Drexel President John A. Fry with Montgomery County Community College President Karen A. Stout at the signing ceremony.
Montgomery County Community College (MCCC) and Drexel University (Drexel) have entered into a bold and innovative partnership that will build a pipeline of qualified graduates for high demand jobs in the region, especially in the areas of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) and health sciences, among others.
Branded Drexel@MCCC, the program enables students to earn their associate and bachelor degrees from two premiere education institutions conveniently and affordably at MCCC’s Central Campus in Blue Bell, or online.
Unlike traditional articulation agreements, Drexel@MCCC is a fully-integrated partnership through which faculty and advisors from both institutions work together with students in dedicated learning spaces to provide a seamless education experience. The partnership extends to all areas of the institutions; libraries, facilities and students services are just a few examples.
“Montgomery County Community College and Drexel University are on the cutting edge of this emerging model for higher education that not only delivers a world class education to students, but also builds a qualified workforce to enhance the economic viability of our communities,” said MCCC President Dr. Karen A. Stout. “This partnership is an investment in the future: the future of our students, our institutions, and an investment in future of the greater Montgomery County region.”
“Drexel’s strategy for meeting challenges begins with expert partnerships,” said Drexel President John A. Fry. “Today’s higher education challenge is to increase access and value for all potential students, and we’re proud to partner with the experts at MCCC to do just that. Through this partnership, we look forward to serving even more Montgomery County residents.”
Prospective students will graduate from MCCC with an associate’s degree before entering a fully aligned and integrated degree program with Drexel. This partnership not only saves participating students a significant amount of tuition money while they earn a rigorous, two-year degree, but it also enables them to complete a baccalaureate degree at a discounted rate.
Drexel@MCCC will launch in fall 2014 and will include six initial onsite programs: B.S. in Business Administration with Co-op; B.S. in Computing and Security Technology; B.S. in Electrical Engineering with Co-op; B.S./M.S. in Engineering Management with Co-op; Mechanical B.S. in Engineering with Co-op; and a hybrid B.S.N. program designed for registered nurses. In addition, A.S. to B.S. Business Administration and Criminal Justice programs will be offered fully online through a partnership between MCCC’s new Virtual Campus and Drexel University Online.
Years two and three of the partnership will see Drexel@MCCC significantly expand to include even more undergraduate and graduate programs, especially in the health sciences. These will complement the opening of MCCC’s brand new Health Sciences Center in fall 2016. The Center is expected position MCCC as the regional leader in health and wellness education to be the catalyst to transform lives.
The Drexel@MCCC program builds on a growing partnership between the two institutions. Last spring, Drexel began offering doctorate, graduate and professional development programs in Pottstown and Blue Bell as part of MCCC’s University Center, a framework that enhances access to higher education opportunities through partnerships with select four-year colleges and universities. MCCC also has dual admissions transfer agreements with 29 colleges and universities, both regionally and internationally.
In addition to MCCC, Drexel has similar partnerships with Burlington County College and Delaware County Community College. Drexel has been offering degrees at South Jersey’s Burlington County College since 2006.
To schedule an interview with Montgomery County Community College, contact Alana J. Mauger, director of communications for MCCC, at 215-692-3789 or amauger@mc3.edu
About MCCC:
Montgomery County Community College boasts a nationally recognized, award-winning faculty committed to working closely together with students in the learning process. The College’s comprehensive curriculum includes more than 100 degree and certificate programs, a virtual campus, and specialized workforce development and continuing education programs, all of which leverage the College’s nationally ranked use of innovative technology. The College is recognized nationally for its work in sustainability and student success and is one of only 73 institutions in the country to be designated as an Achieving the Dream Leader College.