Morgan State and Anne Arundel Community College Launch Transfer Pathway Partnership to Boost Four-Year Degree Attainment

Strategic Partnership Offers Seamless Transition from Associate’s to Bachelor’s Degree Completion

Baltimore — Community College degree holders in Anne Arundel County gain another path to receiving a four-year degree. Morgan State University, the largest Historically Black College and/or University (HBCU) in Maryland, and Anne Arundel Community College (AACC), Maryland’s third-largest community college, announce the launch of the Transfer Pathway partnership, a new agreement designed to increase the number of community college graduates completing four-year degrees. Through this partnership, Morgan State and AACC will simplify the transfer process, enhance career readiness, and improve the state's overall higher education degree attainment.

“This partnership is both significant and mutually beneficial—a true win-win for both institutions, our students, and the State of Maryland,” said David K. Wilson, president of Morgan State University. “It exemplifies our unwavering commitment to expanding higher education degree attainment across the state. By preparing students for the next phase of their academic journey, we are fostering their personal and professional growth while positioning them to meet the demands of an evolving workforce. This initiative directly supports the state’s goals for career readiness in today’s rapidly changing economic landscape.”

Under the new agreement, students graduating from AACC with an Associate of Arts (A.A.) or an Associate of Science (A.S.) degree will have met Morgan’s general education requirements for admission in the bachelor’s degree programs. Morgan will accept a maximum of seventy transfer credits from AACC, and students must meet the specific program requirements of the degree programs they select at Morgan.

“This partnership with Morgan State University creates exciting opportunities for our students to continue their academic journey,” said Dawn Lindsay, Ed.D., president of Anne Arundel Community College. “It represents our shared commitment to improving access and affordability and a seamless transfer process.”

As part of the program, Morgan will evaluate credits awarded by AACC for prior learning experiences, including those earned through examinations or military service. This review will cover standardized assessments such as the DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST), College Level Examination Program (CLEP), International Baccalaureate (IB), Advanced Placement (AP), Cambridge International, and Excelsior College exams. It will also include credits gained through military service, internships, externships, cooperative work experiences, and other forms of experiential learning, in accordance with Morgan’s established policies and procedures. 

Students participating in the Transfer Pathway Partnership will also benefit from receiving the following:

• Comprehensive academic plan
• Detailed report on the transferability and applicability of prior coursework to Morgan
• Individualized degree plan
• Student advisement of financial aid opportunities

This fall, Morgan set a new record high with more than 11,500 students enrolled. This included 403 new transfer students, a 10% increase over the previous year.

“Community colleges play a crucial role in Maryland's educational system. We often encounter students whose career goals extend beyond a two-year degree. We aim to support these students throughout their journey, ensuring they transition smoothly between degree programs,” said Kara Turner, Ph.D., senior vice president for Enrollment Management and Student Success at Morgan State University. “Our goal is to understand each student’s needs, strengths, and challenges, allowing us to offer targeted resources and guidance, further empowering them to navigate their academic journeys to complete their undergraduate degrees.”

About Anne Arundel Community College 

Anne Arundel Community College is an award-winning, fully accredited, public, two-year institution serving approximately 29,000 students each year with classes offered throughout Anne Arundel County, Maryland and online. AACC offers more than 150 programs leading to a degree, certificate, industry credential, transfer to a four-year institution, career enhancement and lifelong learning. 

About Morgan

Morgan State University, founded in 1867, is a Carnegie-classified high research (R2) institution offering more than 150 baccalaureate, master’s degree, doctorate and certificate programs. As Maryland’s Preeminent Public Urban Research University and the only university to have its entire campus designated as a National Treasure by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Morgan serves a multiethnic and multiracial student body and seeks to ensure that the doors of higher education are opened as wide as possible to as many as possible. For more information about Morgan State University, visit www.morgan.edu.

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Media Contacts:

Cheryl Stewart or Larry Jones,  for Morgan State University PR
443-885-3022