May 16, 2008

GSW to offer 4-year education degree at ABAC Fall 2008

AMERICUS--Georgia Southwestern State University (GSW) and Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (ABAC) have once again combined efforts to offer four-year degrees. Beginning Fall 2008, GSW will offer a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education on the ABAC campus in Tifton.

“We are excited that the Board of Regents has approved our proposal to offer an education degree on the ABAC campus,” said GSW President Kendall Blanchard. “With the shortage of teachers across the state, particularly in Southwest Georgia, this program will not only serve ABAC students who want to enter the teaching field but also the larger community served by the College.  It also strengthens the important partnership between Georgia Southwestern and ABAC.”

“All our surveys indicate that a four-year education degree in Tifton would attract a large number of students,” ABAC President David Bridges said.  “Georgia Southwestern really stepped up to the plate to make this happen.  I think it’s going to be a win-win situation for everyone.”

This program will allow ABAC students to earn junior and senior level credits toward a Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Education without having to leave Tifton. Approximately 30 students have already signed up for courses.

The addition of the Early Childhood degree at ABAC is the second new GSW degree offered for Fall 2008 on the Tifton campus. A Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Resource Management with concentrations in Agribusiness, Forestry and Wildlife Business, Bioenergy and Renewable Resource Business and Turfgrass Business will begin in Fall 2008, as well.  

GSW will also continue to offer junior and senior level night classes on the ABAC campus for four-year business degrees in management and accounting.

For more information about the GSW bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education at ABAC, contact the Georgia Southwestern School of Education at (229) 931-2145 or ABAC at (229) 391-4830.

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