Students studying Psychology or Sociology at North Carolina’s community colleges can now seamlessly transfer to a number of private colleges and universities in the state to complete a bachelor’s degree in one of these disciplines. NC Community College System (NCCCS) president, Thomas Stith, and North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities (NCICU) president, Hope Williams, signed articulation agreements today. The articulation agreement includes all 58 community colleges.
“I am most pleased to sign another agreement that lets us simplify processes and remove barriers for students to continue their education in North Carolina,” said Stith. “We appreciate this needed opportunity to better align with partners within NCICU to accelerate student progress.”
“NCICU and NCCCS have worked together on statewide articulation agreements since the 1990s, said Williams. “Being recognized nationally for the importance of this work is an honor and the Teagle Foundation Grant is allowing us to provide even greater support to our transfer students.”
This agreement provides a progression degree plan that includes required general education and prerequisite courses that are acceptable to all signatory programs. The NCICU Board approved the agreements on April 14, 2021, and the State Board of Community Colleges approved them on April 16, 2021. The agreements will go into effect with the 2021 fall semester.
Pathways in psychology and sociology were mapped out by 15 NCICU institutions paired with 15 two-year colleges (14 community colleges and one private two-year college) (see lists below). The colleges are working together to create a “culture of transfer” that ensures students receive the most comprehensive information and are carefully advised from their first year at a two-year college until graduation with a bachelor’s degree.
Work on this agreement was funded by a grant from the Teagle Foundation through the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) and includes a component of advising and policy development for financial aid to nontraditional students. “The advising and financial aid components of the grant will provide critical supplemental support to help these students be successful in completing their baccalaureate degrees,” Williams said.
In addition to Psychology and Sociology, NCICU and NCCCS have articulation agreements in Music, Theatre, Fine Arts, Teacher Education and RN to BSN.
WORKING GROUP
Community College Partners
Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College
Blue Ridge Community College
Central Carolina Community College
Central Piedmont Community College
Durham Technical Community College
Forsyth Technical Community College
Guilford Technical Community College
Isothermal Community College
Roanoke-Chowan Community College
Rowan-Cabarrus Community College
South Piedmont Community College
Stanly Community College
Wake Technical Community College
Wilson Community College
NCICU Participants
Barton College: psychology
Brevard College: psychology
Campbell University: psychology
Catawba College: psychology and sociology
Chowan University: psychology
Gardner-Webb University: psychology & sociology
Guilford College: psychology and sociology
Johnson C. Smith University: psychology
Louisburg College (two-year): psychology & sociology
Mars Hill University: psychology and sociology
Meredith College: psychology and sociology
Pfeiffer University: psychology
Salem College: psychology and sociology
Shaw University: psychology and sociology
William Peace University: psychology
Wingate University: psychology