UW-Stevens Point: Collaborative degree program offers an option for place-bound students

Now into its second decade and going strong, the Collaborative Degree Program (CDP) at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UWSP) remains an attractive option for place-bound students and nontraditional students wanting to earn a four-year degree.

According to Todd Good, coordinator of the CDP and American Studies program in the College of Letters and Science, 165 students have graduated from the CDP since its inception in 1998. This semester 50 students are enrolled in the CDP, majoring in one of two American studies degree options.

“This program has the potential to grow beyond its current offerings as more people in Central Wisconsin seek to earn four-year degrees without having to commute,” said Good. “Next spring a new CDP course in computer information systems (CIS) will be offered. It could eventually lead to a new CDP degree option depending on enrollment.”

Original CDP partners in 1998 were UW-Marathon County and UW-Marshfield/Wood County. Three additional colleges, UW-Marinette (2002), UW-Fond du Lac (2004) and UW-Fox Valley (2005), offer a UWSP American studies degree through the CDP.

Place-bound students can now earn a four-year degree in American Studies, a social science-based major with two 40-credit options. Students can either earn a bachelor’s of arts or a bachelor’s of science degree, according to Good. The second American Studies degree option (Working in a Global Economy) has greater curriculum emphasis on economics, business, and computer information systems course requirements.

Anyone interesting in learning more about the CDP should visit their Web site at http://www.uwsp.edu/cls/cdp/index.htm.