(Credit: ACC)
Austin Community College and Western Governors University Texas launched a new partnership Monday, June 3, to create what the schools say will be “seamless ransfer pathways” for ACC students, employees, and graduates seeking a bachelor’s or master’s degree at WGU Texas.
“This collaboration creates an important new educational pathway for ACC graduates,” says Dr. Richard Rhodes, ACC president/CEO. “Working together with four-year institutions, we can remove barriers students face in the transfer process and build a culture of education in Central Texas.”
Through the agreement with WGU Texas, ACC graduates, faculty, and staff may select among the more than 60 accredited bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in information technology, business, health sciences, and education. ACC transfer students also receive special benefits including:
- 5 percent discounted tuition at WGU Texas,
- Exclusive partner scholarships, valued at up to $2,000,
- Comprehensive transfer policy.
“WGU Texas is thrilled to partner with Austin Community College to provide more ACC students a seamless pathway to completing their bachelor’s degree and preparing them to enter some of the state’s most in-demand careers,” says Dr. Steven Johnson, WGU Texas chancellor. “Community colleges enroll almost half of all students in the state—over 700,000 students,” said Johnson. “This partnership creates an opportunity to link those students to accessible, affordable, high-quality educational opportunities that lead to great outcomes.”
WGU Texas’ current enrollment is more than 12,500 students, with nearly 700 active student transfers from ACC.
ACC alumna, Laura Gonzalez, transferred to WGU Texas to pursue her bachelor’s degree in IT. She expects to graduate in December.
“I fell in love with IT, but I knew that I needed a four-year degree to get to where I wanted to be,” says Gonzalez. “ACC gave me the foundation I needed to move forward, and WGU gave me the chance to complete my program and reach my dreams.”
More than half of students enrolled at ACC have the intention of earning credits that will transfer. ACC has articulation agreements with 58 universities, including The University of Texas, Texas State University, and Texas A&M University. The college is ranked top in the state for university transfer, according to successfulstudent.org, with more than 65 percent of transfer students earning their bachelor’s degree within four years.
