Distance Learning | News

Westminster College Offers Online Courses for Turkish High School Students

• By Joshua Bolkan
• 07/01/13

Fulton, MO's Westminster College has offered online courses to high school students in Turkey this summer.

Dubbed the Early Start program, the initiative launched two classes, Academic Writing and Introduction to Transnational Studies, June 12 and set for completion July 3. Students from two high schools in Istanbul will be able to take the courses with an opportunity to earn three college credits upon successful completion.

The courses are taught by a Westminster professor with additional personal assistance available from an American academic assistant located on site.

Westminster's Center for Engaging the World (CEW) has also provided a learning lab, with a college faculty member and student to run it and provide assistance, at one of the high schools for students to take courses in online and hybrid formats.

"This is an historic step in Westminster College's engagement with the globe," said Kurt Jefferson, CEW director and Early Start administrator, in a prepared statement. "And it will be a special summer academic experience for the Turkish high school students who participate. They will be able to study on their own campus and in the privacy of their own homes."

CEW is also discussing ways to expand the partnership with Bilfen Schools, which includes 26 schools in Istanbul and the Westminster program, in the future.

Founded in 1851, Westminster College is a private undergraduate institution with a current enrollment of approximately 1,000 students and 64 faculty members. More information is available at westminster-mo.edu.