McNeese and SOWELA Partner to Ensure Student Success

McNeese State University and SOWELA Technical Community College have made the transition easier for SOWELA students completing two-year associate degrees in business administration to pursue four-year bachelor’s degrees in business at McNeese.

Through a memorandum of understanding (MoU), SOWELA transfer students who meet the minimum admission requirements to enter McNeese and who have completed the Associate of Applied Science degree in business administration may be awarded up to 57 credit hours at McNeese to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting, finance, general business administration, management or marketing, all housed under the College of Business.

McNeese’s College of Business is among just 5% of business schools in the world to be accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International. The College also features a dedicated internship director who assists employers and students with identifying opportunities for business majors and regularly hosts information and interview sessions to connect McNeese students with representatives from local, national and international business organizations.

“Creating a clear pathway for SOWELA students to earn a four-year degree at McNeese provides them with the opportunity to reach their goals and directly connects with our university mission of changing lives,” McNeese President Dr. Daryl V. Burckel said during the signing ceremony held on the SOWELA campus.

“Our faculty and staff are invested in our students and we want them to achieve their dreams and aspirations,” Burckel said. “When students graduate from McNeese, we want them to make a life, make a living and make a difference in their communities.”

McNeese also offers SOWELA students who earn an associate degree in nursing a seamless process to transfer into the College of Nursing and Health Professions to complete their Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.

“Our vision for McNeese is to be the First Choice in every effort, every endeavor, every experience and First Choice for every SOWELA graduate who aspires to earn a four-year degree,” said Dr. Burckel. “McNeese and SOWELA have distinct missions, and it is imperative for us to collaborate and work together for the benefit of Southwest Louisiana. We plan to create as many of these transfer agreements as possible because it will benefit the students. Increasing the educational attainment rate will grow our economy and provide our graduates with unlimited opportunities.”

 “This MoU is another great example of how partnering with four-year institutions allows our students to seamlessly move from an associate degree to a bachelor’s degree without losing credit hours. We greatly appreciate McNeese’s willingness to further strengthen our partnership which will benefit our students and help grow the workforce and economy of Southwest Louisiana,” said SOWELA Chancellor Dr. Neil Aspinwall.