Jones College is committed to help ensure for its students a smooth transition toward achieving a bachelor's degree through partnerships with universities in Mississippi and surrounding states.
Partnership agreements offer students an affordable pathway to a bachelor's degree. Collaboration between both the sending and receiving institutions can transform the transfer process and improve the success of the shared students.
Earning a bachelor’s degree is made easier through a partnership between Jones College and The University of South Alabama, located in Mobile, Alabama. The “Pathway USA” partnership provides more access to four-year degree options for the residents of South Mississippi and South Alabama seeking to obtain an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN).
One of the big benefits to Jones ADN students with a 2.75 GPA is that they can receive scholarships and guaranteed in-state tuition to pursue a four year degree through this option.
Other benefits include reverse transfer options and simultaneous earning of an associate's degree and USA coursework, that counts toward credit hours for a baccalaureate degree. Jones College graduates of the Associate Degree of Nursing program are eligible for perks as a result of the University of South Alabama’s College of Nursing’s first collaborative agreement with a community college, under the Pathway USA partnership.
Jones College students transferring to Mississippi State University's poultry science program can take advantage of a smoother transition as a result of a two-plus-two agreement. The agreement went into effect in the Fall of 2013 and allows specific courses in Jones College's curricula to transfer to MSU's poultry science program. As Mississippi's premier agricultural industry, poultry generates $2.47 billion each year and represents 33 percent of the state's total farm-gate value. Jones College is proud to offer an educational path in poultry science with Jones County being the home to the state's biggest broiler producer, Sanderson Farms.
Two-plus-two programs place students on the road to a bachelor’s degree while completing their first two years of a course of study at a community college. Because of the agreement, students interested in a poultry science degree can complete their freshman and sophomore years at Jones College without the worry that some classes might not transfer when they enroll at MSU.
The University of West Alabama, located in Livingston, Alabama is partnering with Jones College offering incentives to students upon completion of their associate degree.
Jones College students with a 3.0 GPA are now eligible for a renewable, $3,000 to 4,000 scholarship for up to four semesters. Additionally, these students qualify for a unique $2,000 Housing Scholarship for the first year. Tucker hopes the Housing Scholarship will encourage students to live on campus. Jones students who qualify for the scholarships are exempt from out of state tuition.
Degrees can be obtained in numerous academic degree programs. Career and Technical graduates of Jones College are also offered the opportunity to shift into four-year technical degrees, like industrial maintenance and engineering technology, programs that are hands-on, application-oriented as opposed to pure theory.
Jones College students working towards an Associate of Applied Science degree in more than 20 career and technical programs have the option to continue their education with Mississippi State University. A memorandum of understanding signed by the presidents of MSU and Jones established community college students more opportunities to earn a bachelor's degree in technical education to meet workforce demands.
MSU launched its Bachelor of Applied Science program in August, significantly expanding the university’s acceptance of technical credit from community colleges and military training. It is intended to serve the needs of adults who have completed a technical associate’s degree program through a community college or the military and need additional education to advance their careers.
The Institutes of Higher Learning passed a measure in 2019 making way for universities to create this new pathway towards a bachelor’s degree for career and technical education students through the applied baccalaureate degree completion program.