Fort Peck Community College Submits Request For Distance Delivery Education
COVID-19 impacted Fort Peck Community College and the traditional in-person instruction at FPCC.
Early on in the pandemic, Fort Peck Community College was granted temporary approval to distance delivery education. This approval was only granted until Dec. 31.
After many discussions related to the current trends and COVID cases and research of online platforms at other tribal colleges, FPCC determined it was in the best interest to continue with online delivery of programs for students’ safety, staff, faculty and the community.
In June, FPCC purchased Canvas, a Learner Management System utilized in higher education to deliver academic programs online. Faculty and staff participated in Canvas training for course delivery and classes.
In November, FPCC applied to make programs available via distance delivery. Approval for distance delivery programs is a twostep process. The first step of institutional authorization determines if FPCC has the resources and capacity to offer effective instruction via distance education. On Nov. 16, Fort Peck Community College was authorized for distance education. The second step is program approval of academic programs that will be delivered.
Authorization was the first step in the process. Interim vice president for academic and vocational education Carrie Schumacher indicated approval for distance education is an exciting area for FPCC. Over the last decade, FPCC has discussed the potential to deliver academic programs online, but opportunity and financial support were not justifiable.
On Dec. 4, FPCC was granted the following programs to offer distance education programs: •Associate of arts programs approved include business administration, education, general studies, Native American studies, tribal governance and administration.
•Associate of applied science programs include business technology, communication technology, information technology, social work, chemical addiction studies and psychology.
•Associate of science programs include biomedical science, environmental science, general studies and prehealth pre-nursing.
•Certificate programs include accounting technician, business assistant, information technology, lay advocate/ paralegal and media technology.
The administration and board of directors at FPCC are excited about the new opportunity. This will allow students to live off and on the reservation and non-enrolled members who want to obtain a higher education degree at Fort Peck Community College.
As FPCC continues to move into 2021, FPCC will continue to provide information to the public regarding registration steps and participating in class utilizing Canvas.
