SFCC, Drury agreement will allow seamless transfer of credits between institutions

State Fair Community College has entered into an agreement with Drury University that will enable students to transfer credits seamlessly.

SFCC President Marsha Drennon and Drury University President Todd Parnell signed an articulation agreement Monday afternoon in the Thompson Conference Center on the SFCC campus. In education, articulation is the process of comparing the content of courses that are transferred between postsecondary institutions.

Both SFCC and Drury University, a four-year institution located in Springfield, are regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Both schools recognize credits earned from other regionally accredited colleges and universities.

The purpose of the agreement is to ensure SFCC students who complete a prescribed course of study will be able to continue their education at Drury University with all their credits intact. Up to 88 credit hours from SFCC will apply toward a bachelor’s degree. SFCC students will be granted junior status in the undergraduate program upon admission to Drury University.

SFCC students will be able to pursue a variety of bachelor’s degrees including nursing, radiological technology, dental hygiene, business marketing, accounting, teaching and criminal justice.

SFCC Vice-president for Educational and Student Support Services Brent Bates said Drury University also has agreed to waive the application fee for SFCC students.

Although the university is located in Springfield, Bates said SFCC graduates will be able to take online courses to complete their four-year degree.

“Twelve of the available courses are online,” Bates said, “so, people will be able to stay home and complete their degree.”

Drury University Director of Teacher Education Daniel Beach said the initiative is student-centered.

“Students will be able to plan what classes to take for both their associate and baccalaureate degrees,” Beach said.

Beach said the agreement will prevent misunderstandings and frustration because the credits will automatically transfer between the schools.

“This agreement will make credit transfer precise,” he said. “There will be a seamless move from one institution to another.”

The availability of online courses also will make degrees more accessible. Beach cited unreliable transportation and finances as two things that hold students back from seeking a degree.

“This agreement opens up possibilities for students,” Beach said. “A lot of people are capable of earning degrees, but they need access.”

Drennon lauded staff members from both institutions for their “quick and tireless work” in formulating the agreement. “It is important for two- and four-year colleges to come together,” Drennon said. “There are numerous ways to collaborate and this agreement is indicative of that.”

Parnell, the 16th president of Drury University, said the future of higher education is all about creating alliances between institutions.

“Collaboration, collaboration collaboration,” Parnell said. “This agreement gives us the chance to play off our respective strengths.”

Due to the ease of credit transfer and availability of online courses, Parnell said more students are likely to pursue a four-year degree.

“More people are going to get a degree and find good jobs,” he said.