Ohio University has been the higher educational compass guiding students in Pickerington for
almost 25 years.
The Pickerington Center opened its doors to college students at Ridgeview Junior High School when it was the only high school in the city. In 2000, the Pickerington Center moved just a few miles down the road to serve as the neighborhood campus to students in northern Fairfield County and the I-270 beltway.
The campus is close and convenient for students of all ages and offers about 70 classes each semester online, on-site and a mixture of the two during the daytime and evening.
To start the journey, high school graduates or students who have earned their GEDs just need to apply. If they have not completed the ACT, they need to take a placement test. Students will also be asked to provide their high school or college transcripts.
Because OU has an open enrollment policy for each of its regional campuses and centers, students interested in pursuing a degree have the opportunity to challenge themselves in a college classroom.
The university websites – www.ohio.edu/pickerington and www.ohio.edu/lancaster – allow
prospective students to sign up for visitation days to tour each campus.
Staying close to home to start a degree has many advantages.
“As part of the Lancaster campus, students at the Pickerington Center enjoy all the benefits of being an Ohio University student and participate in all activities, athletics and student organizations on the Lancaster Campus,” said Director Leigh Atkinson.
For students who are concerned about attending a large campus, Pickerington offers a student-friendly, easy-commute campus with plenty of free parking.
The Pickerington Center also offers many classes and workshops to support the student who needs to brush up in a subject to be academically ready to pursue a degree.
“A few exploratory courses may assist the student in developing a career path and identify their major,” Atkinson said.
The Pickerington Center and other regional campuses are affordable choices for students: half the cost of tuition at the Athens campus.
“The campus atmosphere is welcoming and the staff reaches out to know our students,” said Atkinson. “That atmosphere – in addition to the great value of an affordable tuition, approximately $5,000 a year – the regional campuses offer makes it hard to beat.”
The Pickerington Center also allows students the chance to begin any degree program close to home and then easily complete one of 14 associate or 12 bachelor degrees in Lancaster, or easily transfer to the Athens campus.
The Pickerington Center does not offer graduate programing on its own, but it is hosting two master’s programs from Athens: Financial Economics and Educational Leadership for Principals Prep or Superintendents.
To keep pace with the needs of students, OU is developing a central Ohio strategy for locations in Pickerington, Lancaster and Dublin.
“This may result in a more defined or varied menu of programs offered throughout the area,” Atkinson said.
Since it is never too late to learn, OU offers continuing education courses for business professionals and the 60+ program for students at the Pickerington Center and Lancaster campus.
Anyone over the age of 60 can sign up to take a free class on a seat-available, non-credit basis without having to worry about making the grade.
Close, convenient, and continuing to provide a steady course for the future of all students – the Ohio University Pickerington Center is setting its sights on helping central Ohioans reach their goals.
