For immediate release

(DALLAS) — Dallas County Community College District students could get an advance start on their bachelor’s degree with Kaplan University (KU) through a new modified “2+2” program, which gives them a chance to spend more than two years of study at DCCCD and then transfer credits to KU, where they could finish their undergraduate degree.

The new “2.5+1.5” option is designed to maximize transfer credit opportunities for DCCCD students, who are able to take more than their standard two years of coursework through any of the district’s seven colleges and online campus, and then transfer to KU with less than two years of work remaining for them to complete their bachelor’s degree. The agreement also allows those students who are working on an associate degree to enroll in KU courses before they complete their two-year degree at DCCCD.

“Although the focus of this agreement is on students who have completed an associate degree in specified degree programs, students who have not completed their two-year degree are eligible for course-by-course review and transfer into degree programs at Kaplan University,” explained Gregory Williams, DCCCD director of university relations/articulation.

DCCCD students, alumni and employees also may receive a 10 percent discount on their KU tuition; they must inform KU admissions directors of their affiliation with DCCCD to receive the discount.

“With the cost of college increasing every day, this agreement makes it easier for a Dallas County Community College District student to transfer to Kaplan University and for staff members to reduce the time and costs associated with the completion of a bachelor’s degree,” said Jaime Cocuy, vice president for Kaplan University’s Strategic Alliances Organization.

Cocuy added, “DCCCD students potentially can save time completing a bachelor’s degree by following a pre-defined program from the moment they enter one of the district’s colleges or online program. They also may be able to save money because they can take more courses at a DCCCD college that may qualify for transfer to KU when they earn their associate degree.”

Dr. Wright Lassiter Jr., DCCCD’s chancellor, said, “We are pleased to offer this advance start opportunity with Kaplan University; it represents one more important option our students can consider as they plan for their future.”

Requirements for the advance start bachelor’s completion program through KU for DCCCD students include, but are not limited to:

• Providing proof that a student has earned an associate degree from DCCCD or submitting a letter from a DCCCD registrar that states that the student is in good standing, when he or shee is expected to graduate (the date), the associate degree area of study and the program/major.
  
  
• Completing no less than 25 percent of the program requirements at KU, including a minimum of 50 percent of the major requirements (including the capstone course). Credit earned through any combination of transfer, challenge or experiential credit cannot exceed more than 75 percent of the total credits required for graduation.
  
  
• Completing KU program prerequisites at the university if students cannot complete them at DCCCD.

According to the agreement, DCCCD and KU will provide transfer opportunities into the KU School of Business and Management, the KU School of Criminal Justice, the KU School of Information Systems and Technology, and the KU School of Nursing.

Kaplan University offers a different school of thought for higher education. It strives to help adult students unlock their talent by providing a practical, student-centered education that prepares them for careers in some of the fastest-growing industries. The university, which has its main campus in Davenport, Iowa, and its headquarters in Chicago, is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Kaplan University has more than 125 academic programs and offerings, and serves more than 65,000 online and campus-based students. The university has 11 campuses in Iowa, Nebraska, Maryland and Maine, and Kaplan University Learning Centers in Wisconsin, Indiana, Missouri and Florida.

Kaplan University is part of Kaplan Higher Education, which serves more than 95,000 students online and through more than 70 campus-based schools across the United States and abroad. Kaplan Higher Education schools offer a spectrum of academic opportunities, from certificates and diplomas to graduate and professional degrees, including a juris doctor degree. Kaplan Higher Education is part of Kaplan Inc., a leading international provider of educational and career services for individuals, schools and businesses. Kaplan Inc. is a subsidiary of The Washington Post Company (NYSE: WPO), and its largest and fastest-growing division. For more information about Kaplan University, visit http://www.kaplanuniversity.edu.

Over the past 45 years, DCCCD has served almost 2 million students pursuing an associate degree, professional certificate, workforce education, job retraining or classes in lifelong learning, including senior adult programs. In fall 2010, more than 83,000 credit and 25,000 continuing education students filled the district’s seven colleges: Brookhaven, Cedar Valley, Eastfield, El Centro, Mountain View, North Lake and Richland colleges, plus DCCCD’s online campus, Dallas TeleCollege — making DCCCD the largest undergraduate institution in Texas.

For more information, contact DCCCD’s Williams at (214) 378-1742.

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Press contact: Ann Hatch
214-378-1819; ahatch@dcccd.edu
or
Stacey Kovalsky
954-515-3651; skovalsky@kaplan.edu