For more information, contact Dr. Carl Heilman, 620-792-9302.

April 16, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Story by: Dick Wade

Higher Learning Commission Extends Barton Accreditation to Distance Delivery

The Higher Learning Commission has extended Barton County Community College’s accreditation to include distance delivery of degrees and certificates in both transfer and workforce training programs, its Board of Trustees was told at its April board meeting.

Barton President Carl Heilman said the extension helps the college continue to meet its mission by offering more access and flexibility in the opportunities available to students particularly through bartonline.org, the college’s online learning platform.

“By taking the courses of study to our students, Barton provides a convenient alternative that may minimize educational cost and time away from family and employment commitments,” Heilman said.

Students may now earn an associate of arts, associate of science, or associate of general studies degrees as well as an associate of applied science degree in some technical programs all online.

BARTONline provides opportunities to pursue focused areas including Military Studies, Dietary Management, Hazardous Material Management; Emergency Management with Emphasis in Homeland Security and Medical Coding.

Programs being readied for the future are Medical Transcription, Office Technology, Early Childhood, Business Management and Leadership, Corrections, Graphic Design Specialist, Technical Accounting, Agriculture Business Management, Computer Support Specialist, Associate Degree Nursing, Emergency Medical Services Administration, and Pharmacy Tech.

There also is a wide variety of general education classes that can be transferred to other institutions.

BARTONline offers courses in nine-week and 17-week formats. Fall and spring semesters each contain two nine-week and one 17-week session. The summer session is nine weeks long. Each of the courses listed in the BARTONline catalog is offered at least once each semester. There are no minimum class size limits so classes are never canceled because of low enrollment.

Barton is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and is an AQIP participant.