Ohio University and Northern Community College of West Virginia sign collaboration agreement

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, more than half of people in the United States struggle with mental health issues. could not receive treatment For the past 12 months. Part of the reason is Mental health treatment in prisons is lacking, straining the mental health system. Ohio State and West Virginia Northern Community College (WVNCC) are coordinating efforts to address this issue by offering a seamless transfer pathway for students pursuing bachelor's degrees in social work or criminal justice.

“Our community is in a mental health crisis. The Ohio Valley does not have enough qualified mental health workers to meet the growing need for mental health services,” said the Ohio University Faculty of Social Sciences. said Work Program Director Warren Galbreath. “Students who follow the coursework outlined in this agreement will be able to earn licensure, which is a necessary credential to provide quality mental health services in our communities.”

West Virginia Northern Community College students who earn an Associate of Science degree with an emphasis in criminal justice or social work can transfer credits to an Ohio Eastern or Ohio University campus to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree. A framework will be created. criminal justice or social work. These agreements aim to remove barriers and bridge the gap between community college education and university programs, encouraging more students to continue their education.

Through an official partnership, WVNCC students now have access to classes at Ohio University. Strategic Transfer Education Planning (STEP) Program. STEP offers benefits such as early admission, personalized transfer advice, degree planning, financial savings, and cost predictability with The OHIO Academic+.

“These agreements further strengthen our commitment to ensuring that our students have the higher education opportunities they need to build meaningful and fulfilling careers,” said David Lawhall, dean of Eastern Campus and Community Relations at Ohio University. It is a thing,” he said. “At Ohio Eastern University, we have always valued transfer students from area community colleges and look forward to welcoming more West Virginia Northern Community College students to campus.”

Galbreath said the Ohio University Social Work Program has had an informal relationship with the WVNCC Human Services Program for many years. The Social Work Program Mediation Agreement formalizes this relationship and provides students with a path to earning a bachelor's degree in social work at Ohio State.

“We are proud to be a part of this program,” said Kathy Herrington, program director of the Social Work and Substance Abuse Intervention Program at West Virginia Northern Community College. We are grateful that Ohio University offers additional in-state tuition incentives to West Virginia students as we build our career ladders into in-demand occupations in the Ohio Valley region. ”

These agreements between WVNCC and Ohio University represent important steps toward enhancing local educational and career opportunities for aspiring professionals in the fields of social work and criminal justice. Through this partnership, students can pursue their academic goals with confidence, knowing they are supported by two reputable institutions dedicated to their success.

West Virginia residents may qualify for in-state tuition at Ohio University under a reciprocity agreement established in 2021. This partnership, with the added benefit of in-state tuition, exemplifies Ohio University's commitment to providing outstanding educational opportunities to further advance educational standards. A school trip for students from neighboring West Virginia.

This article was first published on January 29, 2024 and last updated on March 29, 2024.