Earn Bachelor’s degree through IVCC
By Danielle Sudaj
Earning a bachelor's degree without leaving the Illinois Valley area is now possible, courtesy of an educational alliance IVCC has made with Franklin University of Columbus, Ohio.
On July 21, 1999, the College Board approved a plan which makes it possible for students to earn a B.S. in management, technical administration, computer science and health services administration over the Internet.
Since the program was announced in July, the feedback has been good, according to Dr. Harriet Custer, vice president of academic affairs.
"Students are interested," she said. "Some have even been in direct contact with Franklin. There have been several inquiries."
The program requires students to earn the 64 credit hours necessary for an associate degree at IVCC plus 20 credit hours of prep courses, all to be taken at IVCC. Forty credits are then required on-line from Franklin. When those credits are earned, the student receives a bachelor's degree to be presented at the IVCC commencement in honor of Franklin University.
Franklin University's tuition is $212 per hour and $258 for computer science courses currently, making the total cost for the Franklin credits between $8,000 and $10,000.
Custer said that only students who are self-motivated are meant for the program, but that the IVCC board members felt there was a need for people to have access to getting a bachelor's degree without going to a four-year institution.
Custer said she has evaluated the Franklin curriculum and, "It is very strong."
She explained that Franklin spends a minimum of $25,000 developing each course.
"They have a team of teachers, experts in a given field, plus a design technician," she said.
"It (the program) is going to allow students to meet and study with students all over the country," she continued. "Students will not be isolated either, though. Study groups are going to be set up for students in the area to study together."