New LU/technical college agreements expand student access
Lakeland University has signed transfer agreements with four Wisconsin technical colleges to make it easier for students to complete a bachelor’s degree.
The agreements were approved by the UW Board of Regents on April 7 and authorize Lakeshore Technical College in Cleveland, Mid-State Technical College in Wisconsin Rapids, Moraine Park Technical College in Fond du Lac and Northeast Wisconsin Technical College in Green Bay to offer the two-year liberal arts associate of science (A.S.) and associate of arts (A.A.) degrees.
Under these new agreements, students who earn the 60-credit Liberal Arts–Associate of Arts or Liberal Arts–Associate of Science degrees at one of the participating technical colleges will be able to transfer to Lakeland with junior standing and apply all their credits toward a Lakeland bachelor’s degree.
The new agreements are the latest chapter in Lakeland’s long history of successful partnerships with Wisconsin’s technical colleges. Lakeland was among the first four-year colleagues in Wisconsin to develop pathways for technical college graduates to complete a bachelor’s degree.
More partnerships are being explored, said Lakeland President Beth Borgen, adding that Lakeland has pledged to serve as the four-year university partner for any WTCS school applying for authorization.
Through special pre-major pathways, technical college graduates will have a wide variety of academic options for their four-year degree at Lakeland, including accounting, analytics, business administration, communication, computer science, criminal justice, management information systems, marketing and psychology.
Graduates of Wisconsin Technical College System schools also will receive a 20 percent tuition discount at Lakeland.
“The degrees available through these new agreements enable technical colleges to enhance the educational options they provide to their communities,” Borgen said. “By partnering with the technical colleges in this way, we open college options to new populations of students who have the potential and ability to pursue post-secondary education. This new level of access benefits students and their families, local schools and Wisconsin communities.”
The new agreements also provide pathways for many students to pursue their bachelor’s degree without leaving the area. Lakeland has centers in Wisconsin Rapids, Green Bay and on its main campus in Sheboygan County, as well as many degrees which can be taken completely online or through hybrid platforms.
The new transfer agreements are expected to go into effect in the fall of 2022.
“It’s exciting to see private and public institutions working together for a common good – helping our students achieve their educational goals while aligning with regional workforce development needs,” Borgen said. “We are always interested to partner in innovative ways to serve our students and their communities.”
