Western Nebraska Community College and the University of Nebraska at Omaha announce the signing of a articulation agreement paving the way for WNCC graduates who have completed an Associate of Arts, Associate of Applied Science, or Associate of Science degree to easily transfer their credits to UNO in order to pursue a Bachelor of General Studies (BGS) degree, which may be obtained completely online.
WNCC President Dr. Todd R. Holcomb and UNO Chancellor Dr. John E. Christensen finalized the agreement this summer. Signers from WNCC included Holcomb, Terry Gaalswyk, vice president of educational services, and Dr. Susan Yowell, vice president of student services. Signers from UNO included Christensen, Dr. B.J. Reed, senior vice chancellor for academic and student affairs, and Dr. John Bartle, dean of the College of Public Affairs and Community Service.
Said Holcomb of the agreement, "When well-respected institutions such as the University of Nebraska at Omaha partner with WNCC to bring increased access to higher education for our panhandle, it's a winning proposition for everyone. Students will be able to transfer up to 64 credits from WNCC to UNO, which will lower the cost and raise the attainability of earning a bachelor's degree from an outstanding university."
"We are very fortunate to have established this partnership with Western Nebraska Community College," Christensen said. "The more we can do to reduce barriers for students' ability to access education, the more benefit we can provide the state of Nebraska."
Ranked by U.S. News and World Report as one of the top online degree programs in the country, UNO's BGS degree program has combined high quality education with flexibility for over 60 years. The BGS degree offers over 40 degree areas of concentration, providing opportunities for adult learners, distance education users and military students. Since 1951 over 22,000 students have earned a BGS degree from UNO and more are graduating every semester.
"The huge benefit of this partnership is that students in western Nebraska don't have the leave the state to earn a bachelor's degree," said Jaci Lindberg, assistant director of academic affairs for UNO's Division of Continuing Studies. "In fact, with our Bachelor of General Studies degree being offered completely online, they can stay and contribute to their local economies rather than move away to complete a four-year degree."
Current WNCC students interested in the BGS degree program at UNO should contact their academic advisor. Future students can finds answers to their questions through the WNCC Admissions Office, 308.635.6010.