UOG Master of Education program kicks off in NMC

The Northern Marianas College has opened its doors of higher learning to CNMI-based educators who want to obtain a Master’s Degree in Education through a community outreach partnership with the University of Guam.

Following a year-long planning and discussion with the UOG, the Extended Programs Department of NMC’s Continuing Education Division opened the Master of Education in Administration and Supervision program beginning last Monday.

The 35-credit-hour program, offered in evening and Saturday classes, was designed to prepare educators for positions of leadership in schools of education departments and programs.

UOG has also agreed to offer its business administration courses on Saipan through the facility of the NMC. The College has began offering Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with accounting major, according to continuing education Dean Edward Camacho.

The college has also started extending courses on managerial communications, management of organization, basic business finance and applied statistics.

The agreement was reached following over six months of negotiations between officials of the University of Guam and the Northern Marianas College.

NMC has also finalized plans to offer other UOG courses, including intermediate accounting, cost accounting, business law, advance income tax and computer application, at the college.

Students who will complete the program will receive diploma or certification from the University of Guam since the courses continue to be UOG programs held by both Guam- and Saipan-based UOG instructors.

Discussions are now underway for the provision of other UOG programs that include philosophy and cultures, introduction to research, qualitative research methodology and personnel management.

Experts previously noted the need to update the existing school curricula to prepare local residents, especially the youth, for the proposed shift in business activities considering the commonwealth’s plan to diversify the local economy.

At present, school subjects tend to dwell more on the liberal arts format.

If the Commonwealth is determined at expanding its economic base, basic skill development initiatives should be among the top priority in educational programs.