Developing and negotiating transfer agreements in allied health

Area of Science:

• Higher Education
• Allied Health Sciences
• Educational Policy

Background:

• The Kentucky Council on Higher Education (KCHE) initiated a statewide articulated system for allied health education.
• This system allows for flexible entry and exit points for allied health professionals.
• It encompasses six key disciplinary clusters: clinical laboratory sciences, dental auxiliaries, dietetics/nutrition, rehabilitation therapies, radiological sciences, and respiratory therapy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the development and implementation of a statewide articulated system for allied health education in Kentucky.
• To outline the process, facilitators, and barriers involved in negotiating transfer agreements within this system.
• To provide recommendations for other institutions or systems interested in developing similar transfer agreements.

Main Methods:

• A competency-based education framework was utilized for developing and negotiating transfer agreements.
• Two primary types of agreements were established: block credit transfer and course-specific transfer.
• Agreements were negotiated between educational systems and individual programs/institutions.

Main Results:

• Approximately 30 transfer agreements have been successfully negotiated to date.
• A sequential process for negotiation was established, involving program identification, model development, curriculum review, and formal agreement.
• Facilitators and barriers encountered during the negotiation process were identified.

Conclusions:

• The statewide articulated system provides a structured approach to allied health education transfer.
• Competency-based education serves as an effective framework for creating equitable transfer pathways.
• The established process and identified facilitators/barriers offer valuable insights for future articulation initiatives in allied health.