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Students can earn graduate and post-graduate degrees at MCC reprinted courtesy Maui News 2/4/07 The idea of a four-year college – one that grants baccalaureate degrees – had been around on Maui for a long time. In the past there has even been talk of a private college coming to Maui. More recently, most of the discussion has centered on “upgrading” Maui Community College to a four-year college. There are many pros and cons in this ongoing debate, but one very important element always seems to be ignored. Students already can earn baccalaureate degrees and selected graduate-level degrees without leaving Maui in a variety of disciplines through the Maui Community College University Center. The Center has been an active part of the MCC campus for many years. It “brokers” degrees through agreements with the University of Hawaii-Manoa, the University of Hawaii-Hilo and the University of Hawaii-West Oahu. In the past 10 years the University Center has awarded 572 degrees, most of them bachelor’s degrees, but also master’s degrees. Twenty-five master’s degrees have been earned in social work, 16 in education, eight in library science, five in nursing, 18 in business and others in areas such as information technology and public administration. Students have been able to achieve bachelor’s degrees in business administration, applied social sciences, computer science, marine science, Hawaiian studies, English, psychology, liberal studies and education. The center has also supported a post baccalaureate certificate in secondary education program that has graduated more than 35 students. All this variety is possible because the four-year institutions foot the bill for the teaching faculty and enter into agreements with MCC about classroom space, utilities, etc. Most often, students work on a degree at their own pace and in relationship to courses offered through the University Center. These courses can be taught live at MCC, through the statewide interactive television system or online using computer technology. Some of the degrees are offered when there is sufficient demand to create a cohort of students who will continue through the courses together to completion. Many students who qualify are dual enrolled in the MCC-required courses while they also take upper-division classes through the University Center. The center has counseling assistance, and students have access to MCC’s library resources and other campus facilities. At present, Maui Community College resources are stretched thin. While a series of new and much-needed buildings have been developed in the last 20 years, the costs of maintenance, technical equipment, electricity, environmental concerns, and faculty and staff salaries have risen more rapidly than revenues. The state Legislature has been helpful with some of these costs, but many of them are left to the campus to resolve. Therefore, questions about expanding to a four-year college are complicated and often not very popular with some of the campus faculty and staff. When there are so many immediate needs on the campus – a new science building, expanded or new library, expanded funding for the Learning Center, constant upgrading of computers and media equipment, etc. – it seems a stretch to develop a four-year campus at this time. The University Center is ideally situated to bridge this gap in Maui County. It is well established. It has already developed agreements with UH Manoa, UH Hilo and UH West Oahu. It has a successful record of granting a wide variety of degrees tailored to meet the needs and demands of Maui’s growing population. With more public awareness of the center and better support from the MCC administration, the University Center could and would serve Maui’s needs for baccalaureate and master’s degrees into the future, keeping the majority of costs for faculty in the four-year institutions. All the while, the students get to stay home on Maui! Additionally, the University Center supports students who are seeking courses that will eventually transfer to other colleges and universities where they intend to complete degrees. This service allows some of Maui’s population to remain at home longer. It also invites some of Maui’s temporary residents to Maui Community College, which is great public relations for the college. Students of all ages benefit from this connection. At the present, and for everyone concerned, the MCC University Center is a win-win experience. Expansion of this already successful component of Maui Community College should come before planning a four-year campus when resources are limited. For information about the services and degrees offered by the University Center, please call 984-3525 or go online at www.umaui.net. Information is also available on the MCC Web site, www.maui.hawaii.edu. Dorothy Pyle is professor of history and has taught at MCC for more than 30 years. Elaine Yamashita is professor of human services/early childhood and has a UH Manoa Master’s in Elementary Education earned through the University Center. |
reprinted courtesy Maui News 2/4/07
original story at: http://mauinews.com/story.aspx?id=27400
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