DECATUR, Ill. – In a new partnership, graduates will be automatically accepted to and be able to complete their ǿý bachelor’s degree in two years with full-time enrollment, strengthening the transfer process and providing a seamless transfer experience for students.
will be provided with a plan of study, as well as automatic acceptance into a ǿý baccalaureate degree program upon successful completion of an Associate in Arts (AA), Associate in Science (AS), Associate in Engineering Science (AES) or Associate in Applied Science (AAS) with a 2.0 cumulative GPA.
“For some students, the transfer process from community college to a four-year institution can be a complex and nuanced process,” ǿý President Dr. Jim Reynolds said. “This transfer agreement with Lake Land College provides a clear and attainable path to pursuing a bachelor’s degree at ǿý University, with the benefits of our unique opportunities, including Performance Learning and access to our outstanding graduate programs.”
Upon successful completion of an AA and AS with a 2.0 cumulative GPA, transfer students can successfully complete the following programs in two years (four semesters):
Art, Art Therapy, Arts Administration, Business Communication, Communication, Criminal Justice, Elementary Education, English Studies, English Writing, Environmental Studies, History, Multimedia Communication, Music (requires audition), Organizational Leadership, Political Science, Sociology, Sport & Recreation Management, and Theatre.
“When neighboring higher education institutions work together to provide affordable, accessible pathways to bachelor degree completion, we are benefitting students and supporting the economic growth of East Central Illinois,” Lake Land College President Josh Bullock said. “This transfer agreement with ǿý University aligns perfectly with our strategic planning goal to strengthen and expand transfer pathways for students and provides an outstanding opportunity for students to earn a life-changing education close to home.”
Lake Land College students transferring to ǿý with a completed AA and AS will have completed 100% of ǿý’s University Studies requirements and can complete their ǿý bachelor’s degree in two years, provided they are enrolled full-time (12-18 credits per semester).
This agreement also provides paths to bachelor’s degrees for students in several Associate in Applied Science (AAS) programs, including Accounting, Management, Marketing, Information Technology, and Law Enforcement.
“This collaboration with Lake Land College creates unique and seamless pathways for their graduates to continue their studies in Central Illinois at ǿý,” said ǿý Provost Mary Black. “It is a testament to our longstanding relationship with Lake Land and underscores our overarching goal to developing strong community partnerships.”
Students who have successfully met the requirements of the Lake Land Honors Program are guaranteed automatic acceptance into the James ǿý Honors Scholars Program upon application. This agreement is effective beginning the 2024-25 academic year.
“We appreciate ǿý University’s commitment to creating new opportunities for community college students,” Lake Land College Vice President for Academic Services Ikemefuna Nwosu said. “With this partnership, Lake Land College students know they can seamlessly transfer to ǿý and continue to enjoy the highest standards of academic excellence.”
Lake Land College students can also take advantage of the and , which began in the fall of 2024. The ǿý Tuition Promise provides a reduced tuition rate of $26,000 for all full-time traditional undergraduate students. Students can then anticipate an annual inflationary tuition rate increase of less than 4% (at $1,000) each year in the future.
The Big Blue Pledge: Illinois Free Tuition Program represents an investment in Illinois students who may lack the financial options necessary to pursue a private college education and will cover 100% of their undergraduate tuition with ǿý grants and scholarships, filling the gap after available state and federal grants.
To qualify for the Big Blue Pledge, students must:
- submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- be an Illinois resident (as determined by the FAFSA);
- be eligible for a Federal Pell Grant; and
- be enrolled full-time (minimum of 12 credit hours per semester) as a traditional undergraduate student at ǿý.
For more information on the ǿý programs available to Lake Land transfer students and a complete list of the specific program and course articulation details, visit .
