May 24, 2006

ASU, Maricopa Community Colleges improve transfer process

The ASU and Maricopa County Community College District Alliance program is expanding to provide more options for transfer students, including better access to ASU degree programs, a new informational Web site and an online application to join the alliance.

Maricopa Community Colleges and ASU, under a partnership called the Alliance, have joined forces to enhance transfer programs for students in four academic areas, including interdisciplinary studies, nursing, elementary education and manufacturing technology.

More than 2,000 students who identified interest in these degree programs will be invited to join the Alliance to experience a seamless transition from the community colleges to ASU, says Rudy Garcia, director of the Alliance program.

In 2004, ASU and MCCCD faculty, staff and administrators created the Honors Alliance, a more student-focused transfer program that targets Maricopa Community Colleges honors students.

The Honors Alliance gives MCCCD Presidents' Scholars an opportunity to receive a $2,000-per-year ASU scholarship for two years, as well as academic, financial aid and admissions advising tailored to their needs before their final semester at a Maricopa Community College.

Since its inception, the Honors Alliance has awarded scholarships to more than 100 students transferring from Maricopa Community Colleges to ASU. Because of its success in serving students, the Alliance is expanding to offer more areas in which transfer students can receive outstanding benefits, such as timely and specific academic advising.

“A significant component of each of the Alliance programs is timely and effective academic advising, which helps students make decisions and ensure a smooth transfer process,” Garcia says.

Upon entering one of the 10 Maricopa Community Colleges in the metropolitan Phoenix area, students who plan to transfer to ASU to pursue a bachelor's degree in interdisciplinary studies, nursing, elementary education or manufacturing technology will receive appropriate academic counseling.

“Many students attending Maricopa Community Colleges intend to transfer to an Arizona university, and at ASU we're demonstrating a substantial commitment to ensure these students are most prepared for the cultural, environmental, educational and social differences they will experience at ASU,” says Gail Hackett, dean of the University College, which oversees community college partnerships for ASU.

ASU and Maricopa Community Colleges have developed a new Web site, (www.maricopa.edu/alliance), which offers an online application to join the Alliance.

“This collaboration between Maricopa Community Colleges and ASU is critical for the success of our students,” says Maria Harper-Marinick, vice chancellor of academic affairs at Maricopa Community Colleges. “We are committed to improving the transition process for thousands of students who may continue their pursuit of a baccalaureate degree at ASU.”

ASU and Maricopa Community Colleges will continue to offer the honors program and will launch the following additional Alliance programs:

• Bachelor's degree in interdisciplinary studies, with a concentration in organizational studies (BIS) – The BIS is a pilot program with Rio Salado Community College that may launch districtwide by 2008. This program gives students the ability to transfer up to 75 hours of course credit from Rio Salado to ASU toward the BIS degree. Students receive dedicated advising and admissions services to get the most of their experience at Rio Salado and ASU.

• Nursing – Maricopa nursing students pursuing (or who have previously earned) an associate's of applied science (AAS) degree from one of the Maricopa Community Colleges can transfer up to 75 hours of undergraduate course credit toward a bachelor's degree in nursing (BSN) from ASU, and receive unique services and benefits from the Maricopa Community Colleges and ASU.

• Elementary education – Students majoring in elementary education are guaranteed admission to one of ASU's elementary education programs upon completion of an associate's degree of arts in elementary education (AAEE) at a Maricopa Community College.

• Manufacturing Technology – ASU and Maricopa Community Colleges have created the manufacturing technology program, which provides students with an opportunity to receive a degree in this niche field. Upon completion of an AAS degree at MCCCD, students are guaranteed admission to ASU to complete an additional 60 hours of coursework to achieve a bachelor's degree.

For more information on the Alliance, visit the Web site (www.maricopa.edu/alliance).