Research shows a higher level of education is linked to higher income earnings and lower chances of unemployment, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Yet each year many people across the country decide not to seek a higher education.
For many people, deciding between state, private and community colleges can be challenging when considering affordability and distance from home. In 2020, a WalletHub study shows about 1 million Louisiana residents aged 25 years and older had a high school degree or equivalency as their highest level of education. Furthermore, about 670,587 people had some college, but no degree, as their highest level of education.
South Louisiana Community College and University of Holy Cross announced a new 2+2 agreement that allows SLCC students to easily transfer to UHC to complete their bachelor’s degrees. The new agreement encompasses Business Administration at UHC, which offers online business management and accounting undergraduate degrees. Under the plan, students complete 60 credit hours during a two-year tenure at SLCC, earn an associate degree and those credits then transfer to UHC, where the student transfers coursework to a four-year institution to earn a bachelor’s degree.
“A lot of people who are coming from smaller cities or more rural areas aren’t ready to take that plunge into four year colleges or can’t afford to,” said Anne Falgout, SLCC director of strategic communications. “We are more economical due to our class sizes and affordability, all while students can confidently transfer without losing credits.”
The 2+2 agreement at SLCC partners with four different colleges offering transfer plans between the two institutions:
- University of Holy Cross: Accounting/ Business
- University of Louisiana at Lafayette: Application Software Development/Business/ Environmental Science
- Nicholls State University: Biology/Business/Criminal Justice/Nursing
- Northwestern State University: Criminal Justice
“Thanks to the 2+2 articulation agreement between UHC and SLCC, our flagship set of undergraduate accelerated online programs in Business Administration and Accounting will be available to SLCC graduates with a seamless credit transfer process,” said Dr. Armine Shahoyan of the Department of Business Administration at University of Holy Cross.
Additionally, SLCC participates in the Louisiana Transfer Associate Degree. The Louisiana Transfer degree is designed to provide students with an opportunity to complete the first 60 hours of coursework toward a baccalaureate degree at a two-year or community college. LT graduates are eligible to enter a 4-year Louisiana public university as a junior, with all 60 (non-developmental) credits transferring to the receiving university.
“We all know that traditional college degrees can mean significant costs and time commitments for people who are juggling their current job and family responsibilities at home.,” Shahoyan said. “By enrolling in our ‘Fast-Track’ programs, business graduates of SLCC will have the opportunity to complete their undergraduate degree in about half time of regular college course work.”
A similar 2+2 agreement between SLCC and McNeese University will also go into effect this fall, enabling more avenues for students to further their education.
Students interested in participating in the 2+2 program should contact the admissions office at either institution for more information.
link