WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Wichita State University is joining forces with Wichita Area Technical College to launch an innovative approach to degree completion.

The university said Thursday in a news release that its Shocker Pathway partnership is the first of its kind in Kansas between a two-year technical college and a four-year university.

It creates a joint Associate of Arts degree that allows students who begin their coursework at the technical college and finish their degree at the university.

The partnership allows students to bring up to 50 hours of transferable coursework to the university where they can take additional coursework to get the degree. It also makes it easier for students to pursue more advanced degrees through the program.

An official kickoff is planned Monday with a news conference featuring community and educational leaders.