AAS-T degree to facilitate direct transfer of credits for education program

Dual admission allows students to transfer from BBCC to Heritage

Heritage University and Big Bend Community College met yesterday to formally recognize the associate of applied science transfer degree in child and family education, providing a smoother transition for BBCC students to earn a baccalaureate degree in education.

"This is intended to provide a course-by-course transfer," BBCC President Bill Bonaudi said.

In 2001, BBCC and Heritage University signed an agreement to begin transfer of three of the child and family education courses into bachelor of education degrees at Heritage.

For several years students have earned four-year degrees at BBCC through Heritage, but this agreement is specifically for education programs, Bonaudi said.

"A lot of these students will be teachers in the Moses Lake School District and it is reassuring to know they are receiving the training they need," said Susan Mather, a Heritage University instructor and Longview Elementary.

Mary Ann Simmons, program director at Heritage University for the Moses Lake site, predicts there will be approximately 40 students coming in as juniors, of which half will already have earned their associate's degree at BBCC.

Prior to the development of the AAS-T degree, students in the education program could not transfer directly to a four-year program.

"Students that earn a degree at BBCC in early childhood education could not transfer because their degree was only recognized as a vocational education degree," Simmons said. "Dual admission allows students who are admitted to BBCC and declare their major in education to be admitted to Heritage University."

The number of graduates who have received a teaching contract speaks to the success of the AAS-T degree.

"Out of eight students who graduated last spring, seven of those already have placements with a school," Simmons said.

Elementary teacher Kathleen Stoltman who graduated last May from Heritage now teaches at Knolls Vista Elementary in Moses Lake.

"I felt prepared," Stoltman said of her educational experience at Heritage. "It's good to know that students can start and end their degree program here without having to leave the area."

Kathy Tracy, department head for BBCC Child and Family Education said, "We are doing this in response to student needs and it is clear that more pathways to education are needed."

"What makes our partnership so great is that we can work together for the needs of the students," said Heritage University President Kathleen Ross.