DECATUR, Ill. – Millikin University and Heartland Community College, located in Normal, Ill., are proud to announce a new partnership in which Heartland graduates will be automatically accepted and be able to complete their Millikin bachelor’s degree in two years with full-time enrollment.
The agreement will strengthen the transfer process and provide a seamless transfer experience for students. The program will be effective starting the 2024-25 academic year.
Heartland students who wish to transfer to Millikin will be provided with a plan of study, as well as automatic acceptance into a Millikin baccalaureate degree program upon successful completion of an Associate in Arts (AA), Associate in Science (AS), Associate in Engineering Science (AES) or Associate in Applied Science (AAS) with a 2.0 cumulative GPA.
“This partnership with Heartland Community College reflects Millikin's continued commitment to providing accessible, high-quality education for students across Illinois,” said Millikin Acting President Mary Black. “By offering Heartland graduates a clear path to a Millikin degree and a seamless transfer experience, we’re empowering students to reach their academic and professional goals with greater ease and confidence. We look forward to welcoming these talented students into our campus community.”
Students transferring with a completed AA, AS, or AES degree will have satisfied 100% of their University Studies requirements and can complete their Millikin bachelor’s degree in two years, assuming full-time enrollment. Specific program articulation details can be found at millikin.edu/Heartland.
Upon successful completion of an AA or AS and the appropriate relevant coursework from Heartland, the following programs can be completed in two years (four semesters):
Accounting, Agribusiness, Applied Statistics, Art, Art Therapy, Arts Administration, Arts Technology, Athletic Training (3+2), Biochemistry, Biology, Business Communication, Chemistry, Communication, Computer Science, Criminal Justice, Cybersecurity (Can be completed in two years after completing an associated AAS at Heartland), Digital Marketing, Elementary Education, Engineering Science (Can be completed in two years with an AES), English Education, English Studies, English Writing, Environmental Studies, Exercise Science, Finance, Graphic Design, History, Management, Management Info Systems, Mathematics, Multimedia Communication, Music (requires audition), Music Business, Nursing (Requires three semesters at Heartland and five semesters at Millikin), Organizational Leadership (Can be completed in two years after completing an associated AAS at Heartland), Physical Education, Physics, Political Science, Sociology, Sport & Recreation Management, Theatre
“This partnership minimizes credit loss, smooths out the transfer process, and helps keep college affordable for students seeking to continue their education at a premier university,” added Dr. Keith Cornille, President of Heartland Community College. “We are continually looking to build upon the relationships we have to improve the transfer process for our students. We are fortunate to have university partners like Millikin who share our goal of moving students toward their academic and career goals.”
Any graduate who has completed the Heartland Honors Program will be automatically accepted into the James Millikin Honors Program upon application.
Heartland Community College graduates can also take advantage of the Millikin Tuition Promise and Big Blue Pledge: Illinois Free Tuition Program, which began in the fall of 2024. The Millikin Tuition Promise provides a reduced tuition rate of $26,000 for all full-time traditional undergraduate students. Students can then anticipate an annual inflationary tuition rate increase of less than 4% (at $1,000) each year in the future.
The Big Blue Pledge: Illinois Free Tuition Program represents an investment in Illinois students who may lack the financial options necessary to pursue a private college education and will cover 100% of their undergraduate tuition with Millikin grants and scholarships, filling the gap after available state and federal grants.
To qualify for the Big Blue Pledge, students must:
- submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- be an Illinois resident (as determined by the FAFSA);
- be eligible for a Federal Pell Grant; and
- be enrolled full-time (minimum of 12 credit hours per semester) as a traditional undergraduate student at Millikin.
For more information on the Millikin programs available to Heartland transfer students, as well as a complete list of specific program and course articulation details, visit millikin.edu/Heartland.
