DCCCD and Ashford University enter into this MOU in the spirit of cooperation and mutually recognize each other as quality institutions of higher learning. Each institution, furthermore, is dedicated to serving students from all walks of life, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, sex, disability, color, age, marital status, national origin or other non-merit factors.

Purpose

The purpose of the agreement is to enable DCCCD students who transfer to Ashford University to carry with them the credit they have already earned for as much relevant study as possible. The MOU provides a structure through which transfer articulation on all levels can be supported. Ashford University understands and agrees that transfer articulation is with DCCCD as a whole and not with individual colleges within the district. Therefore, it is understood and agreed that courses taken at any DCCCD college are considered equally transferable. This is particularly important at DCCCD where students may be enrolled at more than one DCCCD college.

Transfer Elements

DCCCD Associate Degrees 

This MOU establishes the principle that all Associate Degrees; Associate in Arts (AA), Associate of Arts in Teaching (AAT), Associate in Applied Sciences (AAS), Associate in Sciences (AS), at DCCCD transfer to Ashford University as a block. Completed blocks are treated as a whole; the components are not examined separately to determine transferability.  Please consult the Ashford University Course Evaluation Guide for details regarding which DCCCD degrees transfer in block towards which AU degrees.

DCCCD graduates will not have to repeat lower-division requirements at Ashford University.  Some DCCCD courses are considered equivalent to AU upper division courses.  These courses will not need to be repeated.  AU does require 30 upper division credits for graduation.  DCCCD graduates with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 entering under the terms of this agreement are guaranteed admission into the university.

DCCCD graduates will go through Ashford University transfer process and therefore must meet all applicable requirements and deadlines pertaining to application for admission, orientation and registration, and payment of tuition and fees. They will abide by the policies and procedures, along with any revisions thereof that apply to all students from that institution.

DCCCD - Core Curriculum

Completion of the DCCCD Core Curriculum, a 48 semester credit general education program of study will transfer as a block and will satisfy lower-division general education requirements at Ashford University. The Core can be transferred and accepted as a component of an Associate Degree or as a stand alone general education block not affiliated with an Associate Degree.

DCCCD Associate in Applied Science (AAS) Degree

The Associate in Applied Science (AAS) Degree represents the attainment of depth of technical competency in identified occupational arenas. Students transferring an AAS Degree to Ashford University will have achieved competency in many areas generally considered to be upper division. However, some competencies in the area of general education may still need to be obtained. Ashford University will provide AAS transfer students with a flexible degree plan that identifies upper division general education competencies that will meet Ashford University’s Baccalaureate Degree requirements. In effect, this flexibility represents an inverted transfer degree plan. Students from Eastfield College and North Lake College will not be able to transfer their AAS degree. However, all DCCCD students who take core courses within their AAS degree, such core courses will be transferable.

Total Number of Transferable Credits

A maximum number of 90 lower division transfer credits can be accepted from DCCCD institutions and applied toward degree completion at Ashford University.  An additional nine upper division credits can also be accepted leaving a residency requirement of 21 credits.

Joint Obligations

DCCCD and Ashford University agree to provide direct links between their institutional Web sites, indicating the existence of this Agreement.

Official lists of programs (AA, AAT, AS, AAS) for which articulation agreements have been approved by both DCCCD and Ashford University will be made available at both institutions. 

No transfer articulation materials developed by an articulating institution are valid without a MOU signed by the DCCCD Chancellor.

DCCCD and Ashford University agree to exchange data and documents as agreed that will contribute to the maintenance and improvement of these transfer arrangements, and promote effective cooperation between the two institutions. The institutions will exchange admissions, grades, and retention data after obtaining appropriate permission from the students involved and in compliance with all federal, state, and local laws.

DCCCD institutions agree to provide Ashford University with lists of student contact information for any or all of the following populations:  students who would benefit from this partnership, students who are ready to transfer to a four year institution, students who have agreed to be contacted by educational institutions, students with 45+ credits, as well as graduation and alumni lists.

Evaluation 

There will be an annual evaluation process of the partnership supported by this MOU. The information obtained from this evaluation will be used to improve the transfer process for the benefit of students.

Longevity of the Agreement

This MOU is in perpetuity or until it is discontinued by either educational partner by submitting written notification to the other partner one year prior to the identified cancellation date in order to protect all students transferring between these institutions.

Dallas County Community College District

______________________________________

Dr. Wright L. Lassiter, Jr.

Chancellor

___________

(date)

Ashford University:

______________________________________

Dr. Jane McAuliffe
President

___________

(date)

Contact Information at DCCCD:

Gregg Williams

Transfer Services/Articulation and University Relations Office

701 Elm Street

Dallas, TX 75202

214-860-2185 or 214-860-2424

(Fax) 214-860-2677

gewilliams@dcccd.edu        

Contact Information at Ashford University:

David Vande Pol

Senior Director of Academic Partnerships

13500 Evening Creek Dr. North

Suite 600

San Diego, CA  92128

(Tel) 858-513-9240 

david.vandepol@ashford.edu