Teacher Preparation Articulation Agreement

I. Background

Since the adoption of a revised Independent Comprehensive Articulation Agreement between the North Carolina Community College System (NCCCS) and the North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities (NCICU) in 2015, the two organizations have worked collaboratively to strengthen the transfer relationship and to provide greater opportunity for students to begin their studies at a community college and transfer seamlessly into participating NCICUs.

The Associate in Arts in Teacher Preparation (AATP) and Associate in Science in Teacher Preparation (ASTP) Uniform Articulation Agreement is an agreement jointly created by the NCCCS Education Faculty and the signatory NCICU Educator Preparation Programs. The AATP and ASTP Articulation Agreement is focused on facilitating transfer for students who begin education studies at a community college and then transfer to one of the signatory NCICU Educator Preparation programs. There are multiple Educator Preparation institutions within the NCICU. While the individual names and majors offered in these programs varies may vary, for the sake of consistency and clarity we will refer to all such four-year degrees as “Educator Preparation programs” within this document.

II. Purpose and Rationale

The goal of this agreement is the creation of a more seamless and rational transfer process for students who begin their studies at a North Carolina community college and transfer to a NCICU Educator Preparation program. This document presents a uniform, statewide academic progression agreement that will promote educational advancement opportunities for Associate in Arts in Teacher Preparation (AATP) and Associate in Science in Teacher Preparation (ASTP) graduates moving between North Carolina community colleges and the signatory institutions of the North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities Educator Preparation Programs in preparation for teacher licensure in North Carolina. It describes a progression degree plan that includes required general education and prerequisite courses that are acceptable to all signatory Educator Preparation programs. Associate in Arts in Teacher Preparation (AATP) and Associate in Science in Teacher Preparation (ASTP) graduates will meet entrance requirements at all signatory North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities.

Students must meet individual institutional requirements and application timelines for entrance into Educator Preparation programs, including GPA and required testing benchmarks. Acceptance into a specific Educator Preparation Program or major is not guaranteed

III. Policies

The Associate in Arts in Teacher Preparation (AATP) and Associate in Science in Teacher Preparation (ASTP) Articulation Agreement is made between the State Board of the North Carolina Community College System and signatory NCICU institutions. It applies to all North Carolina community colleges approved to offer the AATP/ASTP degrees and to those signatory NCICU institutions that offer baccalaureate Educator Preparation programs.

A. AATP/ASTP Independent Transfer Committee (AATP/ASTPITC)

  1. Authority to interpret and make changes to the AATP/ASTP Articulation Agreement rests with the AATP/ASTP Independent Transfer Committee (AATP/ASTPITC). The AATP/ASTPITC is an ad-hoc eight-member co-chaired committee appointed by the Chief Academic Officer (CAO) of the North Carolina Community College System and the President of North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities. Questions concerning the AATP/ASTP should be directed to the appropriate system’s Chief Academic Officer with an explanation of the institutional policy that may (appear to) conflict with this Uniform Articulation Transfer Agreement. The CAO will forward unresolved questions to the (AATP/ASTPITC) for resolution. Each entity will appoint one ex-officio non-voting member of the (AATP/ASTPITC).

B. Transfer Credit Appeal

AATP/ASTP students who perceive that the terms of the Articulation Agreement have not been honored may follow the AATP/ASTP Transfer Credit Appeal Process as outlined below.

IV. Regulations

A. Transfer Credits

The AATP/ASTP Articulation Agreement establishes the procedures governing the transfer of credits for students who graduate from North Carolina Community College AATP/ASTP programs and apply to signatory NCICU institutions. The AATP/ASTP Articulation Agreement does not address admission to a specific institution or Educator Preparation program or major within an institution, nor does it imply a specific time toward degree completion.

  1. Eligibility
    To be eligible for the transfer of credits under the AATP/ASTP Articulation Agreement, an applicant must earn an Associate in Arts in Teacher Preparation (AATP) or Associate in Science in Teacher Preparation (ASTP) degree in a North Carolina Community College with a GPA of at least 2.7 and a grade of C or better in all transfer courses. An applicant must meet the receiving institution’s admissions requirements.

