Lake Erie College officials announced this week that the school will offer the new master’s degree in vocational studies as part of a partnership with Holden University Center at Lakeland Community College.

Designed to support a wide variety of professionals at different levels of their careers, students in this program “will develop in-demand and marketable skills in areas such as organizational dynamics, leadership, negotiation and problem solving.”

“We are proud of our long-standing partnership with Lakeland Community College, and we look forward to making available our innovative and competency-based MPS degree,” said Bryan DePoy, Vice President of Academic Affairs and Efficiency. institution of Lake Erie College.

“Lake Erie College and Lakeland Community College are both deeply committed to providing relevant and meaningful higher education opportunities to strengthen the skills of our regional workforce, so adding this degree to our partnership is a logical and strategic step in working together to meet the needs of our stakeholders, ”he said.

Open to anyone with a bachelor’s degree of any type, the MPS program is also aimed at active adults looking to develop specific skills to support and grow within their organization.

“Once again, we are delighted to offer another educational option that makes it easy for area residents to earn degrees,” said Holden manager Kristina Willey. “Students in the MPS program will have access to all the amenities of the center building, including computer labs, quiet study spaces and access to printing.

“It is especially a draw for students who have obtained their undergraduate degree from the university center, who are already familiar with our services and who wish to pursue their master’s degree in a place close to their home or their work,” he said. she adds.

According to Lake Erie College, the MPS degree will also appeal to those who are not currently in the workforce, such as those with a graduate degree looking for a job or people who are laid off, and are seeking to broaden or develop their skills to support reintegration or job transitions. .

DePoy said the program is designed to be highly relevant to the skills needed in a wide range of businesses and organizations.

“And the fact that it’s online means it’s accessible to a wide range of learners looking to grow professionally,” he added.

With the development of skills and outcomes related to communication, leadership, critical inquiry and ethics, the MPS degree offers three concentrations: “Professional Communication”, “Organizational Behavior Management” and an “Interdisciplinary Track Which allows students to customize a degree that aligns with their career goals and career aspirations.

Officials noted that the MPS degree is “keen to take advantage of Lake Erie College’s experienced faculty, partnerships with a wide range of businesses and organizations, and the emphasis on individualized learning to meet the demands of the workforce. needs of career-oriented students seeking a competency-based graduate program.

Based at the School of Business, home of Lake Erie College’s MBA program, Dean of Business Jenni Kinnaird described the MPS degree as a “wonderful new addition” to the graduate degree options available at the school.

“The degree offers both the opportunity to develop specific skills sought after by employers and the flexibility for students to tailor and complete a degree that meets their specific needs and interests,” she said.

For more information visit lec.edu/mps. Questions can be directed to Jenni Kinnaird at [email protected]

An information session is scheduled for June 23, 6-7 p.m., via Webex. To register, visit www.lakelandcc.edu/ucevents.