East Tennessee State University and Mountain Empire Community College (MECC) are expanding educational opportunities for students through new articulation agreements that create pathways from MECC Associate of Applied Science degree programs to ETSU bachelor's degree programs.

Leaders from the two institutions signed the agreements on Wednesday, September 16, formalizing transfer opportunities in applied fields, including industrial leadership and respiratory therapy. Through these pathways, ETSU is expanding access to advanced education for students across the region, creating clear opportunities for MECC graduates to continue their education while helping build the highly skilled workforce that communities throughout the region need.

“The Bachelor of Applied Science in Industrial Leadership is designed for students who want to build on their applied and technical education while preparing for leadership and career advancement,” said Jessie Wang, Assistant Dean of Student Success and Access in ETSU’s Clemmer College of Education and Human Development. “For MECC graduates interested in supervisory, management or other leadership roles, the program provides a flexible pathway to a bachelor’s degree at ETSU that recognizes the value of what they have already accomplished while preparing them to take the next step in their careers."

The new agreements establish transfer pathways into ETSU's Bachelor of Applied Science in Industrial Leadership and Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy from the following MECC Associate of Applied Science degree programs:

  • Energy Technology
  • Environmental Studies
  • Environmental Science with a Water/Wastewater Specialization
  • Forest Science
  • Mechatronics
  • Precision Machining
  • Respiratory Therapy
  • Welding

The agreements also provide opportunities for working professionals to pursue advanced degrees while continuing their careers.

"This articulation agreement is an excellent opportunity for licensed respiratory therapists to obtain an advanced degree while working. All courses are offered 100% online, allowing students to pursue their degree without the need to attend classes on campus. Advisers work directly with each student to develop a personalized program of study that prepares them for advancement in their field," said Dr. Ester L. Verhovsek-Hughes, chair and professor in the Department of Allied Health Sciences at ETSU.

Through these partnerships, ETSU and MECC continue to support accessible higher education and create opportunities for students to advance their education, strengthen their professional skills and contribute to the region's workforce.

For more information about ETSU transfer opportunities, visit ETSU's articulation agreements webpage.