INDIANAPOLIS – Ivy Tech Community College and Indiana State University have created a new statewide reverse transfer agreement for students who have transferred to Indiana State without completing their associate degree. Through this initiative, students pursuing a four-year degree could be eligible for an associate degree in a specific program area, liberal arts or general studies from Ivy Tech based on a combination of previous work at Ivy Tech and current course work at Indiana State.

Under the new agreement, any currently enrolled undergraduate student at Indiana State who transferred from Ivy Tech after completing at least 15 credit hours at Ivy Tech and has a total of 75 hours toward their bachelor’s degree is eligible for the reverse transfer. The program also requires that the student maintained a 2.0 GPA or higher at Ivy Tech but did not earn an associate degree before transferring.

“Our goal is to continue to develop statewide agreements that will allow Ivy Tech students who transfer to four-year schools the opportunity to earn the associate degree they’ve worked tirelessly for,” said Dr. Russ Baker, Vice President of Academic Affairs and University Transfer Division at Ivy Tech. “It is essential that we work together with our four-year partners to continue to meet the needs of the students across the state and increase overall postsecondary attainment in Indiana. We are very pleased that Indiana State University has taken this important step to make this reverse transfer opportunity available.”

There are many benefits to receiving an associate degree, even if a student is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree, Baker said. For example, many employers offer raises or promotions for college degrees earned.

Data from the National Student Clearinghouse shows that 50 percent of students who are eligible to receive an associate degree through reverse transfer have not completed their baccalaureate degree four years after becoming eligible. For these students, Baker noted, having the associate degree is a valuable credential until they are able to complete their bachelor’s degree.

“We are excited about the reverse transfer agreement and the continued growth in our long-standing partnership with Ivy Tech,” said Susan Powers, Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs at Indiana State. “Moving the reverse transfer beyond the Wabash Valley and to the entire Ivy Tech system will give our students additional choices and opportunities.”

Under the agreement, Indiana State will notify students who meet requirements for a reverse transfer via email. After the student opts-in to the initiative, Ivy Tech will review his/her coursework and determine which specific degree can be awarded.

Ivy Tech Community College is the state’s largest public postsecondary institution and the nation’s largest singly accredited statewide community college system serving nearly 200,000 students annually. Ivy Tech has campuses throughout Indiana. It serves as the state’s engine of workforce development, offering affordable degree programs and training that are aligned with the needs of its community along with courses and programs that transfer to other colleges and universities in Indiana. It is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association.