NIPA to offer Associates of Science degree programs

CAY HILL – The National Institute for Professional Advancement (NIPA) and The Pittsburgh Technical College (PTC) recently signed an agreement, which will enable NIPA to begin offering two Associates of Science degree programs, namely Culinary Arts and Network Administrator effective September 2017.

Under this agreement, PTC will provide NIPA with the complete learning materials set, which includes: curriculum, catalog, course syllabi and layout, and program outcomes. The course syllabi will include a syllabus for each course, which contains the course competencies, hour break downs, textbooks, instructional material, grading rationale and the course outline, based on an 11-week quarter system. NIPA will also receive the course assessments, the instructional strategy packet, assistance with updating the curriculum, technology updates and training for NIPA faculty/support staff.

Both programs will be submitted to the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport for accreditation as SBO level 4 courses under the National Ordinance for SBO education on St. Maarten. The Dutch accreditation agency Nuffic has already established that SBO level 4 diplomas are equivalent to the American Technical Vocational Associates of Science Degree.

With this move NIPA aims to provide PSVE and CXC students with the opportunity to obtain an Associates of Science Degree without first having to pursue a GED diploma, and at the same time address the labor market demand for highly qualified culinary personnel, and IT network specialist in the hospitality/tourism sector and the business community. Graduates of these programs will also be able to start their own small business.

Dr. Tasheena Maccow, NIPA’s interim director, is extremely proud and excited that the institution will be able to provide these courses, which are in high demand, to students from St. Maarten/St. Martin and the surrounding islands.

In January 2017, NIPA will begin offering the Small Engine Repair program, which is a one-year SBO level 1 certification. This program is based on the training programs from Briggs and Stratton and Penn Foster. Also coming on stream in January 2017, will be the Teacher’s Assistant program which is a 4-year SBO level 4 program.

This program was developed in collaboration with educational expert Drs. Maria van Enkelvoort. This program will be a gateway for PSVE and CXC students to enter the teaching profession.  Registration for these courses will be open from mid-November 2016.