Minnesota State College Southeast expands liberal arts options by offering new programs in in psychology, creative writing

Psychology Transfer Pathway Associate of Arts degree, Creative Writing Certificate are just the beginning of new options in the Liberal Arts & Sciences

With the launch of the Associate of Arts degree in Liberal Arts & Sciences, Minnesota State College Southeast transformed itself from a technical college to a comprehensive technical and community college in 2016. Now the college has added a second A.A. degree, the 60-credit Psychology Transfer Pathway, and a new 16-credit certificate in Creative Writing.

Psychology Transfer Pathway A.A.

The Psychology Transfer Pathway option has been developed to make it easier for students to begin a four-year degree at MSC Southeast and transfer to any of the seven universities in the Minnesota State system, including Winona State University, St. Cloud State University, and Minnesota State University, Mankato.*

A student taking the new Psychology Transfer Pathway degree would complete the required first two years of general education credits and select coursework related to the major, such as Lifespan Development, Abnormal Psychology or Social Psychology.

Students who complete a Transfer Pathway degree are guaranteed junior status upon admission to the university, and are assured that the bachelor's degree can be completed in 60 additional credits (for 120-credit programs). Students must still meet university admission requirements, any special admission requirements for the major, and are not guaranteed admission into the major itself.

"In the near future, we anticipate adding several more specialties in the Transfer Pathway curriculum, such as History and Sociology," says Jo Poncelet, MSC Southeast Dean of Academics. "These associate of arts degrees will be a great advantage to students who are seeking a lower-cost path to completing a 4-year education. Our students receive the same rigorous college instruction from our talented, highly-qualified faculty that they would at larger institutions, but our class sizes are smaller and we are able to offer more personal attention." 

Creative Writing Certificate

Designed to attract aspiring authors, the new Creative Writing Certificate can be completed in four semesters, giving the student the time needed to develop a unique point of view and voice. Since the program is taught 100% online, it is especially manageable for working adults who have other commitments but wish to build a polished portfolio of workshopped, edited, and publishable fiction and poetry.

"At MSC Southeast, we are fortunate to have a group of instructors who are committed, published, working writers," says English faculty member Pete Beurskens, who teaches in Red Wing. "Any student who desires to learn not only the nuts and bolts of the writer's craft and the writing profession, but also wishes to be mentored towards more fully realizing his or her own talent, his her or own voice and vision, will find that encouragement here."

"We felt there was a niche not being filled, among the two-year colleges, for a creative writing concentration. There are plenty of BAs and MFAs out there in the field, but almost nothing at this level," adds Michael Larson, an instructor in the English department on the Winona campus. "So we wanted to encourage those with a love of language and a love of story to start with us and see where it might lead."

Students who are working on the Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts and Sciences degree have the option of selecting the Creative Writing Certificate coursework as electives, and graduating with both the A.A. degree and the Certificate at the same time. 

"While MSC Southeast will always be committed to our career and technical programs, we believe the expansion of our liberal arts and sciences offerings will be a tremendous advantage to students in our region," states Dr. Dorothy Duran, President of Minnesota State College Southeast.  "We are justifiably proud of our liberal arts and sciences faculty and know students in the Psychology Transfer Pathway and Creative Writing programs will receive expert, individualized instruction in a friendly, caring environment." 

*Minnesota State Universities

• Bemidji State University
• Metropolitan State University
• Minnesota State University, Mankato
• Minnesota State University Moorhead
• Southwest Minnesota State University
• St. Cloud State University
• Winona State University

MSC Southeast Online CAD Drafting Technologies program ranked #10 nationwide by BestColleges.com 

We are excited to announce that our Associate of Applied Science in Computer Aided Design (CAD) Drafting Technologies degree has again been ranked one of the top online CAD programs within the entire United States by BestColleges.com. Now ranked at #10, the program is celebrating its second consecutive year to be ranked in the Top 20 and its first year in the Top 10!

