Dean College Signs Massachusetts Independent College Transfer Guarantee Agreement in Partnership with NEBHE, AICUM & MACC
Dean College is pleased to announce that it has signed onto the Massachusetts Independent College Transfer Guarantee (Massachusetts Guarantee) - a statewide effort to establish systematic transfer pathways between Massachusetts community colleges and the state’s four-year independent institutions. The Massachusetts Guarantee mitigates credit loss and increases student success by ensuring admission into participating independent colleges for associate degree holding students. The initiative builds upon the state’s public institution transfer policy and expands transfer options for Massachusetts’ community college students.
Since signing the Massachusetts Guarantee Memorandum of Agreement, Dean College will begin accepting transfer applications from Massachusetts community college graduates who have met the minimum GPA requirement of 2.0 as soon as January 2021 for guaranteed admission. Admissions fees will be waived for Massachusetts Guarantee applicants.
Dean College currently offers transfer agreements with several colleges to ease the transfer process, including the General Education Foundation for students from Massachusetts community colleges. In addition, Dean offers generous transfer scholarships significantly reducing the cost to attend. For more information, please visit our transfer student page.
“Dean College is delighted to guarantee a seamless transfer experience for qualified Massachusetts community college students under the Massachusetts Independent College Transfer Guarantee,” says Dr. Kathleen Vranos, vice president of academic affairs. “Through this agreement, Dean College will ensure that incoming community college students retain their credits, begin with junior-level standing in selected programs, and continue their progress toward bachelor’s degree attainment without delay. Students will benefit from Dean’s unique Dean Career Advantage program in all majors which prepares students for lifelong success by building related career competencies both in and out of the classroom. We look forward to partnering with our valued community college transfer students on an individual level to ensure they meet and exceed their highest aspirations. This is The Dean Difference.”
The Massachusetts Guarantee is being spearheaded by the New England Board of Higher Education (NEBHE) and the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities in Massachusetts (AICUM), in partnership with the Massachusetts Association of Community Colleges (MACC), and each are co-signers to the Agreement.
“NEBHE is very pleased to work with a distinguished group of state and institutional partners to create expanded transfer pathways for students in Massachusetts,” said Michael K. Thomas, president & CEO of NEBHE, “Stronger links between our two-year institutions and our outstanding independent colleges and universities simply makes sense. The Massachusetts Guarantee will expand the range of high-quality, affordable bachelor’s degree programs available -- benefiting our students, our institutions and our workforce.”
The President of AICUM, Richard Doherty expressed that “many of our member institutions are thrilled to be collaborating with NEBHE in this important effort to promote transfer pathways for Massachusetts community college graduates. Many community college students in Massachusetts have found our member institutions to be a highly accessible and affordable option for transfer to complete their bachelor’s degree and jumpstart their career. This new initiative will expand opportunities for more seamless transitions and allow even more transfer students to attend an institution in Massachusetts that best meets their educational aspirations and increases their opportunity to be successful.”
About the New England Independent College Transfer Guarantee
The Massachusetts Guarantee is part of the New England Independent College Transfer Guarantee, coordinated by NEBHE. Additional state-specific systematic transfer pathway development is underway in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. The initiative is supported through grants from the Teagle Foundation and Davis Educational Foundation. The New England Independent College Transfer Guarantee will mitigate credit loss, increase persistence and degree completion, and meet the geographic needs of students who lack proximity to a public four-year institution. It supports a student-centered approach to transfer by matching diverse student learning styles and providing high-caliber student support and career services, as well as institutional financial incentives.