Maricopa Community Colleges, University of Phoenix, Sign Expanded Transfer Agreement
The Maricopa Community Colleges and University of Phoenix have signed an agreement that will provide students with new opportunities in manufacturing, health care, business and hospitality. The partnership was announced Feb. 28 at a signing ceremony at Rio Salado College.
The partnership will allow the educational institutions to work with area business, academic and diversity leaders to identify workforce needs and to develop focused curriculum and specific career pathways to fill those needs. Students will be able to earn an associate’s degree at any of the 10 Maricopa Community Colleges and seamlessly transfer to a bachelor’s degree program at University of Phoenix.
The partnership will allow Maricopa Community College students to potentially convert prior training and work experience into college credit through Prior Learning Assessment at University of Phoenix. In addition, credits earned through an associate’s degree at the Maricopa Community Colleges will transfer to University f Phoenix and satisfy general education course requirements so students can immediately begin working toward a bachelor’s degree in their chosen field.
“The Maricopa Community Colleges are committed to helping our students reach their educational goals, and part of that commitment is ensuring they have as many ways as possible to achieve success,” said Dr. Rufus Glasper, Chancellor of the Colleges. “This new partnership will provide a transition from associate’s to bachelor’s degrees in areas like manufacturing, hospitality and business, where we know we need skilled workers and need them now.”
Dr. Glasper and Dr. Bill Pepicello, President of University of Phoenix participated in the signing ceremony. During that event, Dr. Pepicello noted that President Obama has stressed the role of community colleges in preparing students for the workplace. “We agree with President Obama – community colleges are critical in developing our next generation of skilled workers – and that’s why we continue to invest in these types of partnerships,” he said.
Dr. Pepicello praised Dr.Glasper’s initiative in moving the agreement forward. Dr. Glasper, he said, “took it upon himself to come to my office and say, ‘You know, we’re not doing nearly as well (with transfer students) as we could be.’” Last year, neatly 900 students who had Maricopa credits enrolled at University of Phoenix.
