Date Posted: February 10, 2021
Students pursuing a career in the expanding field of cybersecurity may find their path a little easier to navigate, thanks to a new articulation agreement between Middle Georgia State University (MGA) and Southern Crescent Technical College (SCTC).
Leaders from the two schools met in a virtual ceremony on Monday, Feb. 8 to sign the agreement, which allows students with an AAS degree in Cyberscurity from SCTC to seamlessly transfer credits to MGA to complete a bachelor’s degree in Information Technology.
“We strive to create an environment that helps students find pathways to becoming lifelong learners,” said Debra Matthews, provost and vice president for academic affairs at MGA. “This partnership with Southern Crescent will make it easier for students to pursue a degree – and a career – in information technology, working with our partners to further develop Georgia’s future workforce.”
SCTC, with campuses in Griffin, Thomaston, West Jackson, McDonough, and Monticello, is part of the Technical College System of Georgia, which oversees the state’s 22 technical colleges, adult literacy programs, and a host of economic and workforce development programs. MGA, with campuses in Macon, Cochran Dublin, Eastman, and Warner Robins, is part of the University System of Georgia, which is composed of 26 higher education institutions including four research universities, four comprehensive universities, nine state universities and nine state colleges.
Historically, the transferability of coursework between the two systems has been prohibitive for a number of reasons. Since 2012, however, a standing agreement has allowed for the transfer of 28 general core courses; this new agreement expands upon the existing arrangement and guarantees acceptance of the SCTC associate’s degree in full.
Dr. Alvetta Thomas, President of Southern Crescent Technical College stated, “We are excited about the opportunities that this agreement offers both our current students and graduates to seamlessly matriculate to Middle Georgia State University. This partnership and the expanded educational pathways it provides demonstrate the commitment both institutions have to creating meaningful educational opportunities for our students. This signed agreement will create seamless pathways contributing to workforce development in the high-demand Cybersecurity career field. At the end of the day, it is our goal to create strong partnerships in order to build strong students, strong careers, and strong communities.”
The new agreement, the latest in a number of such agreements signed between MGA and Technical College System institutions, are designed to eliminate obstacles to a baccalaureate education for students in the middle Georgia region. Through this and other articulation agreements, the two systems are working to reduce the likelihood that a student will need to take courses more than once as they pursue a degree in their chosen field.
SCTC and MGA will work together to promote the transfer opportunity to students who want to continue toward a bachelor’s degree program.
“We are excited to add Middle Georgia State University to our growing list of transfer partners,” added Dr. Steve Pearce, Vice President for Academic Affairs at Southern Crescent Technical College. “As we strive to expand opportunities to assist our students in reaching their educational goals, these agreements not only benefit our students, but also our institution and the communities we serve by providing affordable and accessible pathways for our graduates who wish to continue their studies to earn a bachelor’s degree from MGSU.”
SCTC students in the associate’s degree program who are interested in learning more about transferring can contact your instructor, advisory or MGA’s Office of Admissions at admissions@mga.edu or 478.471.2725.