September 23, 2002

Transferring from Norwalk Community College to the University of Connecticut School of Business in Stamford has become a little easier, thanks to a business program articulation agreement developed recently by the two institutions.

Norwalk Community College and UConn have established an agreement whereby students completing the associate's degree program in Business Administration Transfer at Norwalk Community College may enter the UConn School of Business as a junior to pursue a bachelor of science degree in Business and Technology at the Stamford campus.

The articulation program was announced at a press conference Sept. 10, at Norwalk Community College.

"This program represents an exciting collaboration between our institutions," said Norwalk Community College President William H. Schwab. "NCC and UConn have worked cooperatively to align business courses and create a sequential pathway toward the baccalaureate degree."

Jacquelyn Joseph-Silverstein, associate vice chancellor and director of the Stamford campus, added, "The unique feature of this agreement is the emphasis on good communication between UConn and NCC Business faculty and academic advisors, as well as joint student advisement. There is a real commitment to ensure students will have all the information they need early on in their NCC career to move right into their junior year at UConn."

The primary goals of the program are to encourage and enhance a thorough knowledge base, without compromising the academic integrity of either program, and to facilitate a smooth transition for students seeking to earn a baccalaureate or higher degree.

"A seamless transition from NCC to the business department at UConn is immensely valuable to our community, our respective institutions and, more important, our students," said Ronald Bealer, chair of the Norwalk Community College business department. "When I advise our students of this new, strengthened relationship, they are excited and it boosts their commitment to strive onward to achieve a baccalaureate degree."

The goal of the agreement is to apply the same standards to students transferring to UConn and to students applying to the School of Business and Technology major from within the University of Connecticut.

Norwalk Community College transfer courses used toward major requirements for business and technology must meet content requirements as approved by UConn. General education courses taken at Norwalk Community College will fulfill UConn general education requirements, based on statewide community college and UConn transfer equivalency agreements as well as individual agreements between Norwalk Community College and the University. School officials have worked closely to establish these equivalency guidelines.

Transfer applicants should begin the application process in the fall of their second year in the Norwalk Community College Business Administration Transfer program. Students will apply to the School of Business according to standard UConn application procedures and deadlines.

In order to facilitate the transition from Norwalk Community College to UConn by this route, applicants who have completed all requirements, earned an overall grade point average of 3.0, and achieved a B or higher in courses being used for 200-level major requirements are guaranteed admission to the School of Business in the Business and Technology major.

Michael Menard, director of educational outreach and coordinator of the on-going articulation projects, says "the agreement marks a new era of cooperation, not only between Norwalk Community College and the University of Connecticut at Stamford, but between the community college system and the University as a whole."