New NKU, JCTC partnership expands transfer options

A new partnership between Northern Kentucky University and Jefferson Community and Technical College will make earning a bachelor's degree more seamless, efficient, and affordable than ever before.

JCTC2NKU will launch this fall. NKU President Geoffrey S. Mearns and JCTC President Dr. Ty Handy announced the program at an event Thursday morning at the JCTC Carrollton campus.

At JCTC, we are committed to helping students transition to successful, rewarding careers, Handy said. We are proud to partner with Northern Kentucky University to create JCTC2NKU and help students save time and money on their path to academic success.

The program creates a series of degree pathways that begin with enrollment at JCTC and end with a bachelor's degree from NKU. Students can complete an associate's degree at JCTC in two years, and then seamlessly transfer to NKU to obtain a bachelor s degree in an additional two years.

JCTC2NKU will offset the biggest barrier to pursuing a bachelor s degree cost by allowing students to take up to four NKU courses at JCTC's tuition rate. Students can also receive personalized advising at JCTC and NKU to ease the transfer process.

We are proud to partner with JCTC to expand access to education, Mearns said. The economic future of our Commonwealth relies upon workers who have the education and training to meet the need for a skilled workforce across a variety of industries. By collaborating and sharing resources, we can help ensure a brighter future for Kentucky.

JCTC2NKU is modeled upon existing dual partnership programs in the Greater Cincinnati region: in 2013, NKU and Gateway Community and Technical College launched Gateway2NKU; and in 2014, NKU and Cincinnati State Technical and Community College launched CState2NKU. More than 320 students are enrolled in the programs today.

Students who are pursuing an Associate of Arts, Science, or Applied Science degree program are eligible to participate in JCTC2NKU. Students must take at least six credit hours at JCTC, be enrolled in an Academic Program Plan (APPs, or degree pathways), and maintain good academic and financial standing at both institutions.

Through dual enrollment, students in the program can participate in activities and services at both JCTC and NKU, such as tutoring, academic advising, student organizations, intramural sports, and NKUs Campus Recreation Center and Steely Library.

For information or to apply, please visit transfer.nku.edu or jefferson.kctcs.edu.