Northland College and College of DuPage (C.O.D.) in Glen Ellyn, Ill., have entered into an articulation agreement that will allow students to more easily transfer credits between the two institutions.

“Transferring credits from one college to another can be a daunting process for students,” said Rick Fairbanks, provost and academic dean at Northland College. “Our hope is that this agreement will help students to continue their education by making the transition between College of DuPage and Northland smooth and simple.”

The agreement allows students who successfully complete an associate’s degree at C.O.D. to transfer up to 65 credits and enroll at Northland in the biology, natural resources, sociology or visual arts programs with junior standing. Students who have not yet completed an associate’s degree may also transfer credits from equivalent courses completed with a C- or better. The agreement was signed in May 2008 by Northland College President Karen I. Halbersleben and former College of DuPage President Sunil Chand. The current agreement will last for three years and will be reevaluated by May 2011 for an additional three year term. The connection between the two institutions was made through the services of The Education Alliance, a Boston-based higher education consulting firm that introduced administrators from Northland and C.O.D.

Sarah Simpson of Countryside, Ill., transferred from C.O.D. to Northland in fall 2007. Now a senior majoring in outdoor education, Simpson said she started her college career at C.O.D. to save money, but transferred to Northland for a more specific program.

“I knew that Northland had what I wanted to study, which is outdoor education,” Simpson said. “I had wanted to go to Northland since I was a sophomore in high school, but I couldn't afford it.” She also believes that learning can happen anywhere and that the professors at C.O.D. and Northland have been very supportive of her transition.

College of DuPage enrolls about 31,000 students each semester. C.O.D. awards seven associate’s degrees through 45 occupational and 45 pre-baccalaureate programs, ranging from accounting and computer information systems to photography and health sciences. For more information about C.O.D. visit www.cod.edu.