NWHSU to accept students from closed school
About 200 college students in the Twin Cities area whose educational plans were interrupted by the sudden closing of Argosy University now can continue their studies at Northwestern Health Sciences University under a plan approved by the Higher Learning Commission.
The commission has approved NWHSU to accept students transferring from Argosy in five degree programs:
- Associate of Applied Science in Medical Assisting
- Associate of Applied Science in Radiologic Technology
- Associate of Science in Radiation Therapy
- Associate of Science in Medical Laboratory Technology
- Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology
Argosy, a nationwide for-profit university with a campus in Eagan, abruptly closed March 8 following financial problems. In all, about 1,000 students in the Twin Cities area attended Argosy, which focused on a diverse array of career education. Nonprofit NWHSU agreed to ”adopt” five of Argosy’s health sciences programs, which fit NWHSU’s mission to train the next generation of health care providers.
Under the plan approved by the commission, the former Argosy students will be able to pick up their studies
where they left off. Former Argosy students can apply now for admission to NWHSU fall classes in these
programs. Fall classes start Sept. 4, and tuition rates will be slightly lower than those at Argosy. NWHSU also plans to offer all five programs to new students starting in January.
“Argosy students already have begun contacting us about continuing their studies here, and they have
expressed great appreciation and excitement about this opportunity to finish their degrees,” said Deb Bushway, president and CEO of NWHSU.
She added: “We want to express our appreciation to the Higher Learning Commission for its nimble and responsive action to make this possible. The commission and our team have taken an innovative approach to meet these students’ needs while ensuring the highest quality of instruction and learning.”
As part of the plan, the five new degree programs, taught by former Argosy instructors, will become part of NWHSU’s curriculum and degree offerings moving forward. Dale Healey, dean of the College of Health and Wellness at NWHSU, said this is an opportunity for NWHSU to expand its offerings in important and complementary fields.
“Our university is the logical place for these programs and these students,” he said. “We are exclusively focused on health sciences education and training the next generation of health care leaders. These programs fit well here and expand our focus on integrative health care, with students from many disciplines learning and working together, just as health professionals do at hospitals, clinics and other places where people seek care.”
NWHSU still must receive approval from the five programs’ specialized accrediting agencies, but Bushway said the accreditors have been working closely with the university toward this goal.
“We are planning for and working toward a fall start, given the close relationships we have and the discussions already underway with these accreditors,” Bushway said. “This plan makes sense for the former Argosy students, for our university and for our course offerings moving forward. We are committed to ensuring high quality in instruction, as in all of our current programs.”
Former Argosy students interested in continuing their studies in the five programs can contact NWHSU at admit@nwhealth.edu or 952-885-5409 to talk with an admissions counselor. Students also are invited to attend the Discovery Day event July 20 on the NWHSU campus, 2501 W. 84th St., Bloomington. More information also is available at nwhealth.edu/discover.