Anoka-Ramsey offers Special Education Bachelor’s degree in partnership with St. Cloud State University

July 08, 2020

Anoka-Ramsey Community College now offers a four-year Bachelor of Elective Studies Degree in Special Education on the Cambridge Campus in partnership with St. Cloud State University.

"We are thrilled to announce that students can complete a Bachelor of Elective Studies Degree in Special Education on the Cambridge Campus. Through our partnership with St. Cloud State University, students will not only be able to complete their four-year degree, but also the Academic Behavioral Strategist graduate certificate," said Shannon Kirkeide, Dean of Academic and Community Outreach.

In the program, which begins this year, students can complete their Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts and Sciences (AA)/Minnesota Transfer Credit (MnTC) requirements through Anoka-Ramsey, while receiving additional undergraduate and graduate credentials locally.

“This evening program works for students just beginning college, paraprofessionals already working in our schools, and those who have some credits and wish to become special education teachers,” said Kirkeide.

The Bachelor of Elective Studies Degree in Special Education is the second four-year degree to be offered in partnership with St. Cloud State University on the Anoka-Ramsey campuses. A Bachelor of Science degree in General Business was introduced to the Coon Rapids campus in fall 2019.

Two new Education programs at Anoka-Ramsey

In addition to the new Bachelor degree partnership, Anoka-Ramsey will offer all-new Elementary Education Foundations and Special Education transfer pathway degree programs beginning fall semester 2020.

The Elementary Education Foundations and Special Education Transfer Pathways are each 60-credit programs that provide students an introduction to the fields with hands-on experience in the first semester and build a bridge from the two-year community college experience to four-year institutions.

Minnesota State Transfer Pathways offer students curriculum that is designed to fully transfer to a parallel program at one of seven universities in the Minnesota State system:

• Bemidji State University
• Metropolitan State University
• Minnesota State University, Mankato
• Minnesota State University, Moorhead
• Southwest Minnesota State University
• Cloud State University
• Winona State University

"The Elementary and Special Education Transfer Pathways are fantastic additions to our programs at Anoka-Ramsey. We are now able to develop teachers locally to serve our partner schools in the region. We see the growing need for teachers, and our mission is to shape new educators who not only apply the science of teaching, but also understand the art," added Kirkeide.

To learn more about the programs, visit AnokaRamsey.edu/degrees-diplomas-certificates.