MONMOUTH – Chemeketa Community College and Western Oregon University have identified the Chemeketa courses that students will take to satisfy degree requirements in eight popular major fields at the two schools.

The academic pathways agreement makes the transition between colleges more seamless and effective. It enables students to fulfill all the requirements for completion of the Associate of Science degree from Chemeketa, while simultaneously meeting the general education and lower division major specific requirements necessary to receive a bachelor’s degree from WOU.

“This program is a logical and student-friendly progression from the dual enrollment agreement,” said David McDonald, dean of admissions, retention and enrollment management at WOU. “One of the goals with this agreement is to increase student success and retention to degree completion for both institutions.”

The recommended course groups were developed for the most popular transfer majors between WOU and Chemeketa: biology, computer science, criminal justice, English, history, math, psychology and sociology.

For example, a student intending to major in history at WOU would take six specific history courses at Chemeketa plus six credits in writing, five in mathematics, three in speech, three in physical education or health, three in computer studies, nine in arts and letters or humanities, three in other social sciences, 12 in sciences and other credits in academic electives.

Liz Goulard, Chemeketa’s vice president for academic affairs, said, “We want to make the transition between both colleges straightforward, preventing difficulty over courses not transferring. With this program, students will know from day one at Chemeketa the classes they will need to lead from completion of an associates’ degree to completion of a WOU bachelor’s degree.”

To qualify, Chemeketa students must meet the admission requirements of WOU listed in either the dual enrollment agreement or undergraduate transfer admission requirements.

The dual enrollment agreement, signed in September 2006, enables students to be jointly admitted and eligible to concurrently enroll in both institutions. Students who are dual-enrolled have access to student services at both institutions, including the ability to coordinate financial aid between the schools.

Students pay tuition and fees at the institution where they are taking classes. Scholarship applications are available from both institutions, but financial aid will be given through the institution granting the student’s degree.

# # #

Contact:
David McDonald, dean of admissions, retention and enrollment management
(503) 838-8919
mcdonald@wou.edu
Western Oregon University

Patrick Lanning, dean of instruction
(503) 399-5172
planning@chemeketa.edu
Chemeketa Community College