Indiana University East and Ivy Tech Community College announced today that they have entered into an agreement on programs that will significantly expand educational opportunities in southeast Indiana.

Indiana University East is now offering three bachelor’s degree completion programs for students enrolled at its regional center in Lawrenceburg, Ind. located at Ivy Tech Southeast’s Lawrenceburg Riverfront Campus.  The completion programs are the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education.

Chancellor Nasser Paydar said that a baccalaureate-prepared citizenry is critical to a region’s economic vitality.

“This is a major expansion to bring baccalaureate education to southeastern Indiana,” Paydar said.  “We know that the economy of this region – or any region – is closely intertwined with the educational opportunities available.  With these bachelor’s degree programs and through our innovative partnership with Ivy Tech, we now have the opportunity to significantly impact the economy of this region.”

Ivy Tech Southeast Chancellor James Helms said that the partnership directly benefits residents of southeastern Indiana.

“A mission of Ivy Tech Community College Southeast is to provide more educational opportunities and new learning experiences to help local residents develop satisfying careers. Our mission is also to improve the quality of our workforce and to help our students become productive, contributing members of society,” Helms said. “This partnership with Indiana University East certainly enhances these aims.”

“Just a few years ago the residents of southeastern Indiana could not expand their education by attending bachelor’s degree programs at Lawrenceburg’s Riverfront Campus,” Helms said. “Now students from Lawrenceburg, Madison and Batesville can affordably and conveniently pursue their educational goals. Ivy Tech is proud to be a partner with Indiana University East in making these opportunities possible.”

Students who have completed an associate degree program in business, nursing or education can now continue their course of study to earn an Indiana University bachelor’s degree in Lawrenceburg. The associate degrees will fully articulate with the bachelor’s programs. Students in the elementary education program will also be able to complete requirements for licensure by the state of Indiana. Additionally, these programs will serve students who transfer from other institutions.

IU East is pursuing plans to bring additional degree programs to Lawrenceburg, including a master’s degree program in Education and a bachelor’s degree completion program in Communication Studies.  The campus also offers online degree completion programs in Business, Communication Studies and English with a concentration in Technical and Professional Writing.

“IU East is committed to the success of southeastern Indiana, and we’re excited to be the bachelor’s degree institution for this region,” Paydar said.

Students can enroll in the degree programs now for fall semester.  For more information about the programs, contact Greg Braxton-Brown, director at the IU East Lawrenceburg Center and professor of management, 50 Walnut Street, at gbb@iue.edu or 812-537-4010 extension 256.