Western Governors University (WGU) and City Colleges of Chicago today announced a new guaranteed admission transfer partnership that will provide students attending the Chicago community college system with an affordable pathway to earning their undergraduate degrees after they complete their associate degrees. WGU’s “Onward With Learning” initiative – better known as the OWL Transfer Program – is designed to remove common transfer barriers through early engagement with students and sustained support during their academic journey at City Colleges of Chicago.
The OWL Transfer Program, which is being offered to 21 community colleges across the country, aims to reduce community college students’ time to earn a bachelor’s degree by removing barriers and offering guaranteed credit transfer. Participation provides seamless transfer of earned associate degrees and guarantees admission into select majors in WGU’s business, IT and education programs.
“Guaranteed admissions partnerships like the OWL Transfer Program are critical to offering City Colleges students a clear pathway to a bachelor’s degree,” said Chancellor Juan Salgado. “These relationships allow our students to start City Colleges with the end in mind – knowing where they will head next in their academic journey and how to get there.”
New students and those who have completed less than 50 percent of their associate degrees attending Harold Washington College, Harry S. Truman College, Kennedy-King College, Malcolm X College, Olive-Harvey College, Richard J. Daley College and Wilbur Wright College are all eligible for the OWL Transfer Program. Benefits to students participating in the program include:
· Guaranteed admission at WGU for City Colleges of Chicago graduates.
· Eligibility to earn a scholarship of $900 per six-month term, for up to two years.
· Regular email communications through the OWL Nurture Program to keep students on track for success and graduation.
· Free online transfer success courses and co-advising from WGU staff to ensure credit transfer maximization.
· Access to the social-emotional learning course – the Program for Academic and Career Advancement (PACA) – that helps develop students’ confidence, communication skills, help-seeking skills, and planning, time management and study habits.
“Those graduating with an associate degree often face hurdles when it comes to transitioning to a bachelor’s degree program,” said Dr. Angie Besendorfer, Regional Vice President of Western Governors University. “Students often find their credits will not transfer or they have not met all the requirements for admission at the university they are interested in attending, or they don’t have the money or time to commit to pursuing a bachelor’s degree. The OWL Transfer Program not only removes these barriers for students attending City Colleges of Chicago by providing an affordable, flexible and seamless pathway to completing their undergraduate degrees, but also provides much-needed support to ensure success throughout their educational journey.”
Half of City Colleges associate degree earners transfer within two years of graduation. City Colleges continues to enhance its transfer offerings, which currently include 78 program agreements with 39 colleges and universities nationwide.
WGU – the nation’s largest online, nonprofit university – offers a flat-rate tuition of about $3,500 per six-month term. The university’s competency-based learning model allows students to complete courses at their own pace, so they can graduate faster and at a lower cost. More information about the OWL Transfer Program, including a full list of eligible WGU degree programs and a sign-up form for interested students, is available at www.wgu.edu/owltransferprogram.
About WGU
Established in 1997 by 19 U.S. governors with a mission to expand access to high-quality, affordable higher education, online, nonprofit WGU now serves more than 121,000 students nationwide and has more than 195,000 graduates in all 50 states. Driving innovation as the nation’s leading competency-based university, WGU has been recognized by the White House, state leaders, employers, and students as a model that works in postsecondary education. In just 22 years, the university has become a leading influence in changing the lives of individuals and families, and preparing the workforce needed in today’s rapidly evolving economy. WGU is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, has been named one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies, and has been featured on NPR, NBC Nightly News, CNN, and in The New York Times. Learn more at www.wgu.edu.
About City Colleges of Chicago
City Colleges of Chicago prepares nearly 70,000 students annually for further college and careers. City Colleges encompasses seven colleges and five satellite sites city-wide. The seven colleges are: Richard J. Daley College, Kennedy-King College, Malcolm X College, Olive-Harvey College, Harry S Truman College, Wilbur Wright College and Harold Washington College. For more information on Harold Washington College and other City Colleges, call 773/C-O-L-L-E-G-E or visit ccc.edu.
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For more information, contact:
Pamela Powell
(314) 436-9090
pam@hausergrouppr.com