Danville Community College graduates with an associate degree in applied sciences can now seamlessly transfer to Averett University in order to pursue a bachelor of applied science degree, leaders from the schools announced Tuesday.

“We know that our applied sciences degrees are not originally intended as a transfer option, but the reality is that so many people who go through that then wish they had the opportunity to pursue a bachelor’s degree,” said DCC President Bruce Scism.

Under the new agreement, DCC graduates with a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher will be guaranteed acceptance at Averett. Additionally, all DCC transferrable credits will be accepted at full value.

“This partnership that we’ve established today truly builds on other partnerships we’ve established through the years,” Averett President Tiffany Franks said during the presentation.

The schools launched a general articulation agreement many years ago and have added agreements for the fields of early childhood education, administration of justice, RN to BSN, computer science and information technologies. The schools also have developed a passport program to help DCC students experience life at Averett.

Most recently, the schools established a new program allowing DCC students to enroll in one course a semester at DCC tuition rates. The program was announced in the summer of 2014 and started in the fall semester.

“DCC students essentially get to complete a year of credit at Averett,” Franks said.

At Averett, student can pursue their degree at either the school’s graduate and professional studies or individually designed education for adult learners programs. Students will need 120 credit hours to graduate — 30 of which must be completed at Averett. Students also will need to minor in a related field.

Students with applied sciences degrees pursue jobs in diverse fields like health, accounting, computer technology, the outdoors and working with animals.

Scism said many DCC students are the first in their families to enter college and may have competing responsibilities along with school, like seeking gainful employment and supporting a family.

“Many of the students who are going to be coming to Danville Community College are first generation,” he said. “It will be their first experience in their education. What this articulation agreement does is help those folks who are interested more in a career.”

The program will be ready in time for the fall semester this year.