Dec 23, 2008 - 04:05:22 CST
Bismarck State College has signed an agreement with the U.S. Navy to provide online learning.The program will be one of 28 offered through the Navy College Program Distance Learning Partnership. The agreement with the Navy was signed Friday.
"So now, we're one of those schools," BSC President Larry Skogen said. "The Navy identified six programs we can deliver to sailors and Marines that recognizes part of their career."
This is the second agreement BSC has signed with a branch of the military. Earlier this year, it formed a partnership with the U.S. Air Force. The main difference is that the Navy will offer a degree program, while the Air Force will offer the classes to fill out the education airmen need.
BSC will offer five energy programs and the criminal justice program. The agreement does not guarantee a minimum number of enrollments from the Navy.
"This is the unknown question," Skogen said. "We honestly don't know if we will have interest."
The potential is there to increase out-of-state enrollment at BSC through the online classes, he said.
It could be spring before sailors can enroll in classes. Before that can happen, the Navy needs to put information about BSC's programs on its Web site.
Similar agreements could be forthcoming with the U.S. Army, which is interested in the power plant program.
"We're working to get to the same level of relationship as with our Navy and Air Force," Skogen said.
It could be a few months before the Army program is finalized because of the Army's process for finding education partners. It involves an open call for applications, followed by an evaluation period, before a decision is made, Skogen said.
In the future BSChopes to create similar agreements with the U.S. Coast Guard and Merchant Marines.
Next month, the National Guard is supporting a trip to Ghana by BSC Vice President Kari Knudson. She will talk with energy companies there about BSC's program and start a conversation with a secondary school in Ghana about partnering to offer education.
(Reach reporter Sara Kincaid at 250-8251 or sara.kincaid@;bismarcktribune.com.)
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