Articulation agreements offer advantages for RLC Allied Health graduates

By ReAnne Palmer 

INA – Graduates and current students in two Rend Lake College Allied Health programs now have new opportunities to continue their education at a four-year institution. The new articulation agreements will help students enrolled in RLC’s Associate Degree Nursing and Radiologic Technology programs.

The agreements, approved during the March Board of Trustees meeting earlier this evening, are effective immediately for those who meet program requirements at both institutions. Kim Wilkerson, RLC Dean of Allied Health, said the benefits of each agreement are countless.

“Every articulation agreement is unique in that it gives our students an outline and goal for their future. They know what is expected of them at RLC and at the university where they want to transfer,” said Wilkerson. “Specifically, the agreements make sure each four-year institution is building on RLC learning experiences, therefore eliminating instruction duplication, and they provide students with a clear path toward their goals.”

RLC’s Radiologic Technology program graduates now have the opportunity to transfer seamlessly into Southern Illinois University (SIU) Carbondale’s Bachelor of Science degree program in Radiologic Sciences.

To qualify, students must complete the Associate of Applied Science degree in Radiologic Technology at RLC with a 2.0 grade point average (GPA), plus meet other admission requirements of SIU Carbondale’s College of Applied Sciences and Arts, School of Allied Health.

All RLC degree program graduates who meet SIU Carbondale’s admission requirements will be considered for admission, based on the department’s enrollment criteria and space availability. RLC students will need a minimum of 69.5 credit hours to transfer and will complete another 42 or more credit hours at SIUC before graduation with a Bachelor of Science degree.

Before the approval of the agreement, RLC’s Radiologic Technology program offered two other articulations to local institutions. RLC has 11 other agreements with SIU Carbondale.

“Southern Illinois University Carbondale continues to draw many of our radiologic technology graduates who want to continue their education because of its location and proximity to our campus,” said Wilkerson. “We anticipate many students will take advantage of this agreement in the future.”

Two additional agreements were approved for graduates of RLC’s Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) program: one with McKendree University and a second with Indiana Wesleyan University.

ADN program graduates will transfer seamlessly into McKendree University’s Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing program, provided they meet admission requirements. Additionally, RLC students must pass the NCLEX-RN examination. Ninety hours of credit from RLC’s ADN program will be accepted and applied toward the Bachelor of Science program at McKendree.

RLC ADN students who enroll in McKendree University’s Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing (BSN) will be granted a 10 percent discount per credit hour. The discount will be based on continuous enrollment.

RLC students also have an extra opportunity for dual enrollment with McKendree University. Five course offerings are available to RLC students who have a 3.25 GPA and meet admission requirements.

ADN graduates can also transfer seamlessly to Indiana Wesleyan University’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program. RLC students will have to complete at least 60 credit hours with a grade “C” or higher, have a 2.0 on a 4.0 scale, and provide proof of a current unencumbered RN license.

The ADN articulation is the only agreement between RLC and both McKendree University and Indiana Wesleyan University.

“We are very excited to be able to partner with the universities that provide articulation agreements with our Associate Degree program so that our nursing students can continue their education and receive a BSN degree,” said Nancy Buttry, Director of Nursing. “The articulation agreement makes it easier for our students to receive the advanced degree which will open many doors for the graduates in their career in nursing.”

All agreements will be reevaluated annually by RLC and the partnering university. A list of specific courses that will transfer seamlessly to each institution was also provided. This list can be found on RLC’s website or when speaking with an RLC Academic Advisor.

Students wishing to learn more about program specifics should contact their RLC Academic Advisor at 618-437-5321, Ext. 1266.