Peirce College and Health Partners of Philadelphia Announce College Level Onsite Education Program
PHILADELPHIA - December 4, 2006 - Peirce College, a private, four-year, specialized institution providing practical, high quality degree programs to primarily working adult learners, announced today it is offering college credit classes to employees of Health Partners, a not-for-profit health plan serving the Philadelphia area's Medical Assistance population.
The ongoing program offers Health Partners' employees the option of taking college classes at the organization's Center City headquarters. A series of seven-week accelerated courses are offered based on Health Partners organizational business needs. Through the program, Health Partners employees are able to take classes for college credit, taught by Peirce professors, in an effort to obtain a bachelor's degree.
"We wanted to create an educational program to help employees develop skills that could be applied to their jobs. We were also looking for a program that would further enhance the learning environment at Health Partners," said Bill Austin, head of Health Partners' Organizational Learning Center. "This is the first introduction to college level study for many of our employees and Peirce's program offers them a meaningful step toward an important college degree."
The Peirce College and Health Partners program uses an outcomes-based curriculum designed specifically for adult learners, noted Edward Weckerly, Manager, Corporate Partnerships, Peirce College. "We recognize that adult learners have special requirements - convenience and applicability to current jobs at the top of the list. So we designed a program that allows employees to study conveniently right at the workplace, and immediately use the learning to benefit their employer."
About Health Partners
Founded in 1985 as a not-for-profit health plan serving the Philadelphia area's Medical Assistance population, Health Partners is acknowledged as a national model for Medicaid managed care. A unique collaboration of seven health systems, Health Partners expanded its scope in 1996 with the introduction of its Medicare Advantage plan, Senior Partners. Currently, Health Partners serves more than 155,000 Medicaid and Medicare members in Southeastern Pennsylvania. Please visit us at www.healthpart.com.
About Peirce College
Located at 1420 Pine Street in Philadelphia, Peirce College, established in 1865, is one of the oldest business colleges in the United States and offers bachelor's and associate degree programs in Business Administration, Information Technology, and Paralegal Studies. Courses are offered in three interchangeable formats: on campus in Center City, Philadelphia, PA; on site at company and community locations; and online through Peirce Online®. For more information about Peirce College, call 888-GO-PEIRCE, or visit www.peirce.edu.