Articulation
A Pathway To Success
A Plan For Your Future
Articulation agreements provide linkages between Southwestern Illinois College, area high schools, and the vocational high school student. Articulation of occupational programs provides the student with an opportunity to begin college with earned college credit in a chosen field as a result of his/her high school vocational experience. Credit obtained through advanced placement in the designated career program conserves time and money for the student.
Education is the pathway to success for the student that has selected a career field. Those students that are well prepared to enter their chosen field will have the best opportunity to choose their place of work as well as receive better salaries. Articulation between Southwestern Illinois College and the high school vocational programs assists the vocational student in obtaining advanced educational training to ensure his/her success in entering the world of work.
Students entering Southwestern Illinois College occupational programs using the articulation agreement will have greatly expanded the opportunities available to them. Students earning an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree in an occupational area enhance their skills. This enables them to enter their chosen field of employment at a better salary and with better working conditions. Completion of the AAS degree also enables the student to continue her/his education towards a bachelor's degree at selected colleges that have capstone programs.
Students begin the pathway to success in their high school vocational program. The pathway is continued with the completion of an AAS degree at Southwestern Illinois College, and can be finalized in selected program areas by completing a Bachelor's degree at a four year university. For example, the Capstone program at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale (SIUC) is such an opportunity. Following this pathway is often referred to as participating in a 2+2+2 pathway to success. 2+2+2 suggests the student completes two years of occupational education at the high school, two years at Southwestern Illinois College, and two years at a state university. This approximates the time it takes the full-time student to complete this pathway. However, actual completion time depends on the abilities of the student and the course load the student is able to take each year of this sequence.
Creation of this pathway to success is the result of educational institutions, the high schools, Southwestern Illinois College, and selected state universities working together to facilitate the students education. Articulation will encourage the student to plan for success