    The student’s program of study must meet the criteria set forth in the AATP or ASTP curriculum standards as defined below.
  2. Procedures governing transfer of Associate in Arts and Associate in Science in Teacher Preparation into Educator Preparation programs at Signatory Institutions
    1. The agreement enables students who have graduated from a NCCCS institution with an AATP/ASTP degree programs to complete a common list of courses that meet the entrance requirements at all signatory NCICU institutions. NCICU Educator Preparation program admissions are competitive, therefore no student is guaranteed admission to a specific program or major. In addition to meeting entrance requirements, transfer students will be required to submit evidence of meeting required testing benchmarks for each institution’s Educator Preparation program.
    2. A student who completes an AATP/ASTP degree with a GPA of at least 2.7 and a grade of C or better in the AATP/ASTP degree courses listed in Appendix E and meets the receiving institution’s admissions requirements and Educator Preparation testing benchmarks will have fulfilled the Educator Preparation program entry requirements, and will have fulfilled the senior institution’s lower division general education requirements (See 2015 Independent Comprehensive Articulation Agreement). This agreement does not exempt students from meeting the minimum admissions requirement.
    3. Graduates of the AATP/ASTP degree programs will receive at least 60 semester hours of academic credit for courses with a grade of C or better upon admission to a signatory NCICU institution.
  3. Certification of the Associate in Arts or Associate in Science in Teacher Preparation degree completion
    Certification of completion of the AATP or ASTP degree is the responsibility of the community college at which the courses were completed. Transcript identification of the Universal General Education Transfer Component Courses is also the responsibility of the community college at which the courses were completed.
  4. Transfer of courses not originated at North Carolina community colleges
    Transfer courses that do not originate in a North Carolina Community College or signatory NCICU institution may be used under the AATP/ASTP Articulation Agreement with the following stipulations:
    1. Courses must be completed at a regionally accredited 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. If the courses are used to complete the AATP/ASTP degree, the courses will transfer as part of the degree.
  5. 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 AATP/ASTP degree under the Agreement.

B. Impact of the AATP/Uniform Articulation Agreement on other articulation agreements

The AATP/ASTP Uniform Articulation Agreement is built upon the 2015 Independent Comprehensive Articulation Agreement between North Carolina Community Colleges and Signatory Institutions of North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities and takes precedence over bilateral articulation agreements established between signatory NCICU institutions and the North Carolina Community College System, but does not necessarily preclude such agreements. Institution-to-institution articulation agreements that fall within the parameters of the AATP/ASTP Uniform Articulation Agreement and enhance transferability of students from community colleges to senior institutions are acceptable. Institutional agreements conflicting with the AATP/ASTP Uniform Articulation Agreement are not permitted.

Transfer Credit Appeal Procedure

Guiding Principle: If a student from a North Carolina Community College System (NCCCS) college believes the terms of the AATP/ASTP Independent Articulation Agreement have not been honored by a signatory NCICU institution to which the student has been admitted, the student may invoke the AATP/ASTP Articulation Agreement Transfer Credit Appeal Procedure.

Steps in Filing an Appeal

  1. No later than the last day of classes of the first semester for which admission is offered, the student must submit a Transfer Credit Appeal Form along with any supporting documentation to the Educator Preparation program Dean/Chair/Executive (or other campus designee) at the signatory NCICU campus to which the student has been admitted. Students first enrolling at the senior institution in a summer session must submit their appeal by the end of the subsequent fall semester.

    The student must specify on the appeal form the specific AATP/ASTP Articulation Agreement language that is in contention. Appeals that lack this information will not be considered.

    The Educator Preparation Dean/Chair/Executive (or other campus designee) will review the appeal and respond in writing (email or letter) to the student within 15 business days of receiving the student’s appeal/
  2. If the student is not satisfied with the decision of the Educator Preparation Dean/ Chair/Executive (or other campus designee), the student may appeal on the same form to the next designated administrator i.e. Dean/Vice-Provost/Chief Academic Officer (Provost) of the specific signatory NCICU institution within 15 days of written notice of the director’s decision.

    The designated administrator will review the appeal and respond in writing (email or letter) to the student within 15 business days of receiving the student’s appeal.
  3. If the student is not satisfied with the decision of the designated administrator, the student may appeal to the AATP/ASTP Independent Transfer Committee. The student must submit the appeal to the committee within 15 days of the receipt of the Provost’s decision. The appeal to the AATP/ASTP Independent Transfer Committee appeals subcommittee should be sent to:

    AATP/ASTP Independent Transfer Committee
    North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities
    530 N. Blount Street
    Raleigh, NC 27604

    The committee will review the appeal and notify the student of the final decision within 10 business days of receiving the appeal.
Transfer Credit Appeal Form

Associate in Arts degree

Associate in Arts in Teacher Preparation (A1010T) Curriculum Standard

The Associate in Arts in Teacher Preparation 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.

