The University of Texas at Dallas, Collin College, and Texas State University in San Marcos have a new partnership that could help students realize their bachelor’s degree nearer to home.
Called the Collin College Academic Alliance, the innovative partnership will provide area residents with the opportunity to earn an associate degree, seamlessly earn a bachelor’s degree—pending approval from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges—and save “thousands of dollars,” the schools said. The program will have full academic support from Collin College and partner universities, allowing students to complete their full Texas State or UT Dallas degree in Collin County.
“We’re thrilled to take our partnerships with Texas State University and The University of Texas at Dallas to a new level,” Collin College District President Neil Matkin said in a statement. “This alliance creates true streamlined pathways that guide students from Collin College degrees to top programs at exceptional universities while offering tremendous cost savings.”
Alliance located at the Collin College Technical Campus in Allen
The alliance, which is located at the Collin College Technical Campus in Allen, creates opportunities for its students, including saving them about $20,000. Students can take many Collin College courses that are approved to apply to university degree programs, the schools said.
“At Texas State University, we are proud of our unwavering belief in the power of education to transform lives and communities,” said Texas State University President Kelly Damphousse. “We know that our shared mission with Collin College makes us great partners to support the incredible population growth in and around Collin County. Students will not just attend our classes at Collin’s Technical Campus, but they will also be a part of the Texas State experience while saving thousands of dollars through this agreement.”
This new endeavor provides the community with a new higher education model, the schools said.
“The University of Texas at Dallas is proud to be at the forefront of significant initiatives, and this collaboration is no exception,” UTD President Richard C. Benson said in a statement. “We have a longstanding, robust relationship with Collin College, and together we are paving the way for students to succeed.”
Student support from both Collin College and partners
Collin College said it will serve as the alliance’s hub, providing the location, advisers, and a full complement of student support services. The schools said that alliance students will have access to dining services, a library, and a campus bookstore as well as central student support services including academic advisement, career services, counseling, and disability services.
Students in the alliance will receive a variety of partner university perks ranging from library services to football game tickets, the schools said. Students will also have opportunities to participate in Collin College student organizations and receive similar opportunities to attend local fine arts and athletic events.
Collin College said it also will be working with Academic Alliance partners in the near future to explore additional programs, including education certification programs.
Founded in 1899, Texas State University is among the largest universities in Texas with an enrollment of more than 38,000 students on campuses in San Marcos and Round Rock.
Home to more than 30,000 students, UT Dallas offers rigorous academic programs, with curricula serving a variety of undergraduate and graduate student interests. With seven schools offering more than 145 undergraduate and graduate programs, plus professional certificates and fast-track programs, UTD also is recognized as an R1 institution — a Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education denoting the top tier of doctoral institutions with very high research activity.
Collin College said it serves more than 58,000 credit and continuing education students annually and offers more than 200 degrees and certificates, including a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), a Bachelor of Applied Technology (BAT) in Cybersecurity, a Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) in Construction Management, and a new Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) in Clinical Operations Management.
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