DMACC Partnership Programs

See how DMACC partners with these institutions to help you earn your four year degree.

Buena Vista University

2+2 Program (Carroll & Newton)

Des Moines Area Community College has an Articulation Agreement with Buena Vista University (BVU). The degree-completion program allows students to take evening or online classes that lead to a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Management, Elementary Education, Psychology, Human Services, or Business Administration (online) from Buena Vista University.

» Carroll Campus
» Newton Campus

Drake University

Transfer Resource Initiative (TRI)

Under the new Transfer Resource Initiative (TRI) program, you’ll enjoy the benefits of being a student at both schools while you complete your first two years of college at DMACC. At the end of two years, you can earn an Associate’s Degree, then move on to Drake University to complete your Bachelor’s Degree in as little as two additional years.

» TRI Drake Program

Transfer to Drake

Drake has an Associate in Arts (AA) or Associate in Science (AS) articulation agreement with Iowa community colleges. Admitted transfer students with an AA or AS degree from an Iowa community college who have at least 60 semester credits acceptable for transfer and a minimum 2.00 cumulative grade point average will enter Drake University having fulfilled the Drake Curriculum general education requirements with the exception of the Senior Capstone requirement in the student’s major(s) area of study.

If you have questions about transferring to Drake University after finishing your Associate’s Degree at DMACC, please contact Rachelle Setsodi at Rachelle.setsodi@drake.edu.

Visit the Drake Transfer website for more information.

Grand View University

Transfer Resource Initiative (TRI)

Under the new Transfer Resource Initiative (TRI) program, you’ll enjoy the benefits of being a student at both schools while you complete your first two years of college at DMACC. At the end of two years, you can earn an Associate’s Degree, then move on to Grand View University to complete your Bachelor’s Degree in as little as two additional years.

» TRI Grand View Program

Paralegal 2+2
Grand View University has teamed up with DMACC to create a new 2+2 paralegal program. Start in DMACC's Paralegal Program and then seamlessly advance into Grand View's outstanding Paralegal Studies Program to earn your bachelor's degree.

» 2+2 Paralegal Studies

Grinnell College

DMACC has a new transfer agreement with Grinnell College, allowing qualified students to consider transferring to the private four-year, liberal-arts college.

This agreement provides a number of unique benefits including, application counseling to maximize the chances of admission to Grinnell, an invitation to an exclusive pre-application orientation program and an opportunity for admitted students to earn both a DMACC Associate Degree and a Grinnell College Bachelor’s Degree. DMACC is the first two-year college to sign a transfer agreement with Grinnell College.

» DMACC Preview Program

Iowa State University

Admissions Partnership Program (APP)

Students participating in the Admissions Partnership Program experience a smooth and successful transition to Iowa State University. Benefits of the program include personalized mentoring and academic counseling, guaranteed admission to Iowa State University, provided all requirements of the program are met.

» ISU Admissions Partnership Program

Purdue University Global

Articulation Agreement

After earning your Associate’s Degree at DMACC, Purdue University Global may discount your tuition by 20%, while you pursue your Bachelor’s Degree at Purdue University. Purdue University Global offers an accelerated program, where you can earn your Bachelor’s Degree in as little as 15 additional months.

Purdue University Global is an extremely military friendly school and offers a substantial tuition discount to active duty service members (Guard and Reserves included), veterans, DOD civilians, and their dependents. If you are looking for speed to a degree or a flexibility schedule Purdue University Global would be a great fit for you. CHAMPS – Certified Higher Academic Military Partner, Home Base Iowa (HBI).

Purdue University Global is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). HLC also accredits other schools in the area including the University of Iowa, Iowa State University, and Drake University just to name a few.

