WCC, other community colleges sign transfer agreements with 25 Michigan universities
Transferring to a four-year college or university from Washtenaw Community College is now even simpler thanks to new transfer agreements with 25 Michigan colleges and universities.
The Michigan Community College Association announced that all 28 of the state’s community colleges have signed four transfer agreements with public universities and independent institutions across the state, allowing students to transfer more credits.
“This is the culmination of years of collaboration between institutions and we appreciate the university faculty and staff who worked hard to create these transfer pathways,” said WCC Vice President for Instruction Dr. Kimberly Hurns. “Nearly 70 percent of the students who enroll at WCC intend to transfer to a four-year institution and these agreements are another way to for us to help students achieve their goals.”
The transfer agreements will allow students to transfer more credits to four-year schools in the areas of biology, business, criminal justice and psychology. Specific academic programs at WCC include Math and Science Associate in Science and General Studies in Math and Natural Sciences Associate in Science (biology), Business Administration Transfer Associate in Arts (business), Criminal Justice Associate in Arts (criminal justice) and Liberal Arts Transfer Associate in Arts (psychology).
The new agreements specify major-specific courses that students should complete while enrolled at WCC that are common across all institutions in Michigan. The identification of these courses makes it easier for students to complete essential courses before deciding where to transfer.
WCC advisors and counselors now have details available for students about which courses they should complete and how those courses apply to degree programs at the participating universities.
“Transferring from community college to a four-year college or university is more common than ever,” said Erica Lee Orians, executive director of the Michigan Center for Student Success at the Michigan Community College Association. “Our community colleges want to ensure that students receive credit for the courses they have completed when they take the next step in their education.”
The initiative was funded through the Fiscal Year 2018 state budget which included a one-time appropriation to support this initiative, the redesigned Michigan Transfer Network at www.mitransfer.org, work to build stronger math pathways, and efforts to award credit for military experience.
A study conducted by the National Student Clearinghouse found that 52 percent of bachelor’s degree earners in Michigan previously enrolled at a community college, which is higher than the national average of 49 percent.
The Michigan Center for Student Success is leading the statewide initiative for the MCCA in partnership with the Michigan Association of State Universities and the Michigan Independent Colleges and Universities. The project continues through fall 2020 and WCC is working on completing additional agreements in other academic program areas.
For information about Washtenaw Community College, visit wccnet.edu.
For information about the Michigan Community College Association, visit mcca.org
For information about the Michigan Center for Success, visit mcca.org/about-the-mcss
