FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
JEANINE BLOMBERG
Commissioner of Education
STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
T. WILLARD FAIR,
Chairman
Members
DONNA G. CALLAWAY
DR. AKSHAY DESAI
ROBERTO MARTÍNEZ
PHOEBE RAULERSON
KATHLEEN SHANAHAN
LINDA K. TAYLOR
Memorandum Number 07-07
May 9, 2007
M E M O R A N D U M
TO:
Community College Presidents
FROM:
J. David Armstrong, Jr.
SUBJECT:
Keiser University Signed Articulation Agreement
As you know, the Articulation Agreement between the Florida Division of Community Colleges
and Keiser University was signed and went into effect on February 28, 2007. This Agreement
provides exceptional opportunities for Associate in Arts (AA), Associate in Science (AS), and
Associate in Applied Science (AAS) graduates from Florida’s community colleges to complete
the baccalaureate degree. It also serves as a testament to collaboration between the public and
independent sectors, and supports the Department of Education’s Goal #2 of seamless
articulation and maximum access, and Strategic Imperative #5, “Increase the Quantity and
Improve the Quality of Education Options.”
This Articulation Agreement provides some basic guarantees to our associate degree graduates,
including the transfer of credits to be applied toward the awarding of the baccalaureate degree
and completion of the general education requirements.
A copy of the agreement is attached to assist academic advisors at your respective institutions in
preparing students for transfer under this agreement. Additionally, this information will be
included in the next update of the Counseling for Future Education Handbook posted at
www.facts.org.
J. DAVID ARMSTRONG, JR.
Chancellor, Division of Community Colleges
325 W. GAINES STREET • SUITE 1314 • TALLAHASSEE, FL 32399-0400 • (850) 245-0407 • www.fldoe.org/cc
Memorandum Number 07-07
Page Two
May 9, 2007
You are welcome to contact the following Division staff with additional questions you may have
related to the Articulation Agreement:
Dr. Sara Hamon
Director of Articulation and Educational Services
sara.hamon@fldoe.org
(850) 245-9523
Dr. Brenda C. Spencer
Assistant Director of Articulation and Educational Services
brenda.spencer@fldoe.org
(850) 245-9903
We appreciate your important role in this process, and we look forward to a successful
partnership with Keiser University.
JDA/shc
Attachment
c:
Council on Instructional Affairs
Council of Student Affairs
Community College Articulation Officers
Dr. Judith Bilsky, Executive Vice Chancellor
Dr. Sara Hamon, Director of Articulation and Educational Services
Dr. Brenda C. Spencer, Assistant Director of Articulation and Educational Services
Dr. Art Keiser, Chancellor, Keiser University
ARTICULATION AGREEMENT BETWEEN
THE FLORIDA DIVISION OF COMMUNITY COLLEGES
AND
KEISER UNIVERSITY
A Statement of Philosophy and Intent
The State of Florida, a national leader in higher education, has given broad policy
direction to the system of postsecondary education with regard to transfer and articulation
between and among two- and four-year institutions. A statewide articulation agreement exists in
Florida Statutes and Florida Administrative Code to establish an effective and orderly transfer
process for students entering a state community college, completing an Associate in Arts degree,
and transferring to a state university. Florida Statutes also encourage collaboration between the
public and independent sectors of postsecondary education.
Keiser University is an independent proprietary institution, established in 1977 in Fort
Lauderdale, Florida. Since that time, Keiser University has expanded to include 13 campuses
located throughout Florida, serving more than 9,500 students in associate, baccalaureate, and
master’s degree programs. Keiser University is regionally accredited by the Southern
Association of Colleges and Schools and is licensed by the State of Florida.
The purpose of this agreement is to set forth the uniform conditions regarding articulation
between the Florida Community College System (FCCS) and Keiser University. It is intended to
increase the transfer options available to community college associate degree graduates seeking
the baccalaureate degree. This agreement serves as an overarching statement of cooperation
between the FCCS and Keiser University, thus benefiting FCCS graduates in the specified
degree programs. However, it is not intended to supersede more specific college and program
articulation agreements as developed in geographic areas served by campuses of Keiser
University. This articulation agreement between the FCCS and Keiser University was
established in 2007.
