November 18, 2011

PASSHE plans to expand programming in Philadelphia

Contact: Kevin Hensil, khensil@passhe.edu

Harrisburg –Several Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) universities plan to offer new degree completion and graduate programs in downtown Philadelphia as PASSHE seeks to expand its presence in the city and looks for a site in which to house an educational center.
The new location will allow potential students to choose not only from programs currently offered in the city by Cheyney and East Stroudsburg Universities of Pennsylvania, but also planned new offerings from Millersville and West Chester Universities. The new programs could be offered as soon as next fall, once a location to house a new educational center is found. Cheyney’s lease on its current facility at 701 Market Street expires in June.
“The PASSHE universities have the unique ability among four-year colleges and universities in Pennsylvania to offer high-quality, affordable education,” said PASSHE Chancellor Dr. John C. Cavanaugh. “By expanding our presence in Philadelphia, we will bring this high-value option to an even greater number of potential students.”
PASSHE’s tuition and fees are the lowest among all four-year colleges and universities in the Commonwealth and are well below those charged in the Middle States region, which comprises Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey and New York, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C.
The plan to provide additional degree programs in downtown Philadelphia is in line with two of PASSHE’s long-range, strategic goals – to transform how, when and where learning occurs and how the universities relate to their communities.
The city has an estimated 80,000 residents between the ages of 25 and 45 who have completed more than one year’s worth of college credit, but who have not earned a degree. By establishing an educational center in the city, PASSHE hopes to meet the needs of many of those residents who are looking for a convenient, affordable way to complete their degrees.
New degree completion programs in business, criminal justice, healthcare management and social work are expected to be among those offered at the new center. The addition of graduate programs will provide those who already have a bachelor’s degree the opportunity to receive additional education that could enhance their career options. Information on specific programs that will be offered by each of the participating universities will be announced later.
The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education is the largest provider of higher education in the Commonwealth, with nearly 120,000 students. The 14 PASSHE universities offer degree and certificate programs in more than 120 areas of study. About 500,000 PASSHE alumni live and work in Pennsylvania.
The state-owned universities are Bloomsburg, California, Cheyney, Clarion, East Stroudsburg, Edinboro, Indiana, Kutztown, Lock Haven, Mansfield, Millersville, Shippensburg, Slippery Rock and West Chester Universities of Pennsylvania. PASSHE also operates branch campuses in Clearfield, Freeport, Oil City and Punxsutawney and several regional centers, including the Dixon University Center in Harrisburg.