a school for the ministry, Mid-Continent has grown steadily over the years. Today, Mid-Continent not only continues to educate students for Christian leadership and service but also offers several other majors and programs for students of all ages and offers three options for the adult student in the off-campus option.

If you are at least 24 years old, have approximately 60 hours of college credit with a GPA of 2.0 (4.0 scale) and have two years of work experience, you may apply to the Bachelor of Science program with a major in Business Management. The B.S. degree requires a total of 128 credit hours of which includes a major area of 48 hours. The requirements for the major may be completed in 19 months with the Advantage Program.

The last off-campus option for adults is the Online Degree Completion Program in Business Management. Designed for the student who has completed approximately two years of study, graduates of this program will receive a fully accredited degree.

Mid-Continent is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, chartered with the Commonwealth of Kentucky, licensed by the Council on Higher Education to grant B.A., B.S., B.M., A.S. and A.A. degrees, and a member of the Association of Southern Baptist Colleges and Schools. Mid-Continent is committed to providing opportunities for adult education structured to assist adults in reaching career-goals in a user-friendly environment. Mid-Continent University understands both the obstacles that face potential adult students and understands the frustration they face as they move toward their goal.

To learn more about the Mid-Continent Advantage Adult Accelerated Program call an Advantage Admissions Representative at 270-251-9400 or 1-877-551-9400. Information on these programs is also available at www.midcontinent.edu.

Shown in photo (L to R): Tim Bellamey, SCC Vice President of Instructional Services; Jackie Imhoff, Mid-Continent Vice President for Adult Programs; Dr. Robert Imhoff, Mid-Continent President; Dr. Larry Choate, SCC President.