Page 1 of 6
ARTICULATION AGREEMENT BETWEEN
THE FLORIDA DIVISION OF COMMUNITY COLLEGES
AND
KEISER UNIVERSITY
This Articulation Agreement is entered into this ________ day of ___________ 2007, by
and between the Florida Division of Community Colleges and Keiser University.
WHEREAS
, the parties desire to promote the most efficient and effective use of their
resources and to offer students the broadest possible range of educational opportunities, and
WHEREAS
, the parties desire to encourage and facilitate the establishment of specific
articulation provisions between Florida’s public community colleges and Keiser University, and
WHEREAS
, the intent of this agreement is to facilitate the transfer of associate degree
students from Florida’s public community colleges to Keiser University,
NOW, THEREFORE,
the parties agree to cooperate in articulating programs in
accordance with the terms set forth herein.
I.
Keiser University shall recognize the Associate in Arts degree as the “2+2” transfer
degree from the Florida Community College System. However, other associate degrees shall be
recognized and transfer on a course-by-course basis as further clarified in this document.
II.
Keiser University shall publish an Articulation Manual that specifies the programs
articulated with the associate degree, including the course requirements and related prerequisite
courses for each program. This Articulation Manual will be made available to students, faculty,
and advisors through the FACTS.org website and updated on an annual basis.
III.
Keiser University shall develop course equivalency tables, specifically for program
prerequisites and course requirements, insofar as it is reasonable and necessary to do so. Courses
that are designated as equivalent in objectives, content, and credit hours must be treated as
equivalent for all community colleges.
IV.
Keiser University shall annually provide data to the Division of Community Colleges on
the number of FCCS graduates by academic term who enroll under the provisions of this
agreement and graduate with the baccalaureate degree.
V.
Keiser University and the Division of Community Colleges shall agree to the following
conditions:
Page 2 of 6
Associate in Arts Degree Articulation
A.
Community college students who transfer with the Associate in Arts degree under
the terms of this Agreement shall enter with junior standing and all credit awarded by a
community college will transfer to Keiser University, which includes a minimum of 60 credits.
However, the student must meet the specific degree course requirements of Keiser University,
which may mean extending the number of credit hours to earn the degree, if the 60 hours
transferred and applied do not include all of the degree prerequisites or graduation requirements.
B.
Community college students who transfer with the Associate in Arts degree under
the terms of this Agreement shall be considered as having completed the general education
requirements of Keiser University. However, Keiser University may specify additional courses
that must be completed prior to the awarding of the baccalaureate degree. These courses may be
completed at either institution.
Associate in Science Degree Articulation
C.
Appropriate courses within the Associate in Science degree will articulate to
baccalaureate degree programs. Courses taken as part of the Associate in Science degree to meet
the general education requirements of the community college will transfer and apply toward the
Keiser University general education credit hours required for the baccalaureate degree. No
additional general education credit hours can be required except to complete the total general
education hours required by Keiser University.
Associate in Applied Science Degree Articulation
D.
Appropriate courses within the Associate in Applied Science degree will
articulate to baccalaureate degree programs.
General Articulation Provisions
E.
Transfer students shall meet the same standards and program requirements as
native students. This includes admissions requirements (i.e., standard high school diploma, high
school equivalency diploma, or other credential as authorized by Florida Statutes), college
placement testing, and prior successful completion of all college preparatory coursework as
mandated by state approved assessments and standards. Failure to demonstrate adherence to
agreed-upon standards of individual student college readiness may abrogate guarantees for
transfer of credit for specific students or termination of this agreement.
F.
A community college student transferring under the terms of this Agreement shall
be governed by the graduation requirements set forth in the Keiser University catalog in effect at
the time of the student’s initial enrollment in a community college, provided the student
maintains continuous enrollment as defined by Keiser University and receives an associate
degree and transfers to Keiser University within six years of initial enrollment in a community
college. Continuous enrollment as defined by Keiser University means enrolled every term. The
student also will have the option of graduating under the catalog in effect at the time of transfer.
