Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and Rend Lake College have cemented an agreement to ease engineering students’ academic transition from their first two years through their final two.
Rend Lake’s Board of Trustees approved the “2+2” agreement with SIUE May 13. RLC is located in Ina, approximately 70 miles southeast of SIUE.
S. Cem Karacal, Ph.D., associate dean of the SIUE School of Engineering, said the agreement mirrors one that SIUE ratified with Centralia-based Kaskaskia College five years ago.
The 2+2 program, coordinated and monitored by representatives at both schools, helps engineering-bound students stay on track as they complete their general education courses and School of Engineering course requirements.
“Since signing the Kaskaskia College 2+2 in early 2009, we initiated one with St. Charles Community College in 2012 and a similar program agreement waiting for signatures with Lewis and Clark Community College last year,” said Karacal. “We have a 2+2 agreement pending with Southwestern Illinois College and look forward to additional engineering transfer programs with community colleges across Illinois and Missouri.”
The 2+2 program reinforces students’ degree game plan. The objective is to keep tabs on students to ensure that they’re taking the proper courses at both the associate’s degree level and during their junior and senior years. With this structure, they don’t lose time in earning their degree and make sure they reach the finish line in terms of credit hours and necessary coursework.
“The 2+2 is a great way for people to enter the SIUE School of Engineering,” Karacal said. “Completing their preliminary engineering education at the community college saves them money and keeps them moving toward their ultimate goal of a bachelor’s of science degree.
“Students participating in the 2+2 program are able to show demonstrated success during the first two years knowing that we’re saving a spot for them in the School of Engineering in year three. Thanks to the 2+2 agreement, everything (administratively) is taken care of beforehand. Students have the confidence that both schools are monitoring their completion of the prescribed courses.”
The new agreement with RLC includes the following SIUE bachelor’s of science in engineering degrees: mechanical (the largest of the SIUE engineering degree programs), civil, electrical and industrial.
Linda Denton, Ph.D., RLC physics and physical science professor, agreed that the transfer agreement with SIUE should be a timesaver.
“Typically, when you go into a bachelor’s program in engineering, it takes between four and a half to five years,” said Denton. ”This new agreement will cut down the undergraduate school by one semester at least.
“We’re able to do this, because we’ve coordinated our courses with SIUE’s upper-level courses and streamlined the process. The SIUE counselors have coordinated with our counselors to make this process smooth and easy for the student.”
The SIUE School of Engineering offers one of the most comprehensive and affordable engineering programs in the St. Louis region with eight undergraduate degrees, five master’s degrees and a cooperative doctoral program, all housed in a state-of-the-art facility. Students learn from expert faculty, perform cutting-edge research, and participate in intercollegiate design competitions. Companies in the metropolitan St. Louis area provide students challenging internships and co-op opportunities, which often turn into permanent employment. All undergraduate programs are accredited by their respective accreditation agencies.