Purdue University Global, Iowa Lakes Community College form partnership focused on student success

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — A partnership between Purdue University Global and Iowa Lakes Community College will facilitate students’ transfer from Iowa Lakes to Purdue Global.

Iowa Lakes students graduating with an Associate of Arts, Associate of Science or Associate of Applied Science degree and a cumulative grade-point average of 2.0 or higher will be able to transfer coursework and credits directly into a bachelor’s degree program at Purdue Global. Iowa Lakes associate degree graduates will transfer to Purdue Global with junior status and with guaranteed admission into their preferred area of study.

Many programs from Iowa Lakes align with the Purdue Global offerings, including aviation, business, criminal justice, human services and psychology. Purdue Global will provide materials, catalogs and other information to Iowa Lakes advisors to facilitate their understanding of university requirements and academic programs.

“Purdue Global joins with Iowa Lakes Community College in a commitment to helping students achieve their higher education goals with a smooth transfer of credits,” Purdue Global Chancellor Frank Dooley said. “This commitment strongly supports the concept of seamless transfer that embraces the principle that transfer students should not be required to repeat courses for learning they have already demonstrated and achieved. We offer many options for obtaining a bachelor’s and/or master’s degree, and look forward to welcoming Iowa Lakes students to the Purdue family.”

The maximum number of lower-division credits that can be accepted and applied to a bachelor’s degree at Purdue Global is 86 semester credits. The majority of transfer pathways from Iowa Lakes to Purdue Global will facilitate the application of at least 60 credits when students complete an associate degree and transfer to complete a complementary bachelor’s degree.

“Iowa Lakes students have varying educational goals, and they may change at different points in their careers and lives,” said Robert Leifeld, Iowa Lakes vice president of administration. “Providing flexible options in a multitude of disciplines is key to assisting students in their journey. This agreement with Purdue Global offers Iowa Lakes students an opportunity to continue toward advanced degrees full-time, part-time or even remotely. A mutual goal shared between our institutions: student success.”

Iowa Lakes students transferring to Purdue Global will receive a 20% tuition discount on Purdue Global undergraduate programs and a 14% discount on graduate programs.

About Purdue University Global

Purdue University Global delivers personalized online education tailored to the unique needs of adults who have work or life experience beyond the classroom, enabling them to develop essential academic and professional skills with the support and flexibility they need to achieve their career goals. It offers personalized paths for students to earn an associate, bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree, based on their work experience, desired pace, military service, previous college credits and other considerations – no matter where they are in their life journey. Purdue Global serves approximately 36,000 students (as of January 2021), most of whom earn their degree online. Purdue Global is a nonprofit, public university accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. It is affiliated with Purdue University’s flagship institution, a highly ranked public research university located in West Lafayette, Indiana. Purdue University also operates regional campuses in Fort Wayne and Northwest Indiana, as well as serving science, engineering and technology students at the Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) campus. For more information, visit purdueglobal.edu.

About Iowa Lakes Community College

Iowa Lakes Community College, a nonprofit, public community college accredited through the Higher Learning Commission, offers more than 60 nationally recognized degrees, certifications, and pre-professional programs. Located in the beautiful Iowa Great Lakes Region, Iowa Lakes Community College serves a five-county area with campuses in Algona, Emmetsburg, Estherville, Spencer and Spirit Lake. For more information, visit iowalakes.edu.

Writer, Media Contact/Purdue Global: Tom Schott, 765-427-1721, tschott@purdue.edu

Media Contact/Iowa Lakes Community College: Beth Elman, belman@iowalakes.edu

Sources: Frank Dooley

Robert Leifeld