Memorandum of Understanding
between
Goucher College
and
Anne Arundel Community College

The Goucher Transfer Guarantee The Goucher Transfer Guarantee (the "Agreement") is made as of the date last signed below (“the Effective Date”) by and between Goucher College ("GC"), in Baltimore, Maryland, and Anne Arundel Community College (“AACC”) in Arnold, Maryland, to offer a seamless transfer opportunities for baccalaureate completion through structured transfer pathways. 

I. Purpose of Agreement

The Agreement affirms the commencement of an initiative between AACC and Goucher (each, a “Party” and collectively hereinafter referred to as the “Parties”) to provide articulated transfer pathways for AACC students (each, a “Pathway”) where, after successful completion of AACC associate degree programs, admissible AACC students will be able to transfer seamlessly to Goucher and enroll in programs leading to the Bachelor of Arts.

This Agreement is designed to provide a seamless transition from AACC to GC, offering AACC students incentives and structured transfer pathways for attaining a four-year baccalaureate degree from GC. The overarching goal is to increase greater access and opportunity for AACC students, especially those completing the associate degree requirements.

Any academic departments that desire to establish a specific transfer pathway shall include a separate addendum (Attachment B) under this Agreement, specifying the department, major, or track of AACC sending students to GC, the department, major, or track of GC awarding transfer credit, and other relevant information as agreed upon in the "Program Articulation Agreement.”

In addition, this Agreement contributes to Maryland Higher Education Commission's completion initiative by increasing associate degree attainment and providing momentum for baccalaureate completion. This agreement sets expectations for administrators, faculty, and staff at both institutions, and fosters a working relationship between the parties.

II. Agreement Review and Term

The initial term of the Agreement shall be for a period of five (5) years, commencing on the Effective Date, at the end of which the Agreement may be renewed in writing by the parties every successive one (1) year periods unless terminated by either party as set forth below.

Either party may terminate this Agreement by providing ninety (90) days' written notice to the other party. During the notice period the parties may discuss continuation of a formal relationship. If the Agreement is terminated, GC will continue to honor current transfer students from AACC under the expiring agreement terms.

III. Guaranteed Admission

GC offers two options to guarantees admission for AACC students. Both options offer the following conditions:

• GC shall guarantee admission to AACC graduates with an associate's degree and a minimum 2.0 GPA
• Under the Goucher Transfer Guarantee, students will be eligible for all terms and conditions specified in this agreement providing the opportunity for a seamless transfer to GC into any bachelor's degree program

There is no application fee to apply for admission, whether students complete and submit the Common Application for Transfer or the Goucher Transfer Application.

IV. Acceptance of Transfer Credits

Under the Goucher Transfer Guarantee terms GC will honor the following conditions for all transfer students to include:

1. Associate Degree Completers

• GC shall honor a Block Transfer for all AACC graduates who have completed requirements under the Associate of Arts (A.A.), Associate of Science (A.S.), Associate of Fine Arts (A.F.A.) and Associate of Science in Teaching (A.A.T.) before matriculating to GC. The Goucher Commons Requirements (GCRs) will be fulfilled in the Block Transfer, with the exception of the following requirements which will still need to be fulfilled at Goucher if they have not been completed within the Associate’s degree:
  • One semester of foreign language
  • All coursework in the major and/or minor academic programs of study that the student has chosen
  • Study Abroad experience that includes a choice of either a semester abroad experience or an Intensive Course Abroad (ICA) that ordinarily is a 3-week experience during the winter or summer term. All Goucher policies regarding financial aid, scholarships, and conditions for a waiver of study abroad apply and can be found on Goucher’s website.
  • The Block Transfer will allow students who have completed requirements under the Associate of Arts (A.A.), Associate of Science (A.S.), Associate of Fine Arts (A.F.A.) and Associate of Science in Teaching (A.A.T.) before matriculating to GC to transfer up to 64 credits.
  • Degree earners will be guaranteed junior classification based on the number of credits specified in the GC academic policies set forth in the academic catalog.

