KU, JCCC develop degree partnership program

LAWRENCE — The University of Kansas and Johnson County Community College have developed a degree partnership program that helps students chart a path to their goals early in their academic career, enabling them to earn both an associate’s degree from JCCC and a bachelor’s degree from KU.

The program will allow students to be fully admitted at both institutions. Students would enroll in core classes at JCCC. At the same time, they can take upper-level, program-specific courses at KU, either in Lawrence or at the Edwards campus in Overland Park.

Students will receive ongoing joint counseling from both JCCC and KU and may take advantage of resource centers, tutors, career development support, and engagement and campus life activities at both institutions. An automatic exchange of transcripts and coordinated financial aid will provide a seamless transfer process.

Academic advising and support services will be coordinated on both campuses, and each semester, JCCC students will be able to see how their community college credits will apply to their major at KU.

“The needs of students — and meeting those needs — have really driven the design of this partnership. We recognize that students want to pursue both the associate’s degree and the bachelor’s degree, sometimes simultaneously, and they need to be able to do that efficiently and effectively,” said Sara Rosen, senior vice provost for academic affairs at KU. “Students will be able to ensure that they are taking exactly the courses they need for a pathway into a four-year degree. More than that, they can chart their course for success beyond graduation.”

“The program allows students to take courses at each institution when it’s best for the student, rather than the traditional, more rigid, 2+2 model,” said Andy Anderson, vice president of instruction/chief financial officer at JCCC. “Together, we are working for the same mission – to help students be successful.”

Interested students can learn more and sign up to receive additional information about the program when it becomes available at dpp.ku.edu.