For Immediate Release: August 11

Contact:
Barbara Weathers
Director of Outreach Activities
College of Graduate and Continuing Studies
(417) 873-7868
E-mail: bweathers@drury.edu

SPRINGFIELD, Mo., Aug. 11, 2009 — An academic agreement has been finalized between Ozarks Technical Community College and the Drury University College of Graduate and Continuing Studies’ Allied Health divisions. A signing ceremony was held today, August 11, at Ozarks Technical Community College’s Springfield campus.

Dr. Hal Higdon, president of Ozarks Technical Community College, and Todd Parnell, president of Drury University, met today to certify this unprecedented academic agreement, which will allow students who complete certain Allied Health programs at OTC to transfer seamlessly into Drury’s Bachelor of Science in Health Services program.

“These programs allow students to be part of the workforce while they complete their degrees,” says Parnell. “This is a win-win for the students and our community.”

The Allied Health programs at OTC which are eligible for transfer under this new agreement include Dental Hygiene, EMT/Paramedic, Occupational Therapy Assistant, Physical Therapist Assistant, Medical Laboratory Technician, Respiratory Therapy and Surgical Technology.

“This kind of opportunity could be the deciding factor for many students who aren’t sure if they will continue their education after OTC,” said Dr. Higdon. “We are thrilled to offer a way to make it easier for students to advance their knowledge and training, which will in turn provide them with better career options in the future.”

This is the third academic agreement between OTC and Drury’s College of Graduate and Continuing Studies. Previous agreements have been made through the Elementary Education and Organizational Studies programs.

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