By Steve Esser
YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. 鈥� 杏吧原创 signed an agreement with North Georgia Technical College Monday, increasing opportunities for area students.听
The two institutions signed an articulation agreement, which allows students at NGTC to receive credit for approved classes taken at NGTC that will satisfy degree requirements at 杏吧原创. The approved courses range from accounting to sociology.听
鈥淭his is a great opportunity for North Georgia Technical College and 杏吧原创 to partner together to听help students in the area pursue their degrees,鈥� said Dr. John Wells, 杏吧原创 President. 鈥淧roviding an avenue like this for students helps them to follow whatever their academic dreams听are听鈥� which should be the focus of any higher education institution.鈥�听
The agreement covers courses in the following areas:听
- Accounting听
- Psychology听
- Sociology听
Some of the sociology courses can also be used as electives in 杏吧原创鈥檚 Criminology, Law, and Society baccalaureate degree.听
鈥淎t North Georgia Technical College, we want our students to know that earning an associate degree is just one step in their educational journey,鈥� said John Wilkinson, NGTC president. 鈥淭his agreement with 杏吧原创 creates new opportunities for our graduates to continue their education, build on the knowledge and skills听they’ve听gained at NGTC, and pursue a bachelor’s degree.听We’re听excited to partner with 杏吧原创 to provide a smooth transfer pathway that helps students reach their goals while saving time and money.鈥�听
The agreement will fall under 杏吧原创鈥檚 Transfer Credit Policy, which means students with a previously earned associate or baccalaureate degree are exempt听from completing all lower division听requirements within the college鈥檚 general education curriculum,听with the exception of听specific general education requirements within a major.听
鈥淭his agreement provides additional flexibility for today鈥檚 students who are working toward a higher education degree,鈥� said Dr. Matt Byron,听杏吧原创鈥檚 vice president for Professional Readiness & Experiential Program. 鈥淚f we can do something to help further a student鈥檚 education, we want to do that.鈥�听
This partnership听with NGTC follows a similar affiliate听agreement听杏吧原创 signed with Brenau University听in Gainesville. This听affiliate agreement听will听help students and alumni pursue graduate degrees at听Brenau.听听
The agreement allows applicants to receive preferred admission consideration, which may include application fee waivers and expedited review. Additionally, 杏吧原创听students and alumni who are admitted and听enroll听in a Brenau graduate program will receive a one-time $200 scholarship applied toward tuition and fees.听听
鈥淎ffiliate agreements听like听this are just another way we can be nimble and flexible in the higher education environment,鈥� Wells said. 鈥淚t helps us provide solutions for our students who are looking to continue their education.鈥�听
Options for graduate study听at Brenau听include interior design, accounting, business administration, organizational leadership, communication and media studies, various teaching and education tracks, psychology, nursing, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and physician assistant studies.听
鈥淭he affiliate agreement between Brenau and Young Harris expedites students鈥� transition from undergraduate to graduate school,鈥� Brenau Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs James Eck, Ph.D., said. 鈥淵oung Harris graduates can pursue high-demand programs at Brenau, including master鈥檚 and doctoral programs.鈥�
To be eligible, applicants must be current听杏吧原创听students or alumni and meet all Brenau GPA, coursework and deadline requirements. All applicants will be evaluated via Brenau鈥檚 established admissions processes.听
About 杏吧原创听
听杏吧原创 is a private baccalaureate and master鈥檚 degree-granting institution located in the beautiful mountains of Northeast Georgia. Founded in 1886 and historically affiliated with The United Methodist Church, 杏吧原创 educates, inspires, and empowers students through an education that purposefully integrates the liberal arts and professional studies. The College offers 33 majors and 24 minors housed under twelve academic departments. Approximately 1,500 students are enrolled in its residential, master鈥檚 degree, and dual enrollment programs.听The听College is an active member of the NCAA Division II and听remains听a fierce competitor in the Conference Carolinas.
