The Western Maricopa Education Center (West-MEC) has recently announced a new partnership with Grand Canyon University (GCU) to support students interested in pursuing a bachelor of applied science. This partnership will allow West-MEC students who have completed their programs to seamlessly transition into a bachelor’s degree program at GCU, potentially reducing the time it takes to earn their degree.
Through this partnership, GCU will take into consideration the coursework completed by West-MEC students in their dual enrollment programs, as well as any certifications they have earned. This will provide these students with a unique pathway to further their education and develop career-related skills while expanding their professional networks.
According to West-MEC Superintendent Scott Spurgeon, the goal of Career and Technical Education (CTE) is to help students quickly advance in their education by offering specialized career pathways. The partnership with GCU aligns with this goal and will enable students to continue their education while gaining valuable skills for their chosen career fields.
In addition to the partnership with GCU, West-MEC has established relationships with other higher education institutions such as Northern Arizona University, Arizona State University, Universal Technical Institute, and various Maricopa Community Colleges. These partnerships provide West-MEC students with opportunities for dual enrollment programs, allowing them to fast-track their way to a post-secondary degree.
West-MEC serves over 45,000 students from 49 high schools spread across 3,800 square miles in the Phoenix Metropolitan area. They are dedicated to providing diverse educational opportunities for students in the region and have a Central Campus located at 6997 N Glen Harbor Blvd. in Glendale where students can access a range of career-focused programs and partnerships with leading higher education institutions.
