The Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) has signed an agreement designed to streamline transfer pathways at all 22 regional campuses, including Augusta Technical College.
The articulation agreement with the American College of Education (ACE) also creates tuition reductions and expanded access to undergraduate and graduate programs. The partnership is available for eligible TCSG students, graduates, and full-time employees.
The news release announcing the agreement quoted TCSG Commissioner Greg Dozier.
“This agreement reflects our shared commitment to expanding access, affordability, and opportunity for Georgia’s workforce,” said Dozier. “By reducing barriers to continuing education, we are helping our students and employees advance their careers while minimizing debt and time away from the workforce.”
Dr. Melissa Frank-Alston, Augusta Tech’s Provost, explained how it benefited her many years ago.
Frank-Alson said she was the beneficiary of a similar program when she was working at Penn State University and had her Master’s degree. It paid up to 75% of the cost to reach the next level of education.
“So, my husband and I enrolled in a doctoral program in Workforce Education and Development, and so we only paid 25% of our doctoral program, and I was able to still be employed full time, be a doctoral Student part time, and still have had that particular benefit,” she said, adding the partnership can also impact workforce development by re-skilling or up-skilling participants, creating a more educated workforce in Georgia.
Dr. Alston says this agreement will give a huge boost to both students and staff.
“The Technical College of System of Georgia recognizes the need for not only our students, but also our employees who are looking for additional education and training, and this is a way for them to do so in an online environment,” she said. “Many of our students, as well as our employees, are geographically bound, and so having this opportunity to acquire additional skills and additional credentials from the comfort of their own home is a wonderful opportunity.”
Under this agreement, students and staff have transfer and enrollment opportunities into undergraduate and graduate at ACE. The result can be a reduction in student debt while reducing time to degree completion.
ASCE will accept 84-90 hours of transfer credits from TCSG.
“It says that the American College of Education is looking to maximize the acceptance of transfer credit, which really allows students to carry forward a significant portion of the coursework that they’ve earned previously,” said Frank-Alston. “That helps, obviously, with cost. If they can transfer, they don’t have to take so many credits. I think it’s a win-win for all.”
Geordie Hyland, President and Chief Executive Officer of ACE, said they are proud to partner with TCSG to support students and staff in their pursuit of education.
“This agreement ensures students and employees have affordable, flexible pathways to advance their skills and credentials while balancing work and life responsibilities,” he said.
Students and staff who join the program will have access to online academic and credentialing options, including bachelor’s-completion, master’s, doctoral, nursing (BSN/MSN), and micro-credential programs.
“The doctorate in leadership, that’s going to be very attractive to our employees at the technical college system, because we have many who are administrators who really look to gain a doctoral degree,” Frank-Alston said. “This would be perfect, because they can still work full-time and then go to school part-time in an online environment, so they can do it at their own pace.”
To learn more about the partnership, visit www.ace.edu/tcsg.
