New Agreement Eases Transfer of OCC Business Students to UM-Flint

Oakland Community College (OCC) and the University of Michigan-Flint School of Management have entered into a new partnership that will benefit OCC students seeking a bachelor's degree in business.

A new articulation agreement, was signed Wednesday, April 2, by officials from both schools. It will ensure students who complete courses for an Associate in Business Administration Degree at OCC a smooth transition to the Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree program at UM-Flint.

"Approximately half of our students intend to transfer to four-year schools and a large percentage major in business, our third largest credit program," said OCC Chancellor Timothy R. Meyer. "This new agreement with the University of Michigan-Flint gives our business graduates the opportunity to earn their bachelor's degrees at an outstanding institution of higher education."

"We are delighted to be signing the Bachelor of Business Administration articulation agreement with Oakland Community College today,"said UM-Flint Interim Chancellor Jack Kay. "This is a splendid opportunity for our two institutions to meet some of the higher educational needs of Automation Alley. We look forward to expanding and strengthening our collaborative efforts with Oakland Community College."

Under the agreement, any student may transfer any number of semester credit hours of general education and other relevant credit hours earned at OCC toward a BBA degree at the University of Michigan-Flint; however, students are required to complete at least 45 institutional hours at UM-Flint. A grade of "C" or better is required of courses for transfer. Oakland Community College and the University of Michigan-Flint will review this agreement every two years and make adjustments as deemed appropriate to maintain the integrity of each institution as well as for the improvement of the transfer process. To commemorate the signing of the articulation agreement, the School of Management will create four $500 OCC business scholarships according to SOM Dean Jack Helmuth.

OCC is the largest community college in Michigan and the 26th largest in the nation. The college offers degrees and certificates in more than 130 fields including university transfer degrees in business, science and the liberal arts. Approximately 70,000 undergraduates attend OCC each year.

The University of Michigan-Flint is one of three campuses of the University of Michigan. The university offers bachelors and graduate degree programs in the liberal arts and sciences and in a number of pre-professional and professional fields. Students benefit from an association with the entire University of Michigan, while they enjoy the many advantages of a smaller institution. In August of 2008, the university will open its first residence hall.