Published: October 11, 2008 08:38 pm            

Athens State wants to offer master’s classes in Hanceville

Athens State University students who attend classes at Wallace State Community College may have a few more options in the future, said Athens State President Robert Glenn.

“We’re hoping to offer master’s programs,” he said. “If everything works out, we hope to start offering them in the fall of 2010.”

Currently, Athens State serves as an upper-division college, allowing students with at least 60 college credit hours to continue their education and earn a bachelor’s degree.

The college has also established extension locations at community colleges around Alabama, including Wallace State in Hanceville, where they offer classes.

“I still believe in a state-wide mission,” Glenn said. “Athens has always been very flexible and ahead of the curve.”

Glenn hopes the university can offer master’s programs in human resources, religion and library media.

“We have deliberately chosen those three programs because no one else is doing or offering them,” he said.

Glenn also said the master’s programs should be offered at all Athens State extension centers, including the Wallace State location.

“We hope to have these three master’s programs in place, and they will be offered through all centers,” he said.

Before the expanded master’s courses can be offered, the school must have its change in mission approved by the state governing bodies.

Another initiative Glenn said he will focus on is better utilization of the existing extension centers at community colleges, such as Wallace State.

“I think we can do a lot more,” he said.

In addition to expanding the school’s offerings, Glenn said he hopes to develop a comprehensive plan for the college’s future.

“I’m very optimistic that we’ll be able to develop a sound plan for the future,” he said. “We need a strategic plan.”

‰ Trent Moore can be reached by e-mail at trentm@cullmantimes.com, or by telephone at 734-2131, ext. 225.

        

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