Direct Connect Provides Seamless, Affordable Pathway to Degrees at UCM and Jefferson College

University of Central Missouri President Roger Best and Jefferson College President Dena McCaffery sign academic program agreements as
part of the JC+UCM Direct Connect partnership.

 

The University of Central Missouri (UCM) and Jefferson College (JC) have partnered to provide students with a seamless, affordable pathway from an associate degree to a bachelor’s degree.

JC+UCM Direct Connect is a concurrent enrollment agreement that allows students to enjoy a four-year education experience at the University of Central Missouri while attending Jefferson College. Officials from both institutions gathered on Tuesday, Dec. 3 at Jefferson College in Hillsboro to sign the agreement.

“Jefferson College’s focus on student success is certainly something that resonates with us,” UCM President Roger Best said. “Student success is number one in your strategic plan and it’s one of your values. UCM just had a successful Higher Learning Commission visit in the spring, and one of their final comments was, ‘You are who you say you are – you're all about student success.’ So to know that you’re focused on student success at Jefferson College was something we found very appealing.”

“I think I'm seeing that both sides are very visionary in how we take care of students and make sure we can get them to the finish line,” JC President Dena McCaffery added. “This new transfer agreement, and it coming together quickly, definitely shows that.”

UCM Direct Connect is open to students who meet Missouri residency requirements. To participate in the program, students must typically enroll full-time (minimum 12 credit hours per semester) with courses exclusively at JC or at both UCM and JC. Courses taken at UCM will apply toward the major the student intends to pursue once admitted as a degree-seeking UCM student.

“Direct Connect is a concurrent enrollment agreement that will help Jefferson College students take courses at the same time at UCM and reduce credit loss after earning an associate's degree at Jefferson College,” said Tim Crowley, UCM provost and vice president for Academic Affairs. “We look forward to building a strong relationship with Jefferson College and reducing obstacles for students who desire a four-year degree. Transfer students comprise nearly 45% of our incoming enrollment each year and this master agreement and its affiliated program articulation agreements advance our strategic imperative to become a regional transfer hub.”

In addition to the main Direct Connect agreement, UCM and JC have established seven academic program pathways and several more are in progress. 

“This agreement is exciting, and I think all of the behind-the-scenes details are important but not as important as the pathways and opportunities it provides for our students,” said Chris DeGeare, JC vice president of Academic Affairs. “Along with deciding to work together, we decided to start some articulation pathways at the same time.”

JC+UCM Direct Connect helps facilitate credit transfer and student record sharing between JC and UCM. It also includes benefits for students, such as a Direct Connect scholarship, lowering the time and cost of a four-year degree, and providing student use of services at each institution. 

JC students can strengthen their college experience with access to student services on both campuses, including UCM’s Career and Life Design Center, Writing Center and Learning Commons with free tutoring, library, dining facilities, Student Recreation and Wellness Center, sporting events and entertainment and cultural events, plus the option to live in the residence halls. They will also be assigned an advisor at JC and a success advisor at UCM to help them stay on track toward degree completion. 

Program participants are eligible to seek financial aid to help pay for the cost of their education. Upon graduation from JC, students can also earn a $1,500 Direct Connect scholarship.

The newly signed agreement makes JC the third institution to partner with the UCM Direct Connect program. 

For more information, visit ucmo.edu/directconnect or contact the UCM Office of Admissions at 660-543-4290 or transfer@ucmo.edu.

 

From left, University of Central Missouri (UCM) Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Tim Crowley, UCM President Roger Best,
Jefferson College (JC) President Dena McCaffery and JC Vice President of Academic Affairs Chris DeGeare.