Comprehensive Articulation Agreement

I. Purpose

The 2015 Independent Comprehensive Articulation Agreement (ICAA) between the North Carolina Community College System (NCCCS) and the Signatory Institutions of North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities (NCICU) is intended to provide smooth transfer for community college students who wish to continue their education at an NCICU Signatory Institution. The ultimate goal of this agreement is the seamless articulation from the community college to the NCICU institution with minimal loss of credit or repetition of work. The Signatory Institutions which adopt this agreement do so for the benefit of the transferring student.

II. Assumptions and Intent

The ICAA rests upon assumptions common to successful articulation agreements. The primary assumption is that institutions recognize the professional integrity of other public post-secondary institutions that are regionally accredited for college transfer programs. All courses approved for college transfer under this agreement will be taught by faculty who meet the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) credential requirements. Another assumption is that substantial commonality exists in the lower-division general education requirements and courses currently offered at senior institutions and community colleges for the purpose of transfer.

The general education requirements of the receiving institutions remain in effect for all students not participating in this articulation agreement. Institution-wide, lower-division general education requirements serve as the starting point for determining specific general education courses in each baccalaureate major. The specific lower-level courses required for each major at the senior institution are determined by the senior institution and outlined in the baccalaureate degree completion plans published by the senior institution. Upper-division general education requirements and graduation requirements at the senior institution are not affected by this agreement.

III. Policies

The Independent Comprehensive Articulation Agreement (ICAA) applies to all fifty-eight North Carolina community colleges and all Signatory Institutions of North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities. The ICAA is applicable to all North Carolina community college students who successfully complete a course included on the ICAA Transfer Course List (Appendix E) or graduate with an Associate in Arts or Associate in Science degree and transfer to a Signatory Institution of North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities.

The ICAA is based upon the Associate in Arts (AA) and Associate in Science (AS) Curriculum Standards approved by the State Board of Community Colleges (Appendix D). Minor changes or updates to the ICAA may be approved by the President of NCICU and the President of the NCCCS. All Signatory Institutions will be informed of these changes. Minor changes or updates may include the addition of courses to the Transfer Course List or minor or editorial changes to the Curriculum Standards for the Associate in Arts or Associate in Science degrees. Significant changes to the ICAA or the Curriculum Standards will be brought to the Presidents of the Signatory Institutions and the President of NCICU for review and comment at least sixty (60) days prior to adoption. Upon adoption of any changes to the Associate in Arts (AA) or Associate in Science (AS) degree Curriculum Standards, NCCCS will notify the Signatory Institutions and the President of NCICU in writing. If a Signatory Institution does not feel it can accept significant changes in the Curriculum Standards for the AA or AS and the resulting impact on the ICAA, the President of the Signatory Institution may withdraw said Signatory Institution from the ICAA by submitting a letter to the President of NCICU and the President of the NCCCS within 60 days of formal notification that changes to the ICAA or AA/AS Curriculum Standards were approved.

A. Independent Transfer Advisory Committee (ITAC)

The authority to interpret ICAA policy rests with the Independent Transfer Advisory Committee (ITAC). The ITAC is an eight-member ad hoc committee appointed by the President of NCICU and the President of the NCCCS with four members representing ICAA Signatory Institutions and four members representing community colleges. The ITAC has the authority to interpret ICAA policy, review or commend revisions to the ICAA, and review any issues related to the ICAA that are referred by the President of NCICU or the President of the NCCCS.

Questions concerning ICAA policy interpretations should be directed to the President of NCICU or the NCCCS Chief Academic Officer with an explanation of the institutional policy that may be in conflict with the ICAA policy. Unresolved questions will be forwarded to the ITAC for interpretation.

B. Change in Universal General Education Transfer Component (UGETC)

The AA and AS degree programs of study are structured to include the Universal General Education Transfer Component (UGETC) which is defined and described in Section IV and Appendix D herein below. The Chief Academic Officer of an NCICU Signatory Institution to the ICAA may request that a course be added or removed from the UGETC by submitting the request to the ITAC. If the ITAC agrees with the request, it will forward the request to the president of the NCCCS. The procedures set forth herein above will apply and shall be followed before any change is made.

C. Addition or Deletion of Courses on the Transfer List

The Chief Academic Officer of an NCICU Signatory Institution to the ICAA may request the addition or deletion of a course on the Transfer Course List set out in Appendix E herein below by submitting the request to the ITAC. If the ITAC agrees with the request, it will forward the request to the president of the NCCCS. The procedure and policies set forth herein above will apply and shall be followed before any change is made.

