Articulation 101
For Beginners
MACRAO Articulation Summer Summit
Cadillac, Michigan
June 16, 2011
Presented by
Pat Cygnar, Eastern Michigan University
Susan Cushnier, University of Michigan Dearborn
Christopher Marx, Davenport University
Common Definitions
• Articulation
Process that facilitates the smooth transition from
one educational institution to another or from one
level of education to the next
• Articulation Agreement
A 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 Guide
A 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 Agreement
A 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 Guides
Articulation Agreement
• Formal document signed by
two or more institutions
Transfer Guide
• Unsigned document
published by one school
• Shows how to complete
degrees at both schools
• Shows courses at the
sending school that satisfy
specific requirements at the
receiving school
• Typically “adds value” by
waiving published policies
(ex. allows up to 3 years at
the community college
• May include MACRAO
• 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)
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English Composition
Science/Math (one lab science required)
Humanities
Social Science
6 credits hours
8 credit hours
8 credit hours
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
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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
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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