Indiana University East has completed its transition to a full-fledged baccalaureate and master’s degree institution. During the 40th Commencement Ceremony held in May, the university conferred its final three associate degrees.

IU East has awarded approximately 2,560 associate degrees since July 1, 1971.

In 2008, IU East discontinued admitting students into two-year degree programs, the first state university campus in Indiana to do so. Students enrolled in the associate degree programs when the programs were discontinued, completed the requirements to earn their degrees.

IU East and Ivy Tech Community College in Richmond announced an innovative partnership in spring 2008 that would solidify the distinct missions of the two institutions. IU East would provide baccalaureate and master’s degree programs while Ivy Tech would provide college preparatory, workforce certification, associate degree and transfer programming.

Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Larry Richards said with the final three graduates of IU East’s associate degree programs receiving their diplomas at the recent commencement, an era has come to an end.

“IU East has now completed the last step in transitioning to its new mission as a traditional bachelor’s and master’s degree institution. Admission is now quite selective, and a generous set of four-year scholarships are awarded to new students every year,” Richards said.

The partnership has brought the two institutions together over the last three years to engage in several new initiatives.

IU East and Ivy Tech have worked together to increase the number of students receiving associate degrees from Ivy Tech who transfer to IU East to complete an IU bachelor’s degree.

The partnership has also provided a website that provides information on dual admissions, financial aid, mutual support services, course scheduling and student life; sharing strategic institutional data such as student enrollment by program and student performance information; reducing the overall costs of education; and supporting regional efforts to enhance the college preparedness of K-12 students.

“We fully support Ivy Tech in its new mission and hope that students who start their college education there will continue toward bachelor’s degrees at IU East. Residents of the greater Richmond area, as well as all of eastern Indiana and western Ohio, have a wide range of higher education options that few regions like ours throughout the country has,” Richards said.