Carlow University and Westmoreland County Community College sign a joint admission agreement for nursing and early childhood education.
| Marketing and Communications | For Immediate Release |
| Drew Wilson, Director, Media Relations | August 15, 2016 |
| 412.578.2095 (phone) | |
| 412.260.6807 (cell) | |
| 412.578.2080 (fax) | |
| agwilson@carlow.edu |
Youngwood, Pa. – An agreement has been reached between Westmoreland County Community College (Westmoreland) and Carlow University to ensure that Westmoreland students who wish to earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing or early childhood education will be able to transfer all their earned degree credits seamlessly to Carlow.
Students who earn Westmoreland’s Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing can transfer to Carlow University’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program. Under the terms of the agreement, upon admission to Westmoreland’s associate degree in nursing program, students may now simultaneously be admitted into the RN to BSN program at Carlow University.
“The Joint Admission Agreement will allow Westmoreland students to sign an agreement that ensures their completed associate degrees in nursing will be accepted by Carlow University’s corresponding program,” explained Sue Snyder, director of Nursing at Westmoreland.
Incoming freshmen, transfer students, and returning students are eligible to apply for joint admission. All potential candidates must have a minimum of a 2.0 grade point average and have passed the NCLEX exam. Students who fulfill these requirements are guaranteed admission into the University’s RN to BSN program.
“Carlow University offers face-to-face, hybrid, and online course options so students can choose which method of learning is best for them and their schedule,” said Lynn E. George, PhD, RN, CNE, Dean of the College of Health and Wellness at Carlow University. “Carlow seeks to have all students enrolled in Westmoreland’s associate degree nursing program make a seamless transition toward earning their BSN degree.”
Additionally, Westmoreland students who plan to earn a Master of Science in Nursing will be eligible to earn up to 12 graduate credits while in the process of obtaining a bachelor’s degree from Carlow University.
Students who earn Westmoreland’s Associate of Applied Science Degree in Education-Pre-K-Grade 4 can transfer to Carlow’s Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education program. As with the BSN program, the agreement stipulates that upon admission to Westmoreland’s early childhood education program, students will be guaranteed admission to Carlow, provided they have completed their Associate of Applied Science Degree in Education-Pre-K-Grade 4 with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 and have successfully passed the PAPA, CORE ETS reading, writing, and mathematics exams or have the state required minimum scores on the SAT or ACT exam.
“This agreement will allow Westmoreland students, who aspire to teach children up to grade four, to earn their bachelor’s degree from Carlow and they can be sure that every credit will transfer,” said Dr. Andrew Barnette, dean, School of Humanities, Social Science and Public Service at Westmoreland.
Carlow offers early childhood teacher certification in accordance with new Pennsylvania Department of Education guidelines. The program uses the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) guidelines for ethical behavior to demonstrate professionalism. Competencies for early childhood education are based on current research and child development theory, NAEYC standards and guidelines, and the pedagogy of relationship.
“Carlow graduates have become early childhood educators who are prepared to teach, guide, and nurture children in a variety of educational settings, including both public schools and private childcare facilities,” said Matthew Gordley, PhD, Dean of the College of Learning and Innovation at Carlow.
For more information about the Joint Admission program, please contact Deborah Terlizzi in Westmoreland’s Admissions office at terlizzid@wccc.edu or 724-925-4077 or Monica Sieber in Carlow’s Admissions Department at mdsieber@carlow.edu or 412-578-6125.
About Westmoreland County Community College
Westmoreland County Community College enrolls approximately 5,500 students each fall and spring semester in more than 65 career preparation and associate to baccalaureate degree transfer programs. As an Achieving the Dream Leader College, Westmoreland is focused on student learning and success. Classes are conducted at the main campus in Youngwood, the Advanced Technology Center at RIDC-Westmoreland and education centers in Latrobe, Murrysville, New Kensington, Indiana, Uniontown and Waynesburg, as well as online. The college also offers short-term job training programs and personal enrichment courses through its Workforce and Continuing Education department. Westmoreland is accredited by the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. For more information, visit www.westmoreland.edu.
About Carlow University
Carlow is a private, co-educational, Catholic university located in the heart of Pittsburgh’s “Tech, Ed, and Med” district. Founded by the Sisters of Mercy, Carlow’s graduates, curriculum, and partnerships reflect its strong commitment to social justice; ethical, forward-thinking and responsible leadership; and service to the community that has a meaningful impact. Undergraduate and graduate degrees are offered in three colleges: Health and Wellness, Leadership and Social Change, and Learning and Innovation. Carlow graduates are in demand for their professional expertise, in fields ranging from nursing, the sciences, and perfusion technology to counseling, education, and forensic accounting; their entrepreneurial spirit and creative mindset; and their ability to manage change. Carlow’s eleven athletic teams are known as the Celtics, a reflection of the university’s Irish heritage and roots.