BC3 signs degree completion partnership agreements with Chatham University and Indiana University of Pennsylvania

(Butler, PA) Butler County Community College (BC3) signed degree completion partnership agreements with Chatham University and Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) today providing BC3 students with the opportunity to earn a bachelor's degree while remaining on BC3 main campus. Chatham University will offer a Bachelor of Arts in Communications, Public Relations and Indiana University of Pennsylvania will offer a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood (Pre K-4) and Special Education (Pre K-8). Programs are scheduled to launch as early as the 2016-2017 academic year.

"These agreements complement our existing collaborations and speak to our role as the community's college. Our students can earn an associate and bachelor's degree and save tens of thousands of dollars without leaving our campus," BC3 President Dr. Nick Neupauer said.

The partnership agreement with Chatham allows BC3 students to earn an Associate in Arts in General Studies from BC3 and transfer all 60 credits to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Communications, Public Relations from Chatham. Students have the opportunity to earn and apply an additional 30 credits from BC3 towards the bachelor's degree resulting in an additional cost savings for the student.

“Chatham is excited to expand our degree completion programs with BC3 to now offer the BA in Communications and RN to BSN programs on the BC3 campus,” Chatham President Dr. Esther Barazzone said. “These type of partnerships provide convenient and affordable pathways to a bachelor's degree, and are an important way to help increase bachelor degree completions in Western Pennsylvania.”

The partnership agreement with Indiana University of Pennsylvania allows BC3 students to earn an Associate in Arts in Early Childhood Education (Pre K-4) from BC3 and transfer all 63 credits to earn a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood (Pre K-4) and Special Education (Pre K-8) from IUP. In this program, students have the opportunity to earn dual certification in Pennsylvania for both Pre K-4 and special education Pre K-8.

"IUP is very pleased to enter into this partnership with BC3 to allow place-committed students access to IUP's quality teacher preparation programs," IUP President Dr. Michael Driscoll said.

The partnership agreements were signed in Steffler Board Room on BC3 main campus today. Attendees included representatives from all three institutions.

Programs from Chatham and IUP join seven established Degree Completion Programs at BC3 including: B.S.B.A. in Accounting from Clarion University, B.S. in Organizational Leadership from Robert Morris University, a B.S. in Business Administration from Franklin University (online), a B.A. in Psychology from La Roche College, a Bachelor in Social Work from Youngstown State, a B.A. in Administration of Justice from the University of Pittsburgh, and an R.N. to B.S.N. in Nursing from Chatham University. Institutions are represented in the University Partnership Center in the Student Success Center on BC3 main campus.

See photos from the event here.