An innovative new joint admission program between Buffalo State College and Ontario's Mohawk College allows Mohawk College graduates to continue their studies to earn a bachelor's degree from Buffalo State.

The unique diploma-to-degree program provides Mohawk graduates, who earn associate's degrees upon completion of their studies, with the opportunity to complete their baccalaureate degrees at Buffalo State. Students accepted by Mohawk are automatically accepted at Buffalo State upon graduation provided they maintain the required grade point average.

"The program is especially attractive to international and Native American and Native Canadian students," said Dr. Jean F. Gounard, Buffalo State College director of International Student Affairs. Gounard and Keith Nixon, Mohawk College's dean of International Education, were instrumental in the development of the program.

Under terms of the Jay Treaty of 1794 and now safeguarded by statute, Gounard explained, Native American and Native Canadian students are afforded "free passage" between the U.S. and Canada. "This is significant because it allows Native Canadians to attend Buffalo State College - or any public college or university in any state - at in-state tuition rates if they establish residency in that state," he said. In-state tuition rates for public institutions are generally significantly lower than out-of-state or international rates. Buffalo State and Mohawk's new joint admission program operates in 12 parallel curricula. They are:
















































 

Most Mohawk students will complete their baccalaureate degrees at Buffalo State College in two to three years, with cooperative education options in some programs. Summer coursework may be required, Gounard noted.

First-time Mohawk College students with no prior credits earned at Mohawk are eligible for the program, and may apply for entrance to the joint admission program when they apply to admission to Mohawk College. Students with college-level credits from institutions other than Mohawk will need to have those credits approved by Buffalo State, Gounard said.

A recent visit to Mohawk generated more than 100 inquiries, Gounard said.

Mohawk students who choose to live on campus at Buffalo State will be guaranteed housing in the college's new international student quarters.

Buffalo State College boasts a strong international student program, with more than 300 students from more than 30 countries attendinional programs, including New York's largest elementary education department and the country's oldest and largest art education department. The college provides unparalleled educational, cultural and recreational opportunities for its 11,000 undergraduate and graduate students on its 125-acre urban campus.

Mohawk College is located in Hamilton, Ontario, about 50 miles southwest of Toronto. One of Ontario's largest colleges, Mohawk serves approximately 59,000 full- and part-time students, and offers four outstanding faculties in applied arts, business, health sciences and human services and engineering technology. Mohawk College was the first in Canada to offer cooperative education and currently runs 16 programs with co-op options. Its main campus, with approximately 6,500 students, is located 10 minutes from Hamilton, Ontario's downtown core.