Flathead Valley Community College and the University of Montana are teaming up to offer a bachelor’s degree in elementary education in the Flathead Valley.

The two institutions are accepting applications for the program, which will allow students to stay in Kalispell to get a degree.

Courses will be taught both with distance-learning and in-person classes taught by UM faculty on the Flathead Valley Community College campus in Kalispell.

Tenure-track instructors from University of Montana’s Phyllis J. Washington College of Education and Human Sciences will lead the program.

Students will receive the same instruction as those in Missoula.

Flathead Valley Community College President Jane Karas was thankful for the university’s teamwork.

“This partnership provides members of our community a new, affordable opportunity to pursue their dreams of becoming teachers right here in Northwest Montana,” she said in a press release. “We appreciate this collaboration with the University of Montana and the doors it will open for the future teachers of our community.”

College students who have completed the first two years of the elementary education associates degree can apply for admission to the bachelor’s degree program. The program allows in-district Flathead Valley Community College students to complete the first two years at FVCC tuition rates, then transfer those credits to the University of Montana while staying in the Flathead.

The application deadline is July 15. Visit www.coehs.umt.edu for application details or call Jayna Lutz for help with the application process at 406-243-6170.

Reporter Ryan Murray may be reached at 758-4436 or by email at rmurray@dailyinterlake.com.