Access US to open business degree courses

A consortium of colleges and universities will offer spring courses toward a new bachelor's degree in Western Kansas aimed at meeting the needs of area businesses.

The Bachelor of General Studies Business Concentration will be based at Dodge City Community College and will allow students to focus on either business, accounting or management. The degree program is offered through "Access US" - short for "Access University System" - made up of Emporia State University, Kansas State University, Ft. Hays State University and the six Western Kansas community colleges.

The first two classes will be "Marketing Principles" taught by DCCC Dean of Instruction Michael Ahern and "Management Principles," taught by DCCC president Richard Burke. Ahern is a two time winner of the KSU Outstanding Teaching Award and has spent two years as a Fulbright professor in Denmark. Burke was a KSU professor for 18 years before becoming DCCC president.

The classes will be held one evening a week for three hours in an effort to allow working students to attend during non-working hours. The professors will meet their students through a combination of in-person lectures, teleconferences and internet delivery. Each instructor will visit each classroom at least once during the semester.

People interested in enrolling in the new degree program can get more information at a series of informational meetings. Access US officials will discuss costs, schedules, possible scholarship opportunities and class content as well as answer questions from potential students.

All meetings will take place at 7 p.m. at the following locations:

Barton County Community College, Nov. 10
Colby County Community College, Nov. 11
Seward County Community College, Nov. 13
Pratt Community College, Nov. 17
Dodge City Community College, Nov. 18

Access US was launched at an August 5 meeting in Dodge City to provide undergraduate and graduate programs to Western Kansans. For the first year of the program, the state legislature allotted $200,000 to the Kansas Board of Regents to fund courses that do not "break even" with high enough enrollment.

Last Updated July 2, 2007>