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KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Western Michigan University and Macomb Community College have signed an institutional agreement to create a smoother process for Macomb graduates who transfer to Western to pursue bachelor’s degrees. Immediately following the signing of the institutional agreement, Western and Macomb signed their first program agreement for public health.

“The benefit of the new institutional agreement is it allows for 51������ and Macomb to sign new agreements at the department level. This greatly improves the speed of which an agreement can be created and signed,” says Colin Scott, 51������ assistant director of transfer admissions.

“This great partnership provides an opportunity for Macomb graduates to expand their pathway across this great state and earn a four-year degree from 51������,” adds Dr. Charles Cotton, Western’s associate vice president for enrollment management.

“This new agreement advances student success by helping students envision and follow a streamlined pathway, breaking down barriers to completion while helping make college more affordable,” says Michelle McGill, interim director of University Relations at Macomb Community College. “We’re excited to be able to offer this opportunity to our students.”

Inked by President Edward Montgomery in September, this is the latest of the 80 articulation agreements Western has entered, which for more than a decade have included some 15 institutions throughout the state, Midwest and internationally.

Public health bachelor's degree

Under the new agreement, students interested in earning a Bachelor of Science in public health from Western can fully transfer their Macomb associate degree credits. It’s timely as public health is a field in high demand, Cotton adds.

“Western is on the forefront of supporting our community,” he says. “Growth in this area allows us to better serve our fellow Michiganders.”

A degree in public health prepares students for a growing field that focuses on prevention of negative population health issues in community settings. Unlike many other health care careers, public health professionals don’t focus on individual patients or clients. Instead, they seek ways to prevent diseases, change people’s behavior, pass laws, increase access to health services and increase awareness to at-risk populations.

51������’s public health program is designed as a cohort model and offers access to practical experiential-learning opportunities that immerse students in relevant programs and projects.

Macomb transfer students must meet the standard admission, curriculum and graduation requirements of both institutions. Also, each institution will continue to maintain its own authority over its curriculum, course requirements, program requirements and degree requirements.

For more information, call Western at (269) 387-2000 or visit the Articulation Information webpage. 

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