Articulation Guidelines

Articulation is the process that facilitates the movement of a student from one educational institution to another. Northern Kentucky University will capitalize on partnership and articulation opportunities whenever this will enhance students' success and increase access to advanced educational opportunities.

These guidelines are provided to:

  • enable the establishment of Articulation Agreements that maintain the standards and academic integrity of Northern Kentucky University;
  • ensure consistency in the establishment and maintenance of Articulation Agreements;
  • assess the benefits to the university, of the Articulation Agreements; and recruitment and academic progression of students who are granted advanced standing as a direct result of an Articulation Agreement.

Articulation Principles

Northern Kentucky University intends to enter into agreements that

  • are based on mutually agreed upon goals and standards.
  • offer a high degree of student success/goal attainment.
  • are learner centered.
  • are mutually beneficial to all parties.
  • are adequately supported by the university's financial and human resources.
  • align with the university's strategic plan.

There are two types of articulation agreements, General (institution to institution) and Program specific. One or both of these agreements are acceptable as Articulation Agreements with an organization. The presence of Transfer Guides does not constitute an articulation agreement with an organization.

Definitions

Course-to-Course Articulation: the determination of equivalencies between two courses from different institutions.

Program-to-Program Articulation: In program specific articulation agreements a specific set of courses is designated to meet specific course requirements at another institution. Typically these agreements focus on transfer between a community college (KCTCS) and a four-year institution and on freshman and sophomore course preparation to enter a major. This agreement may stand-alone or may serve as an addendum to a General Articulation Agreement. Program agreements identify specific courses, certificates or degrees to be transferred. A list of the courses may serve as this agreement but it is recommended that a statement of understanding be developed.

Degree Completion Articulation: Agreement specificallydesigned for students who have completed an AAS degree in specific discipline and are interested in completing a bachelor’s degree in as little as two years. An example would be an AAS in business from KCTCS and a BA in Organizational Leadership at NKU.

General Articulation Agreement

This agreement outlines the terms and conditions in broad terms and requirements for students to articulate to a four-year institution.

ESTABLISHMENT OF AGREEMENT

Articulation Agreement Content

To ensure quality and consistency of agreements, the following areas should be addressed in all articulation agreements that Northern Kentucky University enters into.

  • Purpose of agreement
    Brief statement indicating the reason for forming this agreement. Example: Northern Kentucky University and Somerset Community College are forming a partnership through an articulation agreement to better serve students and prepare them to enter a world-class workforce. Both institutions recognize that working together, their collective efforts are much stronger than their individual efforts.
  • Accreditation Status of Institution

There are different procedures that need to be addressed for institutions accredited by non-regional accreditors, for international institutions, and for institutions not accredited by NKU’s accrediting body, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). Check the CAA prior to starting any discussions about developing an articulation agreement.

  • Description of degrees/programs that are covered in this agreement
    Include any parameters and/or exclusions of the agreement. A general agreement may address general admission to the institution with required GPA's or other general requirements. A complete list of programs covered in the agreement should be attached with available course lists. Transfer guides that support the agreement must be developed and published on the (To be determined). Each transfer guide will indicate, "This transfer guide represents an articulation (partnership) agreement between Northern Kentucky University and XYZ College/University that facilitates the transfer of XYZ students to NKU".
  • Developing and Reviewing Curriculum

The process for developing and reviewing curriculum and coursework to determine course comparability between institutions rests with the facultyand transfer Services at the respective institutions. Faculty members in each discipline are responsible for reviewing course, content, identifying comparable courses, and authorizing acceptance of specific courses for transfer students. Once this process has been occurred, a course or sequence of courses is said to have been articulated.

  • Provision for periodic reviews of agreement and curriculum modifications
    This section should contain language specifying the frequency and timelines for agreement review, assessment of curriculum changes and any other conditions that may affect the agreement. Example: Representatives of both institutions agree to review on a regular basis (annually) to assess curricular changes and other conditions that may affect the nature of this agreement; or as curricular changes are made, they will be communicated in a timely manner to both parties.
  • Cancellation provision and expiration dates of the agreement
    This statement includes the requirement of advanced written notification, typically 6 months to 2 years, of cancellation of the agreement and reasonable accommodations for students already in the process of this agreement.

Appropriate Signatures

The agreements should reflect the signatures of the primary constituents as listed below. Validity of the agreement is in question if identified signatures are not present. Those signatures include:

  • General Agreements (institution to institution) President and Provost
  • Program Agreements- President (optional), Provost, Dean, Department Chair (if appropriate)

Contact Person

In order to maintain the agreement, each institution should identify an individual to serve as a contact person responsible for all aspects of the articulation agreement. (This does not need to be included in the agreement but should be included in a cover letter or other type of written communication between institutions.)

06/22/2012