By SEAN GARNER

Senior Reporter

Starting this fall, several degree programs available at Oakland University will be extended to the satellite campus in Macomb County.

The new degree programs will be the centerpiece of  OU-Macomb’s open house Thursday, April 2 at its Clinton Township campus.

Some of the new degrees offered include a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, a Bachelor of Integrative Studies, a Master of Training and Development, a Master in Communication, Music, Theatre, Dance, Applied Health Sciences, RN to BSN and Geriatric Nursing Certificate.

Students working toward an integrative studies degree can work with an advisor to design their own curriculum.

Julie Dichtel, regional director of enrollment at the Macomb campus, said the open house is designed to familiarize students with the satellite campus.

“The purpose of the open house is really to introduce them to the Macomb location and staff and let them learn more about the services that we provide,” Dichtel said. “If they want more information we can direct them towards advising that we provide on campus.”

Pamela Kellett, the assistant vice president of outreach at Macomb, said degrees such as integrative studies will allow students with diverse interests or narrow goals to tailor their educational structure to satisfy those demands.

“It allows them to take experiences that they have in several different areas and combine them,” Kellett said.

“For instance, you can do a communications and human resources development minor to build a career pathway that is more specific,” she said.

According to Dichtel, Macomb County residents have different educational needs and demands, and the flexibility of a number of the new programs will help OU better serve this community.

“We’re really looking to target the needs of the adult learners,” Dichtel said. “There’s a huge population of adults in Macomb County that have started their college education but have never finished a degree.”

“The bachelors of integrative studies will be particularly attractive to them, and they can also tap into a number of the resources we already provide here.”

According to Kellett, students wishing to complete degrees already in progress in the programs offered at the Macomb campus can do so without ever attending classes at the Rochester campus.

Kellett said that although the satellite campus does not offer 100 and 200 level general education courses, students who have completed fewer than 32 credits can take those courses at Macomb Community College through the Macomb 2 Oakland program at a fraction of the price.

Kellett said that it is important for OU to serve the residents of Macomb County, because the two entities’ interests are intertwined in a number of ways.

“This isn’t a new relationship. We have been in Macomb County for over 20 years,” Kellett said. “What we’re doing is expanding on an existing relationship.”

“Currently, approximately 20 percent of students at Oakland come from Macomb County,” she said. “This is an existing student market that if we could help them hopefully it helps Oakland overall.”