Carroll Community College and UMBC Sign Admissions Agreement Offering Clear Pathway for Students

April 12, 2024
Westminster, MD ─  Carroll Community College (Carroll) and the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) have signed a new dual-admissions agreement that will offer students who transfer to UMBC directly from Carroll a clear pathway to a bachelor’s degree after completing an associate degree at Carroll.

Carroll Community College President Dr. James D. Ball and UMBC President Dr. Valerie Sheares Ashby signed the Memorandum of Understanding on April 10 during a ceremony held at Carroll.

 “Carroll and UMBC are both devoted to student success, and this is just another way for us to offer the students more opportunities to realize their dreams,” said Dr. Ball.  “We talked about this model for some time, and it is wonderful that we are starting with you. Both of our campuses attract students who want to focus on quality education, career-oriented majors, and opportunities to grow in their chosen profession and explore their passions.”

The agreement, which goes into effect for students planning to transfer to UMBC, establishes a collaboration between Carroll and UMBC that encourages Carroll students to graduate with an associate degree prior to transferring to receive guaranteed admission to UMBC.

Priscilla Davis, a current Carroll student, attended the ceremony and has met with a pre-admissions counselor at UMBC. While attending a Career Fair at Carroll, she spoke with a UMBC representative, which gave her insight into the social work program at UMBC. That conversation, along with the transfer agreement, has changed the trajectory of her higher education goals and experience.  “I am thankful for this opportunity to graduate next Spring from Carroll and transfer to UMBC. Everyone from both schools has been so helpful and encouraging,” she said.

“UMBC’s partnership with Carroll Community College reaffirms our commitment to the recruitment, enrollment, and graduation of transfer students,” said Dr. Sheares Ashby. “By building on successful programs like the Transfer Student Alliance and Transfer Plus, we can, together, make the very best education accessible to every student who desires it.” 

Students transferring from Carroll through this program will receive an application fee waiver. UMBC will accept all Carroll Community College coursework for transfer, up to 70 credits, as agreed upon by a UMBC advisor. Students will have access to a pre-transfer advisor at UMBC for academic planning to ensure their Carroll courses align with their expected bachelor’s degree. The pre-transfer advisor will also collaborate with the Carroll advisor to coordinate the degree and the transfer requirements.

With this new agreement, we’re ensuring that these students’ college experience is reflective of their commitment to higher education. It’s seamless, efficient, and puts them on the right track for a great outcome,”  Dr. Ball said.

Carroll students who plan to take advantage of this agreement will need to apply to UMBC by October 15 to enter the college for the Spring semester or apply by March 1 for the Fall semester.

“The opportunities the community college gives are tremendous, and to have this model is exciting to me,” said Dr. Sheares Ashby. “I have a heart for community colleges and am so pleased to welcome future CCC students into the UMBC community so we can fully support them in achieving their goals.”

Visit https://undergraduate.umbc.edu/transfer-plus/  to learn more about transferring to UMBC.

For more information on Carroll Community College, go to  https://www.carrollcc.edu/home/

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Photo Caption From Left to Right:  UMBC President Dr. Valerie Sheares Ashby and Carroll Community College President Dr. James D. Ball sign the Memorandum of Understanding on April 10 during a ceremony held at Carroll.

Carroll Community College’s mission is Empowering learners. Changing lives. Building community. Carroll Community College (Carroll) provides accessible, high-quality educational opportunities to advance careers, enrich lives, and strengthen the community we serve. Carroll offers academic and career preparation leading to transfer to four-year colleges and universities and for direct entry into professional opportunities. Carroll Community College is located at 1601 Washington Road, Westminster, Md., 21157. Visit us on our website at www.carrollcc.edu.  
UMBC is a dynamic public research university integrating teaching, research and service to benefit the citizens of Maryland. As an Honors University, the campus offers academically talented students a strong undergraduate liberal arts foundation that prepares them for graduate and professional study, entry into the workforce, and community service and leadership.