INA, Ill. (May 21, 2014) - Students enrolled in Rend Lake College’s engineering program will have a new opportunity to continue their higher education at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) starting this fall. A new inter-district 2+2 agreement will allow students to transfer to SIUE as juniors after completing all required prerequisites at RLC.
Dr. Linda Denton, RLC Physics and Physical Science Professor, said the agreement will reduce the amount of time RLC students spend between receiving their Associate of Engineering Science Degree and SIUE’s Bachelor of Science Degree.
“Typically, when you go into a bachelor’s program in engineering, it takes between four and a half to five years, but this new agreement will cut down the undergraduate school by one semester, at least,†she said. “We’re able to do this because we’ve coordinated our courses with SIU Edwardsville’s upper-level courses and streamlined the process.â€
To take full advantage of the 2+2 agreement, students will have to enroll in a specific field of interest for the program, focusing in civil, computer, electrical, industrial, or mechanical engineering. Denton said students will have to follow the RLC curriculum designed explicitly for SIUE. Other articulation agreements have been made with the University of Illinois, University of Missouri at Rolla, and Southern Illinois University Carbondale as well.
“The counselors at SIU Edwardsville have coordinated with our counselors to make this process smooth and easy for the student,†said Denton. “We’ve worked on this project for approximately one year and, together, both schools are now on the same page. I’ll be excited to see our students take advantage of an opportunity like this to continue their education.â€
Dr. S. Cem Karacal, associate dean of the SIUE School of Engineering, said the agreement will also give RLC students assurance that they have a place to go once they graduate.
“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 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.â€
Students can enroll now for the fall semester, which starts August 18. The Associate in Engineering Science Degree focuses on the application of scientific principles to practical problems. Engineering spans more than 25 major specialties with employment options through the entire spectrum of the workforce. The RLC degree requires a total of 65 credit hours.
The SIUE School of Engineering offers eight undergraduate degrees, five master’s degrees, and a doctoral program. Companies in the area also provide students with challenging internships and co-op opportunities.
To set up a registration appointment or for more information, contact the Rend Lake College Academic Advisement Center at 618-437-5321, Ext. 1266, or at advising@rlc.edu. For more information about RLC, visit www.rlc.edu/journey.