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What is an Articulation Agreement?
Florida has instituted a variety of methods to assist students with the transfer of their credits, otherwise known as articulation agreements. The Statewide Articulation Manual provides statewide standards for awarding advanced placement credits, high school dual enrollment credit, transfer of credit between institutions, and related topics. The Florida Department of Education, through the Articulation Coordinating Committee (ACC), also facilitates statewide consistency among institutions that award credit for certain professional credentials, such as industry certifications, licenses, and certificates. In addition to statewide articulation agreements, Northwest Florida State College (NWFSC) has local articulation agreements with various other institutions, as well as internal agreements for specific NWFSC programs.
NWFSC is committed to establishing cooperative partnerships that provide clear educational pathways for its students. A comprehensive list of active partnerships can be found on the University Partnerships website. Students who are interested in one of these unique pathways and would like additional information on requirements and eligibility should consult with a Student Success Navigator at studentsuccess@nwfsc.edu or 850-502-2895.
Florida Statewide Articulation Agreement for AA Degree
The State of Florida has a statewide articulation agreement between Florida College System (FCS) institutions and State University System (SUS) institutions. This is commonly referred to as a 2+2 agreement (2 years to complete the AA degree at the FCS followed by 2 years to complete a baccalaureate degree at the SUS). Per Florida Administrative Code Rule 6A-10.024, students who have received an Associate in Arts (AA) degree from a FCS institution are guaranteed admission with 60 semester hours into a SUS institution. However, some exceptions apply such as limited access programs, teacher certification programs, and programs requiring an audition for acceptance. Admission into a specific program at a given SUS institution is not assured and some degree programs require specific lower division coursework outside of common pre-requisites. Students are strongly encouraged to meet with an Academic Advisor at their intended SUS to create an education plan that supports seamless transfer from the FCS to their intended SUS program. Students who wish to learn more about the AA Statewide Articulation Agreement may visit Undergraduate Admissions - State University System of Florida (flbog.edu).
NWFSC Certificate to AS Degree Career Paths
Many of the technical certificate programs offered by NWFSC provide the initial step in meeting selected course requirements for an AS degree in a related area. Courses from those certificates are the same as or equivalent to comparable courses in the companion degree program. Likewise, courses used in the degree program may be applied to a certificate in a related area; in many cases, completion of the technical courses in the degree program can automatically qualify the student to receive the companion certificate.
A list of all AS degrees and corresponding articulated certificates is shown on the Certificate to AS Degree Career Paths website.
Local NWFSC Internal Articulation Agreements
Internal Articulation Agreements (Summary of Eligible Certifications and Credit Awarded)
Business and Computer Technology Eligible Certifications
- Industry Certification to the AS in Industrial Management Technology
- NCCER Welding (Levels 1-3)
- AWS or Industry Equivalent
- SMAW (all positions)
- SMAW (all positions) and FACAW (all positions)
- SMAW (all positions)/GTAW (all positions)
- Plate Weld Certification
- Industry Certification to the A.A.S. in Applied Management
- Florida Department of Education - Welding Technologies (or equivalent)
- Florida Department of Education - Advanced Welding Technologies (or equivalent)
Culinary Management
- Industry Certification to the AS in Culinary Management (and embedded certificates)
- ServSafe Certified Food Protection Manager (NRAEF003)
Early Childhood Education
- Early Childhood Certifications to NWFSC Early Childhood Coursework
- Child Development Associate Credential
- Florida Child Care Professional Credential (Infants and Toddlers)
- Florida Child Care Professional Credential (Preschool)
Engineering Technology
- Industry Certifications to NWFSC Engineering Technology Coursework
- Autodesk Certified User - Inventor (ADESK011)
- Autodesk Certified Professional - Inventor (ADESK024)
- Associate Certified Electronics Technician (CETa) (ETAIN008)
- Certified SolidWorks Associate - Academic (CSWA-Academic) (SOLID003)
- MSSC Certified Production Technician (CPT)
- Eligible Exam Content Areas
- Safety
- Quality Practices and Measurement
- Manufacturing Processes and Production
- Maintenance Awareness
Health Sciences
- Dental Assisting Certificate to the AS in Health Services Management
- Dental Assisting Certificate
- LPN to RN (AS in Nursing)
- Licensed Practical Nurse Licensure
- RN to BSN (B.S. in Nursing)