The Comprehensive Articulation Agreement (CAA) and the Independent Comprehensive Articulation Agreement (ICAA) enable North Carolina community college graduates of two-year associate in arts programs who are admitted to constituent institutions of The University of North Carolina and to Signatory Institutions of North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities to transfer with junior status.

GENERAL EDUCATION (45 SHC)
The general education common course pathway includes study in the areas of English composition; humanities and fine arts; social and behavioral sciences; natural sciences and mathematics.

UNIVERSAL GENERAL EDUCATION TRANSFER COMPONENT

(All Universal General Education Transfer Component courses will transfer for equivalency credit.)

English Composition (6 SHC)
The following two English composition courses are required.
ENG 111Writing & Inquiry(3 SHC)
ENG 112Writing/Research in the Disciplines(3 SHC)
Select three courses from the following from at least two different disciplines (9 SHC)
Communications
COM 120Introduction to Interpersonal Communication(3 SHC)
COM 231Public Speaking(3 SHC)
Humanities/Fine Arts
ART 111Art Appreciation(3 SHC)
ART 114Art History Survey I(3 SHC)
ART 115Art History Survey II(3 SHC)
DRA 111Theater Appreciation(3 SHC)
ENG 231American Literature I(3 SHC)
ENG 232American Literature II(3 SHC)
ENG 241British Literature I(3 SHC)
ENG 242British Literature II(3 SHC)
MUS 110Music Appreciation(3 SHC)
MUS 112Introduction to Jazz(3 SHC)
PHI 215Philosophical Issues(3 SHC)
PHI 240Introduction to Ethics(3 SHC)
Social/Behavioral Sciences (6 SHC)
Select two courses from two different disciplines.
ECO 251Principles of Microeconomics(3 SHC)
ECO 252Principles of Macroeconomics(3 SHC)
HIS 111World Civilizations I(3 SHC)
HIS 112World Civilizations II(3 SHC)
HIS 131American History I(3 SHC)
HIS 132American History II(3 SHC)
POL 120American Government(3 SHC)
PSY 150General Psychology(3 SHC)
SOC 210Introduction to Sociology(3 SHC)
Math (3-4 SHC)
Select one course from the following:
MAT 143Quantitative Literacy(3 SHC)
MAT 152Statistical Methods I(4 SHC)
MAT 171Pre-calculus Algebra(4 SHC)
Natural Sciences (4 SHC)
Select 4 SHC from the following:
AST 111Descriptive Astronomy (3 SHC) and AST 111A Descriptive Astronomy Lab (1 SHC)
AST 151General Astronomy I (3 SHC) and AST 151A General Astronomy I Lab (1 SHC)
BIO 110Principles of Biology(4 SHC)
BIO 111General Biology I(4 SHC)
CHM 151General Chemistry I(4 SHC)
GEL 111Geology(4 SHC)
PHY 110Conceptual Physics (3 SHC) and PHY 110A Conceptual Physics Lab (1 SHC)
Additional General Education Hours (17-18 SCH)
Other Required General Education (3 SHC)
The following course is required:
SOC 225Social Diversity(3 SHC)

An additional 14-15 SHC of courses should be selected from courses classified as general education within the Comprehensive Articulation Agreement or Independent Comprehensive Articulation Agreement. Students should select these courses based on their intended major and transfer university. 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.

Total General Education Hours Required: 45
Other Required Hours (15 SCH)
Education (14 SHC)
The following courses are required:
EDU 187Teaching and Learning for All*(4 SHC)
EDU 216Foundations of Education(3 SHC)
EDU 279Literacy Development and Instruction(4 SHC)
EDU 250Teacher Licensure Preparation(3 SHC)
*Students who have completed Teacher Cadet or Teaching as a Profession courses in in high school with a B or better may substitute that course for EDU 187 Teaching and Learning for All. High school faculty must meet transfer level qualifications as established by SACSCOC or other accrediting body.
Academic Transition (1 SHC)
The following course is required:
ACA 122College Transfer Success(1 SHC)
*One semester hour of credit may be included in a 61 SHC associate in arts program of study. The transfer of this hour is not guaranteed.
Total Semester Hours Credit (SHC) in Program: 60-61*

Community college graduates must obtain a grade of “C” or better in each course and an overall GPA of at least 2.7 on a 4.0 scale in order to transfer with a junior status. Courses may also transfer through bilateral agreements between institutions.

Associate in Science degree

Associate in Science in Teacher Preparation (A1040T) Curriculum Standard

The Associate in Science in Teacher Preparation 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.

