Snead State Community College and The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) joined together to provide new opportunities for students interested in aviation education and training.
Representatives from Snead State and UAH signed a memorandum of understanding Monday, Aug. 28, establishing an articulation agreement between the two institutions. The agreement ensures that students earning an Associate in Applied Science degree through Snead State’s aviation program can easily transition into UAH’s College of Professional and Continuing Studies and receive a Bachelor of Arts or Science in Professional Studies.
“What is unique about this articulation agreement is that a significant number of the career technical courses that Snead State teaches in Airframe and Power Plant will be accepted by UAH for this degree,” said Snead State Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Annette Cederholm.
Associate of Applied Science degrees are considered terminal degrees since many of the hours earned in this degree do not transfer to four-year institutions. The partnership between Snead State and UAH allows students to transfer credits earned for the AAS degree within the aviation program and apply them to earning a Bachelor degree at UAH.
“We are pleased to be a part of this new partnership between UAH and Snead State and are excited about providing expanded academic opportunities to our North Alabama community,” said Dr. Karen Clanton, dean of the College of Professional and Continuing Studies.
The Bachelor of Professional Studies is designed for adults who have prior college and/or work experience but have not yet obtained a four-year degree. The program provides a well-rounded education through a tailored, interdisciplinary curriculum offering concentration areas in Leadership Strategies and Dynamics, Organizational Studies, and Technology, Science and Society. Students have the opportunity to transfer up to 75 percent of previously earned credits and can select from a mixture of online and classroom offerings.
Snead State recently assumed the operation of the Alabama Aviation Center, located at the Albertville Airport and once under the administration of Enterprise Community College. The Aviation Center offers a complete airframe technology program and will soon include powerplant technology curriculum.
Through the articulation agreement, students may also dually enroll in both Snead State and UAH to complete classes that bring them one step closer to earning certification as aviation maintenance technicians and a four-year degree.
“The aviation program is a new venture for Snead State, but we’re excited about the opportunities this will open for our students. We’ve received incredible support from the community and local industry leaders, so our partnership with UAH will only enhance our program. The articulation agreement is a step in the right direction as we prepare students for exciting careers in aviation,” said Snead State President Dr. Robert Exley.
“While the Associate degree earned through Snead State will be extremely beneficial to students, some of them may wish to pursue a four-year degree. We are pleased to offer that opportunity by partnering with Snead State to create a viable pathway from the Associate of Applied Science to a baccalaureate degree,” said Dr. Christine Curtis, UAH Provost and Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs.
Representatives from UAH visited Snead State’s campus Monday for a formal signing event spotlighting the partnership and then toured the Aviation Center in Albertville.