Articulation agreement creates pathway for Virginia business students to earn 4-year degree at UAS

Articulation agreement creates pathway for Virginia business students to earn 4-year degree at UAS

December 19, 2025

Students who have earned an Associate of Science in Business Administration from Virginia Western Community College can now seamlessly continue their undergraduate studies at the University of Alaska Southeast.

A recent articulation agreement between the schools guarantees that Virginia Western students will be accepted into the UAS Bachelor of Business Administration program, retaining all course credits, and with the option of completing the degree entirely online.

Virginia students will soon be able to complete this degree at UAS at the in-state tuition rate as well. Starting in fall 2026, the Alaska Unlocked program will offer in-state tuition to all undergraduate students, regardless of residency, for both in-person and online courses.

It is the first articulation agreement that the UAS Bachelor of Business Administration program has formed with a community college, and streamlines with broader university efforts to recruit students from out of state.

"This articulation agreement creates a clear and welcoming path forward for these two programs," said Kristy Smith, associate professor of management at UAS and chair of the Department of Business and Public Administration. "It makes the transfer process simple, reduces barriers and opens doors for students to continue their journey with us - growing enrollment while supporting every learner's success."

Smith led efforts to establish the agreement along with Jeff Strom, associate professor of management and marketing at Virginia Western. Both programs are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs - the first entity to offer accreditation to all levels of collegiate business degree programs.

"We're excited to partner with the University of Alaska Southeast to give our students even more opportunities to keep moving forward," said Strom. "Together, we're helping future business leaders build the skills, confidence and global perspective they need to succeed anywhere."