Columbus State, Ohio University near deal on undergrad degree program in Dublin

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Moody Nolan

Ohio University is adding onto its Dublin branch campus.

Carrie Ghose

Staff reporter- Columbus Business First

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Ohio University would extend its Dublin campus offerings to undergraduate degrees under a proposed partnership with Columbus State Community College.

Columbus State trustees on Thursday were to discuss a $3.1 million proposal to move the two-year school's current Dublin Regional Learning Center into a building under construction at the Post Road campus of OU's Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine. A vote would come next week.

The two schools first started negotiating this spring. Columbus State would move out of space it leases on Shamrock Court in Dublin.

The academic partnership calls for developing health sciences and other programs ranging from the certificate level to bachelor's degrees in areas such as allied health professions, sports medicine and hospitality. The programs would launch in two to three years.

Columbus State would teach the general academic courses at its lower tuition rate and Ohio University the specialty courses to complete a major, most of them online to help "place-bound adult learners," according to the board presentation.

Columbus State already offers bachelor's completion programs at its downtown Columbus campus with Ohio University and several other four-year schools.

Ohio University medical students started their first classes in July at the Dublin campus. The new building will have a first floor for a physician-assistant program.

Carrie Ghose covers health care, startups and technology for Columbus Business First.