The agreements clearly define required coursework at both institutions, align credit hours to prevent lost credits, and establish coordinated advising and recruitment efforts to support student success. They also ensure that students are fully prepared for upper-division engineering coursework upon transfer.
For students in the mechanical engineering pathway, the agreement includes a dual-enrollment opportunity during the final semester at Heartland, allowing students to take a designated ISU course that strengthens academic continuity and helps students gain their bachelor’s degree in four years.
Graduates of either program are set up for high-demand jobs. Students completing the engineering BS benefit from a broad, interdisciplinary foundation that prepares them for careers in systems engineering, manufacturing, electronics, automation, and product development. Students completing the mechanical engineering BS develop deeper specialization in areas such as fluid mechanics, heat transfer, machine design, and control systems. This degree aligns directly with traditional mechanical engineering roles in automotive, aerospace, energy systems, advanced manufacturing, and infrastructure sectors.
The agreements not only streamline the transfer process to reduce the time to degree, but they also make the cost of education more affordable by allowing students to complete their first two years at a community college.
“Great partnerships produce benefits for both sides,” said Heartland President Keith Cornille.
