By LORRAINE U. MARTINELLE
The Nichols College-Worcester State University counterterrorism studies partnership is featured in a Dec. 24, 2018, Worcester Business Journal (WBJ) article about college partnerships. The story – headlined: “Focus on Money: Colleges Will Offer More Value for Students While Looking to Generate More Revenue” – includes a photo of Master of Science in Counterterrorism Studies Program Director and Professor Allison McDowell-Smith, Ph.D.
Dr. Allison McDowell-Smith, director of Nichols College’s Counterterrorism Studies graduate program
The article, written by WBJ reporter Grant Welker, leads with, “In 2018, Central Massachusetts colleges saw the value like never before, at least in recent years, of partnering on academic programs, letting students get their degree earlier than they might otherwise – and in the process save a lot on tuition.”
Launched last summer, the Nichols/Worcester State “4+1” agreement establishes a framework that provides full-time undergraduate students pursuing a degree in criminal justice at Worcester State with an expedited pathway for completing undergraduate and master’s degree coursework in five rather than six years.
The new option can save students time and money.
Under the terms of the agreement, the program is open to qualified Worcester State University undergraduates pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice degree who attain a 3.0 GPA in the undergraduate major and a 3.0 GPA cumulatively overall by the end of their junior year.
Upon successful completion of a bachelor’s degree from WSU, including six semester hours of coursework at Nichols, students will be encouraged to apply to the counterterrorism master’s degree program at Nichols.
Offered through Nichols College Graduate & Professional Studies, the Master of Science in Counterterrorism program gives students a deep understanding of the psychological, social, political, economic, and religious factors that contribute to radicalization and the skills to quickly and efficiently assess and address risk.
SECOND MASTER’S DEGREE IN EUROPE
Accepted 4+1 students have the option to attend an international residency program at Maastricht School of Management (MSM) in The Netherlands for a five- or six-week period. If a student chooses this option, WSU – NC students will be afforded the same financial and academic arrangement as current Nichols students. The discounted MSM residency fee will include primary transportation, lodging, tuition at MSM, MSM arranged site visits, and some meals while studying abroad.
Learn more about Dr. McDowell-Smith:
Nichols College Professor, Allison McDowell-Smith Ph.D. Expert Profile from Nichols College on Vimeo.
Lorraine U. Martinelle is director of public relations and social media at Nichols College in Dudley, Mass.