Kirkwood, UNI team up to offer new 2+2 music degree

New agreement will facilitate transition from Kirkwood to UNI to earn bachelor of arts in music

Kirkwood UNI 2+2 music agreement
In the center from left to right: Kirkwood Associate Professor of Music Fred Kiser, Kirkwood Vice President of Academic Affairs Jennifer Bradley, Kirkwood Dean of Arts & Humanities Jennifer Cunningham, and Interim Director of UNI School of Music Melinda Boyd are joined by Kirkwood music students at the signing of an agreement creating a new 2+2 music education program between Kirkwood and UNI. CREDIT KIRKWOOD COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Kirkwood Community College and the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) School of Music have signed an agreement for a unique partnership that will allow students to complete a bachelor of arts in music.

Under the 2+2 agreement, students will be able to transition from an associate of applied arts in music at Kirkwood to a comprehensive bachelor of arts in music at UNI.

“This pathway allows students to achieve their goal through two years at Kirkwood followed by two years at UNI,” said Melinda Boyd, interim director of the School of Music at UNI, in a release. “The 2+2 articulation agreement stands as a testament to the forward-thinking approach of both institutions and their dedication to enhancing educational opportunities in the field of music.”

Kirkwood dean of arts and humanities Jennifer Cunningham said she is excited about the new opportunities the agreement presents for students.

“This exciting new partnership increases the opportunities for our music students to transfer,” said Ms. Cunningham. “Kirkwood students will now have the opportunity to start their music career path at Kirkwood and easily transfer to UNI, who is well known for producing quality musicians and educators. This articulation will save students thousands of dollars on their post-secondary education and know that they are transferring to a school that has a very high rate of career placement after graduation.”

While administrators at both institutions have been interested in a partnership for years, the articulation agreement is now made possible through UNIFI, which leverages the University of Northern Iowa’s general education requirements, which are designed to offer students increased flexibility in tailoring their academic journey to align with their individual goals.

The partnership emphasizes the importance of collaborative initiatives in higher education, as faculty and staff at both institutions focus on finding additional transfer pathways for the benefit of students.

For more information, please visit admissions.uni.edu/transfer.