CWU Launches Dual Admission Program for Community College Students

January 31, 2012

 ELLENSBURG, Wash. — Central Washington University today announced a dual admission program that will reduce the time and expense college students commit to completing a bachelor's degree. The dual admission program allows qualified students to be admitted to CWU when they are admitted to a community college anywhere in the state. The new program will streamline the admissions, advising, and transfer processes.

 “Students who participate in the program are considered fully admitted to the community college and conditionally admitted to CWU,” said Margaret Badgley, CWU assistant vice president of University Centers. “They benefit from access to resources at both institutions during their community college career, they’re better prepared to transition into their baccalaureate program, and the $50 application fee to Central is waived.”

CWU has piloted the concept for more than a year and has already signed up more than 120 students. Through the program, students receive personalized academic plans that outline all the courses they need to complete at the community college in order to transfer smoothly into a bachelor's degree program at any of CWU's eight campuses in western and eastern Washington.

“Students can take advantage of lower tuition for their first two years at the community college, and know they’re on track academically,” said Badgley, adding that CWU faculty members will meet with students about specific degree programs. “Academic advising also will be available to dually admitted students—it really gives these students a leg up.”

The dual admission program is available now at CWU campuses co-located with Big Bend Community College, Edmonds Community College, Everett Community College, Green River Community College in Kent Campus, Highline Community College, Pierce College in Ft. Steilacoom, Wenatchee Valley College, and Yakima Valley Community College.

 By spring quarter, however, the program will be available to students at all thirty-four community and technical colleges, Badgley said. 

“The program encourages students to complete that first objective of an associate degree at that community college,” she pointed out. “That’s an important aspect of our partnership with the community colleges. This type program will become increasingly popular as four-year universities partner with community colleges—something we’ve done since 1974.” 

Badgley says a spin-off benefit for the program is increased collaboration between CWU faculty and their community college peers. 

“That’s what sets Central apart from all other baccalaureate institutions—our partnerships with the community colleges. It’s just phenomenal,” she added. “This will help to strengthen them even further.” 

 More information about the program is available at www.cwu.edu under “Campuses” locations.