The North Carolina Comprehensive Articulation Agreement (CAA) is a statewide agreement governing the transfer of credits between North Carolina community colleges and The University of North Carolina. Several factors indicate that a review of the 1997 CAA is in order: (1) Recent legislative interest in reducing post-secondary educational costs, (2) changes to general education requirements at the state’s public universities, (3) a 21% increase in community college to UNC transfers over the past five years; and (4) data indicating that a majority of students transfer before completing a credential.

The NCCCS and UNC chief academic officers appointed an eight-member CAA Review Steering Committee to make recommendations regarding the efficacy of the 44 hour core, the effectiveness of pre-majors, and the relevancy of other CAA components.  Dr. Sharon Morrissey, Senior VP and Chief Academic Officer, is NCCCS lead for this priority.  NCCCS Steering Committee members are Dr. Lisa Chapman, Central Carolina Community College (Co-Chair); Dr. Kristi Snuggs, Edgecombe Community College; Dr. Keith Mackie, Catawba Valley Community College; and Dr. J.W. Kelley, Randolph Community College.

Contact: Dr. Sharon Morrissey at (919) 807-7096 or morrisseys@nccommunitycolleges.edu

CAA Revision Policy Goals

• The Associate in Arts and Associate in Science programs of study will comprise 60 semester hours of transferable credit.

• The AA and AS programs of study will be restructured to include two components:

1. First-year general education core pathways comprising a minimum of 30 semester hours credit, and
2. Second-year pre-major pathways of 30 semester hours that prepare students for successful transfer into selected university majors.

• Universities will transfer all courses in the general education core pathway for general education course credit.
• A student who completes a general education core pathway will satisfy UNC’s minimum admission and course requirements.
• Community colleges and partnering universities will provide career counseling and pre-major advising for transfer students upon completion of the general education core pathway.
• Online tools will be developed to assist students and advisors in mapping appropriate second-year pre-major courses, depending on the student’s intended transfer institution.
• Students who complete the AA/AS with a grade of “C” or better in all transfer classes will be guaranteed admission to a UNC institution.
• Students who complete the AA/AS prior to transfer and who maintain a 3.0 GPA while enrolled in the university will receive a tuition scholarship, pending legislative approval.
• College transfer performance reports will segment early transfers (non-core completers), general education pathway core completers, and AA/AS degree completers.

Reverse Transfer

UNC General Administration received a grant from the Lumina Foundation to develop technology tools, policies, and procedures to support the reverse transfer of credit for students who transfer before completing a credential at the community college.  When implemented, a student will be able to “transfer back” credits completed at the university that fulfill the AA/AS requirements so that the community college may award an associate’s degree.  Reverse transfer has three benefits: first, the number of degree completers in NC will increase; second, upon awarding the credential, the college will be able to count the early transfer student as a completer; and third, the student receives a credential that he/she would not otherwise have received.  Central Piedmont will be the lead college for the NCCCS in the grant initiative.