UCM, Moberly Area Community College Sign Direct Connect Transfer Agreement

By Alex Greenwood, April 29, 2025

Flanked by staff from both institutions, University of Central Missouri President Roger Best (right) and Moberly Area Community College President Todd Martin sign academic program agreements as part of the MACC+UCM Direct Connect partnership.

The University of Central Missouri (UCM) and Moberly Area Community College (MACC) formalized a new partnership April 21, 2025, signing a memorandum of understanding at MACC’s Columbia campus that launches the MACC+UCM Direct Connect transfer program. The agreement creates a streamlined and cost-effective pathway for MACC students to complete an associate degree while concurrently working toward a bachelor’s degree at UCM.

“This is an exciting agreement we’ve reached,” MACC President Todd Martin said. “We are always looking for opportunities to build partnerships with four-year institutions in our state and in our community. We have some clear pathways that we’ll sign today that draw a map for students to show them how to very easily make their dreams a reality.”

The UCM Direct Connect transfer program offers benefits beyond traditional articulation agreements, including dual enrollment, joint advising, access to student services at both institutions, and seamless credit transfer. Students can reduce the total cost of a four-year degree, accelerate their time to graduation and maximize eligibility for merit and need-based scholarships.

MACC is the fourth institution to join UCM’s growing list of Direct Connect partners, reflecting both schools’ commitment to expanding access to higher education and supporting student success throughout Missouri.

“Today is where the real work starts, as we find ways to enhance the relationship we have not only with each other, but in service to our students,” UCM President Roger Best said. “When students come to MACC through the Direct Connect program, we really have three objectives: finish the associate degree through MACC, transfer easily to UCM without losing credits, and finish the bachelor’s degree at UCM. And for us collectively, that’s a win for the student, but it’s also a win for the entire state of Missouri.”

MACC students can strengthen their college experience with access to student services on both campuses, including UCM’s Career and Life Design Center, Writing Center and Learning Commons with free tutoring, library, dining facilities, Student Recreation and Wellness Center, sporting events and entertainment and cultural events, plus the option to live in the residence halls. They will also be assigned an advisor at MACC and a success advisor at UCM to help them stay on track toward degree completion. 

In addition to the memorandum of understanding, four program-level articulation agreements were signed during the ceremony:

• MACC Associate of Arts in Teaching to UCM BSE in Elementary Education – Grades 1–6
  
  
• MACC Associate of Arts in Teaching to UCM BSE in Elementary Education – Early Childhood, Birth–Grade 3
  
  
• MACC Associate of Arts in Business to UCM BSBA in Management
  
  
• MACC Associate of Arts in Business to UCM BSBA in Marketing

 

Students can reduce the overall cost of a four-year degree by leveraging the affordability of community college along with the Missouri A+ scholarship, while also accelerating their time to graduation and maximizing eligibility for merit and need-based scholarships.

 

For more information, visit ucmo.edu/directconnect or contact the UCM Office of Admissions at 660-543-4290 or transfer@ucmo.edu.