App State transfer students are pictured in front of John E. Thomas Hall on the Boone campus during the university’s annual Transfer T-Shirt Swap, held Aug. 17. During the event, transfer students swap out T-shirts from their previous colleges or military service for App State shirts and engage with their peers, as well as Transfer Student Mentors and staff in App State Transfer Admissions and Engagement. Photo by Chase Reynolds
BOONE, N.C. — For community college students and graduates who want to transfer to one of North Carolina’s 16 public universities, the path to do so just got easier.
Nearly 1,400 Transfer Guides are now available, providing advisors and students with key information about admissions, course equivalencies and academic programs. The online data tool will help students match their earned community college credits to four-year degree requirements in specific majors at individual University of North Carolina System institutions. The guides are published on university websites and on the College Foundation of North Carolina website, www.cfnc.org/transferguides, where a search function allows students to easily browse and compare transfer possibilities by major and by campus.
“We need to make it easy for talented, ambitious students to continue their education,” said UNC System President Peter Hans, who previously served as president of the North Carolina Community College System. “College courses should be challenging; college transfer should be simple.”
The Transfer Guides, which will be updated annually, are the culmination of more than two years of work by the UNC System Office and the Transfer Advisory Committee, made up of representatives from the North Carolina Community College System and the UNC System. This common resource better fulfills the mandate of the 2014 Comprehensive Articulation Agreement, a statewide pact among community colleges and universities to help students move among them.
The user-friendly, accessible guides replace Baccalaureate Degree Plans, previously used by North Carolina Community College System students planning to enroll at a UNC System institution after completing an associate degree in arts or in science.
”This represents a significant milestone in our ongoing, collaborative commitment to enhancing economic mobility for families across North Carolina,” said North Carolina Community College System President Dr. Jeff Cox. “Community college students now have a clearer pathway to a bachelor’s degree, and our academic advisors now have better resources to support students as they pursue their academic and career goals.”
The interactive Transfer Guides are live. The UNC System will collect feedback from users this fall and make any changes needed to improve the database and design of the guides. Appalachian State University’s Transfer Guides can be found at transfer.appstate.edu/transferguides.
Strong support for App State transfer students
App State is recognized nationally for its support of transfer students. Each academic year, approximately 2,000 new transfer students join App State, representing nearly 140 community colleges across the nation. Transfer students make up one-fourth of the total undergraduate student population, with 70% of new transfer students coming to the university from community colleges, according to App State’s Transfer Admissions and Engagement.
The university has been named to Phi Theta Kappa’s Transfer Honor Roll for the eighth consecutive year, recognizing App State’s sustained commitment to the success of its transfer student population. App State is among 228 higher education institutions nationwide — and the only UNC System institution — included on this year’s list.
For the 2024–25 academic year, App State expanded its Aspire Appalachian program to partner with 27 community colleges across the state. The program provides a seamless pathway for students enrolled at partner community colleges to complete their bachelor’s degrees at App State.
Transfer Admissions and Engagement at App State offers numerous resources designed to support students through all stages of their transfer journey, including admission counseling and pretransfer advising. Their highly qualified team ensures the university’s transfer student population finds academic and social success while attending App State.
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Aspire is a seamless pathway for transfer students to complete their degrees at App State
The university is one of 228 U.S. higher education institutions named to 2024 Phi Theta Kappa Transfer Honor Roll
About Transfer Admissions and Engagement
Transfer Admissions and Engagement at Appalachian State University supports students through all stages of their transfer journey, including admission counseling and pretransfer advising, credit evaluation, transitional assistance as they begin at App State and through involvement and retention efforts during their App State education. The office serves undergraduate transfer students studying on the main campus in Boone as well as App State Online students who complete their classes fully online or at an off-site location. The services and resources provided by Transfer Admissions and Engagement ensure the university’s transfer student population finds academic and social success at App State. Learn more at https://transfer.appstate.edu.
About the Division of Enrollment Management
The Division of Enrollment Management at Appalachian State University is responsible for planning, implementing, assessing and providing services and programs that promote student success — from pre-enrollment through graduation. The division comprises the Office of Admissions, Office of the Registrar, Office of Transfer Admissions and Engagement, and Office of Student Financial Aid and University Scholarships. Learn more at https://em.appstate.edu.
About Appalachian State University
As a premier public institution, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, affordable education for all. The university enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and through App State Online. Learn more at https://www.appstate.edu.
Aspire is a seamless pathway for transfer students to complete their degrees at App State
The university is one of 228 U.S. higher education institutions named to 2024 Phi Theta Kappa Transfer Honor Roll
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