Continuing a trend of branching out to community and technical colleges, Ohio University signed an agreement with Clark State Community College, allowing students from the Springfield-based community college the chance to extend associate degree programs to bachelor's degrees from OU.
OU will offer three online bachelor completion programs to Clark State students: criminal justice, technical and applied studies and a registered nurse to Bachelor of Science in nursing program.
This is the 10th time OU has entered a partnership in the past few years.
This is a fantastic opportunity for our students
said Amy Sues, coordinator of advising and articulation at Clark State. Students are guaranteed that their credits will transfer. This will be a relief since many of our students finance their own college education. Not only does it increase their options for transfer but they have an opportunity to graduate from the school of their choice through an online format.
The need for collaboration between OU and surrounding colleges came about after administrators felt they should accomodate transfer students, said Dan Evans, executive dean for regional campuses. Transfer students were finding that, in many cases, the majority of their credits received at a two-year college did not apply toward a four-year degree from OU.
Very little would apply Evans said. They would have to take almost four years (on top of their previous two).
OU's regional campuses have similar agreements with area community colleges, but in many cases, collaboration with a two-year college can be as simple as an implied commitment to work together, said Jim Fonseca, dean of the OU-Zanesville campus.
The Zanesville campus, for example, offers three bachelor's programs that are transfer-friendly to associate degree-holding students from any community college, even those out-of-state.
The university's partnerships with surrounding colleges allow students to earn a degree from OU even if they are unable to attend an OU campus.
Our particular approach
emphasizing the development of a long-term relationship
should continue to open doors for us in the future as we bring along additional options for place-bound students but also encourage those who can to transfer and finish in Athens
said Charles Bird, vice provost for University Outreach.
The agreement with Clark State stays true to this goal, said Jodie Van Winkle, OU's regional director for community college partnerships.
We're excited about the partnership with Clark State
she said. We look forward to working with their staff and their students and doing what we can to help provide opportunities for those students seeking a bachelor's degree
and we look forward to increasing that opportunity across the state.
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