BOR Adopts Program to Make Transfer Students More Marketable

Recognizing that higher attainment rates are required to meet Connecticut’s workforce needs, the Board of Regents for Higher Education (BOR) today voted to adopt a reverse transfer program for students enrolled in Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU) institutions. Under the reverse transfer program, students who have transferred from one of the 12 CSCU community colleges to Eastern, Western, Central or Southern Connecticut State Universities or Charter Oak State College, will be able to earn their associate degree while they pursue their bachelor’s degree.  To date, 16 states across the United States have launched or are launching these innovative programs.

“An associate degree is an important milestone in a student’s education and a valuable credential to have on their resumes for job hunting and career advancement,” said Estela Lopez, CSCU Interim Provost and Senior Vice President, Academic and Student Affairs. “Our hope is that a reverse transfer opportunity will provide students the chance to complete their associate degrees and give them the confidence to continue their studies toward a bachelor’s degree within our system.”

Connecticut’s reverse transfer program provides substantial benefits for eligible students: It enhances employment and earnings opportunities by making it possible for transfers to receive an associate degree without having to wait for completion of their baccalaureate; it makes them more marketable in the workforce sooner, by giving them a completion credential for their resume; it gives those students who, for whatever reason, are not able to complete a baccalaureate program, a leg up into the workforce; and it promotes career advancement at students’ existing jobs.

To be eligible, students must meet the following criteria:

• Have earned at least 45 CSCU community college credits before transferring to a CSCU university
• Have transferred within the two years preceding their application for reverse transfer
• Remain enrolled and matriculated in a baccalaureate program at the university
• Complete a minimum of 15 credits at the university, as required by their associate degree program

During the first year of the program beginning this fall (academic year 2015/2016), students will be able to apply in October 2015 and February 2016. Each year thereafter, there will be only one application deadline in February. (This approach is being taken to provide for more efficient management during the first year.) There are approximately 1,000 students per year who may be eligible to earn their associate degree under this program.

Eligible students will be notified of the reverse transfer program via email in the fall. Those who are interested in applying will be asked to complete a reverse transfer application form, and have the university send a completed transcript request to the community college they attended. Following completion of a degree audit by the community college, the college will notify students of their completion status, and of any requirements needed for graduation. Once all requirements are met, conferral of students’ associate degrees will be scheduled for colleges’ next conferral date. 

A reverse transfer website will be created this summer at www.ct.edu with more information about the program and the forms needed to apply.