Northwestern State University and Bossier Parish Community College formalized an articulation agreement that will allow students who earn an Associate of Applied Science in Communication Media, Mass Communication, at BPCC to transfer credits towards a Bachelor of Arts in Communication with a concentration in broadcast and digital production at NSU.
The agreement is an example of the continued commitment the two institutions have for developing innovative transfer pathways focusing on the needs of today’s college student, administrators said.
“Creating pathways for students is what we are all about and we have no better partner than NSU,” said Dr. Rick Bateman, BPCC chancellor. “Our institutions are student-centered and our students are embraced, educated and empowered.”
“This agreement will allow BPCC graduates to easily transfer into the four-year program at Northwestern and complete their bachelor’s degrees in four years or less,” said NSU President Dr. Chris Maggio.
BPCC’s two-year degree Communication Media provides hands-on education for students in broadcasting, business of music, computer animation, multimedia studies, film, fine art photography, graphic design, media for ministry, photography, radio and television production. It also provides live and taped television programming for its own cable channel KCAV-TV, a Public, Education, and Government (PEG) channel on Suddenlink, the local cable system.
NSU’s broadcast and digital media production concentration in the Department of New Media, Journalism and Communication Arts prepares students for broadcast media and broadcast production careers in industries such as television, radio, film, videos, and Web delivery. Through hands-on instruction, students learn to research, write, produce, and direct media rich content.
The new agreement includes components for advising students about specific BPCC courses in communication that transfer as NSU-approved communication classes and providing assistance to students transitioning from the community college to the university.
Bossier Parish Community College already has several agreements in place with Northwestern State University that facilitate the path for students to achieve their educational goals while meeting workforce needs and promoting economic development in northwest Louisiana.
Both institutions serve constituency needs and are responsive, student-oriented institutions that prepare the students to become productive members of society as well as promote the academic development and improvement in the quality of life of citizens in their regions.
This partnership is mutually beneficial to both institutions for several reasons. Traditional and non-traditional students attending BPCC will have the opportunity to apply their BPCC associate’s degree to an NSU bachelor’s degree and/or transfer designated BPCC courses as equivalent to specified NSU Communication classes.
Information on BPCC’s Communication Media program is available at bpcc.edu/communicationmedia/index.html. Information on NSU’s Department of New Media, Journalism and Communications Arts can be found at nsula.edu/newmedia.
