Clayton State University and Southern Crescent Technical College (SCTC) are forming a new partnership to provide a pathway for students interested in education careers to earn a degree.
 
Under this new agreement, an undergraduate student may first attend SCTC to complete an associate degree in Early Childhood Care and Education. The student will then be eligible to transfer to Clayton State to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Education with a concentration in Elementary Education.
 
The agreement would allow students to transfer without the risk of losing any credit hours.
 
The presidents of both institutions signed a transfer articulation agreement on Friday, January 17, 2020.
 
“This collaboration gives new chances for students in our region. I expect that the program will expand significantly in coming years and that student participants will benefit in achieving credentials that will allow them to instruct a new generation of local students,” said Clayton State President Dr. Tim Hynes.
 
SCTC President Alvetta Peterman Thomas said, “This partnership between Southern Crescent Technical College and Clayton State University demonstrates the commitment both institutions have to creating opportunities for the students and the communities that we serve. We understand that there is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to education and this agreement provides an additional avenue for SCTC graduates to have a seamless transfer opportunity in pursuit of additional education at Clayton State University. At Southern Crescent Technical College, we are focused on helping our students reach their educational goals as we strive to build strong students, strong careers, and strong communities.”
 
In the past year, Clayton State University has taken steps to meet gaps in the teacher workforce in metro Atlanta. The school launched a bachelor’s degree in elementary education in August 2019 to satisfy state requirements for teacher certification and increase the number of early childhood educators in Georgia.
 
“The School of Education at Clayton State University looks forward to this new articulation with Southern Crescent Technical College that will allow our institutions to partner in the development of quality Elementary Education teachers that are so needed in schools throughout the metro Atlanta and south-metro region,” said Dr. Dennis Attick, assistant dean of the School of Education. “We are confident that our work together will be beneficial for future teachers, schools, and the surrounding communities.”