D. ICAA Student Appeal Procedure

If a transfer student perceives that the terms of the ICAA have not been honored, he or she may follow the ICAA Student Appeal Procedure as outlined in Appendix C.

IV. Regulations

A. Transfer Credits

The ICAA establishes the procedures governing the transfer of credits for students who transfer from a North Carolina Community College to a Signatory Institution of North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities. The ICAA does not address admission to a specific institution or to a specific major within an institution.

1. Eligibility
   To be eligible for the transfer of all credits under the ICAA, the student must graduate from the community college with an Associate in Arts (AA) or Associate in Science (AS) degree, have an overall Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 2.0 on a 4.0 scale, and a grade of “C” or better in all ICAA courses. Students who do not complete the degree are eligible to transfer credits on a course by course basis as detailed in items 4 and 7 below.
2. Definition of General Education Courses and Pre-major Courses
   The Associate in Arts (AA) and Associate in Science (AS) degree programs in the North Carolina Community College System require a total of sixty or sixty-one semester hours credit for graduation (see Appendix D) and are transferable to Signatory Institution of North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities. The degrees are comprised of both lower-division general education and pre-major courses. The curricula reflect the distribution of discipline areas commonly included in institution wide, lower-division general education requirements for the baccalaureate degree.
   
   The Associate in Arts (AA) and Associate in Science (AS) degree programs include general education requirements that represent the fundamental foundation for success and include study in the areas of English composition, communications, humanities and fine arts, natural sciences and mathematics, and social and behavioral sciences. Within these discipline areas, community colleges must include opportunities for the achievement of competence in reading, writing, oral communication, fundamental mathematical skills, and basic computer use. Students must meet the receiving senior institution’s foreign language and/or health and physical education requirements, if applicable, prior to or after transfer to the senior institution.
   
   The AA and AS degree programs of study are structured to include:
   – the Universal General Education Transfer Component (UGETC) which includes a minimum of 30 semester hours of credit, and
   –additional general education, pre-major, and elective courses that prepare students for successful transfer into selected majors at the senior institution and bring the total number of hours in the degree programs to 60-61 semester hours.
   
   To ensure maximum transferability of credits, students should select a transfer major and preferred transfer institution before completing 30 semester hours of credit at the community college. Each receiving senior institution will identify community college course equivalencies and publicize an equivalency course crosswalk to ensure transfer of credit uniformity and transparency. Additional general education, pre-major, and elective courses in the associate degree should be selected based on a student’s intended major and the baccalaureate degree plan published by the senior institution.
   
   The specific number and distribution of courses used to fulfill the requirement in each of these areas will be identified by each community college as meeting its own general education requirements. The Universal General Education Transfer Component and Other Required General Education courses will be drawn from those courses designated in the North Carolina Community College Combined Course Library as being transferable general education. This will preserve the autonomy of each community college to develop its own general education program, including those aspects that make its program unique.
3. Transfer of Associate in Arts and Associate in Science degree programs
   1. The ICAA enables North Carolina community college graduates of two-year Associate in Arts (AA) and Associate in Science (AS) degree programs who are admitted to a Signatory Institution of North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities to transfer with junior status if they follow the senior institution’s published baccalaureate degree completion plans.
   2. Senior institutions cannot place requirements on students transferring under the ICAA that are not required of their native students.
   3. A student who completes the Associate in Arts or Associate in Science degree prior to transfer to the senior institution will have fulfilled the senior institution’s lower division general education requirements.
   4. Due to degree requirements in some majors, additional courses at the senior institution may be required beyond the general education courses and pre-major courses taken at the community college.
   5. Community college graduates of the Associate in Arts or Associate in Science degree programs who have earned 60 semester hours in approved transfer courses with a grade of “C” or better and an overall GPA of at least 2.0 on a 4.0 scale will receive at least 60 semester hours of academic credit upon admission to a Signatory Institution of the ICAA.
   6. Requirements for admission to some major programs may require additional pre-specialty courses beyond the pre-major taken at the community college. Students entering such programs may need more than two academic years of course work to complete the baccalaureate degree, depending on requirements of the program.
   7. All courses approved for transfer in the ICAA are designated as fulfilling general education or pre-major/elective requirements (see Appendix E). While general education and pre-major courses may also be used as electives, elective courses may not be used to fulfill general education requirements.
   8. ICAA courses taken beyond the 60-61 SHC of credit in which the student received a grade of less than a “C” will not negate the provisions of the ICAA.
4. Students not completing the Associate in Arts or Associate in Science degrees
   A North Carolina community college student who satisfactorily completes, with a grade of “C” or better, courses identified in the Universal General Education Transfer Component will receive equivalency credit applied toward the senior institution’s lower-division general education course requirements, subject to the following distribution limit: maximum of 6 hours in English Composition, 9 hours in Humanities/Fine Arts/Communications, 9 hours in Social/Behavioral Sciences, 8 hours in Mathematics, and 8 hours in the Natural Sciences.
   
