TTU at Hill College program adds new degree options
Jessyca Brown
Thursday, June 16, 2022 9:27 AM
Academics, Enrollment Management
Hillsboro, TX
The Texas Tech University (TTU) at Hill College program is offering more opportunities for Hill College students and alumni to earn four-year degrees.
Current and former students can apply their completed Hill College credits toward a bachelor’s degree from TTU through the program, which now features 14 degree options, up from 10 last year. Three of the newest programs are through TTU’s TechTeach program in its College of Education and include bachelors of science degrees and certifications in education K-6, ELAR and math. The first cohort will start in the fall.
“Through our education programs, students work in the classrooms of our partnering school district, Burleson ISD, to gain on-the-job knowledge,” said TTU at Hill College’s admissions counselor, Bret Baze. “We use Burleson ISD’s facilities for instruction. The teaching candidates will teach in their classrooms under the direction of a mentor teacher and a site coordinator during the program in order to get experience and to use the other instruction they are receiving. This has proven to produce successful and highly competent teaching candidates into Texas school districts.”
Baze was hired last year to support the program’s degree expansion and anticipated enrollment increases for the 2022-2023 academic year and is stationed full-time at the Johnson County Campus.
“This allows us to work with more students while they are preparing to transfer to the university level,” Baze said of his position. “Having local advising options allows us to give our students a better personalized level of service.”
Baze brings a unique and personal perspective to his job, as he was a non-traditional student who went back to college after many years. He graduated from Hill College in 2019 and completed his four-year degree through the TTU at Hill College program in 2021.
“Graduating from both Hill College and Texas Tech University, I was able to take advantage of a great opportunity,” he said. “I wasn’t in a position where I could take in-person classes, and I never expected I would be able to get a degree from a university like Texas Tech. With the flexibility of classes, it is by far the best way for a non-traditional student to complete a bachelor’s degree.”
Baze also said the Texas Tech alumni base is large in this area, creating internship opportunities when needed. Hill College students have access to the TTU career services sites, which provide information about specific training opportunities and job openings. Students can also take advantage of TTU’s scholarship opportunities, including transfer scholarships. Final awards for the fall are based on transcripts received by July 31.
Other available degree offerings include applied leadership, political science, human sciences, technical communication, English, digital media and professional communication, university studies, early childhood and general studies. Most upper-level courses are offered online, which allows students to easily obtain a four-year degree while working and living in Johnson County and the surrounding area. Admission requirements include a minimum of 24 transferable hours and a 2.25 GPA.
Baze encourages interested individuals to contact him as soon as possible at (806) 834-8985 or richard.baze@ttu.edu. Additional information can also be found online at https://www.depts.ttu.edu/hillcollege/.
