CSM Secures 100th Transfer Agreement; Provides Students Priority Enrollment or Guaranteed Admission to 50 Four-Year Colleges
‘It just makes sense to earn your bachelor’s degree at half the cost’
The College of Southern Maryland (CSM) reached a milestone this week when it signed an articulation agreement with Frostburg State University (FSU). This partnership allows CSM to now offer its students priority enrollment or guaranteed admission to 50 different four-year colleges and universities to pursue 100 distinct degree programs.
CSM Coordinator of Transfer and Articulation Jacqui Rogers has been focused on expanding the college’s collection of transfer agreements since she joined the CSM team two years ago. Also called ‘articulation agreements,’ transfer agreements are formal documents outlining a commitment between two or more academic institutions to guarantee a student transfer.
“It just makes sense to get a great education at CSM and then move on to earn your bachelor’s degree at half the cost,” said Rogers. “Especially now, in these uncertain times, with our communities struggling to economically survive during the COVID-19 crisis: Why pay an Ivy League tuition to get the same excellent education you can get much more affordably at CSM – and get a guaranteed transfer to a four-year institution?”
In addition to FSU, CSM’s also recently formed partnerships with Morgan State University, the University of Baltimore and the State University of New York (SUNY) – Delhi.
Frostburg State University
The articulation agreement with FSU allows CSM graduates with an associate of science (AS) degree in Business Administration; Business Administration: Technical Management; Accounting; Business Management; or Hospitality Management to attend FSU to complete a bachelor of science degree in Accounting, Business Administration or Economics. Among the many other transfer opportunities between FSU and CSM, Rogers also facilitated an articulation agreement with Frostburg for a bachelor’s in Recreation and Parks Management.
Morgan State University
CSM and Morgan State University (MSU) signed an articulation agreement May 1 for CSM graduates with their two-year degree in Construction Management Technology to attend MSU to attain a bachelor’s in Construction Management. The CSM and MSU partnership provides the first, and only, transfer agreement CSM has for its graduates pursuing a bachelor’s in this field of study.
“We are thrilled to offer our students who are pursuing a career in the construction trades this transfer opportunity,” said Rogers. “The construction sector is essential in today’s world and this agreement helps make a stronger—and steady—pipeline of employees ready to enter a demanding, and well-paying job market.”
University of Baltimore
CSM joined a corps of community colleges participating in University of Baltimore’s (UB) new BeeLine program, which allows eligible students to apply for and be admitted to the University of Baltimore while still enrolled at CSM starting in fall 2020. Through BeeLine, CSM students can receive priority advising from UB to ensure they are on track to have their credits transfer to the agreed-upon UB degree program. In addition, CSM students are eligible for the Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation Scholarship. The fund provides scholarships for hundreds of full-time students who transfer to UB primarily from community colleges, including current or former members of the military. These need-based scholarships, totaling up to $5 million over five years, help students close the financial gap between their federal Pell Grants and the cost of tuition and fees for their final two years of undergraduate education.
“The best part about the Parson Scholarship and the BeeLine program is that UB provides a great deal of flexibility for students who are juggling school, home demands and work,” Rogers explained.
State University of New York – Delhi
In the articulation agreement with SUNY-Delhi in upstate New York, CSM nursing grads will be given guaranteed admission to earn Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degrees. Minimum requirements include graduating CSM with a 2.8 Grade Point Average (GPA).
“SUNY Delhi is excited about our new academic partnership with College of Southern Maryland,” said Dr. Susan Dean, SUNY Delhi Interim Provost and Dean of the School of Nursing. “Together, we support nurses in advancing their degrees as well as their lives.”
Building on Long-Standing Partnerships with St. Mary’s College of Maryland, Salisbury University and Bowie State
CSM students can now also transfer to St. Mary’s College of Maryland with their AS in Computer Science with Cloud Computing to earn a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science. The articulation agreement is in addition to 11 other agreements in place with St. Mary’s for students going for their bachelor’s in everything from English and STEM fields to Theater, Film and Media Studies.
CSM’s other new agreements offer a bachelor’s in Conflict Analysis and Dispute Resolution at Salisbury University and a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice at Bowie State University (BSU).
To learn more about all of the transfer agreements and opportunities available for CSM students, visit the www.csmd.edu to conduct an online search by institution or by area of study.
Learn More at Upcoming CSM Virtual Open House May 13
High schoolers in Calvert, Charles and St. Mary’s counties who are interested in attending the College of Southern Maryland this summer or fall, are encouraged to sign up for the Open House event to hear about CSM’s Guided Pathways of study; how to apply for financial assistance and how to enroll. Attendees will also learn how CSM graduates who meet certain criteria are now given priority enrollment or guaranteed admission into 50 colleges and universities for 100 different degree programs nationwide – and internationally.
Coronavirus Update
CSM will maintain a virtual learning environment for its students, and faculty and staff will continue to operate remotely through Aug. 16, 2020. CSM’s campuses remain restricted to pre-approved and authorized personnel. This date may again be extended as CSM stands united with the nation in the fight against the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
Students should make sure they are monitoring their CSM student email accounts, as well as the MyLearning course shells for their individual courses, and stay in close contact with their professors if they have any questions about their courses.