- Registered Nurse Licensure from any U.S. state
Hospitality and Tourism Management
- Industry Certification to the AS in Hospitality and Tourism (and embedded program certificates)
- ServSafe Certified Food Protection Manager (NRAEF003)
Public Safety/Emergency Medical Services
- Industry Certification to NWFSC Criminal Justice Coursework
- Florida Corrections Officer Certification
- Florida Law Enforcement Certification
- EMT or Paramedic Certification(s) to the AS in Emergency Medical Services
- Florida State Certified Emergency Medical Technician (EMT-Basic)
- Florida State Certified Paramedic (EMT-P)
- American Council on Education (ACE) Special Forces Advanced Tactical Practitioner/18 Delta to the CCC in Paramedic Certificate
- ACE Special Forces Advanced Tactical Practitioner/18 Delta
Statewide Articulation Agreements
The State Board of Education approved the Statewide Career and Technical Education Articulation Agreements which are based on industry certification. This supports the Department’s Next Generation Areas of Focus effort Number 3 —”to expand opportunities for postsecondary degrees and certificates.” These agreements are intended to be a minimum guarantee of articulated credit and do not preclude institutions from granting additional credit based on local agreements. Individual agreements are listed below.
Statewide Articulation Agreements
AS to Baccalaureate Degree Articulation Agreements
In Florida, AS degree curricula regularly include technical skills and theoretical knowledge, as well as, a required general education component that are designed to prepare an individual either for entry into the workforce or transfer into a related baccalaureate program. It is this combination of theory and practice that distinguishes the AS degree from the AA degree, with its traditional focus on the liberal arts and sciences. This valuable combination of knowledge and skills need not disqualify AS degree courses from transferability. Indeed, the competencies taught in the lower division at two-year colleges often duplicate competencies taught at universities in the upper-division (for example, in nursing or in certain information technology fields). The learning outcomes embedded in the AS degree programs often embody similar technical knowledge and skillsets. A complete list of articulated programs and hours can be viewed in the Florida Department of Education Career Ladder Agreements document.
Industry Certification to AAS or AS Articulation Agreements
There are several acceleration methods associated with Industry Certification. These acceleration opportunities allow students who are progressing to the next level of education to earn a guaranteed number of college credits toward the A.A.S. or AS degree. Each acceleration opportunity requires the student to demonstrate mastery of a specified level of competency. One example of this method is the Gold Standard Articulation Agreement, which includes identified industry certifications. As new agreements are developed they are added to the articulation list.
The Gold Standard Career Pathways Articulation Agreements of Industry Certification provides information on the identified industry certifications approved by the Florida State Board of Education. Contact the Coordinator of Career & Technical Education for additional information.
ATD to AAS or AS Articulation Agreements
The Applied Technology Diploma (ATD) consists of a course of study that is part of an A.A.S. or AS, is less than sixty (60) credit hours, is approximately fifty (50) percent of the technical component (non-general education), and leads to employment in a specific occupation. An applied technology diploma program may consist of either clock hour credit or college credit. The transfer of the applied technology diploma to an associate degree is guaranteed for a period of three (3) years following the date of the award of the applied technology diploma. For a listing of specific statewide ATD to AAS/AS articulation agreements approved by the ACC, see ATD to AAS/AS Articulation Agreements.
Transfer Agreement with Independent Colleges and Universities in Florida
The Florida College System has a transfer agreement with many of the Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida (ICUF). This allows AA degree graduates to transfer into a private college or university with the guarantee that a student will enter as a junior, receive at least 60 credit hours toward the bachelor’s degree, and receive recognition for the general education core that was completed at an institution within the Florida College System. Most of the 31 ICUF institutions have recognized this agreement. To view a copy of the ICUF articulation agreement with the Florida College System, see Independent Colleges and Universities Articulation Agreement.
Other Statewide Agreements
The Florida College System also has established articulation agreements with private colleges and other universities. To view specific agreements, see http://www.fldoe.org/articulation/articulation-agreement.asp.
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