UCM, Waubonsee Community College Articulation Agreement Supports Seamless Transfer from 2-Year to 4-Year Degree in Design and Drafting Technology

WARRENSBURG, MO – Transfer students pursuing careers in design and drafting have a new opportunity to seamlessly advance their higher education from a two-year to a four-year program thanks to a new articulation agreement between Waubonsee Community College (WCC) in Sugar Grove, Illinois, and the University of Central Missouri, with educational opportunities in Warrensburg and online. 

Documents formally establishing this initiative were recently signed by the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Phillip Bridgmon, Ph.D., at UCM, and the Executive Dean for Business, Technology, and Workforce Education, Ne'Keisha Stepney, MBA, at WCC. The agreement, to be reviewed every five years, establishes guidelines and requirements for students to transfer from WCC’s Associate of Applied Science in Computer-Aided Design and Drafting to UCM’s Bachelor of Science in Design and Drafting Technology. 

 “We are thrilled to partner with Waubonsee Community College to provide and enhance opportunities for transfer students pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Design and Drafting Technology,” said Roya Azimzadeh, Ph.D., associate professor and coordinator of the Bachelor of Science in Design and Drafting Technology at UCM. “Through this partnership, transfer students from Waubonsee Community College will benefit from a seamless transfer process and specialized tracks. This articulation agreement ensures a smooth transition.”

WCC students who transfer to UCM will have the opportunity to specialize in either Civil and Architectural Design Technology or Mechanical Design Technology allowing them to focus their studies in their area of interest, and to develop expertise in their chosen field. They also will have access to all university resources and facilities and will benefit from the in-state tuition rate at UCM.

According to Azimzadeh. upon admission to UCM as transfer students, applicants will automatically be considered for various scholarships upon completing the online application and submitting application materials. Applying to UCM is simple, she added. All that is required for admission is to submit the application, request official transcripts from each college attended, and file FAFSA. UCM FAFSA code is 002454. It is also important to keep track of transfer deadlines for financial aid, housing, orientation, and other opportunities.

Housed in UCM’s College of Health, Science and Technology, the B.S. in Design and Drafting Technology encompasses architecture, building information modeling (BIM), civil 3D modeling and site development, structural design and detailing, and manufacturing and mechanical design. Students will develop a strong foundation in diverse design and drafting disciplines while exploring cutting-edge technologies to ensure they are primed to enter the specialized field of their choice. In addition to coursework, students will gain valuable hands-on experience through internships, collaboration with industry partners, participation in student organizations dedicated to their academic discipline, and opportunities at UCM to study abroad.

“The University of Central Missouri is committed to providing transfer students with a seamless pathway to success, and we’re excited to welcome Waubonsee Community College students into our Design and Drafting Technology program,” said Azimzadeh. “We want to help them achieve their academic and professional aspirations.” 

“The search for a four-year college that offered a bachelor’s degree in Drafting Technology was initiated by a CAD student at Waubonsee,” explained Randall Hines, associate professor of Computer Aided Design at Waubonsee. “Upon discovering several similarities between our respective programs two years ago, we were thrilled at the possibilities and ultimately found a partner in the University of Central Missouri. This partnership will provide Waubonsee students numerous opportunities to strengthen their education and reach their career goals in infrastructure engineering.”

 
To learn more about opportunities available in the B.S. in Design and Drafting Techology at UCM, contact Dr. Roya Azimzadeh at 660-543-4062 or azimzadeh@ucmo.edu. For information about the WCC Associate of Applied Science in Computer-Aided Design and Drafting, contact Randall Hines at 630-466-2930 or rhines@waubonsee.edu.