Graduates of Nash Community College’s health-related Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree programs will have an expanded opportunity to continue their education thanks to a new statewide articulation agreement between Appalachian State University and the North Carolina Community College System (NCCCS).
The agreement creates a seamless transfer pathway for graduates of eligible health-related AAS programs offered through North Carolina’s 58 community colleges into Appalachian State University’s Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences program.
The new pathway addresses a longstanding challenge for many AAS graduates. While North Carolina’s Comprehensive Articulation Agreement has long provided seamless transfer opportunities for students earning Associate in Arts and Associate in Science degrees, AAS programs are designed primarily for workforce entry and have traditionally offered fewer direct transfer options toward bachelor’s degrees.
“This partnership provides an exciting opportunity for our graduates who are interested in pursuing a bachelor’s degree once they have completed from a health-related program at NCC,” said Dr. Amy Harrell, vice president of instruction at NCC. “We are grateful to Appalachian State for their innovation in creating this pathway and for their acknowledgement in doing so that credits earned in community college AAS programs are equivalent for transfer into a Bachelor of Science degree.”
Eligible graduates from NCC’s health-related AAS programs will be able to transfer into App State’s Health Sciences program with a streamlined pathway toward earning a bachelor’s degree.
The program offers concentrations in Healthcare Management and Public Health, with a future concentration in Health Professions Education anticipated. Students may complete the degree online or in person, either full time or part time, providing flexibility for working healthcare professionals.
The bachelor’s degree is designed to prepare graduates for careers in healthcare leadership, public health, management and higher education while strengthening North Carolina’s healthcare workforce.
The agreement is particularly significant as North Carolina continues experiencing workforce shortages across healthcare professions, especially in rural communities. By creating clearer transfer opportunities, the partnership helps strengthen the pipeline of healthcare leaders and educators needed throughout the state.
Students who transfer into Appalachian State’s Health Sciences program will have opportunities to develop leadership, communication and critical-thinking skills while preparing for advanced roles within the healthcare industry.
The partnership also reflects the NCCCS’s continued commitment to improving credit mobility and expanding educational opportunities for students seeking bachelor’s degrees after completing workforce-focused associate degrees.
Students interested in learning more about eligible health-related programs at NCC or transfer opportunities through this agreement are encouraged to contact the college’s Advising Center at 252-428-7350 or advising@nashcc.edu.
For more information about NCC’s health sciences programs, visit www.nashcc.edu.
