NSU host information session for Elementary and Special Education degrees

(Tahlequah, Sallisaw, Poteau, Okla.)--Beginning in the fall of 2015 Northeastern State University will begin offering potential teachers wishing to complete a Bachelors degree in Elementary Education or Special Education the opportunity to complete their degrees at the campuses of Carl Albert State College (CASC) in either a full-time or part-time format.

Plans for the partnership began in the summer of 2014 after NSUs Transfers & Parent Programs Coordinator brought to the Education departments attention that there was a strong need for teachers in the Sallisaw and Poteau areas. Although the idea was discussed several years ago, the Education department now believes that the technology, through the use of Blackboard Collaborate, and the willingness of dedicated faculty members, will allow for the program to run successfully.

It is not a secret that our state and nation is currently challenged by a teacher shortage, Dr. Lisa Tritschler, NSU Curriculum and Instruction Department Chair said. Special Education and Elementary Education are both critical shortage areas. The request was first centralized on the Elementary Education program. However, considering our Special Education program embeds Elementary Education courses to provide more content for our teacher candidates to become highly qualified in both Special Education and Elementary Education, we knew if would be feasible to provide both programs.

To kick-start enrollment in the program, onApril 6, NSU and CASC will be hosting an introductory information session on the Sallisaw CASC campus for students who plan to pursue either of the degree programs or would like more information. The event will take place at5:00 p.m. in the Delores OGuin Mitchell Library, and representatives from admissions, financial aid, academic advising and the College of Education will be available to assist and answer questions.

Individuals eligible for the degree program will have obtained an associate degree in Pre- Elementary from CASC, and courses will be provided through online delivery, Blackboard Collaborate, and/or blended face-to-face classes from an NSU professor traveling to a CASC campus. Students will be required to attend the on-campus intern seminars, and placement and orientation days on either the Tahlequah or the Broken Arrow campus; however, throughout the entirety of the degree, this will only add up to around 14 trips to an NSU campus.

Information regarding which courses to enroll in will occur at another meeting toward the latter portion of the spring semester. Dates, time, and location for that meeting will be communicated at a later time.

We realize not every student is able to commute to an NSU campus or to move to Tahlequah, Muskogee or Broken Arrow to complete their degree. This partnership with Carl Albert State College will limit the number of trips required for students, and positive responses to these offerings have been expressed by area Superintendents, Suzanne Myers, Coordinator of NSUs Transfer Programs said.

For more information regarding these academic programs, please call Dr. Tritschler at 918-444-3710 or email her at tritschl@nsuok.eduor Suzanne Myers at 918-444-2137 ormyers@nsuok.edu.

Students will need to apply for admission to NSU and can do so by following the process atapply.nsuok.edu. Applications for Admission for the Fall 2015 semester are being processed now and enrollment for classes will be in late April. Students are encouraged to make application for admission now.