Marietta College, Washington State team up to provide affordable options to undergraduates

Washington County colleges sign pact to offer dual admission, housing on MC campus

Marietta, Ohio (12/19/2017) — The education opportunities in the Pioneer City have become more expansive thanks to a new partnership between Marietta College and Washington State Community College (WSCC).

This week, the two institutions entered into a Dual Admission agreement - Washington State Community College to Marietta College (WSCC2MC) - to create a high-quality, affordable option for students to earn their undergraduate degrees. High school and transfer students who apply for and are accepted to the program will begin their undergraduate education at Washington State and then transfer after two years to Marietta College. As part of this pathway, students will earn an associate degree from Washington State and a bachelor's degree from Marietta. Students accepted to the program are eligible to live in one of Marietta's residence halls, participate in campus dining options, and enjoy student life options.

"Marietta College is committed to helping talented students achieve their education goals," said Marietta College President and Professor of Management Dr. William N. Ruud. "The opportunity to partner with Washington State on a dual admission program allows us to attract and keep quality students in this community for all four years of their undergraduate education."

High school and transfer students who apply to the WSCC2MC program must meet Marietta College's eligibility standards before being accepted to the dual admission program. Once admitted, students must maintain a 2.5 GPA and earn 25 transferable credits before transferring to complete their bachelor degree program at Marietta College. Academic advisors from both institutions will collaborate to ensure the courses taken at Washington State transfer to Marietta.

"This partnership will expand bachelor degree access to students in the Mid-Ohio Valley, many of whom are juggling work and families while going to college," said Washington State Community College President Dr. Vicky Wood. "Having the opportunity to finish an associate's degree and a bachelor's degree while remaining in this area will be a huge benefit for our local students. Working together with Marietta College and the WSCC2MC program, we will impact more lives and increase the number of college-educated citizens in our community."

Stephen Lazowski, Marietta College's Vice President for Enrollment Management, said WSCC2MC students have access to academic support and professional development and internship opportunities at both campuses.

"We want these students to become acclimated to both campuses, so during the first two years at Washington State, students take one class per semester at Marietta College - and the cost for that class is the same per-credit-hour that they pay at Washington State," Lazowski said.

A second agreement between the two institutions allows Washington State Community College students to reside in Marietta College's residence halls and take advantage of meal plans and other services at Marietta while earning their associate degree from Washington State.

"This housing agreement will give our students the opportunity to enhance their college experience by living on a residential campus while attending classes at Washington State," said Amanda Herb, Vice President of Enrollment and Student Success at WSCC. "This could also attract students from greater distances who are seeking an affordable education but who may not live within easy driving distance to our campus."

Both the WSCC2MC and the housing agreement are planned to begin before the Fall 2018 semester. For additional information, contact Marietta College's Office of Admission at (740) 376-4600 or email admit@marietta.edu; or contact WSCC's Office of Admissions at (740) 568-1900 or admissions@wscc.edu.

Located in Marietta, Ohio, at the confluence of the Muskingum and Ohio rivers, Marietta College is a four-year liberal arts college. Tracing its roots to the Muskingum Academy begun in 1797, the College was officially chartered in 1835. Today Marietta College serves a body of 1,200 full-time students. The College offers 45 majors and has been listed among Barron's Best Buys in College Education and Peterson's Competitive Colleges, and has been recognized as one of the top regional comprehensive colleges by U.S. News & World Report and The Princeton Review, as well as one of the nation's best by Forbes.com.

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