Utah Valley University and Mountainland Technical College have signed a transfer agreement allowing one-for-one healthcare credits, creating stackable pathways that lower costs, reduce duplication, and accelerate degree completion to meet Utah’s growing healthcare workforce demand.
Orem, Utah — February 19, 2026
As healthcare demand surges across Utah, Utah Valley University and Mountainland Technical College (MTECH) are tightening the link between technical training and university degrees.
The two institutions have signed an agreement allowing graduates of MTECH healthcare programs to transfer their program hours one-for-one as health science elective credits toward select associate and bachelor’s degrees within UVU’s College of Health and Public Service. The structure eliminates redundant coursework and creates a defined pathway from certificate to degree.
The move reflects a broader shift in higher education toward stackable credentials and regional workforce alignment. Rather than treating technical certificates and university degrees as separate tracks, institutions are increasingly integrating them to reduce time-to-completion and student debt while responding more directly to employer demand.
“Utah’s workforce needs highly skilled healthcare professionals, and this partnership creates a clear, efficient route for students to advance from technical training into university degrees,” said UVU Provost Wayne Vaught.
MTECH President Clay Christensen framed the agreement as part of a more connected education system, aligning certificate programs with UVU’s degree offerings to support long-term workforce mobility.
“These new healthcare pathways reflect the strength of regional collaboration and our shared commitment to student success,” said Christensen. “By aligning MTECH certificate programs with UVU's associate or bachelor's degree options, we are creating a more connected education system — one that supports lifelong learning and meets the evolving needs of our healthcare industry.
Healthcare remains one of Utah’s fastest-growing industries. UVU reports that 84% of its health professions graduates stay in-state, reinforcing the university’s role as a primary supplier of local healthcare talent. By formally linking its programs with MTECH, UVU is expanding that pipeline while offering students a lower-cost, faster route to career advancement.
The partnership also speaks to a growing employer preference for candidates who combine hands-on technical training with broader academic credentials — a blend increasingly seen as essential in clinical and public health roles.
More information about UVU’s College of Health and Public Service is available at uvu.edu/chps.