2. All students transferring to Goucher

• Accept up to sixty-four (64) semester credit hours per the GC transfer credit policies.
• Fulfillment of distribution requirements at GC in the areas of Social & Behavioral Sciences, Arts, Humanities & Interdisciplinary Studies, Biological & Physical Sciences, Mathematics (Data Analytics-Foundation: DA-F) for courses completed at AACC that fulfill these requirements.
• Exemption from Complex Problem Exploration (CPE) courses based on the following credits transferred: 2 courses waived – for 55 credits or an earned associate degree, 1 course waived – for students earning at least 30 credits but less than 55, thus fulfilling this Goucher Commons Requirement based on credits transferred.
• AACC students can take courses that have been pre-approved by GC that will fulfill the Race, Power, and Perspective (RPP) and the Environmental Sustainability (ES) requirement in the Goucher Commons, therefore providing a pathway to complete the requirements prior to attending GC.
• AACC World/Foreign Language courses will be accepted toward fulfillment of the Foreign Language and Culture Requirement (FLCR) at GC therefore creating a pathway to complete this GCR prior to matriculation.

V. Transfer Pathways

1. The Parties agree to provide articulated transfer pathways (each, a “Transfer Pathway”) for AACC students, which will establish the AACC courses for which GC will accept credit as applying towards specific bachelor’s degree programs offered by GC.

2. AACC and GC will work with their respective departments, majors, or tracks to determine the AACC courses for which GC will award credit towards GC’s degree program and establish a Transfer Pathway.

3. For each department, major, or track at either AACC or GC desiring to establish a Transfer Pathway, the Parties shall enter into a separate addendum under this Agreement (each, an "Addendum"), specifying the department, major, or track of AACC sending students to GC, the department, major, or track of GC awarding transfer credit, and other relevant information as is set forth in Attachment B hereto, "Program Articulation Agreement Template."

4. Each Transfer Pathway will be memorialized in a Program Articulation Addendum that will specify all relevant information regarding the transfer of credit within the Transfer Pathway, including a Transfer Guide setting forth the AACC courses for which GC will accept credits towards completion of GC’s degree program. Currently developed Program Articulation Addendums regarding the transfer of credits pursuant to this Agreement are provided in Exhibit B below, which is incorporated by reference.

5. To be effective, the Addendum must be approved and signed by the Dean of the college or school and Provost at the Sending Institution and by Dean of the college or school at the Receiving Institution.

6. Once signed by both Parties, GC agrees to grant credits in accordance with the Addendum.

VI. Academic Planning, Advising & Student Support

To facilitate a seamless transition, AACC students should work closely with their AACC academic and transfer advisor to develop a comprehensive academic plan as early in their academic career as possible and prior to transfer. This includes a recommendation to (1) take pre-approved courses that will fulfil Goucher Commons Requirements (GCRs) and (2) begin study in a foreign language. Students should consult with the GC Associate Director in the Office of the Registrar (registrar@goucher.edu) if there are questions about the transferability of courses. 

• Students will have access to numerous advising and support resources from the point of inquiry and a Preliminary Credit Evaluation and degree audit detailing prior coursework transferability and applicability to all degree requirements will be included in the offer of admission to confirm the transfer of general education credits, predetermined course equivalencies, as well as the total number of credits accepted and applied in transfer.
• An Official Transfer Credit Evaluation and degree audit detailing prior coursework transferability and applicability to all degree requirements will be provided prior to course registration from the Office of the Registrar. If students have questions about their evaluation, the Office of the Registrar can provide assistance.
• During the initial advising appointment with the GC transfer success advisor, the Official Transcript Credit Evaluation and degree audit will be reviewed to ensure the intentional mapping of courses needed to complete the bachelor's degree.
• For transfer students with an associate degree or more than 56 credits, the initial advising appointment will be conducted by an assigned faculty advisor and / or department chair.
• Students will have access to pre-transfer advising throughout the admission process.
• Transfer Goucher Guides (peer mentors) are assigned to each student to provide peer support during the transition to Goucher.
• A specific orientation for transfer students is offered each term to ensure a seamless transition to campus.
• A Student Success Team model that promotes success for every student, including a team of professional and faculty advisors that helps to develop their individualized success plan while at Goucher.
• Faculty Advisor(s) will be assigned in all academic programs of study (major and minor).
• After matriculation, an assigned faculty advisor will confirm the academic plan, showing the clear path to completion of the bachelor's degree, and reflecting any unfulfilled Goucher Common’s Requirements, graduation, and major requirements, as outlined in the GC Undergraduate Catalog.