   A North Carolina community college student who satisfactorily completes a transfer course that is not designated as a Universal General Education Transfer Component course will receive transfer credit for the course. The receiving institution will determine whether the course will count as general education, pre-major, or elective credit.
5. Certification of Universal General Education Transfer Component Courses, Associate in Arts Degree, or Associate in Science Degree Completion
   Certification of completion of the Associate in Arts or Associate in Science degree is the responsibility of the community college at which the courses are successfully completed. Transcript identification of Universal General Education Transfer Component courses is also the responsibility of the community college at which the courses are completed. The transcripts of students who transfer before completing the degree will be evaluated on a course-by-course basis by the receiving university. The transferring student who has not completed the degree must meet the receiving institution’s general education requirements.
6. Four-Year Degree Plan for Community College Transfer Students
   Beyond the Universal General Education Transfer Component courses, a program of study leading to the associate degree contains courses related to a student’s baccalaureate major or program emphasis. Each senior institution will develop, publish, and maintain four-year baccalaureate degree completion plans identifying community college courses that provide pathways leading to associate degree completion, admission into the major, and baccalaureate completion. Students who complete the AA or AS degree and the degree plan tracks published by the senior institution, and who are accepted into that institution and into that major within four years of initial enrollment at the community college, will continue into that major at the senior institution with all courses fulfilling lower division general education and other degree requirements.
7. Transfer of courses taken in other associate degree programs
   Upon admission to a Signatory Institution of the ICAA, a community college student who was enrolled in an Associate in Applied Science (AAS) or Associate in Fine Arts (AFA) degree program and who satisfactorily completed the courses with a grade of “C” or better in all courses that are designated for college transfer (see Appendix E, Transfer Course List) will receive credit for those courses. Students completing courses designated Universal General Education Transfer Component will receive equivalent general education course credit for those courses at the receiving institution. For courses not designated as Universal General Education Transfer Component, the receiving institution will determine whether the course will count as general education or pre-major/elective credit. Students in these programs who transfer must meet the general education requirements of the receiving institution.
   
   Articulation of Associate in Fine Arts or Associate in Applied Science degree programs may be handled through bilateral articulation agreements. Under bilateral agreements, individual senior institutions and one or more community colleges may join in a collaborative effort to facilitate the transfer of students from AFA or AAS degree programs to baccalaureate degree programs.
8. Transfer of courses not originated at North Carolina community colleges
   Transfer courses that do not originate at a North Carolina community college may be used under the ICAA with the following stipulations:
   1. Courses must be completed at a regionally accredited (e.g., SACSCOC) institution of higher education;
   2. Courses must meet general education requirements; and
   3. Courses may total no more than 14 semester hours of general education course credit.
   4. For courses not originating at a NC community college, if the courses are used to complete the AA or AS, the courses will transfer as part of the degree. Otherwise, if 14 hours or less are presented without completion of the AA or AS, then the receiving institution will consider the courses on a course-by-course basis.
9. Transfer of Advanced Placement (AP) course credit
   Advanced Placement (AP) course credits, awarded for a score of three or higher, are acceptable as part of a student’s successfully completed Associate in Arts or Associate in Science degree under the ICAA. Students who receive AP course credit at a community college, but do not complete the Associate in Arts or Associate in Science degree will have AP credit awarded on the basis of the senior institution’s AP policy.

B. Impact of the ICAA on other articulation agreements

The ICAA takes precedence over bilateral articulation agreements; however, bi-lateral agreements between Signatory Institutions and community colleges which enhance the transferability of students from community colleges to senior institutions are encouraged. Institutional articulation agreements conflicting with the ICAA are not permitted.

C. Students enrolled prior to Fall Semester 2014

The 2015 ICAA is based on the community college AA and AS degrees which were effective for students beginning their enrollment at a community college for Fall Semester 2014. Students enrolled at a North Carolina community college prior to Fall Semester 2014 are subject to the conditions and protections contained in the ICAA in place at the time of their long as they have remained continuously enrolled.

