S.J.C. joins with Regis to grant bachelors degrees

St. John’s College has announced that this month, it has finalised a memorandum of understanding with sister Jesuit institution Regis University in Colorado under which S.J.C. will grant Bachelors degrees. The official launch is scheduled for November but this morning, S.J.C. representatives told us that the programme’s flexibility will be its biggest selling point.

Neulin Villanueva, Dean, S.J.C. Junior College
?It?s the first such collaboration. And we hope to in the future, expand collaboration with other Jesuit institutions to bring these types of opportunities to our students.?

Janelle Chanona, Reporting
?Who are you hoping will take advantage of this new programme??

Neulin Villanueva
?Well this is targeted specifically to the working adult. Persons who are in current positions that they need to upgrade qualifications for and people who would like to change careers. So it?s really for the adult who would not want to leave family or work behind to go away to study or even to programmes currently available in Belize. So they can do it at home, in the comfort of their home and at their own pace.?

Janelle Chanona
?Last time we were here, we spoke about S.J.C.?s new School of Professional Studies, how does this new collaboration work in tandem with that initiative.?

Dianne Lindo, Dir., Charles T. Hunter Commission for Social Outreach
?It dovetails quite well. Students who want to enrol in the Regis, the bachelor?s or associate degree program need to complete some credit hours at S.J.C. in order to get the cost savings. They can do that at the School of Professional Studies, which operates evenings and weekends and also offers certificate programs. So for example, students do have the benefit of being able to complete both a bachelor degree through Regis and as part of that requirement a certificate programme, through the School of Professional Studies. So it actually works together quite well.?

Janelle Chanona
?What message do you think this sends, not only to those in the education sector, but the wider community as well about where we are in providing tertiary level education??

Dianne Lindo
?Two of the strong messages: one there are opportunities available for all. And secondly that education is not a one size fits all process. There are different formats that work best for different people.?

According to the educators, students will be able to transfer as many as ninety credit hours from S.J.C. into a Bachelor programme from Regis. Part of the course is conducted online and students have seven years in which to complete the programme. For more information, please contact Dean Villanueva or visit the website www.transfertoregis.org