July 31, 2003
INFORMATION: Sue Bozman or John McElwain, (661) 362-3415 or 3494
New Programs Slated at College's Interim University Center
Since January 2001 when the Interim University Center opened its doors on the College of the Canyons campus, the number of participating institutions has grown from two to nine. More importantly, though, is the tremendous increase in the number of degree programs offered at the center. The center now offers six credential programs, eight bachelor’s degree programs, nine master’s level programs and two doctoral programs through its university partners.
The appeal and popularity of these programs was predicted several years ago by College of the Canyons Superintendent-President Dianne G. Van Hook, when she realized that freeway congestion and busy lifestyles of people who live in the Santa Clarita Valley would ultimately get to the point where students could not get to university programs outside the valley in a reasonable way.
“If people can’t get to the universities,” said Van Hook, “then we’ll bring the universities to them.”
Operating out of a small, temporary building on the college campus, the partner universities have been very pleased with enrollments in their programs. As in any startup program, there have been some obstacles to overcome.
“Initially, many people in the community interpreted the University Center project as College of the Canyons becoming a four-year school,” said Sue Bozman, dean of communication, marketing and external relations at the college. “That couldn’t be farther from the truth. We have partnered with universities on our campus. They are their programs, their degrees and their fees.
"They are not extension programs or watered-down versions of main-campus programs,” Bozman said. “They are the real thing the same programs people would get if they attended classes at CSU Northridge, Fresno, Bakersfield or Cal Lutheran, or any of the universities’ main campuses.”
In the fall of 2003, three much-needed programs for the Santa Clarita Valley will begin: the single-subject teaching credential and the master of arts in educational administration through Cal State University Northridge, and the bachelor of science in computer science through Cal Lutheran University.
CSUN’s single-subject teaching credential is a developmentally sequenced program of methods, foundational and field experience courses that meet new California Commission on Teacher Credentialing standards for middle and high school teachers. The M.A. in education/educational administration option is designed specifically for those post-baccalaureate students who seek leadership roles in school administration outside the K-12 grade levels. The program is well suited for persons employed in postsecondary institutions or those in public, private, local, state or federal agencies related to higher education.
In keeping with the fast-growing computer science industry, Cal Lutheran’s B.S. in computer science offers an expanded curriculum, which follows that recommended by the Association for Computing Machines, offers fundamental courses such as computer architecture and operating systems engineering along with the latest topics on artificial intelligence, software engineering, object-oriented design, and computational theory. Classes will be held in the Interim University Center’s Computer Lab using the latest in hardware and software technologies.
The following semester, spring 2004, two additional programs are slated to begin: the bachelor of science in nursing through Cal State University Northridge, and the bachelor of science in construction management through Cal State University Fresno. In order to accommodate televised delivery of courses in each program, the Interim University Center is retrofitting an existing classroom with state-of-the-art instructional television equipment. Other courses are planned for on-site instruction at the center.
The B.S. in nursing program, designed for RNs, integrates the concept of self-care into all areas of professional nursing, including leadership and community health. The program emphasizes preceptored learning experiences, which take place in the community and makes use of highly experienced nurses as preceptors.
The B.S. in construction management program is an interdisciplinary program that is committed to educating the future professionals in the construction industry. These professionals, known as constructors, execute architectural designs, apply engineering principles, manage project resources, and represent suppliers and manufacturers in the construction industry.
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