Hinds Community College Chancellor Clyde Muse (left) and ULM President James E. Cofer shake hands after signing an Articulation (2+2) Agreement between the two institutions.

The new agreement allows students to complete their associate's degrees at Hinds in two years and transfer into one of 11 programs at ULM, ultimately allowing students to earn their bachelor's degrees in four years.

It is the first such agreement that Hinds Community College officials chose to enter into with a four-year institution outside of its home state, Mississippi.

Muse

“Dr. Cofer and I have had a long friendship,” said Muse, a 32-year veteran of Hinds. “This agreement will ensure students are taking the courses they need to take … and will probably result in additional students coming to ULM from our two-year college.”

Cofer agreed that the student-focused agreement provides a “seamless approach” for students choosing to transfer from Hinds to ULM. He said that many community college graduates go to school with the intention of eventually transferring to a four-year college for their baccalaureate degree and ULM is eager to be part of that decision-making process.

The 11 programs available at ULM for Hinds transfer students include: biology, chemistry, communication studies, criminal justice (online), general studies with a concentration in business (online), general studies with a concentration in social science (online), history, mathematics, political science, psychology, and sociology.

The institutions also created a transfer guide for students interested in applying to ULM's Dental Hygiene program.

This is not the first 2+2 program established by ULM. ULM and Delta Community College implemented an articulation agreement in 2008, an agreement with Dallas Community College District in 2009, and an agreement with Bossier Parish Community College in February.

ULM will continue to explore 2+2 initiatives with Hinds and other two-year colleges.