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Milligan, Northeast State, and Johnson County Schools to partner
MILLIGAN COLLEGE, TN (Jan. 6, 2008) — Johnson County residents will soon have some closer options for completing their bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Today, Milligan College announced a partnership with Northeast State Technical Community College and Johnson County Schools to offer programs at Northeast State’s Mountain City location.
“This is in direct response to requests from the Mountain City community to offer more higher education options in their county,” said Milligan President Dr. Donald R. Jeanes. “We’re pleased to partner with Northeast State to help further advance the educational needs of Johnson County.”
Northeast State has had a facility in Mountain City for several years now, offering courses toward the associate’s degree. Northeast State leaders hope the new partnership will provide even more opportunities for Johnson County students to complete their first two years through Northeast and their final two years for a bachelor’s from Milligan – all in Mountain City.
“It’s remarkable what you can accomplish when everyone is working together. Johnson County Schools is committed to providing educational opportunities for all students,” said Morris Woodring, director of schools for Johnson County.
Milligan will first offer its degree completion in early childhood education program, starting in February, and hopes to soon offer the Master of Education and perhaps programs in business administration, explained Dr. Mark Matson, academic dean and vice president for academic affairs.
The early childhood program allows adults who have already completed at least two years of work experience and about two years of college – either at Northeast State or elsewhere – to complete the child and youth development major in 18 months. Students can certify to teach at the early childhood (PreK-3) level with additional courses and a semester of full-time student teaching. To earn their bachelor’s degree, students must also complete the college’s general education requirements, but often these have been met in a student’s prior coursework.
“This program is ideal for people who want to teach at the PreK-3 level in public and private schools or to serve in leadership positions in preschools or child development centers,” said Dr. Lyn Howell, associate professor and chair of education at Milligan.
Howell explained that Head Start and preschool programs are encouraging more teachers to hold a bachelor’s degree and early childhood certification, and this program is in response to that need.
Classes will meet one night a week at the Northeast State classroom at 2431 South Shady Street in Mountain City. The program is cohort-based and will be taught in conjunction with Milligan’s on-campus program. Courses will be delivered to Mountain City using interactive televideo technology, explained Matson. He explained that the technology allows students to interact with other students and teachers on Milligan’s main campus.
The first cohort for the early childhood program will begin February 12.
Milligan’s teacher education program is fully approved by the Tennessee Department of Education and is one of only nine private colleges in Tennessee accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) (2010 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20036; 202-466-7496).
“NCATE accreditation means that a Milligan degree is instantly recognized in Tennessee and throughout the nation for its quality,” said Howell. “Milligan’s education program has a reputation for producing quality teachers with a strong sense of dedication to their students.
Milligan also has received advance approval from the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) (1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097; 404-679-4501) to offer the off-site program in Mountain City.
Interested individuals should contact Jan Loveday, Milligan College admissions coordinator, at 800.262.8337 or jloveday@milligan.edu to review previous transcripts and discuss a degree plan. Additional information is also available online at www.milligan.edu/ECE.