Representatives from John Brown University and Southern Arkansas University Tech (SAU Tech) signed an articulation agreement Thursday, Sept. 28 to facilitate a seamless transfer of courses from SAU Tech to JBU. The partnership creates a pathway for students to earn an associate’s degree from SAU Tech and then complete their bachelor’s degree at JBU.

Established out of a mutual desire to serve students, the agreement allows students to enter into JBU’s traditional undergraduate programs on the main campus in Siloam Springs, or JBU’s Online Undergraduate Programs.

“The agreement is an excellent example of the power of private/public partnerships that make higher education in the U.S. the envy of the world,” Dr. Ed Ericson, JBU’s vice president
for academic affairs, said. “JBU looks forward to building on this agreement to establish a healthy and long-lasting partnership to allow students the opportunity to further their higher educational careers.”

The agreement outlines which SAU Tech courses JBU accepts so that transfer students are not required to retake courses already achieved. SAU Tech offers programs for students to continue their specialized study at JBU in business administration, teacher education, organizational leadership and psychology.

“The cornerstone of this agreement is centered around the religion courses that are now being offered at SAU Tech,” Dr. Jason Morrison, Chancellor of SAU Tech, said. “We believe that the south Arkansas community desires religion-related degrees with the area’s history of strong

religious establishments. The agreement with JBU will facilitate a new generation of leadership in churches and religious institutions as well as an opportunity for those seeking additional education opportunities. We are excited about this agreement with JBU.”

“This integral collaboration will build new pathways for students to achieve their academic goals and will create stronger community relations in south central Arkansas and the surrounding areas,” Dr. Stacey Duke, JBU’s dean of online undergraduate programs and strategic initiatives, said.

Students must complete 45 credit hours in their designated program courses at SAU Tech and apply to JBU with a GPA of 2.5 or higher to be eligible for admission at JBU.

Southern Arkansas University Tech is a two-year public college that started in 1968 and is part of the Southern Arkansas University System. SAU Tech is located inside the Highland Industrial Park in East Camden and employs over 160 staff and faculty and provides education annually to around 1,800 students.

John Brown University is a leading private Christian university, training students to honor God and serve others since 1919. Arkansas’ top ranked regional university (U.S. News Best Colleges, 2018), JBU enrolls more than 2,500 students from 41 states and 50 countries in its traditional undergraduate, graduate, online and concurrent education programs. JBU offers more than 40 majors, with top programs including business administration, graphic design, engineering, construction management, counseling, teacher education and nursing.