Articulation 101For BeginnersMACRAO Articulation Summer SummitCadillac, MichiganJune 16, 2011

Presented byPat Cygnar, Eastern Michigan UniversitySusan Cushnier, University of Michigan DearbornChristopher Marx, Davenport University

Common Definitions

• ArticulationProcess that facilitates the smooth transition from one educational institution to another or from one level of education to the next

• Articulation AgreementA formal document agreed upon by two or more institutions that includes specific terms for transferring credits from one school to another school with minimum loss of credit and time

• Transfer GuideA document published by one school (usually a four-year college) that lists courses from another school, that transfer and apply to a specific major or program at the receiving school

• MACRAO Articulation AgreementA statewide agreement, developed by the MACRAO Association, that facilitates the transfer of general education requirements from 2-year colleges to 4 year ‐colleges in Michigan. It is designed to allow simultaneous completion of general education at both the two-year and four-year level

Articulation Agreements vs. Transfer GuidesArticulation Agreement• Formal document signed by

two or more institutions• Shows how to complete

degrees at both schools• Typically “adds value” by

waiving published policies (ex. allows up to 3 years at the community college

• May include MACRAO

Transfer Guide• Unsigned document

published by one school• Shows courses at the

sending school that satisfy specific requirements at the receiving school

• Stays within published policies

• May include MACRAO

MACRAO Agreement Minimum Requirements

Minimum of 30 semester hours from four categories below. In each category, except English, courses must be from at least two disciplines. (based on a survey of four-year colleges)

• English Composition 6 credits hours• Science/Math (one lab science required) 8 credit hours• Humanities 8 credit hours• Social Science 8 credit hours

MACRAO Agreement Policies

• The MACRAO Agreement is voluntary

• May be stand alone or part of an associate degree

• Does not guarantee admission to 4-year college

Role of Community College

• Determine courses that satisfy MACRAO categories (non-transferrable courses shouldn’t be used)

• Certifies that a student has satisfied MACRAO (place “MACRAO Satisfied” on transcript)

• May have limitations on using MACRAO (should be kept to minimum)

• Advise students about how to complete MACRAO

Role of Four-Year College

• Determine what is satisfied by MACRAO (all or a subset of General Education)

• May have provisos (examples)– Only applies to certain degrees– Cultural or diversity requirement– Minimum level of math required

• Ask students if they completed MACRAO (if not on transcript)

Types of Articulation Agreements

• 2+2 agreement (60 hours & 60 hours)

• 3+1 agreement (waive the 60 hour rule)

• Block Transfer (group of courses transfer as a major or concentration)

• Reverse transfer agreements (transfer credits back to the community college)

• Examples of agreements

Parts of Articulation Agreement:Articles of Agreement - Narrative

• Purpose of agreement• Agreement on specifics• Agreement on communication• Maintenance and review procedures• Effective dates• Signature page• Example

Parts of Articulation Agreement:Articulation Guide

• What to complete at the two-year college– General Education or MACRAO– AD program requirements and how they apply to

bachelors degree program– Additional BS requirements that may be taken at

either school• What to complete at the four-year college– BS requirements that must be taken at this school

Benefits to Students

• Save on tuition costs• Guides show student what courses to take at

each school – no surprises!• Access to program advisor at 4-year college

before transferring• Can earn marketable skills in applied area and

continue to work and earn a bachelor’s degree

Benefits to the Colleges

• Can be used for recruiting transfer students– Appeals to career/technical students – Entrée to community colleges

• Makes advising easier for faculty– Equivalencies and substitutions determined

• Builds relationship/trust between faculty• Promotes curriculum improvement

Articulation Quiz

• Each table forms a team• Keep quiz turned over until told to start• When done, turn in quiz to presenters• Members of team with the highest score win

the MACRAO dollars