Southwestern Michigan College (SMC) and Grand Valley State University (GVSU) have partnered to offer bachelor-level classes and degree options at the Dowagiac campus starting this fall.

The first degree to be offered will be a Bachelor of Applied Science in Leadership and Business Fundamentals. Students can get more personal interaction than fully-online degrees through a face-to-face or hybrid format. This program is designed to provide students with a better understanding of accounting, finance, management, marketing and organizational dynamics, along with leadership and team-building skills.

The BA.S. program is a collaboration between the Brooks College of Interdisciplinary Studies and the Seidman College of Business at Grand Valley State University. It will be offered via GVSU Omni, which provides students with the flexibility of virtual learning and support for physical campuses in Battle Creek, Detroit, Jackson and Traverse City. Dowagiac will be the fifth campus in the growing network.

“It is important to me that those who earn a technical degree be able to advance to management and entrepreneurialism, and this GVSU partnership provides just that opportunity, preserving their credits and providing a straight route to the baccalaureate degree,” SMC President Dr. Joe Odenwald said.

SMC and GVSU Omni are exploring a partnership to offer additional bachelor’s degree programs, including a Bachelor of Allied Health Science degree for health care graduates. Students can get more information by visiting swmich.edu/gvsu or gvsu.edu/omni, and those interested in applying can do so for free at swmich.edu/apply.