UNF will welcome more community college grads

Historic City News local reporters have learned of a new agreement that will make it easier for students to continue their education at the University of North Florida if they are transferring from St. Johns River Community College after graduation.

Beginning this fall, the “UNF/SJRCC Gateway Program” will align associate in arts degree programs at the community college with baccalaureate programs at the university.

St. Johns River Community College is continuing efforts to offer their own bachelor degrees, however, both colleges say that they wanted to further their relationship with each other and improve the transition process of students between the two.

President Joe Pickens, J.D., says that although the majority of the College’s students do transfer to UNF, the new agreement will serve as a guarantee to qualified students. “We wanted to take the guess work out of articulation,” Pickens said. “While our students have always been guaranteed admission to one of the 11 colleges in the state, this partnership will allow students to focus all of their attention on their course work without the uncertainty of waiting on acceptance to multiple colleges.”

University of North Florida Assistant Director for Articulation Katie MacInnes, said the partnership will help students receive the advising they need for a smooth transition to the University. “We are excited about our new partnership and look forward to seeing these students on our campus,” she said. According to MacInnes, the universtity offers 58 majors and 72 concentrations available to St. Johns River Community College graduates.

To be eligible for the guaranteed university admission, students must graduate with an associate of arts degree and meet the requirements and prerequisites for the degree being sought as established by the official University of North Florida catalog. Students should refer to the university catalog corresponding with their first year of enrollment in the A.A. program. This agreement will not apply to “limited access” programs at the university or other programs that the university designates as inapplicable.

Photo credit: © 2010 Historic City News contributed photograph