INA, Ill. – Tonight, during the Rend Lake College Board of Trustees monthly meeting, two new articulation agreements were approved to help graduates of several RLC programs, including Industrial Technology and Criminal Justice. The agreements are effective immediately for those who meet program requirements at both institutions.
The Southern Illinois University (SIU) Carbondale agreement is the twelfth of its kind with the neighboring university. Students enrolled in RLC’s Associate of Science degree in Industrial Technology will have the opportunity to transfer into SIU Carbondale’s Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Management and Applied Engineering in the College of Engineering.
The agreement helps to eliminate the duplication of instruction at both institutions, though RLC graduates will still be required to meet admission and program requirements at SIU Carbondale. Graduates will be able to transfer 64 credit hours, including specific courses required by SIU, and have to maintain a 2.0 grade point average (GPA). Students will then complete a minimum of 42 credit hours at SIU Carbondale.
According to the U. S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), industrial technicians have a median wage of $53,330 with an associate’s degree – income that typically that increases with more education. Gabriele Farner, Dean of Applied Science and Technology, explained the industry is on the rise.
“Industrial Technology and Management is one of fastest growing occupations in the manufacturing field. The additional opportunities created with SIU Carbondale for our graduates make them even more marketable,” said Farner.
A second agreement with Missouri Baptist University (MBU) helps with the seamless transfer of many different RLC graduates into bachelor degree programs. RLC students who complete specific associate degrees in applied science, science, or arts, will have the chance to transfer into MBU’s Bachelor of Science or Arts in Criminal Justice, Bachelor of Science or Arts in Behavioral Science, or Bachelor of Professional Studies in Applied Management.
Depending on the degree at RLC, students will have to meet program requirements at MBU while also maintaining a 2.0 GPA. On average, students will be required to complete 40 credit hours at MBU.
Farner said the agreement with MBU is unique in that students often don’t have to go further than the Ina campus to continue baccalaureate studies.
“Missouri Baptist offers classes on the RLC campus, which makes it even more appealing for RLC students to continue their education after completing their associate degree at RLC,” said Farner. “In certain programs, they can complete their bachelors without leaving their home district.”
Also during the Board of Trustees meeting tonight, Trustees approved changes to an existing articulation agreement between RLC and SIU Carbondale’s College of Applied Sciences and Arts, Department of Health Care Management. Due to curriculum changes at RLC, one program – Medical Assistant – replaced courses and adjusted credit hours for several graduation requirements. All provisions of the agreement, established in May of 2016, remain in full effect.
Each of these agreements will be reevaluated annually by RLC and the partnering university. A list of specific courses that will transfer to each institution was also provided at the Board meeting. This list can be found on RLC’s website or when speaking with an RLC Academic Advisor.
Students wishing to learn more about program specifics should contact their RLC Academic Advisor at 618-437-5321, Ext. 1266.
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