articulation agreement

Between the A.A.S. and A.S. degree 20.0201 Child care and Guidance Workers and Manager, General programs at Alexandria Technical College, Central Lakes College, Dakota County Technical College, Hennepin Technical College, Minneapolis Community and Technical College, Minnesota State College-Southeast, Minnesota West Community and Technical College, Northwest Technical College, Pine Technical College, Rochester Community and Technical College, South Central College, St. Cloud Technical College, and Saint Paul College.

Statement of Purpose

This agreement has been entered into by Alexandria Technical College, Central Lakes College, Dakota County Technical College, Hennepin Technical College, Minneapolis Community and Technical College, Minnesota State College-Southeast, Minnesota West Community and Technical College, Northwest Technical College, Pine Technical College, Rochester Community and Technical College, South Central College, St. Cloud Technical College, and Saint Paul College. The purpose of this agreement is to facilitate credit transfer and provide a smooth transition from one related degree program to another; and coordinate the delivery of on-line child development courses thus creating a single shared on-line option for completing the A.A.S. degree in Child Development. It is further recognized that the attached appendix A shall describe the equivalent courses at each institution.

Terms and Conditions of Credit Transfer:

The evaluation and transfer of earned college credits shall be in full compliance with MnSCU policies and all other state and Federal education policies pertaining to undergraduate credit transfer. Current students and graduates, who have earned degrees, certificates or diplomas from the above named institutions shall be eligible for credit evaluation under the terms of this agreement. Program specific required and elective courses are listed and defined in Appendix A of this agreement.

Collaboration Practices

• Child Development faculty at each of the participating colleges will collaborate in the creation and delivery of an on-line educational initiative known as E-LECT (E- Learning for Early Childhood Teachers.) The Child Development faculty will participate by developing and teaching both existing and new Child Development courses on-line. Child Development faculty will meet regularly to distribute course offerings among participating colleges, coordinate course scheduling, plan marketing for E-LECT, secure additional funding, and receive faculty development training.
• Applicants must apply to and be accepted into one of the following approved and active A.A.S. or A.S. degree programs at Alexandria Technical College, Central Lakes College, Dakota County Technical College, Hennepin Technical College, Minneapolis Community and Technical College, Minnesota State College-Southeast, Minnesota West Community and Technical College, Northwest Technical College, Pine Technical College, Rochester Community and Technical.
• The designated degree granting institution will serve as the student’s home campus. The degree will be awarded from this college. Students must fulfill that college’s graduation requirements, but may take any equivalent course at any of the colleges represented in Appendix A.
• The home campus shall require all students to complete an incoming student assessment that includes basic measures of reading comprehension, writing, and mathematics on system-endorsed tests. The home campus shall require students who score below the minimum standards to complete successfully appropriate developmental education either through courses or other means before being admitted into the Child Development program. The home college shall provide for or refer students to developmental education programs that prepare students for entry into college-level courses. International students who are not native speakers of English shall also be required to demonstrate proficiency in English on a standardized test selected by the admitting institution.
• The home campus will also provide the student with orientation and academic counseling. A Child Development instructor at the student’s home campus will serve as the student’s program area advisor.
• It will be the student’s responsibility to abide by differing academic calendars, add/drop dates, differing tuition rates, and other policies at each of the individual colleges.
• This agreement waives the MnSCU Board Policy that at least 20 semester credits shall be taught by the faculty recommending the awarding of the degree, recognizing that this requirement may be decreased upon recommendation by the faculty and approval by the president.
• Students must earn a grade of “C” or above in order to transfer that course from one college to another.
• Each institution will inform potential students about this program.
• Faculty at each of the participating institutions will cooperate in offering and scheduling on-line course to avoid duplication and promote student completion of the A.A.S. or A.S. degree.
• The resources of all institutions, including faculty and space, will be used in a manner that enhances the educational opportunities available to students.
• Tuition and fees will be paid to the institution from which the student takes a course.
• This agreement will serve as a consortium agreement for student financial aid. The home campus will be responsible for distributing student’s financial aid to other campuses where they may be enrolled.
• Each of the institutions will work together to develop counseling, advising, transcription, registration and financial aid procedures to facilitate concurrent enrollment of students.
• Each institution will consider waiving student life fees for students who take most or all of their courses on-line.
• This collaborative effort does not constitute a new degree program, nor does it change institutional status. However, member institutions may wish to inform NCA of their participation in this consortium.

Articulation Implementation and Agreement Review

The Chief Academic Officer or designee of the collaborating institutions, shall be responsible for implementing this agreement, for identifying and incorporating any changes into subsequent agreements, and for conducting a periodic review of this agreement. This agreement becomes effective on December 1, 2007 and remains in effect until December 1, 2012 unless terminated or amended by any party with prior written notice.

Click here to see Appendix A or this Articulation Agreement in PDF format.