The educational relationship between two of the region’s largest universities – the University of Missouri-St. Louis and St. Louis Community College – continues to grow stronger.
The latest development in the partnership to increase higher learning opportunities for area students is the announcement that St. Louis Community College and UM-St. Louis have signed an agreement that permits students to be admitted and enrolled simultaneously at both institutions.
The UMSL-STLCC Dual Admissions program (DAP) is designed to maximize transfer credit, improve access to resources at both schools through dual degree programs, and provide advising and support services at UMSL or on STLCC’s four campuses and three education centers.
Classes are held at the Meramec (Kirkwood), Florissant Valley, Forest Park and Wildwood campuses and Downtown Education Center, South County Education and University Center and the William J. Harrison Northside Education Center.
“When students are focused on where they are going, they achieve at a higher level,” said Zelema Harris, STLCC chancellor.
“This program is so important to our students because the University of Missouri-St. Louis is the transfer institution of choice for most STLCC students.”
During the spring semester, which ends this week, there were 23,425 credit students at the campuses and education centers.
Continuing education enrollments bring the total number of students served to about 65,000 per semester.
STLCC students who meet DAP requirements and some departmental requirements for specific majors are guaranteed acceptance into UMSL with full junior status.
“The University of Missouri-St. Louis and St. Louis Community College have a strong tradition of working together,” said Tom George, UM-St. Louis chancellor.
“This relationship has resulted in benefits for many students, the community and both institutions.”
The relationship is vital to the region because many of STLCC and UM-St. Louis students are non-traditional.
The average STLCC student is 23 years old, employed full-time and attends college part-time.
About 62 percent are women, 56 percent are white and 29 percent are African-American.
About 69 percent live in St. Louis County, and 20 percent live in the city of St. Louis.
At UM-St. Louis 13.4 percent of the undergraduate student population is African-American. More than 12 percent of graduate students are black, as are 4 percent of students seeking doctoral degrees.
Sixty percent of UM-St. Louis students are female and 67 percent are between the ages of 21 and 34.
More than 1,800 students transfer to Missouri public/private four-year institutions annually.
Beginning last fall, students began earning college degrees from UM-St. Louis on-site at the Wildwood campus.
UM-St. Louis offers degree credit courses at Wildwood that can lead to a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Elementary Education or Liberal Studies from UM-St. Louis.
For more information about DAP, call 314-516-5162 or e-mail transferservices@umsl.edu.