Co-Greene and UAlbany enter dual admission agreement

HUDSON―The University at Albany and Columbia-Greene Community College announced on Tuesday a dual admission agreement for C-GCC students to continue their education and earn a bachelor's degree at UAlbany.

The signing ceremony, held at C-GCC's Student Success Center, was attended by UAlbany President Havidán Rodríguez and Victoria Walsh, C-GCC president, along with students, faculty, staff, elected officials and community partners.

The two institutions will also formalize a transfer articulation agreement for students pursuing a nursing degree in the near future.

“This seamless partnership between Columbia-Greene and UAlbany allows for our students to further expand their educational horizon and a commitment to affordability,” said Walsh.

“From our innovative programs in healthcare and criminal justice, this dual admission agreement provides more than just another degree opportunity: this provides a boost in academic advising, financial aid counseling, and career guidance,” she added.

Under the agreements, students can apply for dual admission to both colleges when they enroll at C-GCC or during their first semester. Upon completing an associate degree at C-GCC, students are eligible to transfer into a related bachelor's degree program at UAlbany― entering with junior-year standing.  

Dual-admitted students will benefit from a range of support and resources at both institutions, including:

- Access to dedicated academic counseling from a UAlbany transfer advisor who will work with students during their time at C-GCC.

- A UAlbany identification card, access to UAlbany libraries, opportunities to meet with faculty, and invitations to attend special events and student activities at UAlbany.

- Priority consideration for on-campus housing and transfer enrollment scholarships at UAlbany.

- Guaranteed admission to a corresponding UAlbany program for students who graduate from C-GCC with a GPA of 2.5 or higher, and a guaranteed UAlbany Transfer Merit Scholarship for those graduating with a GPA of 2.75 or higher.

“These agreements will smooth the path for C-GCC graduates who want to transfer to UAlbany to complete a bachelor’s degree,” noted Rodríguez.

“Data show that most community college students want to complete a four-year degree but only 16 percent of students who start in community college ultimately earn a bachelor's degree, this partnership aims to meaningfully change that statistic,” he said.

UAlbany has signed similar dual admission agreements with Hudson Valley Community College, SUNY Adirondack, SUNY Fulton-Montgomery and Borough of Manhattan Community College.