After 10 years of providing education programs in St. Lucia, University of Lynchburg will offer an off-site educational program on the island beginning in the spring of 2014. Program offerings will be designed to respond to educational needs in St. Lucia as well as other countries within the Eastern Caribbean.
Instructional format will be primarily face-to-face with support through University of Lynchburg’s Internet resources.
Dr. Edward Polloway, LC dean of graduate studies, explained that the College is undertaking this significant extension because of positive feedback from the programs the College has offered on site in St. Lucia as well as the programs in which St. Lucia citizens have participated on LC’s main campus in Virginia. “We are building on our past success both on the island and at our main campus,” he said. “We are committed to providing high quality programs that will meet the individual needs of enrolled students and the broader needs of the nation of St. Lucia and beyond.” Dr. Polloway added that the new St. Lucia branch also will provide a study abroad opportunity for LC students.
Specific areas of study are now under consideration and will likely include undergraduate programs in special education, primary/elementary education (with emphasis in the teaching of reading), secondary education (with possible emphases in the teaching of math and science), business, criminology/criminal justice, political science, international relations, and nursing. The primary focus of these programs will be to provide students with the opportunity to build on prior coursework (such as at Sir Arthur Lewis Community College) so they can earn the baccalaureate degree.
Graduate programs currently under consideration include a Master of Business Administration (MBA) and the Master of Education (MEd) including special education, reading, science education, and leadership. These degree programs will be consistent with the requirements of such programs on LC’s home campus in Virginia and will meet all accreditation standards.
Special preliminary course offerings for this summer will include risk management (part of the MBA program) and Grief, Loss, and Trauma Counseling (part of the Advanced Counseling Certificate).
Prospective students are invited to drop by on Tuesday, April 9, at between 4 and 7 p.m. at CocoPalm, Rodney Bay Village, Gros Islet, St. Lucia, and on and Wednesday, April 10 at between 4 and 6 p.m. in the HASARCHE Building (next to the district 4 Education Office on The Morne) Goodlands, The Morne. University of Lynchburg representatives will be available to talk with attendees to explain available programs, financial aid, and scholarships. Information is also posted on the University of Lynchburg website.
For individuals who cannot attend one of the information sessions or who need further information, there is a short survey form. This survey will allow individuals to indicate interest in particular programs at the baccalaureate or master’s level and respond to information concerning proposed course schedules. Other questions about the proposed St. Lucia program may be sent by email to LCinStLucia@lynchburg.edu.
Background
The University of Lynchburg/St. Lucia partnership began in 2003 with a workshop in special education for 50 teachers. A three-summer sequence followed allowing students to complete a special education St Lucia Ministry of Education certificate. The program offered three courses each summer, and a total of 40 individuals completed the program. Opportunities were available for these teachers subsequently to come to Virginia and seek their bachelor’s degree at University of Lynchburg’s home campus. To date, St. Lucia students who have come to Virginia have earned 11 bachelor’s degrees and 12 master’s degrees in special education from LC.
In 2006, a graduate program for school counsellors was initiated with 25 students completing the MEd program. In 2008, a service learning program was established for University of Lynchburg students to participate in service learning activities on the island. Forty-six students and four faculty members were involved in the program. A preschool health, developmental, and educational screening was conducted for over 350 children throughout the country. Other activities included opportunities for students to work in a variety of school settings, to mentor and tutor adolescents at risk, and to learn about the government, education, health systems, and culture of St. Lucia.
Other programs provided by the LC/St. Lucia partnership include designing a new multi-disciplinary assessment program for the nation; a two-day workshop on autism for approximately 140 teachers and parents; a course on addiction counselling for 35 participants; training in clinical supervision strategies for school principals; reading instruction workshops with 900 educators participating; and an advanced course in abnormal behavior for counsellors.
University of Lynchburg is a private, coeducational, four-year (non-profit) institution offering doctoral, master’s, and undergraduate programs. The diverse campus community is comprised of more than 2,200 undergraduate students and 500 graduate students. The College awards the BA and BS degrees (with 39 undergraduate majors and 52 minors) and the DPT, EdD, MA, MBA, MEd, and MSN, degrees.
University of Lynchburg is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral degrees. Persons with questions about the accreditation of University of Lynchburg can contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097 or 404-679-4500 or by going to www.sacscoc.org. All other inquiries can be directed to University of Lynchburg 1501 Lakeside Dr. Lynchburg, VA 24501 (434-544-8383).
LC twice has been designated as one of 40 Colleges That Change Lives by Loren Pope and is listed in the Honor Roll of The Templeton Guide to Colleges That Encourage Character Development.