MSCS's CAD program has grown dramatically over the last decade, as faculty have worked to tailor the degree to today’s modern industry, while also ensuring flexible course offerings for both traditional students and working professionals. Enrollment has increased by nearly 300% since 2012, while tuition costs are among the lowest in the nation.

According to BestColleges.com, the CAD Drafting program at MSC Southeast "provides a flexible, quality, online education that students can afford. [MSCS] stands out as one of the best of the best." The rankings at BestColleges.com reflect academic quality and affordability, and are based on data hosted by the National Center for Education Statistics.

MSCS's CAD program has evolved from a degree offered only on campus to a degree which is available 100% online, enrolls students from as far afield as Bulgaria and Russia, and uses some of the most advanced online teaching tools available.

"With input from MSC Southeast administrators, faculty members, student services, IT professionals, advisory board members, and more, we have been able to develop a CAD design program that provides rigor and quality in meeting the needs of our far flung student body," says CAD instructor Jim Ziegler. "Placement in the BestColleges.com Top Ten is important, as it shows that we are doing what we set out to do."

Tyler Litscher, a mechanical designer at Thern Inc. in Winona, has recently joined the faculty at MSC Southeast. "As a former student, I am excited to see the program's prestigious recognition," he says. "I began the CAD program as a student in its first year online and am glad to see how much it has prospered since.  I believe the continued growth unequivocally demonstrates the quality of this program at Southeast.

"Working as a part time instructor for the past 20 plus years I am happy and excited for our program’s success. I hope this is the beginning of many more achievements to come," adds instructor Celeste Pronchinske.

"It is our intent to keep changing with the times in providing the excellent CAD training that has become our trademark here at Minnesota State College Southeast," Jim Ziegler concludes.

For more information, see: http://www.bestcolleges.com/features/best-online-drafting-programs/

Update: On-campus meeting in Red Wing! Tuesday, November 7 from 2:30 to 4:30 pm, Front Lobby, Red Wing. Learn more about the program from WSU instructors and staff.

WSU to offer Bachelor of Science in Nursing completion program in Red Wing

Hybrid classes will combine online learning with face-to-face classes at MSC Southeast's Red Wing Campus 

For associate degree nurses -- also known as registered nurses -- earning a bachelor of science degree in nursing can become the pathway to a more challenging career with increased responsibilities and rewards.

Winona State University has already developed a successful RN to BSN completion program serving nurses in Rochester and La Crescent. 

Beginning this fall, WSU will expand its programming to include the Red Wing area. Hybrid/blended classes will combine online study with classroom/lab study at Minnesota State College Southeast's Red Wing campus. 

The RN-BS Completion program is designed to be flexible for working RNs, with part-time (2, 3 or 4 year) and full-time (1 year) plans of study available. Although the face-to-face component of the coursework will take place at MSC Southeast, enrollment in the program will be managed through Winona State University and classes will be taught by WSU faculty. 

WSU will hold information sessions in Red Wing beginning later in August and throughout the fall semester. At these sessions, WSU faculty will be available to advise potential students and help with the admission process.

• Selected online-only courses will be offered for qualified Red Wing area students beginning in Fall 2017.
• Required RN-BS Completion courses are anticipated to start in Red Wing in January 2018. 

On Thursday, August 10, 2017 college leadership from both institutions met at the MSC Southeast Red Wing campus to sign an agreement and answer questions. 

"My hope is that this is just the beginning of new programmatic collaborations and connections for the Winona and Red Wing communities," says Dr. Patricia Rogers, Provost & Vice-President for Academic Affairs, Winona State University. 

"Being able to host a bachelor's degree completion program on our Red Wing campus is an exciting first step in expanding our service to the community," adds Dr. Dorothy Duran, President of Minnesota State College Southeast. "There is great demand for higher education opportunities here, as well as a need for health care professionals with advanced qualifications."

For more information or to apply for admission, email [email protected] or call 507-285-7349 (800-366-5418, extension 7349). 

See http://www.winona.edu/undergrad-nursing/default.asp for additional details.

See the story/video online at republican-eagle.com.