Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology and Eastern Mennonite University at Lancaster have reached an agreement that facilitates the generous transfer of credits from technical associate degree programs to a baccalaureate degree in leadership and organizational management.
It is the first local articulation agreement for Thaddeus Stevens that gives graduates of many of its technical programs, such as residential remodeling, HVAC and plumbing, a path to a bachelor’s degree in management.
“The skilled trades provide outstanding career pathways to entrepreneurship and management,” said Zoann Parker, vice president of academic affairs at Thaddeus Stevens. “This agreement will give our graduates a way to accelerate their path to management in a large company or starting and owning their businesses.”
Under the agreement, EMU will accept up to 80 college credits earned in completion of an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree from Thaddeus Stevens toward the 120 hours required for the bachelor of science degree.
The remainder of the program is designed to be completed in 16 months attending one class per week from 6-10 p.m.
“At Eastern Mennonite University, we have a history of applied liberal arts, emphasizing the relationship between learning skills and learning to think critically and creatively to solve problems in order to effectively practice one’s profession for the common good,” said Mary Jensen, associate provost, EMU at Lancaster.
Jensen said the agreement will support the current national and local priority to increase the percentage of Americans holding undergraduate baccalaureate degrees, which research suggests is the single most effective step toward a living wage.
Currently about five percent of Thaddeus Stevens students go on to pursue a bachelor’s degree, according to Lancaster Online.
The articulation agreement was signed by representatives of the institutions during a program involving faculty, administrators and students at EMU at Lancaster.
“Serving an annual average of 500 students, Eastern Mennonite University at Lancaster is committed to — and delivers — a rigorous academic program that is affordable and prepares graduates to succeed in their careers and further academic pursuits,” Jensen said.
Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology is owned by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and awards associate degrees in 22 high-demand, skilled occupations.