FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Contact: Robert Preston, Jr.,
912.260.4276
robert.preston@sgsc.edu
SGC Becomes State College, Will Offer Four-Year Nursing
Degree
This past Tuesday, the Georgia Board of Regents approved a
mission and sector change for South Georgia College. This decision will
result in SGC becoming a state college and have the ability to offer a
Bachelor of Science degree in nursing.
“The Board’s actions reflect the evolving role of our access institutions as
we identify specific job-related and economic development needs throughout
the state,” said Rob Watts, Chief Operating Officer for the USG. “Officials
at these institutions have made a strong and data-driven case to the Board
for the mission change and for the needs in these communities for specific
baccalaureate degree programs.”
In 2006, the Health Resources and Services Administration of the U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services reported that Georgia would have a
deficit of nearly 38,000 registered nurses by 2020, absent any action by
state leaders. Further, a 2010 report from the Institute of Medicine
indicated the need for each state to raise the credentials of its nursing
workforce towards the baccalaureate degree to improve quality of care and
reduce medical errors and costs.
South Georgia College will continue to offer its associate degree program of
study in nursing which began over 40 years ago; in addition, SGC will now
offer a bachelor of science in nursing degree, targeting existing holders of
a registered nurse license and associate’s degree who wish to complete the
next level of degree -- a bachelor’s degree. Dr. Carl McDonald, SGC Vice
President for Academic Affairs, states, “Through the proposal, SGC has
developed a process and timeline for creating the BSN program which includes
developing curriculum, selecting faculty and obtaining various approvals
from nursing and college accrediting boards and agencies. If all goes as
planned, the program will begin no later than Fall 2013.
“Nursing is one of our most popular majors, so this is a logical next step
in supporting the health care needs of our region. Many community business
and governmental leaders have expressed support of this move, and all of us
at SGC are very appreciative and believe this a win-win for our students and
our community,” comments SGC President, Dr. Virginia Carson. Upon hearing
the news, Mrs. Jackie Wilson, mayor of the City of Douglas, shared, “This
transition and the ability to offer advanced degrees will help strengthen
Douglas and Coffee County’s educational and economic position. I have
personally wanted this for a long time and am delighted to hear this news.”
The state college sector was established in 1998 and categorizes two-year,
associate-degree granting institutions that have been authorized by the
Board to offer a limited number of four-year baccalaureate degree programs.
The University System’s other institutional categories are: research
universities, regional universities, state universities, and two-year
colleges. With today’s actions, there are now 14 USG institutions in the
state college sector.
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About South Georgia College
South Georgia College (www.sgc.edu)
was founded in 1906 and is located in Douglas, Ga. The college's environment
gives students exceptional opportunities for interdisciplinary study and
close collaboration with faculty. With over 20 majors and transfer
opportunities, South Georgia College provides the finest education possible
to the citizens of its service area.
