University of Southern Queensland expands into USA

University of Southern Queensland expands into USA



The University of Southern Queensland (USQ) today announced plans to establish a USQ International College in Seattle, United States of America as part of an alliance of Australian and American higher education institutions.



Representatives of Green River Community College in the USA today visited USQFriday to discuss the establishment of the USQ International College and to sign an Implementation Agreement which will enable USQ degrees and masters programs to be taught in Seattle. Later this month, representatives of Excelsior College, New York State will also visit USQ for a signing ceremony.



Under the Agreement, USQ will establish a College at Kent, part of Seattle in Washington State. This will enable USQ’s pPrograms to be offeredtaught in Seattle by supported distance education in partnership with alliance members.



Other alliance partners include Excelsior College, Northern Melbourne Institute of TAFE and TAFE International Western Australia. Excelsior College is a college of the University of the State of New York. Representatives of Excelsior College will visit USQ next month.



USQ Vice Chancellor, Professor Peter Swannell, said the College would be a joint venture with Green River Community College and Excelsior College and the first intake of students was expected in July.



Professor Swannell said the Agreement, believed to be the first of its type, signed by an aAlliance of Australian and American institutions, would enable USQ to offer flexible entry to University study for Australian students wishing to study in America and American students wanting to study in Australia.



“American students will be able to study at the Kent campus in Seattle and have the chance to spend time inwith USQ in Toowoomba at USQ or with Northern Melbourne Institute of TAFE or TAFE International Western Australia. Alternatively, Australian students will be able to take continue their studies in with them to America,” Professor Swannell said.



He said students who are successful in USQ degrees through the Alliance program could obtain advanced standing in America or USQ award programs.

He said that through the Alliance students anywhere in the world who study USQ degree or masters programs and have advanced standing into an American Bachelor’s degree or USQ masters. INsert



“These innovative pathways open up significant opportunities for students. Gaining degrees from an international university or higher education organiszation as well as a degree from your home country is regarded as a prestigious achievement in many countries,” Professor Swannell said.



He said that USQ’s alliance with USA higher education organisations strategically placed it in a very good position to work with the Community Colleges International Development Group that which comprise 100 colleges throughout the USA.



“These path finding developments mean more full-fee paying students for USQ and the expansion of USQ’s international profile into the United States and beyond,” Professor Swannell said.

 

Excellent news! This appears to be the first real foray into the U.S. market by an Australian university. I hope they're association with an American school prevents them from the same fate that befell USOU, OU's venture.

 

Will there be an increase in the Tuition for masters and Doctrol degrees?

 

Does this mean I can CLEP out of my USQ classes by joining the Alliance via Excelsior?