VALDOSTA — Valdosta State University signed articulation agreements with Chattahoochee Technical College Monday, simplifying student transition between the two institutions of higher education.

The Pathways Program agreement will allow Chattahoochee Technical College students with an Associate of Applied Science in one or more of 39 articulated programs to maximize the transfer of credits in order to complete either a Bachelor of Science in organizational leadership, a Bachelor of Applied Science in human capital performance, or a Bachelor of Science in office administration and technology in two years or less at Valdosta State University, noted Dr. Joseph G. Weaver, director of Off-Campus Programs at VSU.

“We are thrilled to be able to offer three clear, seamless paths for Chattahoochee Technical College graduates who wish to further their education and pursue a bachelor’s degree at Valdosta State University,” said Dr. Cecil P. Staton, president of VSU. “Higher education has never been more important in Georgia and across the United States. We are seeing a growing demand for citizens who are capable of more sophisticated, critical thinking and who possess problem-solving and interpersonal skills. Our faculty and staff are in the business of nurturing the next generation of thinkers, innovators, communicators, leaders, and more, and we look forward to welcoming our Chattahoochee friends into our Blazer Nation family for many years to come.”

Comprised of eight campuses that serve the citizens of Bartow, Cherokee, Cobb, Gilmer, Paulding and Pickens counties, Chattahoochee Technical College “prides itself on being a dynamic community that is supportive of learning, teaching, retention, and graduation, a community that boasts a Golden Rule culture valuing academic excellence, leadership and initiative, innovation, integrity, and more,” the institution said in a press release.

 The college offers 70-plus degrees, diplomas, and certificates in 45 programs of study, custom-designed community and economic development training courses, adult education classes and special programs aimed at current high school students during the day, at night, on weekends, and either partially or fully online.

“Through this partnership with Valdosta State University, students at Chattahoochee Technical College can take their two-year degree into a four-year bachelor’s program — and do it online,” said Dr. Ron Newcomb, president of Chattahoochee Tech. This is a great opportunity for CTC’s degree graduates, and I welcome the partnership with VSU.”

The Pathways Program centers on the priorities of Complete College Georgia, an initiative developed to increase the number of Georgians earning a college degree. It is a collaboration between Valdosta State University and partner institutions like Chattahoochee Technical College to allow students with approved Associate of Applied Science or Associate of Applied Technology degrees to maximize the transfer of credits in order to complete a bachelor’s degree in two years or less. Pathways students can expect 51 or more transferable credit hours to be applied to either of the three articulated programs — Bachelor of Science in organizational leadership, Bachelor of Applied Science in human capital performance, or Bachelor of Science in office administration and technology — all of which are offered completely online.

It is projected that more than 60 percent of jobs in Georgia will require a certificate, associate degree, or bachelor’s degree by 2020, school officials said. Presently, approximately 42 percent of the state’s young adults, its developing workforce, are prepared to such a level, which means that Georgia must not only maintain current graduation levels but also produce an additional estimated 250,000 graduates in upcoming years to remain competitive, the university said. 

VSU has now signed Pathways Program articulation agreements with 16 Technical College System of Georgia institutions of higher education.

On the Web:

http://www.valdosta.edu/welcome.php

Chattahoochee Technical College