Mar 2, 2014 1 min read

Western Area Career and Technology Center’s bid to offer associate degrees may flower in May.

WACTC director Dennis McCarthy said Tuesday the school submitted paperwork to the state, then resubmitted it with corrections and amendments. Its quest is to create a postsecondary school focused on awarding the two-year degrees with a focus on its mission of providing skilled workers in energy, health care and manufacturing.

“We still have to do a defense (on the application) in May, then we should hear something.”

And if approved?

“We would start recruiting students in September and start classes in January 2015.”

McCarthy said if that happens, the plan is to begin with three associate degree programs – in mechatrobnics, machinery and welding – with a maximum of 15 students each.

“Every three months, we would add three programs until we have 15 to 18 associate degree programs.”

The Chartiers Township school not only would offer the two-year degrees to adults, but be able to award college credits to some of its high school students.