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The path for (NGTC) students to transfer to the University of North Georgia (Õý°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û) is smoother now.

Õý°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û and NGTC signed an articulation agreement Jan. 7 to allow for 13 courses from the technical college to be accepted at the state school. The main goal is to have a smoother, clearer process for students who wish to continue their education with Õý°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û after attending any NGTC campus, said Dr. Chaudron Gille, provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs at Õý°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û. NGTC has campuses in Clarkesville, Blairsville and Toccoa, Georgia.

"Transfer students always want to know which of their courses will count at the school they wish to transfer to," Gille said. "This will clarify that for the students without having to go through an individual evaluation of their transcripts."

Mindy Glander, vice president for academic affairs at NGTC, said through their combined efforts Õý°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û and NGTC have established articulation agreements that outline the transferability of credit courses between the institutions that will support the academic and career goals of students.

"Essentially, students taking courses within the agreement are able to complete an Associate of Science degree with NGTC and move directly into a bachelor's degree program with Õý°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û without losing credit," she said. "We are excited to offer opportunities to our students that break down barriers and build bridges through stackable credentials."

This articulation agreement between Õý°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û and NGTC is not the first time Õý°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û has accepted credits from schools in the Technical College System of Georgia, said Dr. Michael Rogers, assistant vice president of Academic Affairs at Õý°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û.

The currently accepts credits of 27 core classes from technical colleges with ease. Examples include American government, American literature, English composition, introductory biology and chemistry, algebra, pre-calculus, economics, introductory physics, introductory psychology and sociology, public speaking, introductory statistics, U.S. and world history, and art appreciation.

"We are going one step further with these 13 additional courses in certain degree programs," Rogers said.

The 13 additional courses include accounting, business, information technology, computer science, and criminal justice.

Rogers explained this agreement will enable students to begin or complete their associate degree at North Georgia Technical and then continue on at Õý°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û in a bachelor's degree program.

"This agreement will help academic advisers," Rogers said. "They can see the course requirements and advise the students better, making the transition even smoother."

Rocco Ranallo, a freshman pursuing a computer science degree, applauds the articulation agreement. The 34-year-old from Blairsville, Georgia, transferred from NGTC to Õý°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û earlier this year.

"One of my credits did not transfer," Ranallo said, explaining confusion arose about the courses his Pell grant would and would not cover. "I took an instructional management and principles course. It didn't transfer because there was no equivalent at Õý°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û."

With an articulation agreement, students and their advisers may see any potential missteps sooner.

"A clear articulation agreement enables us to serve students more effectively and efficiently," Gille said. "This partnership allows us to work together to meet students' needs by providing a pathway to continue their education from the associate level to the baccalaureate level while minimizing the duplication of credits."

Based on its success, the agreement could act as a model with other technical colleges.

"Once we have this design in place, we could reach out to Lanier Technical College in Gainesville, Gwinnett Technical College in Lawrenceville and Alpharetta, and Athens Technical College in Athens," Rogers said.