Jefferson College has signed an agreement with the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg that offers students the benefits of dual enrollment, officials reported.
The JC+UCM Direct Connect program helps students with credit transfer and student record sharing between Jefferson College and UCM. The program also offers a Direct Connect scholarship, lowering the time and cost of a four-year degree and providing students with services at each institution, according to a written statement the two schools released.
UCM President Roger Best visited Jefferson College’s Hillsboro campus on Dec. 3 to sign the agreement, which Jefferson College President Dena McCaffrey also signed.
“This new agreement allows Jefferson College to continue with our focus on student success while providing an opportunity with UCM for a seamless, affordable pathway to a bachelor’s degree for our students,” McCaffrey said. “It is exciting to see that University of Central Missouri has similar student supports in place and is also focused on student success.”
Best said he is impressed with Jefferson College.
“Jefferson College’s focus on student success is certainly something that resonates with us,” he said. “UCM just had a successful Higher Learning Commission visit in the spring, and one of their final comments was, ‘You are who you say you are – you’re all about student success.’”
To participate in the program, students must meet Missouri residency requirements and enroll full-time (a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester) with courses exclusively at Jefferson College or at both UCM and Jefferson College. Courses taken at UCM will apply toward the major the student intends to pursue once admitted as a degree-seeking UCM student, according to the statement.
Chris DeGeare, the Jefferson College vice president of academic affairs, said the new agreement is a little different from agreements Jefferson College has with other four-year universities.
“Yes, it is designed to provide seamless transfer opportunities for our graduates. However, students who want to attend UCM, can concurrently enroll at both Jefferson College and UCM. These students then have access to the combined resources of both institutions,” he said. “Our other university partnerships focus on seamless transfer, which is critically important, but this agreement gives students the opportunity to be Jefferson College and UCM students at the same time.”
Program participants may seek financial aid to help pay for the cost of their education. Upon graduation from Jefferson College, students can also earn a $1,500 Direct Connect scholarship, the statement said.
For more information, contact the Jefferson College Office of Admissions at 636-481-3235 or admissions@jeffco.edu.