Beginning this fall, students seeking a degree in early childhood education will be able to complete all required classes at the Georgia Highlands College/Kennesaw State University Paulding Instructional Site in Dallas.

As approved by the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia in August, students at the Paulding County site can take the classes required to earn an associate degree from Georgia Highlands and complete the KSU classes required to earn a bachelor’s degree and certification to teach pre-kindergarten through fifth grade.

“2+2” is designed as a four-year program, with two years to complete GHC requirements and two years to complete KSU courses. It is an expansion of the partnership formed two years ago when Kennesaw State and Georgia Highlands established the instructional site in the former Bagby courthouse building donated by Paulding County government.

“The 2+2 initiative is a giant step toward the vision we all had for the Paulding site,” said Daniel S. Papp, KSU president. “Our goal was to expand higher education and ultimately to make a four-year college education accessible to students in the rapidly growing but underserved Paulding community. At the same time, we’re continuing the Bagwell College of Education’s tradition of graduating well-trained teachers to meet the needs of the region and the state.”

GHC President Randy Pierce added, “The “2+2” program is a strong collaboration that brings a popular degree to the Paulding area. It allows students to transition seamlessly between a two- and four-year USG institution while remaining close to home and work. The academic teams of KSU and GHC have worked hard to develop a program that delivers the highest quality outcome, and we’re proud to be a part of it.”

Students currently enrolled in early childhood education at Kennesaw State may begin taking any of the seven education courses being offered at the Paulding site this fall.

Georgia Highlands’ students currently enrolled at the Paulding site may apply for admission to KSU and to the teacher education program before their last semester at GHC. Upon acceptance to both, they may begin taking their major courses at the site. Graduates will earn an Associate of Science in Early Childhood Education from GHC and a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education from KSU.

“Bagwell has enjoyed a productive relationship with the Paulding community, working with the school district to help develop educational leaders,” said Arlinda Eaton, dean of the Bagwell College of Education. “This partnership presents another opportunity to make an impact. The reputations of both institutions will assure a quality curriculum that will be delivered seamlessly at the site.”

KSU also offers classes in business, history and criminal justice at the Paulding Instructional Site. To view a list of all KSU classes for fall 2010, visit www.kennesaw.edu/paulding/.

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