Purdue, Ivy Tech pair to offer new liberal arts bachelor's degree option

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Pairing Degree in 3 with Ivy Tech’s accelerated associate degree program, Purdue University’s College of Liberal Arts has created an option for students to complete a three-year bachelor’s degree on Purdue’s West Lafayette campus. The program is open to Ivy Tech Community College Lafayette students beginning this fall.

An articulation agreement between the College of Liberal Arts and Ivy Tech outlines an arrangement of courses at Ivy Tech to pair with six liberal arts majors that completes the requirements of the degree with four semesters of Purdue coursework. Each semester requires a typical, 15-credit-hour course load.

“We are excited about this creative new program which deepens our partnership with Ivy Tech and provides an outstanding educational experience for students who want to take their next step as professionals in a more timely way,” said Jay Akridge, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs and diversity at Purdue.

Students can earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in communication, English literature, history, law and society, political science or sociology. The option is open to Ivy Tech Lafayette graduates of the 11-month Associate Accelerated Program (ASAP) who earn a 2.8 grade point average and fulfill Purdue admissions requirements.

“We have great respect for the students who successfully complete an accelerated associate degree and wanted to create a pathway for those students to build on that momentum to complete a bachelor’s degree,” said David A. Reingold, the Justin S. Morrill Dean of Liberal Arts at Purdue. “We believe this program will open the door to students who might not have otherwise been in a position to pursue a Purdue degree.”

Students who choose the ASAP and Degree in 3 option will benefit from the College of Liberal Arts’ highly personalized professional academic advisors, who will support students in their transition from Ivy Tech to Purdue and throughout their academic program. The Liberal Arts Career Center will assist students in their college to career journey.

“Ivy Tech ASAP students are high-achieving students who continue their education beyond their Ivy Tech degree,” said Todd Roswarski, vice chancellor of academic affairs for Ivy Tech Lafayette. “They are perfect candidates for a pathway to a liberal arts degree from Purdue University and we are confident they will be as successful at Purdue as they are at Ivy Tech.” 

Media contact: Joseph Paul, 765-494-9541, paul102@purdue.edu

Source: David Reingold, 765-496-7276, reingold@purdue.edu