More students choosing concurrent programs

by Sarah Ryrie

More students are choosing concurrent and collaborative programs to open up opportunities for jobs.

Jordyn Rafuse is currently enrolled in the concurrent education and early childhood education program. This five-year program combines a Bachelor of Education, Bachelor of Arts or Sciences, and an ECE diploma with learning taking place at both St. Clair College and the University of Windsor.

Rafuse said she enrolled in this program in hope of landing a job as an elementary school teacher after graduating.

“I chose concurrent because you don’t have to go to teachers college and at the end of it you graduate with two degrees from the university and a diploma from St. Clair,” said Rafuse.

Rafuse was at the university from September 2011 to December 2012 and started at St. Clair in January and will finish at the U of W.

“It’s totally different at the U. All of the classes are put on power points and online where at the college if you miss a day you have professors that notice and ask why you weren’t there,” said Rafuse.

Rafuse said when she graduates school, if there’s nothing with the school board, she will still have her ECE and can work as a registered early childhood educator somewhere. She said when she’s at the university she pays the university tuition and when at St. Clair she pays the St. Clair price.

“This semester at the college was $1,677 and at the university it’s about $3,000 for the semester,” said Rafuse.
Selena Santia, a future collaborative nursing student, said the collaborative program was the most ideal program for her.

“I basically chose the collaborative program versus the four-year program at the university because it was the most ideal choice for a program like nursing,” said Santia. “It gives the best of both worlds in the aspect that I will receive very good practical, hands on experience in my two years at the college and I will receive very good theory knowledge from the university’s two years of school.”
Santia said she looks forward to the smaller classes at the college because it’s easier to interact and ask questions to the teachers.