The Comprehensive Articulation Agreement (CAA) and the Independent Comprehensive Articulation Agreement (ICAA) enable North Carolina community college graduates of two-year associate in science programs who are admitted to constituent institutions of The University of North Carolina and to Signatory Institutions of North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities to transfer with junior status.

GENERAL EDUCATION (45 SHC)
The general education common course pathway includes study in the areas of English composition; humanities and fine arts; social and behavioral sciences; natural sciences and mathematics.

UNIVERSAL GENERAL EDUCATION TRANSFER COMPONENT

(All Universal General Education Transfer Component courses will transfer for equivalency credit.)

English Composition (6 SHC)
The following two English composition courses are required.
ENG 111Writing & Inquiry(3 SHC)
ENG 112Writing/Research in the Disciplines(3 SHC)
Select three courses from the following from at least two different disciplines (9 SHC)
Communications
COM 120Introduction to Interpersonal Communication(3 SHC)
COM 231Public Speaking(3 SHC)
Humanities/Fine Arts
ART 111Art Appreciation(3 SHC)
ART 114Art History Survey I(3 SHC)
ART 115Art History Survey II(3 SHC)
DRA 111Theater Appreciation(3 SHC)
ENG 231American Literature I(3 SHC)
ENG 232American Literature II(3 SHC)
ENG 241British Literature I(3 SHC)
ENG 242British Literature II(3 SHC)
MUS 110Music Appreciation(3 SHC)
MUS 112Introduction to Jazz(3 SHC)
PHI 215Philosophical Issues(3 SHC)
PHI 240Introduction to Ethics(3 SHC)
Social/Behavioral Sciences (6 SHC)
Select two courses from two different disciplines.
ECO 251Principles of Microeconomics(3 SHC)
ECO 252Principles of Macroeconomics(3 SHC)
HIS 111World Civilizations I(3 SHC)
HIS 112World Civilizations II(3 SHC)
HIS 131American History I(3 SHC)
HIS 132American History II(3 SHC)
POL 120American Government(3 SHC)
PSY 150General Psychology(3 SHC)
SOC 210Introduction to Sociology(3 SHC)
Math (3-4 SHC)
Select one course from the following:
MAT 171Pre-calculus Algebra(4 SHC)
MAT 172Pre-calculus Trigonometry(4 SHC)
MAT 263Brief Calculus(4 SHC)
MAT 271Calculus I(4 SHC)
MAT 272Calculus II(4 SHC)
Natural Sciences (4 SHC)
Select 4 SHC from the following:
AST 111Descriptive Astronomy (3 SHC) and AST 111A Descriptive Astronomy Lab (1 SHC)
BIO 110Principles of Biology(4 SHC)
BIO 111General Biology I(4 SHC)
CHM 151General Chemistry I(4 SHC)
GEL 111Geology(4 SHC)
PHY 110Conceptual Physics (3 SHC) and PHY 110A Conceptual Physics Lab (1 SHC)
PHY 151College Physics I (4 SHC) and PHY 152 College Physics II (4 SHC)
PHY 251General Physics I (4 SHC)) and PHY 252 General Physics II (4 SHC)
Additional General Education Hours (17-18 SCH)
Other Required General Education (3 SHC)
The following course is required:
SOC 225Social Diversity(3 SHC)

An additional 11-12 SHC of courses should be selected from courses classified as general education within the Comprehensive Articulation Agreement or Independent Comprehensive Articulation Agreement. Students should select these courses based on their intended major and transfer university. 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.

Total General Education Hours Required: 45
Other Required Hours (15 SCH)
Education (14 SHC)
The following courses are required:
EDU 187Teaching and Learning for All*(4 SHC)
EDU 216Foundations of Education(3 SHC)
EDU 279Literacy Development and Instruction(4 SHC)
EDU 250Teacher Licensure Preparation(3 SHC)
*Students who have completed Teacher Cadet or Teaching as a Profession courses in in high school with a B or better may substitute that course for EDU 187 Teaching and Learning for All. High school faculty must meet transfer level qualifications as established by SACSCOC or other accrediting body.
Academic Transition (1 SHC)
The following course is required:
ACA 122College Transfer Success(1 SHC)
*One semester hour of credit may be included in a 61 SHC associate in arts program of study. The transfer of this hour is not guaranteed.
Total Semester Hours Credit (SHC) in Program: 60-61*

Community college graduates must obtain a grade of “C” or better in each course and an overall GPA of at least 2.7 on a 4.0 scale in order to transfer with a junior status. Courses may also transfer through bilateral agreements between institutions.