» Purdue University Global Transfer Students

Simpson College

2+2 Program - AA to BA

Students who have earned an Associate in Arts degree at an accredited community college will have fulfilled the requirements of the Engaged Citizenship Curriculum (all general academic requirements) before starting at Simpson. Simpson has course articulation guides for Iowa community colleges which show how each class will transfer to Simpson. Credit evaluations are generated quickly upon request and are automatically completed for prospective students and applicants. For additional information on transfer credits, contact our Transfer Admissions Counselor at tricia.geelan@simpson.edu

» Simpson College 2+2 Information

University of Iowa

University of Iowa Distance Education Degrees
» Visit website
2+2 Opportunities

2 Plus 2 Guaranteed Graduation Plan is for students who want to earn an associate in arts degree at DMACC before transferring to The University of Iowa to earn a bachelor's degree. The plan connects you with University of Iowa advisors early on so you take the right courses at the right time to complete both degrees in a total of four years. Because of the 2 Plus 2 graduation guarantee, only certain majors at Iowa are eligible for the 2+2 plan.
» The Bachelor of Applied Studies (BAS) program is designed for graduates of community college (AA, AS, or AAS degrees) who wish to complete a bachelor’s degree but, for a variety of reasons, cannot engage in traditional on-campus study.
The Bachelor of Liberal Studies (BLS) program is designed to serve adults who, for a variety of reasons, might not otherwise be able to attend college as a full-time, on-campus student.
The RN-BSN program is mostly online and is for associate degree and diploma-prepared RNs who are ready to expand their nursing skills and professional potential by earning the BSN.
The BA in Social Work program prepares students for beginning generalist social work practice with individuals, families, small groups, organizations, and communities. The program gives students a base for a graduate education in social work. Students completing the 2+2 Social Work major through DMACC have the option of pursuing a BA completion program in Social Work in Des Moines.
The online Bachelor of Business Administration in Management
with a concentration in the Entrepreneurial Management track was created for place-bound students.

For information about on campus programs at the Iowa Center for Higher Education go to http://desmoines.uiowa.edu/.

University of Northern Iowa

2+2 Program (Ankeny, Boone and Carroll Campuses)

The University of Northern Iowa (UNI) and DMACC offer an Elementary Education Bachelors degree opportunity through a 2+2 program. Students take two years of classes at DMACC and three years of classes through UNI. UNI faculty teach all UNI classes either at DMACC, face-to-face or via distance education (ICN, WebCT).

» UNI Bachelor's Degree

» The University of Northern Iowa (UNI) and DMACC also offer a Social Science Teaching Bachelor's degree. Get additional information here.

Admissions Partnership Program (APP)

Students admitted to DMACC who plan to pursue a bachelor's degree at the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) can now sign up for the Admissions Partnership Program to streamline the transfer process. Students accepted into the Admissions Partnership Program while enrolled at DMACC benefit from:

Guaranteed admission to UNI, provided all requirements are met.
Timely progress toward graduation. With the exception of some UNI programs, participation enables students who stay on track to begin at DMACC and graduate from UNI in a total of eight semesters.
Option to lock-in bachelor's degree requirements with the same status as a student who enrolls directly at UNI as an entering freshman.
Academic advising at both DMACC and UNI from the point of acceptance in to the APP.
Early orientation and scheduling for the first semester at UNI.
Guaranteed placement in UNI housing, provided the student complies with established residence policies and application procedures and deadlines.
Access to UNI campus and student resources.
Receipt of updated UNI materials and information about campus events and opportunities.
Updated DMACC transcripts automatically sent to UNI at the end of each semester.

Students who want to be a part of the DMACC/UNI Admissions Partnership Program must enroll at DMACC as a degree-seeking student in a program appropriate for the transfer and then apply to the program.

» UNI Admissions Partnership Program

Transfer Plans

Transfer plans are available that will assist students planning to transfer to the University of Northern Iowa. These consist of recommendations based on your chosen major and classes offered at DMACC.

» UNI Transfer Website

William Penn University

DMACC offers articulation agreements with William Penn for

AA to BA (2+2),
AAS to BATS (Bachelor of Arts in Technical Studies), and
RN to BSN

William Penn offers free transfer credit evaluation and pre-advising services through the Registrar’s Office. There are no application fees. William Penn’s campus is located in Oskaloosa, but also offers online classes and evening classes in Johnston.

» William Penn Transfer Information

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Cross Enrollment

Under a special agreement, a limited number of students may enroll in one class each semester with no tuition at Drake University, Grand View University, and Iowa State University.

» Cross Enrollment Program