Southwestern Oregon Community College is pleased to announce that beginning fall of 2017 Southern Oregon University (SOU), in collaboration with Southwestern, is launching a new satellite program for a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education with an option to earn a teaching license as well. The program aims to help fill an employment gap within Coos, Curry and Western Douglas counties by providing a path to licensure for local residents in a region that is in high need of qualified teachers. The new satellite program is similar to a partnership between SOU and Klamath Community College that began fall of 2016. Financial aid is available to those who qualify. Student teaching takes place in or near your community. Options are available for people who already hold a bachelor degree. Courses are predominately online or in the evenings, with only one Saturday a month commitment for a face-to-face course at the Higher Education Center in Medford or Ashland. It is a “grow your own” philosophy with the majority of courses scheduled to meet the needs of, but not limited to, people currently working for a school district. Susan Faller-Mitchell, SOU Satellite Program Coordinator, and her colleague, Erin Wilder, Assistant Professor of Education, will be hosting an Information Session on Southwestern’s Coos Bay campus, 1988 Newmark Ave., Coos Bay, on Monday, April 24, 2017 from 5 – 6 pm in Dellwood Hall room 21. Curry residents can attend via Skype in room 109 on Southwestern’s Brookings campus. Interested students and community members are encouraged to attend and learn more about this exciting new partnership. Additionally, there is opportunity for one-on-one meetings with Susan and Erin on Monday and Tuesday, April 24 and 25, 2017. For more information, please contact Susan Faller-Mitchell at fallers@sou.edu or 541-552-6919; or Jaimee Belzer, Southwestern University Center at jaimee.belzer@socc.edu or 541-888-1518.
