Agreement Creates a Bridge with Anderson University
The presidents of Piedmont Technical College (PTC) and Anderson University (AU) signed a transfer agreement that will provide prospective transfer students who meet eligibility requirements a seamless transition from PTC to AU and its nine colleges and schools supporting 36 baccalaureate degree programs. The agreement became effective upon its signing.
“This agreement represents an incredible opportunity for college students in our region,” said Dr. Evans P. Whitaker, president of Anderson University. “We are so appreciative of our friends at Piedmont Technical College, and we look forward to welcoming their students into the AU family.”
The agreement, which includes acceptance of transfer credits from PTC associate in arts and associate in science degree programs, establishes articulation pathways for PTC students seeking the following degrees:
Bachelor of Business Administration
Accounting Concentration
Business Administration Concentration
Supply Chain Management
Bachelor of Arts – Criminal Justice
Bachelor of Arts – Homeland Security and Emergency Service
Bachelor of Arts – Homeland Security and Emergency Service – Emergency Services Management
Bachelor of Early Childhood Education
Bachelor of Human Services
Human Services Concentration
Gerontology Concentration
Behavioral Health Concentration
Health Care and Human Services Management Concentration
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
“This agreement represents an incredible opportunity for college students in our region. We are so appreciative of our friends at Piedmont Technical College, and we look forward to welcoming their students into the AU family.”
“As a technical college, Piedmont Tech serves as an academic way station from which our students graduate and either go directly into the workforce or continue their educational journey at a four-year university,” said Dr. Jack Bagwell, vice president for academic affairs at PTC. “It is our responsibility to ensure that our transfer students have solid bridges to first-rate institutions where they can fully realize their dreams. We are extremely proud to add Anderson University to this vital infrastructure and look forward to sharing with our students the tremendous opportunities available at AU.”
PTC students who meet transfer requirements will be guaranteed admission to AU and be eligible for available merit and/or transfer scholarships. They also will enjoy access to the university’s library and Trojan athletic events, just as any other AU student would. AU also will waive the admissions application fee for students transferring from PTC.
“We are excited to implement this agreement enabling students who would like to attend AU to transition from ‘Tech to Trojan’ with ease,” Bagwell said. “Anderson University is exceedingly well-equipped to take them to the happy completion of their academic journey.”
The Transfer Guarantee
Several programs at PTC are designed with transferability in mind. University Transfer coursework is drawn from the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education’s list of 86 courses approved to transfer to all two- and four-year public institutions in South Carolina.
From PTC to Harvard
Overwhelmingly, students tell us the No. 1 appeal of these programs is the cost savings because starting post-secondary education at a community or technical college and finishing at a university can save a student thousands of dollars on tuition toward a bachelor’s degree.
A close second is convenience, because students can stay home and take introductory university courses locally for the first two years, saving on housing and/or commuting expense. In cases where PTC has a formal articulation agreement with a partner institution, some upper-level university courses can be taken at PTC, negating the need to commute to the baccalaureate-granting institution and find housing there. Other benefits available in a select number of transfer agreements include personalized case management and advising as well as access to university amenities, campus life and clubs.
How the Process Works
Dr. Brad Griggs, PTC dean of arts and sciences, says that it’s difficult to nail down a hard number but, as a very conservative estimate, about 12 percent of the college’s student body are on a transfer pathway. That figure does not include dual-enrolled students or applied majors.
From PTC to Law School
“Baccalaureate-seeking transfer students at PTC enjoy the ability to start college in a setting that typically features smaller classes. Oftentimes, our faculty are more approachable than in a university setting that may have lecture halls packed with hundreds of people. Our largest classes have maybe 60, and most have 30 or less,” Dr. Griggs said. “It gives students the ability to save a tremendous amount of money before they transfer. They can take 60 hours with us and pay a fraction of what it would Bachelor’s, and Beyond cost at their destination university.”
More than 80 courses taught at PTC are approved for transfer to any public university or college in South Carolina. That covers a lot of the initial prerequisite coursework for a baccalaureate degree.
“The process may go more smoothly if a student is in a bridge program, but not all bridge programs are created the same,” Griggs said. “Ultimately, it’s the faculty advisor and the student and the senior institution’s advisors working together to select courses. There is a tremendous advising component to the process. In general, the students who are working with their advisors do have a seamless transfer.”