Newswise — Community colleges won't be kicked around anymore.
According to an article in Time magazine (July 20, 2009), community colleges educate nearly half of the graduates in the United States. They train more than half of our nurses and prepare graduates for other highly skilled careers that may provide 30 percent higher earnings than what a high school graduate will reap. Citing the article by Laura Fitzpatrick, Education Secretary Arne Duncan says that "two-year schools will help get America back on its feet." Enrollments in community colleges are surging.
Two schools in middle Tennessee—a four-year public university and a two-year community college—are partnering to create continuity and completion for students who qualify. This would appear to be a winning ticket for the state of Tennessee, its workforce and overall economic health.
The newly formed Dual Admission Program between Middle Tennessee State University and Nashville State Community College is that ticket to attaining a bachelor's degree for thousands of citizens.
Imagine earning an Associate of Arts, Associate of Science or Associate of Science in Teaching degree from NSCC, then being guaranteed acceptance to MTSU to complete the work and walk across the platform on graduation day to receive a bachelor's degree.
"MTSU takes pride in developing and supporting programs and services that demonstrate our commitment to helping students achieve their academic and personal goals," said MTSU president Sidney A. McPhee. "This partnership is a huge step in helping students simplify the process of transitioning to a four-year institution and is consistent with our Academic Master Plan and its focus on pursuing partnerships with other institutions to increase access to educational opportunities and degree attainment among the citizens of this region."
"The program is another attempt to bring higher education to more of our citizens," Dr. George H. Van Allen, NSCC president, added. "It will give students the most economical path from a high school diploma to a college degree. The program will be well-received by our students."
Freshmen orientation for NSCC began July 1. A formal signing of the agreement will take place Wednesday, July 29, at NSCC.
To apply for dual admission, a student must plan on pursuing a bachelor's degree and meet the admission criteria for NSCC. Current and transfer students to NSCC must have 20 or fewer college-level semester hours and a 2.0 GPA to participate.
A student also must complete all required high school courses to qualify for transfer to MTSU. Once enrolled in the dual-admission program, a student must maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA and must have earned an A.A., A.S. or A.S.T. degree.
The dual-admission program is another step toward fulfilling one of MTSU's major goals—to become even more student-centered. After meeting certain requirements, NSCC students will be guaranteed acceptance to MTSU, and at the outset, they will be able to map out their college career path. Students will save money by being able to enroll in a community college their first two years at lower tuition and fees. They will get to know MTSU academic advisers and staff even before they come to the university, because they will receive advising from both institutions concurrently. Students ending their tenure at NSCC will be able to register at MTSU during a priority time period.
"I plan on transferring to MTSU after I receive my associate of arts degree, and this will make the process so much easier," said William Wheeler, NSCC student.
MTSU is located at 1301 East Main Street, Murfreesboro, Tenn. 37132. NSCC is located at 120 White Bridge Pike, Nashville, Tenn. 37209.
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