Albany Technical College (ATC) and Columbus State University (CSU) will hold an articulation agreement signing ceremony on today at 10 a.m. in the Executive Board Room of the Logistics Education Center on the Albany Tech campus.

Academic programs included are Accounting, Law Enforcement Technology, and Early Childhood Care and Education. Albany Tech students in these programs would be eligible to transfer to Columbus State to earn a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Accounting, Bachelor of Science (BS) in Criminal Justice, or Bachelor of Science in Education (BSEd) in Early Childhood Education.

This agreement is another example of Albany Tech and the Technical College System of Georgia’s (TCSG) partnership with the University System of Georgia (USG). The objective is to create a seamless transition for technical college students in Georgia to complete an associate’s degree with the technical college and move on to earn a bachelor’s degree with a university within USG.

“It is always a great opportunity for our students when we develop pathway agreements with our partnering universities,” said Dr. Tanjula Petty, Vice President for Academic Affairs at Albany Tech. “It is truly awesome, as Columbus State is less than 100 miles from Albany, and for students who do not want to move too far away, they will have the opportunity to transfer their credits from Albany Tech to Columbus State to earn a bachelor’s degree. This will save the students money and time in the long run, which is a win-win for our students.”

To be eligible for the transfer credit, Albany Tech students must be in good academic standing and meet the appropriate admissions requirements to attend Columbus State.

“This partnership signifies the strength of our institutions both in the Technical College System and the University System,” said Dr. Anthony O. Parker, President of Albany Tech. “We look forward to the new partnership with Columbus State University.”

Last fall, one Albany Tech associate degree graduate, Teraycia Lovett, continued her education at Columbus State. A Move On When Ready (MOWR) student from Dougherty High, Lovett earned her associate’s degree in Electronics Technology with a specialization in Biomedical Instrumentation. She is now a biology major at Columbus State and her career goal is to design prosthetics.

“We are excited to announce this agreement which begins a new era of opportunities for future CSU students from Albany Technical College on their journey to the next level of their education,” said CSU Interim Provost, Tina Butcher. “We are committed to working with other educational institutions in the region to provide students with innovative programs to assist them in transitioning to a four-year institution, and attaining degrees that prepare them for productive careers."