Third school signs on for Mid-Plains bachelors' degrees

A third school has signed on with Mid Plains Community College to provide bachelor degrees to MPCC students.

MPCC already offers advanced degrees from agreements with Bellevue University and Chadron State College, to MPCC students who have completed their associate degree. The bachelor degree programs are available from online courses or at the MPCC campuses in McCook and North Platte.

MPCC will now offer another option for bachelor degrees, from Fort Hays State University. The MPCC Board of Governors affirmed an agreement with FHSU Wednesday night at its regular meeting for the advanced degree program.

Under the agreement, FHSU will accept the associate of arts or associate of science degree from MPCC as requirements for a bachelor's degree in liberal arts, including degrees in social sciences, humanities, sciences, art, graphic design, justice, communications and education and others.

In a related item, the Board of Governors also reaffirmed the agreement with Bellevue University to continue the advance degree program offered at MPCC. Bellevue not only provides bachelor degrees at MPCC but also an accelerated program for a master's degree, that can be completed in 16 to 18 months.

The board also approved additional funding at Wednesday's meeting for room, board, and books to 24 existing Division I intercollegiate athletic scholarships and the funding for books to 12 existing Division II intercollegiate athletic scholarships. This additional funding will help to keep the college competitive in athletic recruiting and retention across the system, said MPCC President Dr. Michael Chipps.

An annual security contract was also approved by the board, with Custom Security and Investigations for $62,496.

These funds will be spread between both McCook and North Platte campuses.