Agreement Offers Seamless Transfer from MCC to UCM Tech Programs

Signifying a mutual commitment to making higher education more accessible for students, the University of Central Missouri and Metropolitan Community College announced a new articulation agreement benefitting students studying engineering technology and computer-aided drafting and design technology.

The agreement provides for the seamless transfer of students from the Associate of Applied Science in Computer-Aided Drafting & Design (CADD) or Engineering Technology degrees at the MCC-Business and Technology Campus to the bachelor’s degree programs in CADD or Engineering Technology-Mechanical in UCM’s School of Technology. In other words, students who complete one of these two associate’s degree programs at MCC can be sure that the courses they take will transfer to the bachelor’s degree programs at UCM.

The agreement, signed in September by UCM President Charles Ambrose and MCC Chancellor Mark James, is effective immediately. A student will need a minimum of 124 semester hours to earn the bachelor’s degree at UCM. About half of the coursework can be taken at MCC-BTC.

President Ambrose said the agreement is an example of what can be accomplished when two institutions work together to create educational opportunities for students.

“It’s wonderful to be an active partner with MCC, which is committed to creating a seamless path for student access and success,” Ambrose said. “Through partnerships, UCM is creating new models of educational pathways that will make higher education more accessible to all students.”

MCC-BTC students will be able to transfer to the B.S. in CADD Technology at UCM, the only such bachelor’s degree in the Midwest, if they have earned the A.A.S. in one of four areas:
· Computer-Aided Drafting & Design
· Engineering Technology – Civil emphasis
· Engineering Technology – Architectural emphasis
· Engineering Technology – Mechanical/Manufacturing emphasis

MCC students who choose the mechanical/manufacturing emphasis also have the option to transfer to the B.S. in Engineering Technology – Mechanical, also known as Product Design.

According to Deborah Goodall, president of the MCC-Business and Technology Campus, local workforce demand and encouragement of continued education were the two main drivers for the development of the agreement.

“This agreement is particularly important because it encourages our students to pursue a baccalaureate degree, and it enhances our joint efforts to prepare more engineering technologists,” said Goodall. “The Greater Kansas City area has more engineering, architecture and construction companies than many major metropolitan areas in the country. There is a clear need for technologists who work alongside engineers, architects and construction project managers to assist with design development and project implementation and monitoring.”

At last month's ceremonial signing of the articulation agreement, UCM President Charles Ambrose and MCC Chancellor Mark James are joined by (back row, from left) George Wilson, UCM provost and vice president for academic affairs; Kyle Palmer, UCM professor and coordinator of computer-aided drafting and design technology and technology internship coordinator; Deborah Goodall, MCC-Business and Technology Campus president; William Allyn, MCC-BTC program coordinator of engineering technology and computer-aided drafting; and Thomas Wheeler, MCC-BTC dean of instruction.