Goucher College streamlines transfer pathway for Cecil College students
Published on May 8, 2025
NORTH EAST, Md: Cecil College has entered into a formal articulation agreement with Goucher College to streamline the pathway to a four-year degree, known as the Goucher Transfer Guarantee. This agreement establishes a seamless transfer process between the two Maryland institutions and underscores their commitment to student success and educational opportunity.
The Transfer Guarantee ensures that students who graduate from Cecil College with an associate degree and a minimum 2.0 GPA will be guaranteed admission to Goucher College. Goucher will waive application fees for these students, whether they apply through the Common Application or Goucher’s Transfer Application, to further remove barriers.
“This partnership between Cecil College and Goucher College marks another step forward in creating accessible, high-quality educational pathways for our students,” said Dr. Mary Way Bolt, President of Cecil College. “Through this transfer agreement, we are continuing to open doors and building bridges for Maryland students to achieve their academic and professional goals.”
“Creating access and equity in higher education is part of our mission and we are honored to partner with Cecil College to offer the Goucher Transfer Guarantee to their students,” said Kent Devereaux, Goucher College President. “Our goal is for students to become global changemakers who use their education and experiential learning opportunities, such as our internship accelerator and summer science research opportunities, to become career-ready problem solvers.”
Cecil College’s Early College Academy graduates will also benefit from this agreement. They will enter Goucher College as juniors while still enjoying first-year housing and scholarship opportunities. This opportunity uniquely combines advanced academic standing and traditional college experiences.
The agreement also emphasizes advising and student support, aligning with Maryland Higher Education Commission goals. Students will receive early academic planning, individualized success plans, preliminary and official credit evaluations, and the support of faculty advisors and peer mentors through Transfer Goucher Guides. A dedicated transfer orientation each term further ensures a smooth integration into campus life. At Goucher, 91% of transfer students with an associate’s degree graduate within three years, surpassing graduation rates of similar four-year institutions.
Goucher will also offer generous financial aid opportunities, including need-based aid for FAFSA filers, academic merit scholarships, and additional awards for Phi Theta Kappa members and honors program participants. The agreement even includes a reverse transfer option, allowing Goucher students who did not finish their associate degree at Cecil to retroactively complete it.
An added benefit for Cecil College staff and faculty is a 20 percent tuition discount on Goucher graduate programs, further deepening the institutions’ collaborative relationship. The agreement is set to run for a five-year term through March 31, 2030, with options for annual renewal thereafter.
Representatives from both colleges hailed the agreement as a model for higher education partnerships, emphasizing the value of cooperation and shared academic standards in supporting student achievement.