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‘Accelerate U’ Partnership Between Murray State and WKCTC to Begin This Fall

Matt Markgraf, WKMS

A partnership between Murray State University and West Kentucky Community and Technical College is moving forward. The MSU Board of Regents approved on Friday ‘Accelerate U.’ 

The one-year program offers course credits from both institutions to students who don’t meet Murray State’s admissions standards but want to attend the university.

“The goal is to get them academically prepared so that after the end of this program, at the and of the year, they will be able to seamlessly be able to transfer to Murray State without missing a beat," said President Bob Daviesin a May interview on Sounds Good.

Provost Mark Arant said during the meeting the student experience on campus would be “almost indistinguishable.” Students would follow the MSU calendar.

“We’re going to see enrollment benefits in both institutions,” Arant said.

WKCTC President Anton Reece and Vice President of Academic Affairs David Heflin expressed enthusiasm for the partnership during the board meeting.

Participating students will live on MSU’s campus and divide coursework between the schools. For the first semester, a student would take three courses through WKCTC and one course through Murray State. The course load would be two-two in the second semester.

Faculty will teach courses from their respective institutions. Courses are preset and would fill general education and transfer needs. Students will receive tutoring and group support. Tuition will be split between the schools.

Academic support would also be provided in the form of one-on-one and group sessions as well as group tutoring.

Should a student continue at Murray State after the program they’d be considered a transfer student. The courses could also be applied towards an associate's degree at WKCTC.

The pilot this next academic year is capped at 50 students.

Arant said the model is one they hope to replicate.

Matt Markgraf joined the WKMS team as a student in January 2007. He's served in a variety of roles over the years: as News Director March 2016-September 2019 and previously as the New Media & Promotions Coordinator beginning in 2011. Prior to that, he was a graduate and undergraduate assistant. He is currently the host of the international music show Imported on Sunday nights at 10 p.m.
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