Oakland University introduces new articulation agreements

Oakland University has introduced a number of new articulation agreements over the past year, all of which will provide access to streamlined transfer pathways to give more students the ability to earn a bachelor degree. The agreements between the various community colleges and the university all highlight the shared desire between each institution to help more students achieve their educational goals.

According to an article on Oakland University’s website, Dawn M. Aubry, who serves as the university’s vice president for enrollment management, was quoted as saying of articulation agreements, “Oakland was founded on the premise that everyone deserves access to an exceptional education — and all of the valuable opportunities that come with it. That’s why we’re doing all we can to help make an exceptional education affordable. For the adult students we work with, time-to-degree is essential. Strong articulation agreements create the most direct path to completion. They save students time, reduce costs, and ensure that every credit earned moves them closer to their goal.”

Among the recently signed articulation agreements is the one between Oakland University and Macomb Community College, which provides a pathway for students who earn an Associate of Applied Science in Speech Communication Arts from MCC to transfer to Oakland University to complete a Bachelor of Arts in Communication. The articulation agreement aims to make the transfer process as streamlined as possible by laying out specific course equivalencies and helping to eliminate the guesswork that often goes into transferring credits between institutions.

Robert Sidelinger, who is a professor and the communications program director at Oakland University, said, “One of the biggest advantages of this agreement is that it saves students time and money. With a well-mapped curriculum in place, students can plan their academic journey from the start, taking only the courses they need to complete their degree. This reduces both tuition costs and the overall time it takes to earn a bachelor’s degree — an important consideration, especially for working adults or those returning to school. By reducing uncertainty, increasing affordability, and ensuring alignment across programs, this articulation agreement creates a more inclusive and supportive environment for students pursuing their educational goals.”

The university also recently signed an articulation agreement with Schoolcraft College that will allow for a seamless transfer process between the Schoolcraft College Honors Program and the Oakland University Honors College. Students who wish to pursue this pathway will have guidance from OU Honors College guidance counselors while they are still attending Schoolcraft College, with the advice of the counselors serving to guide the students’ course choices that will allow them seamless acceptance into the Honors College.

Additionally, the university has also entered into several separate articulation agreements with Oakland Community College in recent months. One agreement outlines the pathway from earning an Associate of Applied Science in Early Childhood Studies and the Michigan Transfer Agreement at Oakland Community College to a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education at Oakland University that will only require 57 credits to complete.

The goal of this specific articulation agreement is to combat the current teacher shortage, according to Roberta Rea, the director of advising in the School of Education and Human Services. She said, “This agreement will help address the local and state teacher shortages in early childhood, early intervention and early childhood special education needs. Both academic institutions will offer significant classroom and experiential learning and provide students with the opportunity to learn and apply the state-required Core Teaching Practices.”

Another of the articulation agreements between the institutions helps students who have earned an Associate in Science degree to complete a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from OU in four semesters.

For more information about Oakland University, visit the school’s website.