The overview
On Feb. 12, the institutions announced Rise at ACC, Shine at CTX—a transfer program aimed at providing ACC students with a seamless transition to a bachelor’s degree at Concordia, according to a news release.
Rise at ACC, Shine at CTX allows eligible ACC students to transfer into several Concordia degree programs with pre-established pathways, including:
- Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences
- Bachelor of Arts in communication
- Bachelor of Arts in psychology
- Bachelor of Arts in sociology
- Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting
- Bachelor of Business Administration in marketing
- Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts in computer science
How it works
ACC students can transfer up to 90 credits toward a four-year degree at Concordia, regardless of the major they pursued at the community college, per the release. If a student’s program isn’t one of the seven bachelor’s degrees with clear pathways, they can still apply to transfer credits.
Officials will continue adding new pathways for the Rise at ACC, Shine at CTX program, according to the release.
Additionally, the Rise & Shine Transfer Scholarship at Concordia will recognize eligible ACC graduates by providing them with $1,500 per semester, according to Concordia’s website.
What they’re saying
In the release, ACC Chancellor Russell Lowery-Hart said the program represents what officials want for students—clear, accessible pathways to their future.
“Too often, transfer students face unnecessary hurdles that cost them time, money and momentum,” Lowery-Hart said in the release. “Rise at ACC, Shine at CTX breaks down those barriers, creating a seamless transition that supports students every step of the way.”
Concordia officials are committed to making the transfer process as seamless as possible, Concordia President and CEO Kristi Kirk said in the release.
“Our goal is to provide students with the resources and support they need to succeed, from the very moment they begin their academic journey at ACC,” Kirk said.
How we got here
Concordia and ACC had a previous partnership allowing ACC students to earn a Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences at Concordia if they received an Associate of Applied Science degree at ACC, an official with the university said in an email to Community Impact.
The Applied Science degree is one of the pre-established pathways in the new program.
Put in perspective
Annually, about 36% of ACC students transfer to a four-year university to work toward a bachelor’s degree, according to the release.
