TSC signs articulation agreement, bridges educational gap in RGV

Texas Southmost College (TSC) Interim President Mike Shannon and South Texas College (STC) President Shirley A. Reed shake hands after signing an articulation agreement on July 10, 2017 at the TSC Arts Center in Brownsville, Texas.

In response to the Texas Legislature's approval of Senate Bill 2118 that allows community colleges to offer bachelor's degrees, Texas Southmost College (TSC) took the first step to close the educational gap in the Rio Grande Valley and provide an accessible and affordable pathway to a four-year degree by signing an articulation agreement with South Texas College at the TSC Arts Center.

The partnership allows TSC to build a bridge to higher education across the Valley, from Cameron and Willacy Counties to Hidalgo and Starr Counties.

"The partnership and the articulation agreement are the first steps of many that TSC is taking in response to the Texas Legislature's call to community college's around the state to offer bachelor's degrees," TSC Interim President Mike Shannon said. "Community colleges have traditionally been a lower-cost alternative to four-year universities for individuals who wish to obtain a higher education. With the approval of Senate Bill 2118, TSC is now exploring options to offer bachelor's degrees in nursing, applied science and technology. The partnership and the ability for TSC to offer bachelor's degrees in the future will give TSC students the opportunity to earn a four-year degree at an affordable cost, and help us to close the educational gap in the Valley."

The articulation agreement between TSC and STC will facilitate the transfer of students from TSC's Associate of Applied Science degree programs to STC bachelor's degree programs.

All TSC courses completed in the Associate of Applied Science degree program are transferable to STC and will satisfy the course requirements leading to the first two years of course work in the four applied baccalaureate degree programs currently offered by STC in Organizational Leadership, Technology Management, Medical and Health Service Management and Computer Information Technologies.

About Texas Southmost College
Originally established in 1926, Texas Southmost College currently offers the first two years toward a bachelor's degree, along with career and technical education leading to certificates and associate degrees, college preparatory studies to prepare students for college-level work, workforce training, and continuing education. Recently selected as a Bright Spot by the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics, TSC offers over 50 programs of study leading to an associate degree or certificate.