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News Release

Last modified: Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Elementary education degree transfer agreement reached between IU and Ivy Tech

Schools of Education on all IU campuses will accept credits earned for Associate of Science in Education degree

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Feb. 10, 2009

INDIANAPOLIS -- Indiana University and Ivy Tech Community College today (Feb. 10) announced that they are easing the pathway to a teaching career through articulation agreements that will allow Ivy Tech education students to transfer credits toward an IU degree.

These transfer agreements make it possible for students who complete an approved Associate of Science in Elementary Education degree at any Ivy Tech campus to transfer earned credits toward a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education degree offered at all Indiana University campuses. IU President Michael McRobbie and Ivy Tech President Thomas J. Snyder joined other campus leaders at the Indiana Statehouse in Indianapolis this morning to celebrate the signing of the final agreement that will make system-wide articulation possible.

"This agreement furthers the long history of cooperation between Indiana University and Ivy Tech in the interests of higher education across Indiana," McRobbie said. "It will open the door to new career opportunities for many Hoosiers, and it will help the state of Indiana fill a critical demand for well-trained elementary school teachers. Young people in virtually every Indiana community who may be interested in pursuing a career in teaching will now be able to complete the initial requirements leading to a bachelor's degree at an Ivy Tech campus near their home."

"Teachers are in high demand, and this collaboration will help the state fill that demand," Snyder said. "Working together with four-year colleges and universities such as Indiana University will continue to ensure we meet the needs of the Indiana economy by providing a workforce that is ready for the jobs of the future."

The Indiana Department of Workforce Development listed elementary school teachers as one of its "Top 50 Hoosier Hot Jobs" in 2008. The department estimates a 12 percent increase in school teacher employment between 2006 and 2016.

The Elementary Education degree transfer agreement adds to other formal agreements that allow students to transfer credits earned in associate's degree programs from Ivy Tech to apply toward bachelor's degrees at IU campuses throughout the state. Previous degree agreements between the schools include six liberal arts degrees as well as nursing and criminal justice.

Statewide, 1,572 students are enrolled in Ivy Tech's education program. Certain courses that count toward the Associate of Science in Education degree at Ivy Tech will be accepted as equivalents to coursework toward an IU Elementary Education degree. The coursework includes courses in language arts, mathematics and some introductory education classes.

"Students in the education programs at Ivy Tech and IU will shape the future of our institutions," said Ivy Tech-Bloomington Chancellor John Whikehart, "and it is important that we work together to provide them with seamless opportunities."

"The increased access to education degrees will not only help the state meet the need for teachers, it will also increase the diversity of the teaching workforce," said IU University Dean of Education ,Gerardo Gonzalez. "Students will be able to start their education degrees at any Ivy Tech campus and transfer seamlessly to IU Northwest, IUPUI, Bloomington or any other IU campus."

"Such an arrangement provides an important opportunity for students who complete their program at Ivy Tech to enter and complete a bachelor degree program at a 4-year university," said Stan Wigle, dean of the School of Education at IU Northwest.

Indiana University serves more than 100,000 students in both undergraduate and graduate programs on eight campuses across the state. With more than 7,000 faculty members, IU offers 963 degree programs in the College of Arts and Sciences and various professional schools, including Medicine; Nursing; Law; Music; Business; Education; Informatics; Journalism, Health, Physical Education and Recreation; and Public and Environmental Affairs.

Ivy Tech Community College is the state's largest public post-secondary institution and the nation's largest statewide community college system with more than 120,000 students enrolled annually. Ivy Tech has campuses throughout Indiana. It serves as the state's workforce development engine, offering affordable degree programs and training that are aligned with the needs of its community along with courses and programs that transfer to other colleges and universities in Indiana. It is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association.

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