By Holly Desrosier

Craven Community College’s (Craven CC) Liberal Arts and University Transfer (LAUT) department is registering students for the summer semester. The college’s LAUT degree programs, available this summer in online and hybrid formats, offer a convenient and affordable way for students to earn transferrable college credit while staying close to home.

LAUT associate degree programs consist of the Arts, Engineering, Fine Arts in Music, Fine Arts in Visual Arts, General Education and Science. These transfer pathways are ideal for students who wish to earn an associate degree and transfer as a junior to a four-year college or university.

This is made possible by the Comprehensive Articulation Agreement (CAA), which is a pact between North Carolina’s university system and the North Carolina Community College System that provides a smooth transfer of students between the two systems. Students can transfer credits from individual courses, the 44-hour general education core or the completed associate degree. Students who complete an Associate in Arts (AA) or Associate in Science (AS) degree program are guaranteed admission into one of the 16 University of North Carolina institutions.

“The Associate in Arts degree is designed for students who are pursuing a baccalaureate or higher in a liberal arts discipline or planning to transfer to a professional school that requires a strong liberal arts background,” said Dr. Betty Hatcher, dean of LAUT. “The AA requires students to complete courses in composition, humanities, social science, math and science.”

Additionally, Craven CC offers several university connections that allow students to earn a bachelor’s degree without leaving Craven County. The college has partnered with ECU and offers 17 programs, of which six may be completed online. Students who complete their associate degrees at Craven CC are able to continue their studies in one of the 17 program areas, including business, communication, health information, industrial technology, early childhood education and nursing.

Craven CC also has a partnership with NC Wesleyan College, which offers bachelor’s degree programs on Craven CC’s New Bern campus. On the Havelock campus, a partnership with NC State University enables students to complete necessary transfer courses and then apply to complete a bachelor’s degree through NC State’s Mechanical Engineering Systems program without leaving the area. The Havelock campus also offers a partnership with Southern Illinois University that allows students who complete an Aviation Systems Technology degree at Craven CC to earn a bachelor’s in Aviation Management.

Students who are currently enrolled in or plan to enroll in the AA or AS programs may also be eligible for the Carolina Student Transfer Excellence Program, or C-STEP. It is a partnership between Craven CC and UNC-Chapel Hill that seeks high-achieving students who aim to transfer to UNC-Chapel Hill as juniors. C-STEP students are provided with advising, mentoring and support during their transition and subsequent enrollment at UNC-Chapel Hill and participate in group activities, trips to the university and community service projects.

In addition, students interested in pursuing a STEM-based career may be eligible for the Scholars in Engineering and Science (SEAS) Scholarship Program, which is sponsored by the National Science Foundation. Similar to C-STEP, SEAS is a competitive program based on demonstrated financial need and academic excellence. Students in the program participate in a variety of activities and can receive up to $3,500 per year to offset tuition.

The college’s Career & College Promise (CCP) program for high school juniors and seniors also has many students enrolled through LAUT. There are many online and seated course options available for CCP and traditional college students.

“There will be a Late Start Summer term which is timed to begin immediately after high school graduation so high school graduates can fit in one last semester of free classes under CCP guidelines,” added Hatcher.

In addition to being able to stay close to home, students in LAUT programs can enjoy the advantage of earning a four-year degree without the added cost. At just $76 per credit hour, tuition is about 40% less than public universities and 90% less than private universities.

Financial aid and scholarships are available for students who qualify. Those interested are encouraged to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Students are still able to register for all courses normally offered during the summer term and are advised to check their student emails on a daily basis for any changes to how classes will be offered.

The summer semester is divided into three terms: Regular (10 weeks), A-Term (8 weeks) and Late Start (8 weeks). Regular and A-Term classes begin May 21 and Late Start classes start June 15. Registration for each term is open until the day before classes start. Registration for the fall semester is also open through Aug. 18 with classes beginning Aug. 19.

Students can email advise@cravencc.edu to contact an advisor and set up a virtual appointment or phone call. Current students can go online and use WebAdvisor to view the current class listing and register quickly and easily. For more information, visit cravencc.edu/admissions/getready.

This article was originally published in the New Bern Sun Journal on May 6, 2020.

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