
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Community \| Obits \| Editorial & Columnists \| Society \| Sports \| Education \| Classified Ads \| Calendar of Events \| Features \| Newsbriefs \| Legals \| Archives \| Subscriptions \| Photo Gallery

Education

Blue Mountain adds graduate program

After Blue Mountain College received the reaffirmation of its accreditation by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) in 2005, college officials immediately launched into the development of a master’s program in elementary education. With the recent on-site visit by the SACS Substantive Change Committee in January 2007, BMC college officials were given the go-ahead to publicize and recruit its first class for the Master’s of Education Degree in Elementary Education. The M.Ed. classes will begin this summer.

According to BMC’s president, Bettye Rogers Coward, “This is truly a signal achievement in the long and distinguished history of Blue Mountain College. We can now add 2007 as one of the four years of significant achievement in the life of the college: 1873 (founding of the college); 1956 (addition of a ministerial program); 2005 (coeducational status); and 2007 (addition of graduate study).”

Since the 30-hour M.Ed. is a new program, the college will report to the Commission over the next two years to demonstrate the educational outcomes of the students enrolled in the program and the integration of technology into the teaching-learning environment.

Coward commented, “The college owes a debt of gratitude to its Board of Trustees for their encouragement to pursue graduate study at Blue Mountain College. A number of faculty and staff have invested heavily in the process resulting in the approval of the M.Ed. in Elementary Education, including two of the College’s own graduates: Dr. Sharon Enzor, vice president for Academic Affairs, and Dr. Janice Nicholson, chair of the Department of Education.”

The addition of the 30-hour program builds on Blue Mountain College’s reputation for producing stellar teachers. In addition, prospective students will find that BMC’s tuition of $265 per graduate hour is comparable with public institutions of higher learning in the region.

For teachers considering the graduate program, financial aid is available through grants, loans, and/or scholarships.

The Mississippi Teacher Fellowship Program (MTFP) is a funding option for Marshall County teachers. The Program focuses on areas in Mississippi, such as Marshall County, which critically need teachers.

MTFP allows up to $1530 per semester for tuition costs, provides a laptop computer, printer, software; $75 stipend per course for books and supplies; a $200 classroom enhancement grant, and much more.

The MTFP application deadline is May 1 with funding set to begin in the fall. Financial information may be obtained by contacting BMC’s office of financial aid at 662-685-4771 (Ext. 141) or finaid@bmc.edu.

According to Dr. Janice Nicholson, coordinator for the graduate program, “Registration deadline for the first classes has been set for May 1, 2007. We look forward to having a great summer with graduate students at Blue Mountain.” BMC’s graduate classes will begin May 31 and run through the end of July. Students can earn up to 12 hours during the 2007 summer sessions.

For application and registration information, prospective students may contact Blue Mountain College’s Office of Graduate and Continuing Education at 1-800-235-0136 (Ext. 238) or graduate@bmc.edu.

School board changes meeting date

The Marshall County Board of Education will meet Tuesday, March 6, at 3:30 p.m.

The meeting will be held in the board of supervisors’ room at 103B Market Street, Holly Springs.

This is a change of date for the board’s regular scheduled meeting.

Report News: (662) 252-4261 or south@dixie-net.com
Questions, comments, corrections: south@dixie-net.com
©2004, The South Reporter, All Rights Reserved.
No part of this site may be reproduced in any way without permission.
The South Reporter is a member of the Mississippi Press Association.

Web Site managed and maintained by
South Reporter webmasters Linda Jones, Kristian Jones
Web Site Design - The South Reporter

Back | Top of Page