Clark University has joined a statewide transfer initiative designed to make it easier and more affordable for Massachusetts community college students to earn four-year degrees.
The university recently signed an agreement with the New England Board of Higher Education to participate in the Massachusetts Transfer Guarantee, a partnership that provides qualifying community college graduates with a direct pathway to participating colleges and universities across the state.
The program guarantees admission to eligible students who complete an associate degree and meet academic requirements. Participants are not required to submit an application fee or admissions essay and enter their new institution with junior standing after transferring their associate degree credits.
Clark becomes one of a growing number of Massachusetts colleges participating in the initiative, which aims to simplify the transfer process and reduce barriers for students seeking bachelor’s degrees.
“Clark is thrilled to join the Massachusetts Guarantee because it reflects our commitment to widening access to a transformative college education, strengthening pathways for talented community college students, and ensuring that more students from across Massachusetts can thrive at Clark,” Laurie Ross, associate provost and dean of the college, said in the university’s announcement.
The Massachusetts Transfer Guarantee is administered through the New England Board of Higher Education and connects the state’s community colleges with participating four-year public and private institutions.
According to data released by the board in March, 2,219 students transferred through the program during the 2024-25 academic year. Of those, 609 students have since earned bachelor’s degrees from their four-year institutions.
The agreement expands transfer opportunities for students attending nearby community colleges, including Quinsigamond Community College, while adding another transfer option in Worcester’s higher education landscape.
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