Shepherd University’s Martinsburg Center has completed a new partnership agreement available to local businesses that will enable students to take courses at the soon-to-be-completed center in Martinsburg. The partnerships with local businesses may allow in-state and out-of-state students to take classes with savings up to 25 percent off the current tuition. Regardless of where the business is located, the Strategic Alliance Partnership can help businesses provide the benefit of education to their employees.

“This is a great opportunity for employees thinking about expanding their skills or continuing their education,” said Jim Klein, director of the Shepherd’s Martinsburg Center. “Education and training are investments that an organization can use to demonstrate that it values its employees. Best of all, the partnership can be created at no cost to the employer. It’s a benefit that an organization can use to recruit and retain employees.”

Shepherd’s new center, located in the new Berkeley Commons building at 261 Aikens Center just off Edwin Miller Boulevard, is designed to serve adult learners who are juggling career and family. Shepherd’s Martinsburg Center will offer courses in the popular credit-for-experience degree, the Regents Bachelor of Arts. Local hospitals may also benefit by having employees enter the R.N. to B.S.N. program with online and evening courses to be offered through the Martinsburg Center. Master’s program offerings will include courses in the master of business administration degree, with concentrations in accounting, health care administration, public management, and sport management. A five-course endorsement in multi-categorical special education can help increase the marketability of new teachers or solidify the credentials of current teachers. The special education concentration is pending approval by the West Virginia Department of Education.

As the state of West Virginia struggles with budget cuts that may affect other state schools, Shepherd’s Martinsburg Center is offering a reduction in tuition to adult learners whose employers have entered into the Strategic Alliance Partnership. “As the Eastern Panhandle’s longtime public university, Shepherd is well positioned to address the business community’s need for employees with bachelor’s and master’s degrees,” said President Suzanne Shipley. “Our new Martinsburg Center will effectively serve the area’s non-traditional students.

The center will deliver Shepherd’s outstanding academic instruction to the region while offering a convenient location, flexible hours, and affordable price.”

Businesses interested in obtaining the Strategic Alliance Partnership with Shepherd University’s Martinsburg Center can contact Jim Klein by e-mail at jklein@shepherd.edu.