Catawba College is the latest private college in the state to sign an agreement that will make it easier for students attending a community college in North Carolina to transfer to a four-year college or university. In addition, Catawba joins 10 other private colleges that have signed an RN to BSN articulation agreement between North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities (NCICU) and the NC Community College System.
The Independent Comprehensive Articulation Agreement (ICAA) went into effect in 2012 and was updated in 2015. The agreement allows community college students to transfer seamlessly to a private college or university, assuring that their credits will transfer. The RN to BSN agreement was signed in January specifically to address the growing need of well qualified nursing professionals.
“The RN to BSN articulation agreement can benefit thousands of RNs across the state who seek to advance their careers with Bachelor of Science degrees in Nursing,” said NCICU president Hope Williams. “We are delighted that Catawba is now participating not only in the RN to BSN agreement, but also in the comprehensive agreement that NCICU has negotiated with the NC Community College System.”
“Catawba College is honored to be able to serve the health and wellness of our community by providing RNs with the opportunity to continue their educations,” said Catawba Provost Constance Rogers-Lowery. “At Catawba, they will find a program that provides personalized attention and transformational experiences.”
The RN to BSN agreement describes a progression plan that includes required general education and nursing prerequisite courses acceptable to all participating RN to BSN programs. Students who follow the plan and take those courses at community colleges will meet the entrance requirements for those RN to BSN programs. Nurses may apply to any of the programs without taking duplicate courses.
Under the agreement, a student who completes an Associate in Applied Science degree in Nursing with a GPA of at least 2.0 and a grade of C or better in specified courses, and who holds a current unrestricted license as a Registered Nurse in North Carolina, will have fulfilled the lower-division general education requirements and nursing program entry requirements for the participating colleges and universities. Because nursing program admissions are competitive, students are not guaranteed admission to the program of their choice.
For additional information about Catawba College’s nursing program, go to
www.catawba.edu/nursing.
North Carolina Independent Colleges & Universities (NCICU) is a 501(c) 3 non-profit corporation that represents North Carolina’s 36 private colleges and universities. The mission of NCICU is to support, represent, and advocate for North Carolina independent higher education. NCICU represents independent higher education in the areas of state and federal public policy and on education issues with the other sectors of education in the state. It also raises funds for student scholarships and enrichment experiences, provides research and information to and about private colleges and universities, conducts staff development opportunities and coordinates collaborative programs. For more information about NCICU, visit www.ncicu.org.
Catawba College, founded in 1851, is a diverse residential college in Salisbury, NC where students enjoy a picture-perfect, 276-acre campus. The Catawba community actively affirms and inspires students’ success, providing students with an education rich in personal attention that blends the knowledge and competencies of liberal studies with career preparation.
