KAYSVILLE—Davis Technical College and Utah State University Eastern entered into a transfer agreement last week that will expand opportunities for student success. It creates a more seamless process for students in the Cosmetology and Business Technology programs to receive credits earned at Davis Tech toward an Associate of Applied Science Degree at USU Eastern. 

“USU recognizes the value of credits earned at Davis Tech,” said Davis Tech President Darin Brush. “That’s a big deal. We’re working toward maximizing opportunities for our students to move into higher education.” 

Students who have earned a certificate in Cosmetology can receive up to 44 credits toward an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Cosmetology, he said. “Davis Tech students who have completed the Business Technology program can receive up to 29 credits toward an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Small Business Operations and General Technology.”

USU Eastern offers nearly identical programs as Davis Tech in that part of the state, Brush said. “It’s a major step forward in a pathway. It’s pretty cool, we're very grateful to USU.”

Students who have earned a certificate in Cosmetology can receive up to 44 credits. Courtesy photos

 It increases the opportunity for an Associate Degree, said Zak Konakis, MPH, Ph.D.

Regional Pathways Coordinator. “Prior to this we haven’t had that. That way they don’t have to start over with zero credits. They’ll have the skills as a professional cosmetologist that will help lay the foundation to find an innovative pathway to leverage what they want to do in the future.”

It’s a way into the university without suffering credit loss, he said. “The hope is that students will feel validated for the time they’ve spent learning and not be penalized for making good decisions.”

Students can enroll in classes at USU Eastern online and go through classes here in Kaysville, said Lance Eastman, Associate VP of Training Division. “They can reach out to the university to see what classes they’ll accept, how much it will cost and how long it’s going to take.”

An Associate Degree is easier to transfer rather than individual classes, he said. “If it matches up OK they will say yes.”

Davis Tech’s main focus is to help students graduate and get a job, said Eastman. “This might be the first step for a student to go onto college.”

This opens up a great door for them, he said. “They can take what they learn here and apply it to an Associate Degree. My hope is to provide as many options as we can to students. Davis Tech could be the starting point. Great things happen here.”