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Rick Carter and JWCC President Mike Elbe
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WIU/JWCC Agreement Creates Path for Career and Technical Students to Transfer Credits to Earn WIU Bachelor's Degree

October 8, 2015

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MACOMB/QUINCY, IL — As part of a new agreement between Western Illinois University and John Wood Community College, JWCC students pursuing career and technical certificates or degrees will now have a direct path to transfer their credits into the WIU Bachelor of Arts in General Studies (BGS) degree program. Today in Quincy, JWCC and WIU officials signed the transfer agreement.

The agreement between JWCC and WIU enables JWCC students pursuing career/technical Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degrees in manufacturing technology, logistics and operations management; electrical technology; industrial maintenance technology; or computer-aided design a seamless and formalized process to have credits accepted by Western. After completing a two-year technical degree at JWCC, students can enroll at WIU as part of the BGS program to complete remaining requirements for a bachelor's degree in general studies.

"With Western Illinois University in such close proximity to the Quincy area, we are excited to continue to expand opportunities for students at John Wood Community College," said Richard Carter, executive director of WIU's School of Distance Learning, International Studies and Outreach. "We can provide a flexible bachelor's degree program—either online or on our nearby campus in Macomb—for JWCC's students completing technical degrees. We will accept the maximum amount of credit hours from JWCC toward a bachelor's degree and are willing to provide advanced professional academic advising. We are happy to continue exploring ways to support students within the western Illinois region and Quincy area," Carter added.

"We are pleased to enter into this new agreement with John Wood Community College to create additional educational opportunities for individuals in this region," said WIU President Jack Thomas. "This agreement helps to create a partnership with JWCC and provides a seamless educational pipeline toward a bachelor's degree for JWCC students pursuing career and technical certificates or degrees."

Additionally, JWCC signed transfer agreements for career and technical programs with other four-year universities, including Northern Illinois University, Missouri Western State University and University of Northern Iowa.

"These agreements are about expanding opportunities and providing students with options," JWCC President Mike Elbe said. "We want all JWCC students, whether they choose a liberal arts or career and technical path, to be assured they have as many options as possible for their credits to transfer to four-year universities."

For more information about the agreement and/or the WIU Bachelor of Arts in General Studies, contact Carter at (309) 298-1929 or via email at R-Carter@wiu.edu. Learn more about WIU's flexible BGS degree program at www.wiu.edu/distance_learning/bachelor_of_arts_in_general_studies/.

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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