A new partnership between Northeastern A&M College and Rogers State University will allow NEO students to seamlessly pursue a bachelor’s degree at RSU either online or at its campus an hour away in Claremore.
The UConnect program was announced today by NEO President Jeff Hale and RSU President Larry Rice at a joint ceremony on the NEO campus in Miami.
The two presidents signed an articulation agreement, smoothing the transition from an NEO associate degree to an RSU bachelor’s degree.
“A community college education is an important step toward a fulfilling life and career,” Hale said. “At NEO, we have always encouraged our students to continue their education by pursuing a bachelor’s degree.
“In terms of proximity to NEO, RSU is the closest four-year university in Oklahoma. It only makes sense for these two institutions to form a close partnership to provide complete higher education opportunities for residents of northeastern Oklahoma,” he added.
Beginning this fall, NEO students in designated associate degree programs will be able to seamlessly transfer into several RSU bachelor’s degree programs, including the bachelor of science in business administration with options in accounting and management, bachelor of science in business information technology with options in computer network administration and software development and multimedia, and a bachelor of technology in applied technology, with several options.
“Through this new partnership, NEO students will be able to complete all requirements for their associate and bachelor’s degrees in four years,” Rice said.
The presidents also announced the availability of new scholarships worth up to $2,000 per year, designed for NEO students who transfer to RSU and meet certain qualifications.
The program is a natural formalization and extension of the close relationship the two institutions have enjoyed for many years, Rice said.
“The proximity and collegiality of our two institutions, the close compatibility of our degree programs and the availability of an RSU degree online will allow students in the Miami area to earn a bachelor’s degree without leaving home,” he said.
Rice encouraged NEO students who plan to take classes on-site at RSU to consider living in the new, expanded student apartments on its Claremore campus.
“The program is streamlined – complete two years of study at NEO and two years at RSU,” Rice said. “That concept is behind the program’s name – UConnect.”
NEO is the largest two-year residential college in Oklahoma, serving more than 2,000 students, and was recently named one of the 50 fastest-growing community colleges in the nation in Community College Week magazine.
Rogers State University is a four-year regional university offering a wide variety of academic programs to more than 4,400 students on campuses in Claremore, Bartlesville and Pryor, and through its online program.
Students can receive academic advising at RSU before they graduate from NEO by contacting the RSU admissions office at (918) 343-7546 or 1-800-256-7511, or by visiting www.rsu.edu/uconnect.