ChattState, ETSU Agreement creates 4-Year apprenticeship pathway with BlueCross
Dr. Bill Flora (left), ETSU, Associate Provost for Curriculum, and Dr. Rebecca Ashford (right), ChattState president, shake hands after signing a BlueHorizon articulation agreement. (Credit: Chattanooga State Community College)
The signing of a new articulation agreement has guaranteed that BlueHorizon student apprentices can transition from Chattanooga State Community College to East Tennessee State University (ETSU) to continue their education.
BlueHorizon is a registered apprenticeship program created by BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee (BCBST) and ChattState.
Chattanooga State says this allows students to work in paid customer service roles at the company while completing an associate degree in Health Sciences from ChattState, earning money and gaining hands-on job skills along the way.
Students participate in BlueHorizon while completing their degree at ChattState and can now continue their career with BCBST afterward. The first cohort of students began their program earlier this month.
The new transfer agreement allows students who would like to continue their education to earn a bachelor’s degree in Professional Development at ETSU.
“We are proud to continue expanding access to real careers, hands-on training, and affordable pathways to success,” said Dr. Rebecca Ashford, ChattState president. “Through innovative partnerships like BlueHorizon and this agreement with ETSU, ChattState students have more opportunities to learn, grow, and achieve their goals.”
BlueHorizon will begin recruiting for its second cohort soon.
Applications will be accepted beginning in August 2026 with classes beginning in January of 2027. Visit the ChattState website to learn more.
“The BlueHorizon program was established to provide a direct pathway for students looking to accelerate their careers,” said Bradley Leon, executive director of the BlueHorizon program at BCBST. “We’re grateful to our partners at Chattanooga State and ETSU for giving these students a way to continue their education beyond an associate degree.”