VII. Financial Aid and Transfer Scholarships:

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is required to be eligible for need-based aid. Students must indicate GC's school code (002073) when submitting the FAFSA. All students are encouraged to submit their completed FAFSA early so that a financial aid package can be provided as soon as possible after a student is admitted to GC.

Goucher College offers academic merit scholarships in addition to awards for participation in a Community College Honors program, Phi Theta Kappa membership, and completion of an associate's degree prior to matriculation at Goucher College.

The following merit scholarships are available (please note that scholarship amounts may change from year to year and may be discontinued):

Merit Scholarships (once matriculated, merit scholarships are renewable. To be eligible, students must maintain full-time enrollment and a cumulative GPA of 2.0).

Founders Award
Cumulative GPA Range: 3.80 - 4.00
Award Amount: $35,000

Innovator Award
Cumulative GPA Range: 3.46 - 3.79
Award Amount: $32,000

Global Citizen Award
Cumulative GPA Range: 3.15 – 3.45
Award Amount: $29,000

Blue and Gold Award
Cumulative GPA Range: 2.61 - 3.14
Award Amount: $25,000

Transfer Merit Scholarship
Cumulative GPA Range: < 2.61
Award Amount: $15,000

VIII. Additional Scholarship Opportunities

Award for earned Associates degree

Transfer students from any community college who have completed an Associate Degree of Arts or Associate Degree of Sciences are eligible to receive an award of $2,500. *In order to receive the award, students must submit their final transcript that indicates the date the degree was conferred.

Phi Theta Kappa Award

Phi Theta Kappa transfer students from any community college are eligible to receive an award of $2,000. 

Honors Award

Transfer students who have successfully completed the requirements of the honors program at AACC will be eligible to receive and award of $2,000.

IX. Reverse Transfer

• GC will encourage students to complete their associate's degree at AACC.
• To enhance the partnership, GC will support reverse transfer to former AACC students with at least 15 credits who have transferred to GC without completing an associate's degree. At the student and / or AACC request, the GC Registrar’s Office will send an official transcript to support the process.

X. Catalog Rights

• If GC modifies the degree requirements or prerequisites, the student will be permitted to complete the baccalaureate degree under the requirements of the course catalog that was in place during the first term of the student’s admission to Goucher or first term of readmission for students who stop-out and must later be re-admitted.

XI. Discounted Graduate Program Tuition for AACC Employees

• AACC-affiliates (all full-time and part-time) employees such as staff, faculty and Board Members are eligible to take advantage of 20% discount rate on tuition only for GC graduate programs. This opportunity is available to AACC-affiliates unless otherwise noted and is only available for AACC-affiliates not currently enrolled in a GC graduate program prior to this Agreement. 

XII. Annual Reporting and Assessment 

• GC and AACC agree to exchange annual reports (Attachment A) and documents in a mutually agreeable manner that will contribute to the maintenance and enhancement of the transfer pathways and promote effective cooperation between the two institutions. The institutions will exchange student enrollment and success data after obtaining appropriate permission from the students involved and in compliance with all federal, state, and local laws.
• An annual evaluation process will be administered by GC and AACC
• An advisory group, consisting of college representatives, will evaluate the performance of this partnership. Each college will designate their advisory group representation. Goucher College will be represented by the Assistant Director of Admissions for Transfer Students and Associate Vice President for Student Success. Anne Arundel Community College will be represented by the Director of Transfer, Articulation and Career Alignment.

XIII. Program Administrators 

The parties designate the following individuals to serve as administrators under this Agreement:

AACC Program Administrator
Marcus Wright, Director of Transfer, Articulation and Career Alignment
Anne Arundel Community College
101 College Parkway
Arnold, MD 21012

GC Program Administrator
Emily Perl, Ph.D., Associate Vice President for Student Success
Goucher College
1021 Dulaney Valley Road
Baltimore, MD 21204

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereby evidence their agreement to the above terms and conditions by having caused this Agreement to be executed and delivered on the day and year indicated below:

Tanya Millner, Ed.D.
Provost/Vice President for Learning
Anne Arundel Community College
DATE: 5/5/2026

Elaine Meyer-Lee, Ed.D.
Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs
Goucher College
DATE: 5/5/2026