Georgia Northwestern Technical College (GNTC) and Southern Adventist University have developed an academic and educational partnership for GNTC students to enroll in the online Adult Degree Completion (ADC) program at Southern Adventist University.
The five-year agreement, which went into effect March 1, 2025, will allow GNTC students who have not previously completed a four-year program to earn a bachelor’s degree online in as little as 18 to 24 months in Business Management, Communication, Integrative Studies, Nursing RN to BSN or Psychology at Southern Adventist University, based on the number of credit hours they transfer from GNTC to Southern Adventist University.
“This new partnership between Georgia Northwestern Technical College and Southern Adventist University represents a significant step forward in expanding educational opportunities for our students,” said Dr. Heidi Popham, GNTC president. “By creating seamless transfer pathways, this collaboration ensures that our graduates have access to continued education that enhances their skills and prepares them to meet the evolving needs of the workforce in northwest Georgia and beyond.”
“We are thrilled to provide this opportunity to students at GNTC, equipping them to thrive in a fluid job market,” said Dr. Ken Shaw, Southern Adventist University president. “This partnership is especially beneficial for independent students who want to complete a bachelor’s degree while working since it creates a smooth pathway for entering our online Adult Degree Completion program, allowing a seamless pursuit of their educational goals.”
The Adult Degree Completion program is specifically designed to be fully online with flexible learning options for working adults. Applicants must have earned at least 24 hours of college credit, have at least a 2.0 GPA, and be 25 years or older (or living independently, if younger). There is no age requirement for entrance into the Nursing RN to BSN program, which has different entry requirements and delivery modes than the other participating programs. Students may also earn college credit based on prior work and learning experience, based on a learning assessment. More details can be found at southern.edu/adc.
“Southern Adventist University’s fully online Adult Degree Completion program is designed to give adult learners the opportunity to achieve their goals by completing their degree, enabling them to secure better-paying jobs and provide a better life for their families. We are excited to partner with GNTC in this endeavor,” said Cynthia Wright, director of the Adult Degree Completion program.
“As a former adult learner, I understand the challenges adult students face while balancing full-time work schedules and pursuing a degree to advance their careers, and my aim is to walk with them on their educational journey,” Wright said.
“This initiative provides our students with more options to continue their education,” said Dr. Michael Fennell, dean of Business and Public Service Technologies at GNTC. “This program is specifically designed to transfer credits from our college, ensuring that students retain the credits they have already earned—ultimately saving them both time and money.”
Southern Adventist University will offer GNTC students who are completing the requirements for an associate degree or GNTC graduates who earned an associate degree within the last five years a 10 percent discount if they meet the program’s admission requirements.
Southern Adventist University’s Adult Degree Completion program will coordinate with GNTC’s Office of Career Services to host two annual ADC Open Houses at GNTC’s Floyd County Campus in Rome to provide more information about the program to GNTC students.
“Southern Adventist University would welcome the opportunity to expand our bachelor’s degree options within the online Adult Degree Completion program in the future,” Wright said. “New offerings would be based on student needs—because they are the reason this program exists.”
About Southern Adventist University
Founded in 1892, Southern Adventist University provides a quality, Christian education to more than 3,200 students currently earning degrees ranging from associate to doctoral. Grounded in Jesus Christ and dedicated to the beliefs of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, the university equips students to embrace biblical truth, embody academic and professional excellence, and pursue Spirit-filled lives of service. Identified in “Best Colleges” rankings for 23 consecutive years by U.S. News & World Report, Southern is also slated as one of the most diverse regional universities in the South. Southern welcomes community members to enjoy the university’s wellness center, vegetarian health food store, and nearly 40 miles of wooded trails on 1,300 acres in Collegedale, Tennessee. For more information, visit www.southern.edu.
About GNTC
Georgia Northwestern Technical College provides quality workforce education to the citizens of northwest Georgia. Students have the opportunity to earn an associate degree, diploma or a certificate in aviation, business, health, industrial or public service career paths. This past year, 13,775 people benefited from GNTC’s credit and noncredit programs. GNTC has an annual credit enrollment of 8,836 students and an additional enrollment of 4,939 people through adult education, continuing education, business and industry training and Georgia Quick Start. For more information about GNTC, visit us at www.GNTC.edu.