Students who earn an associate degree from the Technical College System of Georgia will be admitted to 19 different private colleges, under an articulation agreement reached this week.

Students will have to graduate with at least a 2.5 grade-point average as part of the deal with some members of the Georgia Independent College Association.

This is one of a series of steps colleges have launched as part of Gov. Nathan Deal’s plan to produce more college graduates to meet future workforce needs.

Private colleges that signed the agreement include: Brenau and Mercer universities and Berry, Wesleyan and Young Harris colleges.