Partnership puts degree from ECU within reach

RALEIGH -- Students attending Wake Technical Community College will be able to apply their associate's degrees toward a bachelor's degree at East Carolina University, thanks to a new agreement between the schools.

The agreement enables students who earn a two-year Associate in Applied Science degree to put it toward a bachelor's degree.

Students who earn Associate of Arts degrees face fewer challenges when transferring to a four-year university or college.

ECU's College of Technology and Computer Science created a curriculum that allows AAS degree graduates in an industrial or technology-driven field to transfer credit hours and complete a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology degree.

Students who earn associate's degrees in the following areas will eligible for the transfer:

* mechanical engineering technology;

* landscape architecture technology;

* Web technologies;

* electrical/electronics technology;

* automotive systems technology;

* air conditioning, heating and refrigeration technology;

* computer information technology;

* information systems technology.

"For the first time, they can resume the pursuit of higher education while upgrading credentials and increasing earning power," said Stephen Scott, president of Wake Tech.

Faculty and staff from East Carolina and Wake Tech will work with AAS students and graduates to ensure they are taking the proper general education and technical courses to transfer into the BSIT program.

To learn more about the BSIT program or the agreement between East Carolina University and Wake Technical Community College, go to www.ecu.edu or www.waketech.edu.