A new program partnership between Kellogg Community College and Siena Heights University will give students studying business a faster path to associate and bachelor’s degrees starting this fall.

KCC’s new Accelerated Business Program will allow students to earn 87 credits toward an associate’s degree in business management at KCC and transfer seamlessly into the business administration bachelor’s degree program at Siena Heights, which is located on KCC’s campus. Students will take 33 credits at Siena Heights to complete their bachelor’s degree.

Mike Gagnon, Business and Information Technology Department director at KCC, said the new program is designed with the busy lives of students in mind, and is offered through a combination of online, hybrid, evening and weekend classes to fit the busy schedules of working adults.

“KCC’s new Accelerated Business Program offers convenience, flexibility and affordability for students who want to pursue a career in business but haven’t had the time to dedicate to traditional college classes,” Gagnon said. “The program enables students to earn their associate and bachelor’s degrees in the business field locally and on a timeline that’s faster than traditional college programs.”

Dr. Cheryl Betz, dean for Graduate and Professional Studies at Siena Heights, said the university is very pleased to join with KCC in offering this new degree program.

“The Accelerated Business Program is an example of our strong partnership with KCC in an effort to bring relevant and affordable bachelor degree options to the Battle Creek community,” Betz said.

Accelerated Business Program graduates will finish their degrees in just three and a half years, compared to the five years or more Gagnon said is typical for similar business programs elsewhere. Students will take just three classes per semester for the KCC portion of their studies, including:

One class per semester taken entirely online

One hybrid class per semester that features online components and meets from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. one Saturday each month for four months

One face-to-face class per semester that meets from 6 p.m. to 9:15 p.m. Tuesday evenings on campus in Battle Creek

Gagnon said graduates from similar programs usually pursue careers in sales, marketing, human resources or other business-related career fields where the yearly wages start near $40,000 and the projected job growth through 2020 is estimated at 4.7 percent.

Students interested in participating in the Accelerated Business Program should contact Gagnon at 269-565-7884 for more information and to set up a personalized scheduling plan.

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