Austin Community College District (ACC) and Texas A&M University-Central Texas (A&M-Central Texas) are expanding their partnership. Together, the institutions are building new, seamless undergraduate and graduate transfer pathways for ACC students seeking advanced degrees in Business Administration and Computer Information Systems at A&M-Central Texas. The institutions host a joint virtual signing ceremony 11:30 a.m. Monday, January 11. Click here to watch.
“We’re honored to grow our partnership with Texas A&M University-Central Texas. This is how we can help close workforce gaps, make college more affordable for everyone, and transform lives,” says Dr. Richard Rhodes, ACC chancellor. “ACC is where more people come to begin their college career. Many want to continue on afterward to earn that next-level degree. A&M-Central Texas is a perfect partner for that next step.”
“As the state’s only upper-level university, A&M-Central Texas has historically placed its emphasis on serving the community college student, and we’re truly excited by our new partnership with ACC,” says Dr. Marc Nigliazzo, A&M-Central Texas president
Upper-level schools do not have freshman or sophomore students like traditional universities. Instead, A&M-Central Texas only accepts students who already have a minimum of 30 college hours.
Dr. Faiza Khoja, A&M-Central Texas College of Business Administration dean noting that leaders, faculty members, advisors, and staff from both institutions were inspired by the potential for their long-term partnership, adding that they shared a common desire to support the career aspirations of learners, helping them retool and upskill and enhance their chances of upward social mobility.
Pointing to both undergraduate and degree options, Dr. Khoja outlined the specific degree programs and the obvious links to completion that these new pathways allow.
“For students in the Associate of Science and Associate of Applied Sciences in Business programs at ACC, we offer the Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences,” she said. “And for ACC students who have completed their Bachelor of Applied Science in Software Development, we offer a graduate degree in Information Systems with an emphasis in Cybersecurity, Application Development, or Data Analysis.”
Khoja also pointed to other features available to ACC students including the availability of online degrees, affordable tuition, and an inspired faculty who are truly passionate about student learning.
In addition, ACC students are eligible to join A&M-Central Texas’ Transfer Central Program (https://www.tamuct.edu/transfercentral/) allowing them to access University resources including a University email and network access to the University web portal, a dedicated admissions counselor and academic advising, invitations to campus events, and priority registration.
Formed in 2009 as the 10th of 11 regional universities of the Texas A&M University System, A&M-Central Texas has more than 8,000 alumni from both undergraduate and graduate degree programs and more than 100 ACC students currently enrolled.
More than half of students enrolled at ACC have the intention of earning credits that will transfer. The college is ranked among the top in the state for university transfer, according to successfulstudent.org, with more than 65 percent of transfer students earning their bachelor’s degree within four years.
For more information, visit ACC Transfer Resources online at austincc.edu/transfer.