Alternative Associate to Bachelors (A2B) Dual Degree Program
What is A2B?
The Associate to Bachelor (A2B) Program offers a clear pathway for first-time, degree-seeking students to concurrently earn an associate degree from SEARK and a bachelor’s degree from UAPB without worrying about the transferability of credits, time to graduation, separate financial aid forms, and difficulty of enrollment at two separate schools.
Who is eligible?
- All first-time, degree-seeking students who not eligible for full admission to UAPB are eligible for A2B.
- UAPB applicants are invited to apply for admission to SEARK and the A2B Program.
- Students enroll in at least 9 credits at SEARK (Home Institution) and in 3 credits as a special student at UAPB (Host Institution) during the Transition Period.
- Upon completion of the Transition Period and earning 30 credits and at least a 2.0 GPA, students transition to taking 9 credits toward the bachelor’s degree at UAPB (Home Institution) while taking 3 credits toward the associates degree at SEARK (Host Institution).
Eligible Programs and Courses
- All two-year degree transfer programs at SEARK are eligible.
- All undergraduate degree programs at UAPB are eligible, provided students meet any applicable entrance requirements.
- All courses at both institutions are restricted to 1000 and 2000 level courses during the Transition Period.
- After the transition period is complete, A2B students will work with their UAPB advisors to complete 60+ eligible course credit requirements at UAPB that are compatible with completion of an associate degree from SEARK.
Student Services, and Course Registration
- Students will be granted the privileges and eligibility for support services available at both UAPB and SEARK according to their degree status and credit hour enrollment; this includes, but is not limited to, advising, library privileges, tutoring and academic skills support, eligibility to purchase parking passes, and attendance at sporting events.
- UAPB housing and/or meal plans will be available to A2B students during the Transition Period.
- A2B students will follow the policies and procedures for course registration of each institution under advisement by their academic counselor at each institution.
Financial Aid
All financial aid, including federal financial aid will be processed according to standard policies and procedures governing the student financial aid programs at the home institution. SEARK and UAPB tuition and fees, and UAPB room and board costs will be used for establishing the cost of attendance (COA) for the students in the program.
How do I sign up?
Students may not apply directly to the A2B program. Students who do not meet the minimum academic requirements for admission to UAPB will receive an invitation from the UAPB Office of Admissions to apply to the A2B Program. Students must present their UAPB letter to SEARK during the admissions process to be admitted to A2B. This can be done online at www.seark.edu/a2b. The application deadline is August 1 for fall admission; and January 1 for spring admission.
Be sure to apply for Federal Financial Aid (FAFSA) for both UAPB (code: 001086) and SEARK (code:014893).
Contact Gina Teel at SEARK (870-543-5961 or gteel@seark.edu) to apply for for the A2B Program. For information about the A2B Program at UAPB, contact Michael Jones at 870-575-8383 or jonesmal@uapb.edu.
