Career and Transfer Services
Transferring to a Four-Year Institution
Making the decision to transfer to a four-year college or university is one that requires both a good knowledge of yourself and your goals, as well as a lot of careful planning. You will want to explore options for continuing your education at a four-year college or university. It is also important for you to be aware of the transfer process and articulation agreements to ensure a smooth transition from Craven Community College to another institution.
Understanding the North Carolina Comprehensive Articulation Agreement
The North Carolina Comprehensive Articulation Agreement (CAA) is a statewide agreement governing the transfer of credits between N.C. community colleges and the N.C. public universities. Additionally, twenty-four N.C. private colleges and universities have endorsed the Independent Comprehensive Articulation Agreement. The CAA provides certain assurances to the transferring student; for example, the CAA identifies community college courses that are appropriate for transfer as electives or general education classes.
For more detailed information about the CAA visit the following sites:
- Frequently Asked Questions - Craven Community College information
- Transfer Course Listing - Craven Community College information
- Transfer Student Guarantees
- Transfer Assured Admissions Policy
Choose Your Path to a Transfer Institution
There are multiple paths you can take to transfer from Craven to a four-year institution. Each of the options listed below take place at various times during a student’s academic career. There are no hard-and-fast rules because the circumstances for each transfer student are different, and every college and university has its own policies concerning transfer admissions. Talk with an advisor to determine which path is the best for you.
Option One: Complete the AA or AS Degree
Students who complete the AA or AS degree will be granted “junior” academic status at their transfer institution and 64 semester-hours of credit transferred. Completion of the AA or AS degree will satisfy the lower division general education requirements at a UNC institution. Students are guaranteed admission to a UNC institution per the Transfer Assured Admissions Policy (TAAP). This does not guarantee admission to a specific UNC institution or program.
- Associate of Art Degree Programs (http://www.cravencc.edu/educational/degrees.cfm)
- Associate of Science Degree Programs (http://www.cravencc.edu/educational/degrees.cfm)
Special Notes:
- Students must have an overall GPA of at least 2.0 on a 4.0 scale and have a ‘C’ grade or higher in all CAA transfer courses.
- Students who complete an Associate of Fine Arts (AFA) degree will NOT satisfy the general education requirements at a UNC institution and their courses will need to be evaluated individually to determine if they will receive college credit at that institution. Completion of this degree will fulfill the Minimum Course Requirements (MCR’s) in effect at the time of high school graduation.
- The Associate of General Education (AGE) degree and the Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree are not part of the CAA. These degrees will not satisfy the general education requirements at a UNC institution and courses will need to be evaluated individually to determine if they will receive college credit at that institution.
Option Two: Complete the 44-hour CAA General Education Core
The CAA defines a 44-semester credit hour general education core which, if completed at the community college, is fully transferable to UNC institutions and will satisfy lower division general education requirements. This means that a transfer student who completes the general education core at a North Carolina community college will not be required to take other general education courses at a UNC institution, even if his/her 44-semester credit hour core does not completely match the university’s.
Special Notes:
- Transfer institutions may require additional graduation requirements such as taking a foreign language that will still need to be completed.
- Students must have an overall GPA of at least 2.0 on a 4.0 scale and have a ‘C’ grade or higher in all CAA transfer courses.
Option Three: Take Individual Courses Then Apply to Transfer Institution
Colleges and universities have different rules for transferring students. Most likely you will be expected to have completed a minimum number of credits in order to qualify for a transfer. The transfer institution will determine the transferability of any course. There are easily identifiable common courses that transfer countrywide either as an exact match to the other schools course or as a general elective. In some cases, not all of your academic credits will transfer to your new school. In particular, many occupational education courses may not transfer as well as more general classes. For instance, a specific skill-developing class may not transfer as consistently as a history course.
TIP: If you're planning to transfer to a four-year institution for your bachelor's degree, you could just earn your credits and transfer. Getting the degree, however, gives you an academic credential that's yours forever. It shows that you can complete a program of study, looks good on your résumé, and can be helpful on a job application. And, if for some reason, life interferes, and you don't complete the bachelor's degree, you still have your associate degree as an academic credential.
Option Four: University Connections – Partnerships with ECU and NCSU
University Connections is a great way to earn a bachelor's degree without leaving Craven County! Craven Community College has joined forces with East Carolina University and North Carolina State University to provide area students with additional access to dual (associate's and bachelor's) degrees.
Learn more about available programs on the University Connections website.
Next Steps in the Transfer Process
It’s never too early to begin planning for a smooth transfer to another institution. In order to be adequately prepared for the transfer you should start the transfer process as soon as you enroll at Craven.
Step One: Understand Yourself and Your Academic Goals
The first step to finding the right program and type of school for you is to evaluate your interests. Many students begin college unsure about what program they want to study in college. A self-assessment will help you examine your interests and goals, and offers ideas on fields of study and careers that might be right for you. This information will help you when researching and selecting a transfer institution.
