LANSING – Ferris State University’s Automotive Management program is expanding to
its second off-campus location in January 2010.
The program is being offered at Lansing Community College’s University Center in downtown Lansing and is geared toward the working adult.
“This is a powerful partnership between Ferris State University and Lansing Community College and a great opportunity to offer one of Ferris’ more unique programs to a wider variety of students,” said Greg Denny, Ferris Automotive Management professor.
Marvin Ortiz, LCC Transportation and Engineering Technologies department chair, agreed, saying the partnership is a win-win for everyone involved. “Both Ferris and Lansing Community College have a lot to offer students.”
Classes are held one night a week allowing students to progress through the nine required classes in approximately three years, while also completing general education course requirements. Individuals with an associate degree in automotive, heavy equipment technology and collision areas, or equivalent course work are excellent candidates for this degree, Denny said.
“This is a great opportunity for those desiring a Bachelor of Science degree while remaining in the work force,” he added.
Along with Denny, Ferris associate professors Mike Ropele and Dan VanderWoude, all full-time faculty, teach this off-campus program. Students completing the degree in Lansing get the same classes and faculty they would if taking the program on the Big Rapids campus. This brings a consistency to the program not seen in other off-campus programs, Denny added.
“We are very unique in that our students get a very sound technical background,” he said. “This goes along with management and marketing classes that are specifically geared to the transportation industry.”
A graduate of the Automotive Management program can expect to find job opportunities in a number of major corporations including many domestic and import manufacturers and parts suppliers. A large number of graduates work as service, sales or parts managers and collision professionals.
Automotive Management has been offered at Ferris since 1971. Along with being on Ferris’ Big Rapids campus, the degree has been offered at Macomb Community College’s University Center in Clinton Township since 1996.