{"id":2522,"date":"2025-10-21T16:22:30","date_gmt":"2025-10-21T20:22:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sw.edu\/news\/?p=2522"},"modified":"2026-01-30T07:56:48","modified_gmt":"2026-01-30T12:56:48","slug":"southwest-bluefield-partnership","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sw.edu\/news\/2025\/10\/21\/southwest-bluefield-partnership\/","title":{"rendered":"Southwest Virginia Community College Partnership Fast Tracks MBA"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Southwest Virginia Community College students can now earn both a bachelor\u2019s degree and a master\u2019s in business administration from Bluefield University in as little as two years after finishing their associate degree, under a new transfer agreement signed Tuesday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The agreement was signed by both institution presidents at an event held at the SWCC campus on Tuesday, October 21st.  The goal of the pathway is to trim time and cost for business students. It allows SWCC graduates with a 3.0 GPA to transfer up to 65 credits and enter Bluefield\u2019s 3+1 Bachelor of Science in Business Administration\/MBA Leadership program with junior standing. If they keep pace, they could earn an MBA just two years after graduating from the community college.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSouthwest has long been a trusted partner in helping students take the next step in their academic and professional journey,\u201d said Dr. Steve Peterson, President of Bluefield University. \u201cWe\u2019re proud to strengthen that relationship through pathways that keep higher education local, affordable, and focused on preparing our region\u2019s future leaders.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A second agreement signed at the same event clears the way for SWCC students in teacher preparation programs to transfer into Bluefield\u2019s elementary or special education licensure tracks. Students who meet GPA and admission requirements will transfer as juniors and complete classroom training, licensure tests, and student teaching through Bluefield.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis agreement strengthens both institutions and our region,\u201d said Dr. Clinton Hayes, President of Southwest Virginia Community College. \u201cWhen students can complete advanced degrees more quickly and affordably, it not only benefits them\u2014it also builds the skilled workforce our communities and employers need.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Students interested in taking advantage of the new pathways are encouraged to contact advisors at Southwest Virginia Community College to make sure they are enrolled in the correct program of study.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"President<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

(L-R) Dr. Steve Peterson, Dr. Clinton Hayes<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

(L-R Standing) Travis Roberts, VP Enrollment Management and Marketing, Cathy Payne, Student Success Coach, Austin Bolden, Coordinator of Traditional Admissions, Dr. Shellie Brown, Dean, School of Education, Dr. Kim Austin, Professor of Early Childhood Development and Education, Dr. Brian Wright, Dean, Arts and Sciences (L-R Sitting) Dr. Michael Salemier, Provost, Dr. Steve Peterson, President, Dr. Clinton Hayes, President, Dr. Bethany Rose, Interim Vice President of Academics and Student Services<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

(L-R Standing) Travis Roberts, VP Enrollment Management and Marketing, Austin Bolden, Coordinator of Traditional Admissions, Cathy Payne, Student Success Coach, Dr. Angela Cline, Dean, Caudill School of Business, Margaret Dye, Department Chair for Business Engineering and Industrial Technology, James Dye, Dean, Business Engineering and Industrial Technology (L-R Sitting) Dr. Michael Salemier, Provost, Dr. Steve Peterson, President, Dr. Clinton Hayes, President, Dr. Bethany Rose, Interim Vice President of Academics and Student Services<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n
\"\"<\/figure>
\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Southwest Virginia Community College students can now earn both a bachelor\u2019s degree and a master\u2019s in business administration from Bluefield University in as little as two years after finishing their<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":17,"featured_media":2527,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_relevanssi_hide_post":"","_relevanssi_hide_content":"","_relevanssi_pin_for_all":"","_relevanssi_pin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_unpin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_include_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_exclude_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_no_append":"","_relevanssi_related_not_related":"","_relevanssi_related_posts":"","_relevanssi_noindex_reason":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[8,27,35,36,16,1],"tags":[111,166],"class_list":["post-2522","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-community","category-featured","category-in-the-news","category-press-release","category-top-news","category-uncategorized","tag-bluefield","tag-partnership"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nSouthwest Virginia Community College Partnership Fast Tracks MBA - 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