- Learn about yourself through Self-assessments
- Discuss your interests and academic goals with an advisor
Step Two: Research and Select a Transfer Institution
Making sure you are attending the right college can be a very important decision, and all options should be weighed. Take your time and research your options by visiting college websites, talking with admissions officers and taking a campus tour. You can also use an online search tool such as College Navigator or CFNC College Search to search for schools using common items such as size, location and majors.
There are many important factors to consider including the following:
- Location: Are you able to move away or are you limited to a certain area?
- Cost: What will your total annual costs be, including tuition and fees, room and board, books, travel and other expenses? Does the school participate in the federal student aid programs? What scholarships are available and are there any specifically for transfer students?
- Size: Do you want a small, intimate setting? A school that's big enough to be a city by itself? Or something in between?
- Public versus private: Public schools are operated by state and local governments and tuition is often less at a public school. Private schools are not affiliated with a government organization. Private colleges receive their funding from tuition fees, endowments, and donations. They may be smaller and offer more personalized attention. Yet both public and private colleges can offer prestige and opportunities, and both vary in size. What's best? It all depends on your own situation and goals.
- Majors and concentrations offered. If you have an idea of what you want to study, does the school offer that major? Does their program have a good reputation? Does your major require a second admissions process, meaning that you could be accepted to the university but must complete specific requirements to start taking courses in the major? If you aren't sure what you want to study, does the school give you plenty of options?
- Flexibility: If you need to work full-time while you go to school, does the school have night courses or other options to accommodate you? Will they let you go part-time? Do they offer summer courses?
- Admission requirements: What academic standards (grade point average, required courses, etc.) do you have to meet to get in? Every college has its own deadlines and requirements for admission and there may be different deadlines for transfer students. It is very important that you begin to research these details as soon as you think you may want to transfer.
- Campus resources and campus life: What resources and services are available to help you be a successful transfer student? Does the school have programs with a good track record for helping graduates find good jobs? Does the school offer activities and social opportunities you like? Does it feel like the environment is a good fit?
Step Three: Meet with an Academic Advisor on a Regular Basis
Academic advising will help you make the right choices. Before you begin any college program, meet with an advisor at the Student Services One Stop on your campus. This should be one of your first stops on campus to assist you through your course and major selections. Our academic advisors will assist you with planning for Craven’s graduation requirements and the requirements of the colleges you are interested in. The responsibility for getting accurate transfer information is yours! You need to verify all transfer information with the school to which you want to apply.
Step Four: Apply for Admission to Transfer Institution
Most transfer institutions have an online application found on the transfer institution’s website. Fill out the application completely. Incomplete responses may delay the processing of your application. Pay any required application fee either online, by check or money order. DO NOT SEND CASH.
| Schools |
Admission Application |
Application Deadline | ||
|
Semester |
Fall |
Summer |
Spring | |
|
East Carolina University |
April 15th |
|
November 1st | |
|
Mount Olive College |
Rolling Admission Process | |||
|
North Carolina State University |
April 1st |
|
August 15th | |
|
University of North Carolina-Wilmington |
March 1st |
March 1st |
Not Accepted | |
Craven Community College Transcript:
Transfer institutions generally require the receipt of an official transcript from Craven (as well as from each college you have previously attended). Craven transcript requests are made by completing the Transcript Request Form and submitting it to the Craven Records office. A fee is charged for each Craven transcript requested. Official transcript requests are normally processed within three to five business days. NOTE: Transcripts will NOT be issued if a hold exists on a student account.
Step Five: Apply for Financial Aid
Craven Community College is generally less expensive than four-year institutions, so when you transfer to a four-year college or university, your education costs will increase. Follow these four steps.
- Contact the Financial Aid Office at the transfer institution. What deadlines do they have for you? Find out early.
- Research scholarship opportunities for transfer students. Four-year colleges or universities are especially interested in attracting above-average transfer students with a 3.0 or better GPA in a particular field, outstanding extracurricular or work history, artistic or athletic talent, or demonstrated ability to successfully overcome barriers to achieving their educational goals.
- Submit all financial aid forms early! Find the FAFSA deadlines online. January or February prior to fall enrollment is best. June 30 is the Federal deadline for FAFSA receipt. Financial assistance is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Step Six: Notification of Admission and Evaluation of Credits You Have Earned
You will be notified about your admission directly by your transfer institution. Your admissions letter should include the next steps you will need to take to be an enrolled student at the college. Make sure to take advantage of any opportunities available to new transfer students and attend a transfer student orientation.
Evaluation of credits is usually completed after you have been admitted to the college/university. Be sure to review your evaluation carefully. If you have any questions, check with the Admissions Office at your transfer college/university or a Craven Academic Advisor.
