Miami University officials have created a “seamless pathway” into its Bachelor of Integrative Studies program for some Cincinnati State graduates.

Under a new articulation agreement between the Miami Regionals and Cincinnati State, students who earn an associate degree in Hospitality Management can major in Organizational Leadership, one of 13 concentrations for the Bachelor of Integrative Studies degree at the regional campuses.

The move is part of the Miami Regionals plan to create more four-year degrees that respond to the evolving economic needs of the community and helping students graduate.

The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services Labor Market Information survey projects that management jobs in the Cincinnati-Middletown area will grow by 8.2 percent by 2014. Sales and related occupations will likely grow by 9.4 percent over the same period, according to the survey.

According to the American Hotel and Lodging Association, the U.S. hospitality industry employs 1.8 million hotel property workers and is projected to experience job growth of nearly 18 percent over the next year. Job growth for lodging managers is expected to rise 27 percent by 2014.

The agreement will align the two programs and give Cincinnati State students more certainty about which credits will transfer to Miami’s Bachelor of Integrative Studies (BIS) Organizational Leadership program, according to said Paula Kirch Smith, a Cincinnati State Hospitality Management instructor.

Cincinnati State’s Hospitality Management program prepares graduates for management positions in hotels, casinos, restaurants, catering companies and other venues, she said.

Organizational Leadership is the most popular of the 13 concentrations in the BIS program, which is offered exclusively at Miami’s regional campuses in Middletown, Hamilton and the Voice of America Learning Center in West Chester, according to Ted Light, chair of the Business Technology Department at Miami’s regional campuses.

Course credits that will transfer have been mapped out. Miami academic advisers will meet with Cincinnati State students to ensure a seamless transfer, Light said.

“These are all meaningful transfer credits that match up very well and will be maximally applied to the bachelor’s degree,” Light said.

Organizational Leadership is designed for those who want a four-year degree indicative of their ability to supervise others and advance within an organization, according to Perry Richardson, spokesman for the regional campuses.

“Many of our students need a bachelor’s degree to advance in the workplace, and Cincinnati State is interested in further enhancing the management skills of our graduates,” Kirch Smith said. “Miami’s Organizational Leadership program will be a good fit for them.”