YES, You CAN be a Beaver and Roadrunner at the Same Time!

In high school, Jennifer Smucker liked all things math. She really enjoyed helping to teach other students. After completing her first year at LBCC, she decided to change her major from engineering to mathematics, because what she really wanted was to go back to her community to teach math. Next fall, Jennifer will transfer to OSU to earn her bachelor’s degree in math, with plans to earn her master’s in both math and math education. “The degree partnership program is great! I can take classes at LBCC at a lower cost, and the transition to OSU is much easier,” said Jennifer. “With smaller class sizes at LBCC, it feels a bit more personable and you get to know your instructors. I really love that.”

A Clear Path to Follow

The LBCC/OSU degree partnership program is open to all undergraduate students pursuing a transfer degree at Oregon State – and the advantages are numerous.

Here’s how the program works:
Students enroll at LBCC to take their core classes -- such as science and math, engineering, business, foreign languages, agriculture and more – and enjoy LBCC’s lower tuition and smaller class sizes. They then transfer those classes to Oregon State to finish their bachelor’s degree. The more credits a student enrolls in at LBCC, the more cost savings they will see.

Along the way, students can take full advantage of both institutions – even living in OSU student housing while taking classes at LBCC, with access to the Dixon Recreation Center, athletics and more. The library, advising, computers, tutoring options, facilities and are fully accessible at both OSU and LBCC.

Advisors at both schools ensure a collaborative path so that students get the exact courses they need to meet degree requirements. Financial Aid even applies to both schools at the same time.

“Being a Degree Partnership student gives you the opportunity to transition from one school to the other at your own pace,” said Gavin Carlisle, a Business Administration and Accounting major. “I would highly recommend this to anyone who plans to get a bachelor’s degree.”

A National Model

The LBCC/OSU Degree Partnership (DPP) began in 1998, and was the first of its kind in Oregon. This innovative partnership has served as a model for institutions in Oregon and across the nation. First open to students majoring in agricultural sciences, business and engineering, the program now includes all undergraduate majors pursuing their bachelor’s degree.

DPP provides a pathway for students to complete a four-year degree quicker and more affordably, allowing students to be jointly admitted to both institutions. Approximately 2,000 students enroll in the LBCC/OSU degree partnership program each year. Since it began, more than 20,000 students have enjoyed the benefits of being an LBCC/OSU degree partnership student.

LBCC Works to Open Even More Options

OSU isn’t the only option for students who want to get started through LBCC. The college also has a partnership in place with Oregon Technology, which includes degree options in more than 30 fields.

And this fall, LBCC is announcing a NEW partnership with Western Oregon University (WOU). The WOU agreement opens doors to degree options such as Criminal Justice, Business, Education, Communication, Computer Science, Psychology, Exercise Science, and Community Health, with more majors added in the future.

“Ultimately it’s about helping students get the education they need more quickly, affordably, and within a combination of environments that work best for them,” said Katie Winder, Dean of LBCC Arts, Social Sciences, and Humanities. “We are so proud of LBCC’s role as a launching pad for thousands of people.

Want to take advantage of LBCC’s Degree Partnership Program?

We are happy to walk you through exactly what to do to get a jumpstart on your future!

Find us at linnbenton.edu/dpp, call us at (541) 917-4237, or email us at dpp@linnbenton.edu.