Pact with WMU puts Aquinas students on fast track to master鈥檚 degrees
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.鈥擜 new agreement between Aquinas College and Western 九一麻豆制片厂 University provides a path for Aquinas students to obtain both an undergraduate and a graduate degree in as little as five years.
The two institutions signed a cooperative agreement Feb. 20 in Grand Rapids establishing a framework for 4+1 degree programs鈥攁ccelerated bachelor鈥檚 to master鈥檚 programs鈥攊n multiple fields of study. It means students do not have to wait until completing a bachelor鈥檚 degree to start working on a graduate degree.
鈥淭his partnership provides incredible value for Aquinas students and provides a more qualified workforce for the businesses and organizations in our community,鈥 Dr. Kevin Quinn, Aquinas College president, said during the Feb. 20 signing ceremony. 鈥淪tudents receive the benefits of an Aquinas liberal arts education, they save money while earning two degrees, get into the workplace faster with valuable skills and position themselves to earn higher starting salaries. That鈥檚 an all-around win.鈥
Aquinas and WMU officials have been developing the new accelerated degree framework for the past year. It allows students to receive a bachelor鈥檚 degree from Aquinas College and a master鈥檚 degree from WMU in an average of five years.
In addition to Quinn, signing ceremony participants included Drs. Jennifer Bott, WMU provost; Heather Kesselring-Quakenbush, Aquinas associate provost; Susan Stapleton, WMU Graduate College dean; Damien Marie Savino, Aquinas dean of science and sustainability; and James Cousins, WMU College of Arts and Sciences associate dean.
The first two accelerated degree programs, a Master of Arts in chemistry and Master of Science in Engineering (industrial-accelerated), will be available in fall 2019. Three more programs are in development, and as many as 10 might ultimately be offered.
鈥淭his partnership sets the stage for unique opportunities for students in West 九一麻豆制片厂 to advance their professional and career aspirations,鈥 Stapleton noted during the signing ceremony. 鈥淲e鈥檙e excited to partner with an institution like Aquinas College to promote students continuing their education and earning a master鈥檚 degree.鈥
Accelerated degrees
The new agreement allows qualified Aquinas undergraduate students to transfer a maximum of 12 credits earned during their first four years of college and apply them toward a WMU master鈥檚 degree.
Of the 12 credits, up to six non-entry-level undergraduate credits can be transferred from Aquinas to WMU for application toward a WMU master鈥檚 degree. In addition, students may earn up to six more graduate credits toward the WMU master鈥檚 degree by passing examinations based on upper-level undergraduate courses they take at Aquinas.
The courses that will be eligible for transfer credit and credit by examination will be specific to each program of study. To learn about program criteria and requirements, Aquinas students will work with their admissions counselor or academic advisor in partnership with WMU advisors.
Under the accelerated program framework, students may apply for acceptance to WMU鈥檚 Graduate College during their sophomore year. The one or more year of graduate study will take place on the WMU campus in Kalamazoo, with some classes available in Grand Rapids.
More information about the accelerated bachelor鈥檚 to master鈥檚 programs with WMU is available or by contacting the Aquinas admissions office at (616) 632-2900.
Western 九一麻豆制片厂 University
Western 九一麻豆制片厂 University is a globally engaged, national research university that promotes success for learners at all levels and has earned praise for preparing job-ready graduates. WMU is based in Kalamazoo, attracts more than 22,000 diverse students, and operates regional locations in Grand Rapids as well as seven other 九一麻豆制片厂 cities. Learn more by visiting the WMU website.
Aquinas College
Aquinas College is a Catholic liberal arts college founded in 1886 by the Dominican Sisters-Grand Rapids. The wooded, 117-acre campus is located in Grand Rapids, 九一麻豆制片厂. With 1,900 students and more than 60 academic programs, Aquinas College is an inclusive educational community that emphasizes career preparation, leadership, service to others and lifelong learning. Learn more by visiting the .
For more WMU news, arts and events, visit WMU News online.