February 5, 2020
SDSU Launches Innovative Agreement with Local Colleges to Increase Degree Access
San Diego Mesa College and Southwestern College students will be able to earn SDSU
degrees through new microsites being established
By Office of Communications
SAN DIEGO, Calif. (Feb. 05, 2020) – Local community college students will be able
to access and attain a San Diego State University degree through new partnerships
with two community colleges without ever having to step foot on the SDSU campus.
As an initial pilot of the SDSU microsite model, SDSU will launch bachelor’s degree
completion programs at San Diego Mesa College and Southwestern College in Business
Administration and Criminal Justice, beginning with the 2020-2021 academic year. Additional
programs are being planned for future years
The microsites are being introduced to specifically address student and regional educational
needs in the contemporary age of lifelong learning. Primarily, the microsites are
designed to provide valuable SDSU bachelor’s degree attainment options for non-traditional
students on nights and weekends.
“The lives and needs of students who want to attend SDSU are significantly different
than we’ve seen in prior decades. Many of them work part-time or full-time. They need
the flexibility that online or nights and weekend options provide without having to
attend for-profit colleges that do not provide the quality that SDSU can provide.
They also want to attend SDSU and learn from our award-winning faculty. This need
compels us to become more innovative to meet the needs of our students, now and over
a lifetime,” said SDSU President Adela de la Torre.
“We are grateful for our partners at Southwestern and Mesa, who share in our commitment
to ensure that qualified students -- especially local community college students --
have both degree access and the support needed to be successful,” de la Torre said.
Both agreements go to the respective boards of Southwestern and the San Diego Community
College District for consideration in February 2020.
“San Diego State University is the public university of choice for many of our students,
and with this new partnership our students will have the opportunity to earn a four-year
degree on the Chula Vista campus,” said Southwestern College Superintendent/President Kindred
Murillo. “SDSU will be an inaugural partner in our new University Center, opening
the door to endless educational opportunities for our students.”
“We are excited to expand our partnership with San Diego State University to provide
new learning opportunities for students,” stated Mesa College President Pamela Luster.
“The option to earn a Business Bachelor’s degree through SDSU while at Mesa offers
the greatest flexibility for our students, especially our adult learners.”
Both community colleges are anticipating up to 60 students enrolled in each program
for the fall 2020 launch of the pilot program.
Students supported through the new agreements would take SDSU courses in an online
delivery format with on-site supplemental learning opportunities hosted at Southwestern
and Mesa colleges.
SDSU will oversee these program offerings provided by SDSU World Campus, which has
a newly defined mission and vision. College of Extended Studies became SDSU World
Campus in fall 2019, with a mission of making SDSU more accessible to students with
a broader range of goals, needs, circumstances and locations.
“Our refocused division is taking SDSU beyond its campus boundaries toward extended
access to academic programs in new and innovative ways to lifelong learners everywhere,''
said Radhika Seshan, Dean of SDSU World Campus.
Students will have online access to all courses required for degree completion, and
will receive advising and tutoring support, along with access to other resources and
benefits.
“SDSU is excited to expand access to our academic offerings by partnering with our
local community colleges,” said SDSU Chief Diversity Officer, J. Luke Wood. “This
enables us to serve an increasingly diverse student population with programs that
are specifically designed to meet their needs.”
Students who are interested in applying should visit: neverstoplearning.net/micrositedegrees. The application process will open on March 16.
About San Diego State University
San Diego State University is a major public research institution that provides transformative
experiences, both inside and outside of the classroom, for its more than 36,000 students.
The university offers bachelor's degrees in 96 areas, master's degrees in 80 areas
and doctorates in 21 areas. Students participate in research, international experiences,
sustainability and entrepreneurship initiatives, internships and mentoring, and a
broad range of student life and leadership opportunities. The university’s rich campus
life features opportunities for students to participate in, and engage with, the creative
and performing arts, a Division I athletics program and the vibrant cultural life
of the San Diego region. For more information, visit www.sdsu.edu.
About Southwestern College
Established in 1961, Southwestern College is the only public institution of higher
education in southern San Diego County, serving approximately 400,000 residents of
communities including Bonita, Chula Vista, Imperial Beach, National City, Nestor,
Otay Mesa, Palm City, San Ysidro, Sunnyside and Coronado. The College District offers
more than 300 associate degree and certificate options. More information is available
at swccd.edu.
Tags: Degree Access, SDSU