Inter-Institutional Agreements
An articulation agreement or memorandum of understanding that specifies the rights and privileges of students moving from one institution to another are referred to as inter-institutional agreements. The usual common denominator of such agreements is academic course credit, although other issues such as admission priority, catalog rights, access to residence halls and other student services may be involved.
Below are general definitions of some common agreements:
Two-plus-two (2+2) articulation is a formal agreement between institutions whereby eligible associate degree holders are guaranteed matriculation into the third year of a specific four-year bachelor’s degree at Kent State. Example: Students who earn the A.A.B. degree in Hospitality Management at Cuyahoga Community College, upon admission to Kent State, may matriculate into the third year of Kent State’s B.S. degree in Hospitality Management.
Dual admission programs articulate a four-year degree across two institutions, with the usual intent for students to complete the first two years at a community college and final two years at Kent State. These are similar to 2+2 programs except that students are admitted concurrently to both institutions and may be guaranteed catalog rights from the year they enter the agreement. There are separate faculty bodies and, for the most part, separate curricular and requirements to achieve the two degrees.
Partnerships provide mutual support for the offering of an academic program. Example: Kent State offering the BBA degree onsite at Lorain County Community College.
Joint, consortia or dual enrollment agreements are collaborations between institutions to offer one degree program. Students admitted to a program will choose one “enrollment” university for the purposes of transcript, registration and degree granting. However, there is, typically, one faculty body, and students are able to take courses at the partnering institutions. Example: the MFA degree in Creative Writing at Kent State, University of Akron and Youngstown State University.
Cross registration agreements between post-secondary institutions allow students enrolled at one institution (home institution) to take courses at another institution (host institution). The host institution determines registration dates, course availability and any special course fees, and will send a grade report to the home institution at the end of the term. Students may cross register at only one institution per term and may take a specified number of courses each term.
College Credit Plus (formerly dual credit) agreements allow high school students to register for a Kent State course taught in the high school, on a Kent State campus or via online by a Kent State faculty member or a Kent State-approved high school instructor (i.e., adjunct status) for high school and college credit. College Credit Plus courses offered in high schools through Kent State must duplicate the course delivered at a Kent State campus to matriculated students. College Credit Plus courses taken at the high school become part of the high school student’s official college transcript; therefore, the earned course and credits will be accepted at Kent State.
College tech prep prepares high school students for post-secondary education and high-skill, high-demand technical careers. The nationwide program provides students with a planned program of study starting in grade nine and continuing through a college degree, and incorporates college prep academics with hand-on career technical skills. Upon completion of the high school portion of the curriculum, students who have met the established criteria are eligible for articulated college credit at Kent State University. Example: Students completing the Veterinary Science program at the Columbiana County Career and Technical Center, upon admission to Kent State, will receive credit for Kent State course VTEC 10001 toward the A.A.S. degree in Veterinary Technology.
Trade competency (or block credit) agreements involve other post-secondary institutions, vocational centers and educational institutions judged to be at a college level; student receive a specified block of college credit for courses completed or training/certification received. This block of credit is awarded either after the student successfully completes a Kent State transition course or has completed all the courses required in the program. Example: Licensed practical nurses and certified paramedics, upon admission to Kent State University and after successfully completing a summer transition course, will receive credit for a specified list of courses applicable toward the A.A.S. degree in Nursing.
