Thursday, June 13, 2013

As one door closes, another opens. Beverly and I were recently called as Service Missionaries to work with BYU-Idaho’s Pathway program. Church Service Missionaries work from home with a specific responsibility, in our case with helping others get a college degree through a distance education program of BYU-I. The Pathway program is an introduction to college program for those who never went to college but always wanted to, as well as those who started college and never completed a degree. Students enroll in the program and then meet every Thursday night together for an hour of group-help time while they are enrolled in an online class through BYU-I. In the three semesters they attend during the first year, students will earn 15 hours of college credit and pay only $65 per credit hour They must maintain a B average, but the work group that meets together each Thursday is very supportive and helps to achieve that standard. Students with previous college may have some or all of their credits transferred and accepted by BYU-I and applied toward their degree. Once they complete the Pathway first year, they then matriculate with BYU-I and become a continuing online student where they may complete their degree. Their cost remains at $65 per credit hour til graduation unless they decide to move to BYU-I and attend in residence. There is NO requirement for a high school diploma or the need to take ACT or SAT examinations. Students agree to strive to live the BYU-I honor code, have access to a computer with internet availability, and plan on spending about 15 hours a week on the course work. After the Pathway year, students can complete a certificate program, an Associates degree or a Bachelors degree online. Even though the program is only about 3 years old, in my own ward there are several individuals who have already completed or are about to complete the Pathway year and matriculate at BYI-I. Some already have enough college credit that completing the Pathway year will allow them to receive their degree. The enrollment deadline for the fall semester is August 14. If any of you Alaskans want to get started in a degree program or finish the one you may have begun long ago, please message me here with contact information and we will be glad to help you get enrolled and move a step closer to your college goal.