Alvernia highlights associate degree transfer pathway to accelerate bachelor’s completion

Policy recognizes general education completion and supports adult learners through flexible programs, advising and SOLAR services

Alvernia University announces its Associate Degree to Bachelor's Degree Program Pathway, a transfer policy designed to help students who have completed an associate degree move efficiently toward a bachelor's degree while maintaining clear academic standards and student success supports. The pathway aligns with Alvernia's Graduate and Adult Education focus on helping learners "create your comeback" through degree-completion options, multiple start points and personalized guidance.

"Students who've earned an associate degree have already proven they can do college-level work, and they should not have to start over," said Vice President, Graduate and Adult Education Gaetan T. Giannini, Ed.D. "This pathway provides clarity and momentum by recognizing completed general education and pairing it with the flexible scheduling and support systems adult learners need to finish strong."

Under the policy, students with an earned associate degree from an institution accredited by a U.S.-recognized higher education accrediting agency who are accepted as transfer students into an Alvernia degree program are considered to have met Alvernia's general education curriculum. Students then complete program-specific major requirements and upper-level coursework to earn an Alvernia bachelor's degree.

Alvernia's broader transfer approach includes rolling admission for transfer students, official transfer credit evaluations and tools that help students see how prior coursework applies to their intended program. Students may also use Transferology to explore how credits may transfer.

Community colleges are a primary access point to higher education, enrolling about 39% of U.S. undergraduates.To recognize the affordable, high-quality college preparation these institutions provide and to streamline bachelor's completion, Alvernia maintains transfer partnerships with regional institutions including Bucks County Community College, Community College of Philadelphia, Delaware County Community College, Harrisburg Area Community College, Lehigh Carbon Community College, Luzerne County Community College, Montgomery County Community College, Northampton Community College and Reading Area Community College, among others. Through dual admissions and other transfer agreements, students can plan early with defined course maps and advising support for a seamless transition into Alvernia bachelor's pathways, including options that allow students to enter with junior standing after completing an associate degree.

"Access and opportunity are central to Alvernia's mission, and transfer is one of the most direct ways we can expand pathways to degree completion for students and working adults across our region," said Senior Vice President and Provost Leamor Kahanov, Ed.D., ATC/LAT. "By pairing clear transfer policies with the academic, financial and personal supports available through our SOLAR culture of care, we help students persist, graduate and contribute to their families, workplaces and communities."

Students transferring into Alvernia's accelerated adult bachelor's and degree-completion programs can choose formats designed for working professionals, including evening and online options. Adult education transfer coursework is commonly offered at night or online and is generally completed in a 7-week mod format with year-round availability.

Key requirements for the Associate degree to bachelor's degree pathway include:

• General education is considered satisfied for accepted transfer students who have completed an associate degree
• Bachelor's programs require at least 120 total credits
• If a theology or philosophy course was not completed as part of the associate degree, students complete one as an elective
• Students complete at least 45 of the last 60 credit hours at Alvernia (30 of the last 60 for RN to BSN students)
• Students complete at least 12 credits in each declared major at Alvernia, including at least 9 credits at the 300/400 level
• Students complete at least 30 credits at the 300/400 level at Alvernia (25 for RN to BSN students), excluding Prior Learning Assessment credits
• Students satisfy Alvernia's community service and human diversity requirements, with relevant transfer credits applied when eligible
• Former Alvernia University students and former Berks Technical Institute students who meet the associate degree criteria may be eligible to continue to a bachelor's degree through Alvernia's mid-degree pathway
  

To learn more, visit Alvernia's Transfer to Alvernia page, explore transfer partnerships or connect with Graduate and Adult Education.