As the Oklahoma teacher shortage continues, the Enid campuses for Northwestern Oklahoma State University and Northern Oklahoma College are partnering to provide relief for the education crisis.
A fast-track course of study for completion of the elementary education degree has been developed for the students at these two institutions of higher learning to meet the specific needs of our Enid area community.
This program will allow Enid campus students to earn an associate’s degree and a bachelor’s degree in three and a half years, enabling them to be in the classroom and teaching more quickly than they could through traditional programs.
“We are excited to work with NOC to find creative ways to prepare educators for Oklahoma classrooms,” Dr. Jennifer Oswald, chair of the Division of Education and associate professor of education, said. “The fast-track program is designed for students beginning college and will create a plan of study through their student teaching internship.”
“As Oklahoma is facing a teacher shortage, this program allows students to obtain their degrees faster while still receiving the same great quality education for which Northern and Northwestern are known,” said Tiffany Meacham, Enid academic adviser for elementary education at NOC.
The fast-track program will meet current standards for educator preparation so that completers have the knowledge and skills necessary to become highly effective educators who are ready to support the learning needs of Oklahoma’s students.
Students will continue to complete their student teaching assignments in their final semester of school.
“This program is a great opportunity,” Dr. Bo Hannaford, Northwestern president, said. “This innovative program will give students the ability to be in classroom quicker than ever before, which will produce great teachers for the state of Oklahoma.”
NOC Enid classes begin Monday, Aug. 22.
To learn more about this program, contact Jeremy Hise, Vice President for NOC Enid, at (580) 548-2393 or jeremy.hise@noc.edu; or Dr. Martie Young, professor of education at Northwestern-Enid, at (580) 213-3195 or mlyoung@nwosu.edu.
Northern Oklahoma College, the state’s first public two-year community college, is a multi-campus, land-grant institution that provides high quality, accessible, and affordable educational opportunities and services.
NOC serves nearly 4,000 students through the home campus in Tonkawa, branch in Enid, and NOC/OSU Gateway Program in Stillwater. Of these students about 80% receive financial aid and/or scholarships. 75% of NOC students complete their degree with zero debt.
The college is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and offers associate degrees in three general areas: Arts, Science and Applied Science; the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs; and the Accreditation Commission for Education and Nursing.
For more information about Northern Oklahoma College please call (580) 628-6208 or visit the NOC website at www.noc.edu.
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