U. Va. President Theresa A. Sullivan (left) and TNCC President John Dever announced the degree partnership at a ceremony at the community college’s Historic Triangle campus Monday.
Students at Thomas Nelson Community College will soon have a new option when they go to register for classes.
TNCC announced Monday a partnership with the University of Virginia offering UVa’s Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies program at TNCC’s campus in the Historic Triangle.
The program is a part-time degree completion program offered through UVa’s School of Continuing and Professional Studies. To be eligible, applicants must have 60 transferable credits at the time of application, at least 15 of which must be from TNCC.
The degree requires an additional 60 UVa credit hours for completion. Students will complete the credits at TNCC through evening, weekend and online classes taught by UVa faculty. Students pursuing the BIS are required to complete an independent research Capstone Project guided by a faculty mentor.
“Thomas Nelson is very pleased to be partnering with the University of Virginia to bring the Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies program to the Virginia Peninsula,” TNCC President John Dever said in a news release. “The program will provide an accessible pathway for many non-traditional students to complete a baccalaureate degree. It is fitting that Mr. Jefferson’s university and a community college named for a Revolutionary War hero come together to create expanded educational opportunity, the foundation for citizenship and prosperity in a free society.”
The program will be open for applications beginning this academic year, and classes for the first students are expected to begin in fall 2015.
“The BIS degree program will be beneficial for adults living in this region who want to earn an undergraduate degree, but need to do so on a part-time basis because of work or other obligations,” UVa President Teresa A. Sullivan said in the release. “We are pleased to enter into this partnership with Thomas Nelson Community College, and we look forward to the success of a productive program here.”