Lake Land College Dental Hygiene Program Establishes Transfer Agreement w/Eastern Illinois University

Lake Land College Dental Hygiene students will now have the opportunity to transfer seamlessly to Eastern Illinois University. A new agreement will allow students who earn an associate degree in dental hygiene from Lake Land to go on to earn a bachelor’s degree in public health community health at Eastern Illinois University.

“I am thrilled that students have this opportunity,” Lake Land College Division Chair Allied Health/Nursing Instructor Erin Swingler said. “This option is just one of the many ways we are demonstrating the mission, vision and values of Lake Land College within our community.”

The agreement will create more options for students or those in the community who wish to pursue higher education. Any student who has completed an associate degree consistent with the Illinois Articulation Initiative, submits the required application and supporting documentation and meets program admissions requirements will be eligible to be admitted to EIU at the junior level.

Chair of the EIU Department of Public Health Julie Dietz said completing a bachelor's degree in Public Health enhances the professional education and training dental hygienists receive by layering an understanding of the larger context which affects an individual patient's dental health status, and provides additional tools focused on reducing barriers between individuals and better dental health.

“This agreement will provide for a seamless transition for Lake Land College's dental hygiene students into the Public Health program, including regular contact with our academic advisor prior to coming to EIU,” Dietz said. “It's a win-win situation for students, for Lake Land and for EIU.”

The agreement will be effective from 2020 to 2024 and is subject to renewal quadrennially.