Martin Community College & East Carolina University Sign Bilateral Agreement for Industrial Systems Program

Martin Community College (MCC) and East Carolina University (ECU) have signed a bilateral agreement that guarantees MCC graduates in technical fields admission into ECU's Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology (BSIT) program.

This agreement allows graduates from MCC to enter ECU's BSIT program with up to 75 transferable credits, which is approximately 63% of the bachelor's degree requirements. Eligible MCC associate programs include Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Technology; Applied Engineering; Automotive Systems Technology; Electrical Systems Technology; Industrial Systems Technology; Information Technology; Mechatronics Engineering; and Welding Technology.

ECU's BSIT program offers seven concentrations, with five fully online options, including Information and Cybersecurity Technology; Industrial Engineering Technology; Distribution and Logistics; Bioprocess Manufacturing; and Industrial Management. Architectural and Mechanical Design concentrations do require in-person classes at ECU.

This opportunity was an idea started by MCC's Division Chair of Advanced Manufacturing/Automotive, Ryal Watkins. "By earning an associate degree at the community college level first, students are able to enter the workforce several years sooner and have multiple ECU BSIT online concentration options that would enable them to retain full-time employment while completing their remaining bachelor and potential master's program credits," Watkins states.

Watkins adds, "We are extremely excited about this new partnership with ECU and can't wait to share these opportunities with our community."

Some other benefits of this partnership include smaller class sizes, less campus/traffic congestion, and the significant amount of cost savings by earning credits at MCC first. Additionally, Career and College Promise students can begin earning university level credits as early as ninth grade.

This partnership with ECU aligns with MCC's mission of building better futures by creating new pathways for students in Martin and Bertie counties to further their education and careers.

For more information about MCC's Industrial Programs or transferring to ECU's BSIT program, contact Ryal Watkins at (252) 789-0278 or rw89131@martincc.edu.