College of Southern Maryland and Towson University Sign Agreement to Create Seamless Transition to 4-Year Degree

College of Southern Maryland (CSM) and Towson University (TU) have partnered to increase educational pathways for students in our region.

On September 29, 2025, Yolanda Wilson, Ed.D., College of Southern Maryland President, and Mark R. Ginsberg, Ph.D., Towson University President, signed a General Admissions and Reverse Transfer Agreement that creates a seamless transition for students enrolled at CSM with guaranteed admission to TU upon completing an associate degree.

“This partnership with Towson University ensures opportunities for our students to seamlessly transfer to a nationally recognized, public university to complete their undergraduate degrees,” says CSM President Yolanda Wilson. “This is yet another pathway for our graduates to continue the outstanding education they have found at CSM.”

Recognized nationally for student success and inclusive excellence, TU is a destination for more than 25 percent of students who transfer to a four-year university in Maryland.

“Towson University is proud to further enhance our partnership with the College of Southern Maryland to provide seamless access to TU, among the most respected and top ranked public universities in our state,” says TU President Mark R. Ginsberg. “At TU, we strive to make education accessible for all, and this agreement is the perfect example of that promise. Pathways such as this will benefit all of Maryland as we continue to serve as an engine for opportunity, innovation and workforce development for our state.”

As part of the agreement, TU will accept up to 64 semester credits completed at CSM. The goal of the partnership is to boost momentum for CSM students to earn their associate’s degree and continue to pursue a bachelor’s degree.

Ginsberg said together with CSM, they are creating a model where students can succeed academically, socially, and emotionally. “Over a third of our students transfer from community colleges. You have to be very deliberate and intentional in providing services and programs to meet their needs,” Ginsberg said. “This agreement formalizes the vision to help students seamlessly transfer so that they don’t lose the three things that transfer students often lose: time, credits, and money.”

CSM students who transfer before earning their associate degree can take advantage of reverse transfer, which is a part of the agreement. Through reverse transfer, these students can apply credits earned at TU toward completing their associate degree with CSM. 

During the signing event, Dr. Wilson said reverse transfer is a unique element of the agreement. “It’s a win-win for a student to be able to earn a stackable credential if deciding to transfer early, and have both an associate’s degree and a bachelor’s degree,” she said.

To learn more about the agreement, visit the CSM Transfer Services webpage.