HAMLET — Richmond Community College has entered a formal agreement with Pfeiffer University that allows students who complete associate degrees at RCC to transfer directly to the private university to complete a bachelor of science degree in one of three online programs: business and leadership, criminal justice or registered nurse to bachelor’s in nursing.
“This agreement will open up greater opportunities for students from Richmond, Scotland and surrounding counties to advance their education and pursue higher degrees,” said Dr. Dale McInnis, president of RCC. “Thanks to the dedication of our faculty, our students are well prepared to be successful at the university level, which is why one of our strategies at RCC is to increase the transfer options for our students by fostering new relationships with four-year colleges and universities.”
Pfeiffer University President Colleen Perry Keith also lauded the partnership.
“This agreement is designed to maximize the credit transfer for RCC students, enabling them to plan their courses for a seamless transition into Pfeiffer’s programs and know exactly what will be needed to complete an undergraduate degree,” she said. “With all courses available online, students have the added benefit of managing their course loads according to their schedules.”
Under the agreement signed by both presidents, a student from RCC can transfer up to 64 credits to Pfeiffer and will not have to pay an application fee.
Pfeiffer will accept credit for RCC’s associate in arts, associate in science and associate in applied science degrees, and the articulation agreement establishes pathways for completion of bachelor degree programs in criminal justice and business management and leadership major as well as the RN-to-BSN program for licensed registered nurses.
“Graduates of RCC’s corresponding associate degree programs will enter these bachelor degree programs with nearly half the credits needed for completion,” RCC Director of University Transfer Services Patsy Stanley said. “Also, these bachelor degree programs can be completed online or traditionally, so this partnership with Pfeiffer makes it more convenient and affordable for RCC’s students to earn a bachelor’s degree.”
Those choosing a traditional, seated classroom environment will attend classes at Pfeiffer’s Misenheimer campus in Stanly County, which is about an hour from Hamlet.
The articulation agreement also establishes a reverse credit system between the two institutions. RCC students who transfer to Pfeiffer before completing an associate degree can use credits earned at Pfeiffer toward the two-year degree program they started at RCC.
Established in 1885, Pfeiffer is a liberal arts university affiliated with the United Methodist Church.
Pfeiffer provides a 10 percent discount on tuition to law enforcement, offers military benefits and has many scholarships funds to divvy out. Additional information about the university may be found online at pfeiffer.edu.
RCC’s partnership with Pfeiffer is one of many similar agreements the college has with private universities located throughout the state. RCC also offers seamless transition to all 16 public schools in the North Carolina University System.
Additional information about transfer opportunities available through RCC may be found online at richmondcc.edu/admissions/transfers.