(BLUEFIELD)-Soon, nurses from southern West Virginia can earn a master's degree in nursing without leaving the region. Marshall University and Bluefield State College have entered into a collaborative agreement to deliver the MU Master of Science in Nursing degree, with an emphasis in Nursing Education and Nursing Administration. epresentatives from Marshall University School of Nursing will attend an informational session at the Tierney Conference Center, Bluefield State College, on December 15, 1 p.m.- 4 p.m.

The agreement emerged from discussions regarding the long-term goals for the BSC BSN program, BSC administrators, and faculty and administrators at Marshall University. The master's program will also permit BSC to respond to students' expression of interest in a master's in nursing program in southern West Virginia. "This program is consistent with the mission of Bluefield State College and the BSN Program, providing students with an affordable, geographically accessible opportunity for public higher education," noted Dr. Betty Rader, BSC Professor of Nursing and liaison to the master's in nursing program. Students will able to complete all the nursing course requirements locally through distant learning modalities.

The collaborative agreement meets all of Marshall University's graduate program requirements. BSC will make a significant contribution through utilizing nursing faculty, staff, facilities, technical support, and additional resources to make the opportunity available to professional nurses in the College's service region. The agreement has been approved by the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission, and classes will begin on January 12, 2004

Dr. Lynn Welch and Dr.Linda Scott will answer questions and provide informational material during the December 15 session at BSC. Interested individuals are encouraged to attend the session and/or contact Dr. Scott by e-mail at: scott@marshall.edu

November 19, 2003