Dr. Randall Griffus (left), dean of the School of Science, Technology, and Mathematics for Dalton State, gives Georgia Highlands President Dr. Donald Green (right) a tour of Peeples Hall following the signing of the articulation agreement between the two schools
Several students from Georgia Highlands College were already transferring to Dalton State to complete their bachelor’s degrees. But recently the two colleges in the University System of agreed to make it even easier for students to start college at Georgia Highlands and finish at Dalton State.
The two colleges signed an articulation agreement that streamlines the process for Georgia Highland students wanting to major in any of the fields offered through Dalton State’s School of Science, Technology, and Mathematics or School of Business. Those majors include biology, chemistry, mathematics, accounting, management, management information systems, and marketing.
“Dalton State offers one of the most affordable business degrees in the country accredited by Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business,” said Dr. Larry Johnson, dean of the School of Business. “Given that we had over 60 students from Georgia Highlands transfer to Dalton State just this past year alone, it is obvious that those students see Dalton State as an affordable yet high quality option to complete their four-year degree. This articulation agreement will make it easier for students from Georgia Highlands to transfer seamlessly to Dalton State.”
With the agreement in place, students wanting to transfer to Dalton State will be able to start taking the necessary prerequisite classes to fulfill their bachelor degree requirements while still at Georgia Highlands. There are times students transferring to another institution to complete a degree lose credits or find they have taken the wrong course required for a certain program. But this agreement eliminates that possibility.
“I am pleased that our regional neighbor and our fellow USG baccalaureate-degree-granting institution Dalton State College has articulated an agreement for four-year completion studies in areas that Georgia Highlands does not currently offer,” said Renva Watterson, Georgia Highland’s vice president for Academic Affairs. “This just makes sense that our students have a clear path to graduation with both an associate degree and bachelor's degree – right from the start.”
Dr. Randall Griffus, dean of the School of Science, Technology, and Mathematics at Dalton State, said the agreement will not only benefit students, but the faculty and staff as well. “We’ll have a chance to collaborate with their faculty,” Dr. Griffus said. “We’re looking at some research projects we can work on together.”
Faculty and staff from Georgia Highlands recently spent time touring Peeples Hall, which houses the School of Science, Technology, and Mathematics at Dalton State. They were particularly interested in the cadaver lab and the experience human dissection gives to an undergraduate student entering a medical or research field after completing their undergraduate degree.
“We’re happy to have this option,” Dr. Griffus said. “This allows students to continue their education at an extremely affordable sister institution and have access to state of the art equipment and facilities in a more intimate one-on-one environment than is available at some other institutions.”
Those involved in the agreement said they are excited for this opportunity for the two schools to work together to continue helping students succeed.
“Georgia Highlands has an excellent reputation for producing quality graduates in this region,” said Dr. Andy Meyer, Dalton State’s interim vice president for Academic Affairs. “We are excited that we can work with them to offer clear options and additional pathways for their students. I really believe this partnership will benefit the students, the region, and both institutions.”