Collin College is partnering with Texas State University and The University of Texas at Dallas to create the Collin College Academic Alliance, a new higher education opportunity, according to an Aug. 13 news release.
The details
The program allows students to earn an associate degree and then continue to take courses at Collin College that will earn them a bachelor’s degree from either UT Dallas or Texas State University.
Students in the program will have access to Collin College courses that are approved to apply to university degree programs. Participants could see a savings of about $20,000 on educational costs, the release stated.
“We know that our shared mission with Collin College makes us great partners to support the incredible population growth in and around Collin County,” Texas State University President Kelly Damphousse said in the release. “Students will not just attend our classes at Collin’s Technical Campus, but they will also be a part of the Texas State experience while saving thousands of dollars through this agreement.”
The program will begin in the spring semester of 2025, according to Collin College’s website.
Students must apply to and co-enroll at Collin College and the partnering university.
The degree programs being offered are pending approval from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board as well as the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, the release stated.
Bachelor’s degree programs planned to be offered from Texas State University as part of the Academic Alliance initiative include:
- Computer science
- Exercise and sports science
- Electrical engineering
- Engineering technology
- Computer information systems and technology
- Business analytics
Collin College will serve as the hub for the partnership, the release stated, and students in the program will have access to:
- Advisors
- Dining services
- A library
- A campus bookstore
- Career services
- Counseling
- Collin College student organizations, clubs and events
- Other student support services
“The University of Texas at Dallas is proud to be at the forefront of significant initiatives, and this collaboration is no exception,” UT Dallas President Richard C. Benson said in the release. “We have a longstanding, robust relationship with Collin College, and together we are paving the way for students to succeed.”
Quote of note
“We are thrilled to take our partnerships with Texas State University and The University of Texas at Dallas to a new level,” Collin College District President Neil Matkin said in the release. “This alliance creates true streamlined pathways that guide students from Collin College degrees to top programs at exceptional universities while offering tremendous cost savings.”
Looking ahead
Representatives of Collin College anticipate expanding the program in the future. By working with partners in the Academic Alliance, additional programs could be added in the future, the release stated, including education certification programs.
For more information on the Collin College Academic Alliance, visit www.collin.edu/academics/alliance.
