For Hub City Times

WISCONSIN RAPIDS — Students with an associate degree from Mid-State Technical College have a new, more flexible option to attain a bachelor’s degree thanks to a partnership announced on Tuesday with Wisconsin-based Herzing University.

Degree Up provides a unique educational opportunity for Mid-State students. Through this new offering, Mid-State associate degree graduates can continue their education and earn a bachelor’s degree through Herzing University without leaving the Mid-State Technical College district.

Following completion of their Mid-State associate degree and application to the Degree Up program, students can pursue credit from both institutions simultaneously — some specific additional courses through Mid-State, at the lower Mid-State tuition rate, and remaining courses through Herzing University.

The program makes it easy for students to transfer credits between Mid-State and Herzing University. Herzing University classes are also available online, so students can earn a bachelor’s degree without ever leaving central Wisconsin. The end result is a bachelor’s degree from Herzing University in as little as four years at a fraction of the price.

“In addition to the high demand for graduates of the two-year degrees and other credentials that we offer, there’s also a demand for people with a bachelor’s degree, and we want to help fill that need,” said Mid-State’s Stevens Point Campus Dean Volker Gaul. “Mid-State’s partnership with Herzing University allows graduates to continue their education and advance their careers while staying on or near a Mid-State campus.”

The program kicked off this fall, and Herzing University currently offers Degree Up options for graduates from Mid-State’s business management, accounting, marketing, IT software developer, and IT network specialist programs.

Individuals interested in learning more about the Degree Up program are encouraged to contact Gaul at Mid-State Technical College at 715-344-3115, or visit herzing.edu/degreeup.

“We want to give all students equal opportunity to pursue competitive, career-ready degrees,” said Herzing University President Renee Herzing. “Everyone should be able to earn a bachelor’s degree in the most efficient manner possible without having to worry about a difficult transition between schools.”