University of Wisconsin-Platteville officials toured Nicolet College labs and classrooms during their visit and signing ceremony that allows Northwoods residents to earn engineering bachelor’s degrees. Academic leaders from both institutions are pictured here in Nicolet’s metal fabrication lab. Submitted photo

Northwoods students looking to earn a bachelor’s degree in engineering will have several new options thanks to a new, broad-based transfer agreement between Nicolet College and the University of Wisconsin-Platteville.

Officials from both institutions recently gathered at Nicolet for a transfer agreement signing ceremony. Nicolet students and staff, representatives from local high schools, and members of Nicolet’s Board of Trustees were also invited to the event.

Highlighted at the event was the home-based nature of study toward engineering degrees.

“One of the many beauties of the agreement is that students will be able to complete these degrees by staying almost entirely in the Northwoods,” said Nicolet President Kate Ferrel.

“Students will start the program with Associate’s of Science classes at Nicolet and then complete one of three engineering bachelor’s degrees by seamlessly transferring to UW-Platteville.  While not fully online, the bachelor’s degree can be completed by a combination of online courses and hands-on labs offered – often on Saturdays – at UW Platteville, UW-Oshkosh-Fox Cities, or another regional location.”

Nicolet students will have the opportunity to take introductory engineering courses through UW-Platteville that will also count towards the completion of their Associate of Science degree. Bachelor’s degrees offered through the partnership with UW-Platteville’s College of Engineering, Mathematics and Science will include those in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, and industrial and systems engineering.

Helping students, in essence, begin their UW-Platteville degree work while attending Nicolet College early on is a model built on trust and a forward-thinking mindset.

“This agreement is an example of what can be achieved through collaboration and innovation among higher education institutions in our state,” said UW-Platteville Interim Chancellor Dr. Tammy Evetovich.

“This partnership will make a UW-Platteville engineering education accessible to more students in Wisconsin, including those who are place-bound or working adults. We are so pleased to partner with Nicolet College to achieve this, and our combined efforts will strengthen the state’s workforce and provide highly qualified engineers to fill high-demand positions.”

For more information about the bachelor’s degrees and the partnership, visit nicoletcollege.edu or call 715-365-4493.