History of the ICAA

In 2007, the North Carolina Community College System and the Presidents of the Signatory Institutions of North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities approved the Independent Comprehensive Articulation Agreement (ICAA) to provide transfer processes and assurances to community college students transferring to the participating NCICUs. The ICAA was built upon the Associate in Arts and Associate in Science degrees approved at that time for community colleges by the North Carolina State Board of Community Colleges.

The 2015 Independent Comprehensive Articulation Agreement reflects the Fall 2014 State Board of Community Colleges approved associate degree requirements which include 3 components: 1) a 30+ semester hour Universal General Education Transfer Component; 2) additional general education courses to bring the total number of required general education semester hours to 45, and 3) 15-16 semester hours of pre-major, additional general education or elective courses for total degree requirements of 60-61 semester hours.

Transfer Credit Appeal Procedure

The ICAA is based on the principle that all participating institutions seek to serve students and abide by the policies and regulations outlined in the ICAA. If a student from a North Carolina community college believes the terms of the ICAA have not been honored by the NCICU senior institution to which the student has been admitted, the student should follow the steps below:

1. By the last day of classes of the first semester for which admission is offered by the senior institution, the student should notify the Registrar at the senior institution. The notification to the Director of Admission must be in writing and identify the specific portion of the ICAA that the student believes was not honored appropriately. The Director of Admission will review the appeal and respond in writing (email or letter) to the student within fifteen (15) business days.
2. If the student is not satisfied with the decision of the Registrar, he/she may submit a written letter of appeal to the Chief Academic Officer (Provost) of the senior institution. This letter of appeal should identify the specific portion of the ICAA that the student believes was not honored appropriately and a copy of the written response from the Director of Admission. The Chief Academic Officer (Provost) will review the appeal and respond in writing (email or letter) to the student within fifteen (15) business days. The senior institution will send a copy of this letter to:
   • the Chief Academic Officer of the community college from which the student transferred;
   • The President of North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities; and
   • The Senior Vice President/Chief Academic Officer of NCCCS.
3. If the student is not satisfied with the decision of the Chief Academic Officer (Provost) of the senior institution, he/she may appeal to the Independent Transfer Advisory Committee (ITAC). The student must submit the appeal in writing within 15 days of the receipt of the CAO/Provost’s decision. The appeal to the ITAC should be sent to:
   
   NCICU – ITAC Student Appeal
   North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities
   530 N. Blount Street
   Raleigh, NC 27604

Associate in Arts degree

Associate in Arts and Associate in Science Curriculum Standards Associate in Arts (A10100) Curriculum Standard

The Associate in Arts degree shall be granted for a planned program of study consisting of a minimum of 60 semester hours of credit (SHC) of college transfer courses. Within the degree program, the institution shall include opportunities for the achievement of competence in reading, writing, oral communication, fundamental mathematical skills, and basic computer use.

Courses are approved for transfer through the Comprehensive Articulation Agreement (CAA). The CAA enables North Carolina community college graduates of two-year associate in arts programs who are admitted to constituent institutions of The University of North Carolina to transfer with junior status.

Community college graduates must obtain a grade of “C” or better in each course and an overall GPA of at least 2.0 on a 4.0 scale in order to transfer with a junior status. Courses may also transfer through bilateral agreements between institutions.

Students must meet the receiving university’s foreign language and/or health and physical education requirements, if applicable, prior to or after transfer to the senior institution.

Associate in Science degree

Associate in Science (A10400) Curriculum Standard

The Associate in Science degree shall be granted for a planned program of study consisting of a minimum of 60 semester hours of credit (SHC) of college transfer courses. Within the degree program, the institution shall include opportunities for the achievement of competence in reading, writing, oral communication, fundamental mathematical skills, and the basic computer use.

Courses are approved for transfer through the Comprehensive Articulation Agreement (CAA). The CAA enables North Carolina community college graduates of two-year associate in science programs who are admitted to constituent institutions of The University of North Carolina to transfer with junior status.

Community college graduates must obtain a grade of “C” or better in each course and an overall GPA of at least 2.0 on a 4.0 scale in order to transfer with a junior status. Courses may also transfer through bilateral agreements between institutions.

Students must meet the receiving university’s foreign language and/or health and physical education requirements, if applicable, prior to or after transfer to the senior institution.

Independent Comprehensive Articulation Agreement

Effective Fall Semester 2014*
*Courses were eligible for inclusion in NCCCS AA/AS degrees effective Fall 2014

UGETC – Indicates a Universal General Education Transfer Component Course