July 02, 2015
Bevill State Community College and the University of Alabama at Birmingham have entered into a joint admissions agreement to help students create a clear pathway to earn their associates degree and transfer into a bachelor’s degree program.
The joint admissions program allows for the creation of higher levels of customer service and on-site advising services, while offering a seamless transition from the associate to the bachelor’s degree.
“The primary objective of this partnership is to create an easier pathway for our students seeking to transfer to UAB,” said Dr. Leslie Cummings, Dean of Instruction at Bevill State. “It will increase the number of students at UAB from Bevill State and provide them with greater opportunities to reach their academic transfer goals.”
Bevill State students gain full admission to UAB upon completion of their associate’s degree. Once admitted to the joint admissions program, they will receive specialized orientation services and have access to UAB facilities, resources and staff services.
As an added incentive, students who complete all joint admission program requirements in the first two years and meet all the necessary requirements of the program will be eligible to receive a $2,000 renewable scholarship upon enrollment at UAB. Requirements include having a 3.00 grade point average in the associate degree coursework, and maintaining a 3.00 GPA in coursework for the renewal.
“We are constantly developing ways to improve completion rates for our students and find ways to help them reach their academic objectives. This partnership is the result of those efforts. I am very proud that Bevill State will be able to offer this to our students. I look forward to the many successes our partnership with UAB will bring,” said Dr. Kim Ennis, Bevill State’s Dean of Students.
UAB launched the joint admissions program in May 2013. Other partners are Gadsden State, Jefferson State, Lawson State and Wallace State-Hanceville.
“This innovative program is advancing the mission we share with our partner community colleges: to provide talented young people throughout Alabama the access and opportunity to realize their fullest potential, go on to successful 21st-century careers and help grow our local and state economies,” said UAB President Ray L. Watts. “We are excited to build on our early success as we work together to expand the benefits of this important initiative to Bevill State students.”