RELEASE DATE: July 15, 2008
CONTACT: Audrey Bailey (919) 807-6963
COMMUNITY COLLEGES AND PRIVATE INSTITUTIONS SIGN ARTICULATION AGREEMENT
Transfer process made easier with signing
RALEIGH – Community college graduates will have an
easier path to many private colleges and universities after today,
July 15. Community College System President Scott Ralls and
Independent Colleges and Universities President Hope Williams signed
a comprehensive articulation agreement that spells out the
requirements and process community college students must meet to
successfully transfer to 24 specific private colleges and
universities in the state. (A complete list of institutions
follows.)
“I can’t imagine a state with more education opportunities than North Carolina,” said Dr. Ralls. “This agreement is an indication of the collaborative relationship that exists between our institutions and helps to provide a more seamless transition for our community college students to a four-year degree.”
According to Dr. Williams, 2,135 community college students transferred to a private college or university last year. She added those students were well prepared for the baccalaureate experience.
“This agreement provides a great opportunity to show the partnership that exists,” said Dr. Williams. She pointed out that while 24 of the 36 private colleges and universities are signatories on the agreement, the other 12 institutions have existing bilateral agreements with individual community colleges that remain in effect.
The agreement signed today parallels the Comprehensive Articulation Agreement between the Community College System and UNC System that went into effect in 1997. It defines a block of courses to transfer without case-by-case analysis and guarantees junior status for the transferring students. It will encourage community college students to complete an associate degree before transferring to a four-year institution.
Another major benefit from the agreement is a heightened opportunity to meet the growing demand for teachers, nurses, and engineers. A targeted development of transfer and two-plus-two programs will bring advanced degrees to community college campuses in these three critical workforce areas.
The majority of community college students are adult learners with work and family responsibilities. Many private colleges and universities have adult completion programs designed to meet the specific needs of those students. Night and weekend classes enable them to stay home and complete their degree.
“This is a real benefit is for our students,” said Ralls. “It gives them their own ease of planning for their success.”
Signatory Institutions of the NC Independent Colleges and Universities
Barton College
Belmont Abbey College
Bennett College for Women
Brevard College
Campbell University
Catawba College
Gardner-Webb University
Johnson C. Smith University
Lees-McRae (added 7/08/08)
Livingstone College
Louisburg College (Two-year)
Mars Hill College
Montreat College
Mount Olive College
North Carolina Wesleyan College
Peace College
Pfeiffer University
Queens University of Charlotte
St. Andrews Presbyterian College
Saint Augustine’s College
Shaw University
Warren Wilson College
Wingate University
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Last modified:
Thursday, October 23, 2008 04:30:57 PM
This page maintained by
Audrey Bailey.