ARTICULATION AGREEMENT BETWEEN
STEPHEN F. AUSTIN STATE UNIVERSITY
AND DALLAS COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT

1. Purpose of Agreement:

   The purpose of this Agreement is to enable DCCCD students who successfully complete the articulated courses as outlined in this agreement (see Appendix A) to transfer to SFA in a seamless transition without loss of semester credit hours.  The SFA program is the Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies (BSIS) with Early Childhood – 4^th grade teacher certification.  The following courses taken at DCCCD will transfer to SFA as follows:

   Early Childhood - 4^th Grade Teacher Certification:

   EDUC 1301 Introduction to the Teaching Profession or TECA 1311 Educating Young Children transfers from DCCCD to SFA to satisfy the course requirements of HMS 241 and HMS 241 Lab – Introductory to Early Childhood Profession, Intro to Early Childhood Lab;  EDUC 2301 Introduction to Special Populations or TECA 1354 Child Growth and Development, transfers from DCCCD to SFA to satisfy the course requirement of EPS 380 Educational Psychology.  TECA 1303 Family, School & Community transfers from DCCCD to SFA to satisfy the course requirements of HMS 242 Family, School & Community Relations.  TECA 1318 Wellness of the Young Child transfers from DCCCD to SFA to satisfy the course requirements of KIN 332 Health and Kinesiology for Children.  (See Appendix A for additional EC-4 articulated coursework.)

2. Terms of Agreement:
   A.        Responsibilities of SFA:

     SFA hereby agrees as follows:

   To admit and accept in full the coursework as outlined in Appendix A those DCCCD students who have completed an Associate of Arts in Teaching degree and have been determined by SFA to qualify for admission to SFA and the Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies degree program. To develop and provide materials related to a seamless transition to the Elementary Education program, leading to a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies degree, in cooperation between DCCCD and SFA. Post on SFA’s Web site the articulated DCCCD/SFA community college 2-year planning guide. To provide and teach SFA courses articulated in this agreement. To provide DCCCD advisors with information and support in helping them with their role of assisting  DCCCD students with transfer and degree program advising. To maintain ongoing collaboration and monitoring of the program through the Chair of the SFA Department of Elementary Education. To arrange and coordinate academic accommodations for qualified disabled students enrolled in SFA courses through the SFA Office of Disability Services. To bill and collect from students participating in this program applicable SFA tuition and fees as adopted by the SFA Board of Regents. To advise students of SFA academic requirements, policies, procedures, tuition and fees are subject to change; and that change information can be found on the SFA Web site, bulletins or other locations. SFA will work with DCCCD in providing reverse transfer arrangements for any students transferring from DCCCD to SFA prior to earning an associate degree. Provide DCCCD students with scholarship and financial aid information through advising and advising materials. SFA cannot guarantee this program in perpetuity, therefore it is important that the parties and students participating in this program understand that this agreement will not constitute a binding contract regarding the ongoing or future offerings of the academic program outlined herein. SFA is an equal opportunity institution, and shall not discriminate unlawfully against any DCCCD student, applicant, or employee, nor shall it deny the benefits provided its own degree-seeking students to any person on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, disability, marital status, age or gender.

   B.        Responsibilities of DCCCD:

   DCCCD hereby agrees as follows:

   To admit and enroll DCCCD students enrolled in lower division courses taught by DCCCD as part of these articulated degree programs. To provide DCCCD students with SFA course listings for these programs through bulletin and web postings, advising materials, and other appropriate media. To assist in advising DCCCD/SFA students in this program through one or more designated DCCCD academic advisor(s). To communicate to DCCCD students completing the Associate of Arts in Teaching Degree and enrolling at SFA of SFA academic requirements, policies, procedures, tuition and fees and that these are subject to change that SFA cannot guarantee the program in perpetuity, and that future offerings cannot be guaranteed beyond the terms of this articulation agreement. To maintain ongoing collaboration and monitoring of the program through the Director of Concurrent Enrollment. DCCCD is an equal opportunity institution, and shall not discriminate unlawfully against any SFA student, applicant, or employee, nor shall it deny the benefits provided its own degree-seeking students to any person on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, disability, marital status, age or gender.

   C.        Responsibilities of Both Institutions:

   An annual program review will occur no later than the 15^th day of March each year.

   D.        Course Delivery

   Each institution agrees to offer courses as outlined in the Articulation Degree plans (see Appendix A).  DCCCD will offer up to 66 hours of coursework and SFA will offer the remaining hours of coursework.  Because of possible changes in certification and degree requirements imposed by the state and program modifications and changes that occasionally occur, DCCCD students transferring to SFA must follow DCCCD, SFA and Texas policies regarding certification and degree program criteria.

   E.         Online Programs

   For online programs offered at SFA and outlined in this articulation agreement, DCCCD students who meet all online program admission requirements will be given the same priority admission to online programs as other community colleges with whom SFA has articulation agreements.  Students who come from community colleges that have articulated agreements with SFA are given priority admission to online programs over those who do not.

   3.         Term of Agreement:

   This Agreement shall operate from year to year with annual review.  It may only be modified by a written agreement signed by legally authorized officials of both institutions.  The Agreement will operate as a commitment of no more than one year at a time.

   4.         Termination:

   Upon implementation, this agreement will continue on an annual basis until one of the party’s petitions the other party to end this agreement.  This agreement will be reviewed jointly on an annual basis and updated as necessary.

   Such petition to end this agreement: 1) must be submitted one year in advance of the intent to terminate; 2) must be submitted in writing and signed by the college president making the petition; 3) must be delivered to the second party to the agreement.  Delivery of the intent to terminate will constitute formal notification and will serve as grounds for termination one year following the date of delivery.

   5.         Dispute Resolution:

   The laws of the State of Texas (U.S.A.) shall govern the interpretation and application of this Agreement. The dispute resolution procedures outlined in Chapter 2260 of the Texas Government Code shall apply. Any litigation arising out of this Agreement or its operation, performance or nonperformance shall be resolved solely and exclusively by the courts located in Nacogdoches or Dallas County, Texas, U.S.A.   

   IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the above signed parties hereto have set their hands by and through their duly authorized officers on the date and year first recited above.

   
   

   Appendix A

   Stephen F. Austin State University/Dallas County Community College District
   Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies with EC-4 Teacher Certification

   Course Transfer Guide

   SFA Transfer-Student Policy: A maximum of 66 credit hours from the degree requirements plus the 2 credit hours of physical education may be transferred from a community college.

   Program Policy: 68 credit hours from the following specified courses may be taken at local community colleges and transferred to SFA. This includes two hours of physical education.