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WSCC News is a presentation of West Shore Community College in partnership with Mason County Press.
VICTORY TOWNSHIP — West Shore Community College has received approval from the Higher Learning Commission to offer an Associate of Applied Arts and Sciences degree in fire science.
The approval was granted May 12 by the Institutional Actions Council of the Higher Learning Commission, allowing the college to begin registering students and promoting the new program.
“This approval represents the culmination of a collaborative effort involving many college employees and external stakeholders,” West Shore Community College President Scott Ward said. “The fire science program reflects our commitment to providing accessible, flexible and workforce-driven educational opportunities that meet the needs of both students and employers throughout our region.”
The fire science degree program will be offered entirely online, with program-specific courses delivered in an accelerated eight-week format. College officials said the shorter format is designed to better serve working adults and nontraditional students by allowing them to focus on one course at a time while still completing multiple courses each semester.
“Our goal is to create a program structure that is manageable for busy professionals while maintaining academic quality and momentum toward degree completion,” Mark Kinney, executive vice president of academics and student services, said. “This flexible approach helps remove barriers for students already serving their communities in emergency services or those looking to enter the field.”
The Associate of Applied Arts and Sciences is a 60-credit program designed to prepare students for careers and advancement opportunities in fire service professions.
College officials also thanked faculty, staff, community partners and area fire service professionals who contributed to development of the curriculum. Special recognition was given to Dan Yost, director of EMS and fire, and other stakeholders who helped guide the program from concept to approval.
More information about the fire science program and other academic offerings is available at westshore.edu.
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