Pittsburgh, Pa. – Carlow University and the Community College of Allegheny County are joining together to enable students to earn their associate degree at one institution and then seamlessly transfer to complete their bachelor’s degree at the other.

The framework for the innovative partnerships was signed March 12, 2015 by CCAC President Quintin Bullock, DDS, and Carlow President Suzanne Mellon, PhD, during a ceremony held at the Byers Hall Board room  on the CCAC campus.

“Carlow University and the Community College of Allegheny County have a strong commitment to contributing to a vibrant Pittsburgh and the region,” said President Mellon. “It starts with graduating students with skill sets that not only address current and future workforce needs of the region, but enable them to compete in today’s global economy. We are honored to partner with CCAC to expand educational options for their students.”

CCAC President Bullock said, “Through these partnerships, the Community College of Allegheny County and Carlow University have once again drawn upon our shared ideals in order to provide the region’s residents with future-focused educational options that are both industry-driven and student-centered. Together, we are helping to ensure that future graduates have the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in our diverse and changing world.”

The partnerships enable Associate’s Degree graduates from CCAC to continue their studies toward a bachelor’s degree in more than 30 programs of study at Carlow University, building a pipeline of graduates to thrive in the regional workforce and beyond. The partnerships apply to the following:

• CCAC nursing students will be simultaneously admitted to Carlow’s RN-BSN program at a reduced tuition and will be able to accelerate into the MSN program at the University. Because of the joint admissions status, CCAC students will be permitted to enroll in one Carlow class in addition to those permitted through Pittsburgh Council on Higher Education (PCHE) charged at the CCAC tuition rate. CCAC students will have access to Carlow resources and events while still students at CCAC. Advising will be offered from both institutions to assist the student in career planning.
• Associate Degree graduates from CCAC’s 25 allied health programs will be able to continue their studies towards any bachelor’s degree program at Carlow.
• Associate Degree graduates from CCAC’s Business Management program will be able to continue their studies towards a Bachelor of Science in Management (BSM) at Carlow.
• Affirmation of PA TRAC (Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Center), which will record in one place all of the PA TRAC programs that exist between CCAC and Carlow, helping Associate Degree graduates seamlessly transfer credits towards 29 bachelor’s degrees at the University. PA TRAC enables students to easily identify courses and degrees that transfer to the participating colleges and universities. Carlow is the only private institution in Western Pennsylvania that offers PA TRAC.
• CCAC students will also be eligible for generous transfer scholarships from Carlow University.

The partnerships go into effect in fall 2015. Academic officials at both institutions are examining other degree programs that could qualify for seamless transition.

More information about the arrangements is available through transfer counselors at each institution.

### About Carlow University

Located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Carlow University was founded by the Sisters of Mercy in 1929. Offering both undergraduate and graduate programs, Carlow University is a comprehensive master’s institution dedicated to learner-centered education at the collegiate levels and at the elementary school level in the Campus School of Carlow University.

About the Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC)

CCAC annually educates more than 30,000 credit students through 152 degree, certificate, diploma and transfer programs and offers thousands of students access to noncredit and workforce development courses. The learning-centered institution’s mission is to provide affordable access to quality education and offer a dynamic, diverse and supportive learning environment that prepares the region’s residents for academic, professional and personal success in our changing global society. CCAC’s quality programs enable students to transfer credits to nearly 500 colleges and universities and support regional workforce needs with accessible instruction available day, evening, weekend and online in Allegheny County and beyond. Visit www.ccac.edu to learn more.