Formal agreement allows eligible Shelton State graduates to transfer to UWA for bachelor of science in engineering technology
Sixty miles separate the baby直播 from Shelton State Community College鈥檚 campus, but a new agreement between those institutions is opening a pathway for engineering students who want to further their education in Livingston.
A formal articulation agreement signed in September will allow eligible Shelton State graduates with an associate in applied science degree in industrial electronics technology to transfer to UWA and seek a bachelor of science degree in engineering technology.
For Dr.聽Donnie Cobb聽, chair of UWA鈥檚 Department of Computer Information Systems and Technology, the compact scratches an itch he鈥檚 long felt: how to guide interested Shelton State graduates working at the Mercedes-Benz U.S. International plant in Vance into UWA, where they could earn a four-year degree in engineering technology and, presumably, significantly enhance their long-range career options.
聽The Shelton State-to-UWA pathway previously existed, Cobb said, though there was no formal treaty between the campuses to quickly facilitate the student transfers. The agreement signed last month by UWA President Dr.聽Ken Tucker聽and Shelton State President聽Bradley Newman聽details the curriculum, the hour requirements and the transfer specifics.聽
Cobb, who also directs UWA鈥檚 Center for Workforce Development, couldn鈥檛 be happier.
鈥淣ow I’ve got it set up that if they take this curriculum, if they were going to school full-time, they can finish in 2 years,鈥� Cobb said, with part-time students earning the degree in three years. 鈥淚 was trying to figure out a way so that they are not having to come back for a full four years.鈥�
In 2014, Cobb reconfigured the Department of Computer Information Systems and Technology鈥檚 industrial technology major and revamped its curriculum. From that emerged a new major with a new title — a bachelor of science degree in engineering technology — that instantly drew more student interest, both for the modernized class offerings and the moniker itself.
鈥淵ou鈥檇 be amazed at what鈥檚 in a name,鈥� Cobb said.
Beneath the surface of UWA鈥檚 engineering technology major are two critical advantages for students — the program鈥檚 national accreditation from ABET (formerly the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology) and its commitment to skills-based instruction.
The ABET label gives UWA graduates the ability to apply for government-based engineering jobs. The applied engineering teaching methods empower graduates not only with classroom knowledge but also with valuable experience in their field.
鈥淚f you鈥檙e taking an electrical course with us, then you are going to have to put your hands on the equipment and actually do the wiring,鈥� Cobb said. 鈥淚f you’re studying programmable logic controls, then you have to actually get in there and work with the PLCs. If you’re taking draft and design, then you have to work with the computer and design the products, draw the products and print the products out.鈥�
A partial list of potential opportunities for graduates, Cobb said, includes roles as electrical engineers, production engineers, reliability engineers, product managers, quality engineers, construction engineers, operation managers and senior designers.
UWA鈥檚 engineering technology degree 鈥渨ill open up more doors for them in engineering fields,鈥� he said.
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Story: Phillip Tutor | Photos: Contributed