Wartburg College has partnered with Western Illinois University to offer an integrated baccalaureate and master’s degree program for students seeking a bachelor’s degree in history at Wartburg and a master’s degree in museum studies from WIU.

The agreement will allow students to earn their Wartburg degree in four years before going on to earn a master’s degree from WIU in one year. The master’s program, which typically requires two years to complete, is available at WIU’s Quad Cities campus.

“The nice thing is our students get to stay here for four years, but WIU also has a stream of well-prepared students coming into their program,” said Daniel Walther, Wartburg history professor and department chair.

“It has been a pleasure to work with WIU administrators to streamline this transition for our students,” Wartburg President Darrel Colson added. “This new cooperative program will be a great addition to the postgraduate educational opportunities Wartburg already offers.”

To earn the degrees, Wartburg students must take several bridge courses, which will satisfy requirements for both degree programs.

Pamela White, WIU museum studies graduate program director, said the program will be beneficial for students, as well as both institutions.

“We have had a number of undergraduate students come to us from Wartburg College’s history program, so we know, from experience, what excellent students they are. We are pleased to strengthen our collaboration with Wartburg,” White said.

For more information about the Wartburg College history program, visit www.wartburg.edu/history/. Additional information about the WIU graduate program is available at www.wiu.edu/cofac/qc/museumstudies/.