Schools strike a deal on degrees

June 18, 2002|by DAVE McMILLION

charlestown@herald-mail.com

HEDGESVILLE, W.Va. - James Rumsey Technical Institute students will be able to expand their educational opportunities through a new agreement the vocational school has developed with Mountain State University.

Through the agreement, signed by the two schools last week, James Rumsey students will be able to pursue an associate of science degree in applied technology through Mountain State after completing their studies at James Rumsey, said Robert Lowry, vice president of extended learning at Mountain State.

James Rumsey students will be able to obtain the associate's degree through an accelerated general education program. Students meet once a week for 18 months to receive their degree, said Lowry.

There are several advantages to the program, Lowry said.

Not only can students complete the course work faster than in a typical associate's degree program, which might take up to three years, but they can continue work in their field since they only go to school once a week, Lowry said.

Students can get an associate's degree in whatever field they studied at James Rumsey, which offers courses in computer technology, culinary arts, electronics and other subjects, said Lowry.

The credits earned through the studies program can be easily transferred to a four-year college for a bachelor's degree if students so choose, said Lowry.

"It just opens all sorts of opportunity for these folks," said Lowry.

"It's a win-win situation for everybody," added Jim Spears, director at James Rumsey, which is along W.Va. 9 east of Hedgesville.

Mountain State University, based in Beckley, W.Va., opened a campus in Martinsburg, W.Va., 18 months ago. It is in the Tanger Factory Outlet Center on West King Street and currently has about 300 students, Lowry said.

The school caters to adults who want to return to college to obtain degrees.

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