TCS Partner Colleges Sign AICCU Memorandum of Understanding

The Chicago School of Professional Psychology & Pacific Oaks College Announce Commitment to Expansion of Transfer Pathway for California Community College Students

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TCS Education System

Jul 27, 2018, 11:05 ET

CHICAGO, July 27, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- TCS partner colleges – The Chicago School of Professional Psychology and Pacific Oaks College today announced their commitment and support of a transfer pathway between the Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities (AICCU) and the California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office.

The pathway is designed for college students graduating with an Associate in Arts for Transfer (AA-T) or an Associate in Science for Transfer (AS-T) from a California community college and wishing to transfer to four-year independent, nonprofit institutions like The Chicago School of Professional Psychology and Pacific Oaks College. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed by the AICCU President Kristen Soares and California Community College's Chancellor Eloy Ortiz Oakley to further strengthen the commitment of California's independent nonprofit higher education sector toward the access and success of students, and affordability of quality education across the state.

This pathway is the AICCU sector's adoption of the Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) pathway between the California Community Colleges and the California State University (CSU) system. Much like the current CSU ADT pathway, The Chicago School of Professional Psychology and Pacific Oaks College will commit to guaranteeing admission for ADT students who apply, as well as accepting a minimum of 60 units transferred, and assure these students start at their institutions with a junior standing.

"This program is a powerful extension of our System's commitment to advance student success and community impact," says TCS Education System President, Dr. Michael Horowitz. "Engaging in 'Radical Cooperation' with organizations like AICCU is key to meaningfully expanding student access to quality education."

"The large scale reach of this transfer pathway for California Community College students has the substantial potential to benefit tomorrow's psychology agents of change with greater speed to degree completion at The Chicago School and a seamless transition to graduate studies," says Dr. Michele Nealon, president of The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. "This state-wide initiative to make education more affordable and accessible to students is a direct extension of our Chicago School values of education, innovation, service and community."

"Our engagement with the AICCU in this progressive program is an important step in expanding our reach to students that may not otherwise have access to a Pacific Oaks College education," says Pacific Oaks College President, Dr. Patricia Breen. "Our participation in this program not only supports—but promises to accelerate our mission to prepare culturally intelligent agents of change to serve diverse communities in the fields of human development, education, leadership, advocacy, psychology, and related family studies."

"AICCU has been actively engaged with Governor Jerry Brown's administration and the California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office to open up a guaranteed transfer pathway for community college students to transfer to an independent California institution," said AICCU President Kristen Soares. "Our commitment today will provide tremendous help toward creating new regional college access opportunities for transfer students to attend an institution that best meets their educational goals and increases their opportunity to succeed."

California's independent, nonprofit colleges and universities enroll about 8,500 transfer students annually, and, with this partnership with the California Community Colleges, hope to increase that number to ensure all students can find a place at a California institution. AICCU institutions serve nearly 189,500 undergraduate students, who reflect the rich diversity of the state.

"Projections from the Public Policy Institute of California say the state will by 2030 have a shortage of 1.1 million workers holding a bachelor's degree needed to meet workforce demands," said Chancellor Eloy Ortiz Oakley. "The Associate Degree for Transfer program is vital to our economy, and we are proud to work with the Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities in providing our students additional opportunities to further their education and help guarantee their chances of achieving upward social mobility."

AICCU colleges and universities include comprehensive research institutions, specialized professional schools, liberal arts institutions, faith-based schools, as well as campuses that focus on the arts and those that offer non-traditional study programs. They are at the forefront of new and expanding initiatives, including online courses, hybrid programs, and expedited degree programs for adult learners. In total, AICCU represents 82 institutions and more than 340,000 students across the state. For more information on the ADT pathway, visit www.aiccu.edu/transfer

About TCS Education System

TCS Education System (TCS) is a nonprofit system of colleges that was launched in 2009 to advance student success and community impact. Currently, the System spans five colleges, campus locations across 12 cities and a community of more than 30 global academic partners to fulfill the aspirations of approximately 7,000 students. The TCS model provides its colleges with the scale of resources necessary to succeed, including admissions and enrollment services, finance and accounting, information and learning technology, marketing, strategic initiatives, compliance and legal services, human resources, and global engagement among other areas of professional expertise. The System was founded on the belief that by sharing administrative resources and allowing colleges to concentrate on providing students with quality, social change-focused education, we can give each member of our community the power to change the world. TCS colleges include The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Pacific Oaks College & Children's School, The Santa Barbara & Ventura Colleges of Law, Dallas Nursing Institute, and Saybrook University. To learn more, watch our System video and explore our community at www.tcsedsystem.edu

About The Chicago School of Professional Psychology

Founded in 1979, The Chicago School of Professional Psychology (TCSPP) is a nonprofit, private school devoted exclusively to psychology, and related behavioral health sciences. The Chicago School is an affiliate of TCS, a nonprofit system of colleges advancing student success and community impact. The institution serves approximately 4,300 students across campuses in Chicago; Southern California (Los Angeles, Irvine and San Diego); and Washington, D.C., as well as through online programs. The Chicago School is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission, (WSCUC), and its Clinical Psychology Doctoral Programs in Chicago and Washington, D.C. are accredited by the American Psychological Association. With more than 20 graduate degree programs, thousands of hours of real-world training, and a wealth of international opportunities, TCSPP is the leader in professional psychology and behavioral health education. To learn more, visit www.thechicagoschool.edu

About Pacific Oaks College

A nonprofit institution accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), Pacific Oaks College offers bachelor and master degrees and is a member of the Hispanic Association of Colleges & Universities (HACU). Pacific Oaks graduates are a community of change agents that have made a profound impact in the fields of marriage and family therapy, education, and human development. In addition to the Pasadena and San Jose campuses, the institution offers learning opportunities online and at instructional sites throughout California. To learn more, visit www.pacificoaks.edu

About AICCU

The Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities (AICCU) is comprised of 82 independent, nonprofit colleges and universities, which make up the Independent California Colleges and Universities (ICCU) sector. The ICCU sector plays a pivotal role in the development of the state's model higher education offerings and in making California a symbol of innovation across the globe. Within California, ICCU institutions award 21% of all Bachelor's degrees and 54% of graduate degrees, making them the largest preparers of California's advanced workforce.

SOURCE TCS Education System