Page 3 of 6
G.
Admission of a community college student to Keiser University will depend on
the number of spaces in each academic year or an academic program and the continuation of the
program. Program discontinuance will remove any obligation (beyond those protections
afforded to native students) of Keiser University to comply with the provisions of the
Articulation Agreement relative to the discontinued program.
H.
For those students who have earned the associate degree and who have been
accepted for transfer, the grade of “D” will be treated the same as grades of “D” obtained by
native students at Keiser University. Keiser University may require a grade point average (GPA)
of not less than 2.0 overall or a grade of “C” or better in all prerequisite courses, provided the
same policy is applied equitably for native and transfer students.
I.
Credit awarded by a community college as experiential credit and/or credit
awarded by exam, such as College Level Examination Program (CLEP), International
Baccalaureate (IB) Program, Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE) Program,
and Advanced Placement (AP), while acceptable to satisfy associate degree requirements, may or
may not satisfy specific requirements of the baccalaureate degree.
J.
Programmatically, the forgiveness policy for Keiser University shall prevail.
K.
Authority over all academic policies or practices not mentioned in this agreement
shall remain with Keiser University.
VI.
During the period of this Agreement, the Division of Community Colleges shall:
A.
Publicize the Articulation Agreement among the faculty, staff, and students in the
Community College System via the FACTS.org website maintained by the Florida Center for
Advising and Academic Support as well as other Department of Education and Division of
Community Colleges publications, correspondence, and outreach activities.
B.
Make available to community college faculty members, counselors, students, and
other appropriate individuals within the Florida Community College System, the Keiser
University admission requirements; preferred general education requirements; program
prerequisite courses, other related requirements, and the course equivalency lists. This will be
done via the FACTS.org website maintained by the Florida Center for Advising and Academic
Support.
VII. Both
parties
agree:
A.
To cooperate on curricular and advising issues that will facilitate future student
transfer.
B.
To encourage the development of scholarships and other financial aid
opportunities for community college transfer students who are directly affected by this
Agreement.
Page 4 of 6
C.
To foster communication between Keiser University, the Division, and Florida’s
Community College System. The following individuals will serve as liaison officers for matters
relating to this agreement:
Florida Division of Community Colleges
:
Dr.
Sara
Hamon
Director, Articulation & Educational Services
(850) 245-9523 or sara.hamon@fldoe.org
Dr. Judith Bilsky
Executive Vice Chancellor
(850) 245-9452 or judith.bilsky@fldoe.org
Keiser University:
Dr. Gery Hochanadel
Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs
(954) 776-4476 or geryh@keiseruniversity.edu
Both parties agree to notify the other of any changes in contact information for their respective
liaison officers.
D.
To provide for periodic review of the Agreement to strengthen articulation
between the Florida Community College System and Keiser University. A review should be
initiated by the Division at the end of the first year following initial implementation of the
Agreement and every three years thereafter.
VIII.
Applicable Law. This Agreement will be governed and construed in accordance with the
laws of the State of Florida and the rules of the State Board of Education.
IX.
Modifications. Any modifications, additions, or deletions to this Agreement must be in
writing and signed by both parties. The designated representatives are the Chancellor of Keiser
University and the Chancellor for Florida Community Colleges.
X.
Termination of the Articulation Agreement. Either party may terminate this Agreement
by giving written notice to the other party. The notice shall state the effective date of termination
which shall be at least one year after the date on which the notice is received by the other party.
Any student enrolled in a community college during the time this Agreement is in effect shall
continue to receive the benefits of the Agreement until the effective date, one year after
notification, provided all conditions contained herein are met by the student.
Page 5 of 6
This Articulation Agreement between Keiser University and the Division of Community
Colleges was accepted and approved by the participating entities this ________ day of
______________, 2007.
By:
*
______________________________ By:
*
_________________________________
Chancellor, Keiser University
Chancellor,
Florida
Community
Colleges
THIS AGREEMENT shall take effect immediately, and shall remain in effect until terminated by
either party.
*
A signed copy is available from the Division of Community Colleges upon request.
Page 6 of 6
