East Central Community College  has a new partner to  help further educate its students once they leave the ECCC campus.

    ECCC has signed an agreement with V3 College, Mississippi University for Women’s (MUW) new online college, to help give students the opportunity to continue their education with bachelor’s degrees.

     V3 College offers degree completion programs to community college students who have an associate’s degree in applied sciences. V3 College provides students a path to finish their bachelor’s degree in as little as 18 months and on their own schedules.

     “We look at the individual as a client we serve and not as a traditional student,” said Dr. Bill Mayfield, director of V3 College. “We understand that people are out living their lives and don’t always have the ability to up and move to a university for four years.”

     ECCC Vice President for Instruction Dr. Lavinia Sparkman says V3 College is great for students because it allows them to stay in their home communities.

    “We already have one student that has enrolled in V3 College; she graduated from ECCC and went to USM (University of Southern Mississippi), however, her mother became ill and she had to drop out,” said Sparkman. “The V3 concept is great for her. She works full time and now can attend class and obtain her degree online.” 

     Classes are underway, and more than 50 students are enrolled this term. All of the bachelor’s degree of technology programs are offered online in an accelerated format. 

     V3 College has also signed agreements with Mississippi Delta Community College (MDCC), East Mississippi Community College (EMCC), Holmes Community College (HCC), Jones County Junior College (JCJC), Southwest Mississippi Community College (SMCC), Northwest Mississippi Community College (NWCC), Northeast Mississippi Community College (NEMCC), and Copiah Lincoln Community College (Co-Lin).

     V3 College is the newest campus at MUW, is accredited by the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) and is approved by Southern Association of College and Schools (SACS). The online degree programs are geared towards working professionals, adult learners needing to acquire new skill sets or to update skill sets, and community college students seeking to complete their four-year degrees.

     V3 College is now accepting applications for the second term; classes begin Dec. 27. For more information, visit www.v3college.org.