SALEM – As the state increases standards for day care providers and para professionals at elementary and secondary schools, the Division of Continuing Education at Salem State College is responding. According to professor Yvonne Vissing, “Salem is bringing its quality education to the satellite colleges.”

Vissing is teaching “Sociology of the Child” at Middlesex Community College in Bedford. For the 38 students enrolled in her evening class, the credits can be applied toward to a bachelor's degree at Salem State College.

“I'm seeing a distinct and critical need for the further education of day care professionals,” said Vissing. “Salem State has identified and addressed that need.”

Vissing said that many of her students are married with their own children. “They are dedicated people and bring a wealth of real-life experiences to the classroom,” Vissing said. “This allows us to test and discuss our theories.”

One such student is Tracey Brinson of Lowell who has been running her own daycare program for five years. “I took the Salem State class because I wanted more knowledge,” Brinson said. “The more knowledge I have, the better equipped I am to handle various situations. From lectures and classroom discussions involving others in the field, I feel more prepared to make the right decision,” she said.

Brinson, whose workday often runs from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., said she is able to pursue a degree by taking one class at a time. “Most of the students in the class are parents who work all day. We don't have the time to take on four or three or even two classes,” she said. “Taking one course at a time allows us to concentrate on that subject and get the full benefit of class discussions.”

“We saw a need for regionalization long before Gov. (Mitt) Romney did,” said Arlene Greenstein, dean of the Continuing Education and Non-Traditional programs at Salem State. “We want to be there on the campuses of Middlesex Community College and they want us there,” she added.

The partnership allows students to earn bachelor degrees from Salem State College in early childhood education, criminal justice or business management while taking classes at Middlesex. “It's a case of the professors going to the students rather than the students going to the professors,” Greenstein added.

Students at Middlesex do have to successfully complete a portion of the required courses at Salem State.

“Our chance to deliver bachelor's degree completion programs in locations other than Salem was dependent on the cooperation of our sister community colleges. The collaboration with Middlesex Community College has been a dream. Their first priority was creating programs that would benefit the students of the Commonwealth with programs that should meet their needs,” Greenstein said. “The goal was simple -- to create a program accessible to students and applicable to their academic interests.

Early childhood, criminal justice and business are majors that are applicable to a large percentage of students at Middlesex and the surrounding area.

Articulation agreements between the two institutions help facilitate the transfer of credits from one school to the other. These agreements are made in each discipline and specify exactly what courses from the community college will be accepted by the four-year college and are signed by parties from both schools.

Salem State is also offering graduate courses at Middlesex Community College.

For more information, contact Sandra Smith in the Office of Continuing Education at (978) 542-8035. For graduate degree information, contact Dr. Elizabeth Kenney at (978) 542-6317 or visit www.salemstate.edu/graduate/.