Partnership brings upper-level college courses to the South
Valley
A partnership between Gavilan College and San Jose State University that brings upper-division college courses to the college could eventually allow South Valley residents to complete a bachelor’s degree and teaching credential without ever leaving town.
The program, called University Center, is starting small this fall with Concepts of Childhood, an upper-level general education course in child development. Three courses will be offered in the spring, all upper-level general education courses.
“What we’re really looking for is to develop opportunities for students at Gavilan to complete course work toward the baccalaureate degree with San Jose State course work at Gavilan College,” said Susan Myers, dean of SJSU’s college of education.
Myers has been involved in discussions to bring SJSU courses to Gavilan for nearly two years and was instrumental in launching the program through the college of education. Offering some upper division courses at Gavilan would motivate more students to earn their bachelor’s degree and enter into the teaching profession, Myers said.
“We don’t have as many students who are continuing their education after completing a program at Gavilan as we’d like to see,” Myers said, citing transportation and time commitment as two major reasons why students who complete a program at Gavilan do not pursue a bachelor’s degree.
While dual admission to both Gavilan and SJSU might be offered in the future, students must currently be enrolled in SJSU to take the University Center courses. Because they are university-level and taught by SJSU professors, students will also pay the California State University tuition fees of $852 for as many as six units and $1,281 for up to 12 units. The community college rate is $18 per unit.
SJSU Provost Marshall Goodman said the university is launching satellite classes at Gavilan because south Santa Clara County residents have the most need for local higher education classes.
“We see a huge need,” Goodman said.
SJSU conducted a formal survey of 131,000 residents of Gilroy, Morgan Hill, Hollister and Watsonville in June and contacted community leaders to determine the need for a University Center. According to the survey, conducted by SJSU Survey and Policy Research Institute, more than half of South Valley residents are interested in some type of higher education, Goodman said. Many of those residents find it difficult to attend classes in San Jose because many go to school part time, have families, or work full time, he said.
The University Center will benefit students seeking higher education classes without disrupting Gavilan’s classes or costing the school money. Gavilan operates at capacity during its peak hours between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m., while SJSU is looking to hold classes between 4:30-7 p.m.
The University Center is starting with general education courses to serve students regardless of their area of study.
