An agreement between Northern Arizona University and Central Arizona College not only makes getting a bachelor’s degree in Pinal County more affordable and accessible, it continues NAU’s goal of expanding higher education opportunities throughout the state.
“By linking our two institutions our students can remain focused on their ultimate goal of earning a bachelor’s degree,” NAU President John Haeger said during his visit earlier this month with Dennis Jenkins, president and chief executive officer of Central Arizona College.The CAC2NAU agreement, signed by the presidents of both institutions, offers a smooth transition to NAU’s 87 bachelor’s degree programs and is built upon NAU’s successful partnership with CAC to provide local bachelor’s degrees and master’s degrees since 1995.
CAC2NAU students continue their education toward an NAU bachelor’s degree upon successful completion of their associate’s degree at a CAC campus. Students save money by paying community college tuition and fees for their first years in the program. A number of NAU programs now accept up to 90 hours of CAC course credit toward a bachelor’s degree.
“CAC strives to create affordable, accessible higher education opportunities right here in Pinal County,” Jenkins said. “This exciting agreement with Northern Arizona University is another step forward in achieving that goal.”
CAC2NAU began this fall and is distinguished by its tailored, intensive advising with shared expertise from CAC and NAU.
Participating CAC2NAU students have their NAU application fee waived, receive an NAU e-mail address and identification card and can access NAU Cline library services as well as online resources, including a Bridge to NAU tutorial. Freshmen in the program have an added incentive of up to $4,000 in NAU scholarships if they maintain a 3.5 GPA and complete their associate’s degree at CAC.
CAC2NAU is available at Central Arizona College’s Signal Peak, Superstition Mountain and Aravaipa campuses and at CAC’s centers in Casa Grande, Coolidge, Florence, Maricopa and San Tan Valley.
The CAC2NAU agreement is the 16th pact NAU has made with community colleges throughout the state, and continues the goal set by the university and the Arizona Board of Regents to make higher education in the state more accessible and affordable.