Teachers from Stephen F. Austin have found a new home in Tyler Junior College’s classrooms. Now, TJC is becoming a learning ground for lumberjacks, who live outside the Nacogdoches County limits and closer to Tyler.
This type of instruction was first introduced at TJC in the fall of 2005,with courses including Social Work and Groups and Human Behavior 1301.
“We’re working side by side with TJC, to make sure our students receive a quality education,” said Charlice Olsen, an assistant for Dr. Freddie Albanet.
Stephen F. Austin designed this learning instruction simply for lumberjacks who live closer to the Tyler area than to Nacogdoches. This gives students from areas like Kilgore, Athens and the North Tyler area the opportunity to obtain a degree form SFA.
“It allows us the opportunity to reach a group of students that we wouldn’t normally reach,” said Steve Copper, an instructor from Stephen F. Austin.
For a course to first start at least 20 students have to be enrolled at the beginning of the semester. Classes are taught regularly, with the exception of each individual maintaining the same schedule in a cohort (group process). This means that all students are required to take the same courses as assigned for that semester, and complete them along with their group.
At the end of the four semesters, students will then advance to Stephen F. Austin, for their final courses. Evening classes are held Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4-6:30 p.m. and from 6:45-9:15 p.m.
As for teachers, they have two methods of conducting their classes at TJC. Many commute from Nacogdoches to Tyler or connect with their students through an online learning system.
Currently there are four courses offered in this program taking place on TJC’s campus. Some of those courses include Human Behavior, Sociology 1301 and Social Groups and Behavior.
“We’re honored to have this program at Stephen F. Austin,” said Sam Coplin, an instructor at SFA.
Spring courses are not yet available.
Due to low demand, the courses aren’t offered every semester.
For more information on this program, contact Steve Copper, instructor form Stephen F. Austin, at (936) 468-5105
