Students who complete an Associate of Science in Biotechnology degree from Southeast Community College will soon have the opportunity to transfer those hours to ߲ݴý University and pursue a bachelor’s degree.
The two schools made it official on Dec. 13 by signing an articulation agreement on SCC’s Lincoln Campus. The agreement is an extension of the two schools’ existing partnership, SCC Pathways to ߲ݴý.
Dr. Joel Michaelis, vice president for instruction at SCC, said the College is excited to provide this opportunity to students in the Biotechnology program.
“For years, SCC students have enjoyed the benefits of our longstanding partnership with ߲ݴý, and now the students from our incredible biotech program will benefit from the seamless transition from SCC to ߲ݴý this pathway provides,” Michaelis said.
This agreement will create a seamless transfer pathway for SCC Biotechnology students to ߲ݴý. It will provide a course sequence at SCC which will satisfy the requirements for an Associate of Science and will transfer and apply to the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree in Biology or a B.S. in Biochemistry or Molecular Biology at ߲ݴý.
“This articulation agreement provides unique opportunities for our students to pursue their passion in science and further strengthens SCC’s commitment to meet the current and future workforce needs of local bioscience companies,” said Tracy Niday, SCC Biotechnology program co-chair.
Students in this pathway must have a cumulative grade-point average above 2.0 to be accepted at ߲ݴý. A maximum of 64 credit hours from SCC may be accepted for transfer by ߲ݴý, and students must complete the pathway coursework with grades of C minus or higher. Students following the requirements of this articulation agreement will receive a guaranteed Pathways Transfer Scholarship at ߲ݴý. If the student is a member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, they will receive the guaranteed PTK scholarship instead.
“SCC and ߲ݴý’s unique biotechnology pathway partnership is preparing students to fulfill the growing demand for scientific research careers in Nebraska,” says Bill Motzer, vice president for enrollment management at ߲ݴý. “SCC is the only college in Nebraska offering this, and ߲ݴý’s strong science program is perfectly aligned for students to advance their education and career. We celebrate adding this program to the many other ߲ݴý-SCC transfer pathways to earning a bachelor’s degree.”
This agreement takes effect starting with the Fall 2024 semester.