BSCTC’s Visual Communication Degree Leads to UPIKE’s Film and Media Arts Degree

Prestonsburg, KY-- Big Sandy Community & Technical College (BSCTC) introduces a new partnership with the University of Pikeville (UPIKE) to create an academic pathway for students who graduate BSCTC with an associate of applied science in visual communication with an emphasis on design and technology. This pathway leads to transfer to UPIKE’s Bachelor of Arts in film and media arts at UPIKE.

A guided pathway is gaining momentum within community colleges because they provide a streamlined, structured academic plan with increased academic support to students along the "pathway" to graduation and transfer to the bachelor's degree. 

More students achieve their college completion goals with pathways such as the visual communication to media arts degrees. Students who graduate from BSCTC with a GPA of 2.0 or higher qualify to transfer to UPIKE's media arts program. 

The guided pathway partnership between BSCTC and UPIKE simplifies the academic pursuit by providing default program maps that clearly denote the path to completion, transfer, further education and ultimately employment.

BSCTC President Sherry Zylka commented, "Together with UPIKE, our goal is to provide increased opportunities for students to earn four-year degrees at home so they may work and live at home. The visual communication to media arts pathway provides a great opportunity for creative and driven students." 

There is a tremendous and increasing demand for students with a bachelor’s degree in film and media arts. These career options include digital marketing specialist, web designer, corporate video producer, computer animator, news or sports anchor, and television producer. 

For more information about the visual communication pathway program at BSCTC, please contact Professor Lori Lewis at Lori.Lewis@kctcs.edu  

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Big Sandy Community & Technical College (BSCTC) provides accessible quality educational opportunities for student success, promotes economic growth and enhances the quality of life of its constituents.  As the region's premier community and technical college, BSCTC is recognized as the first choice for higher education, academic achievement; cultural enrichment; student success; and community, workforce, and economic development.  With campuses in Prestonsburg, Paintsville, Hager Hill, and Pikeville, BSCTC offers 30 programs and more than 200 credentials. Visit www.bigsandy.kctcs.edu to learn more.

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