On November 18, 2020, Indiana University of Pennsylvania President Michael Driscoll and Westmoreland County Community College President Tuesday Stanley signed a dual admissions program agreement, designed to streamline the process for students who earn an associate degree at Westmoreland to complete a bachelor's degree program at IUP.
Under terms of the agreement, students enrolled at Westmoreland who plan to complete a bachelor's degree at IUP will be given automatic acceptance to IUP, pending successful completion of all admissions requirements. No additional admissions application will be required for these students.
Michael Driscoll signing the dual admissions program agreement
The program provides a curriculum plan for students that is a seamless transition from associate to bachelor's degree.
Students also will receive enhanced counseling, advising and transition support services from both institutions, and Westmoreland students who have been accepted into this program will be given full access to IUP's resources, including housing, dining, the Co-op, the IUP Libraries, and IUP activities and events.
“This initiative is about student success and being student-centered,” IUP President Michael Driscoll said. “We want to eliminate potential barriers and help students from Westmoreland to feel that they are a valued member of the IUP family, even before they begin their formal coursework here,” he said.
Tuesday Stanley signing the dual admissions program agreement
“This is an excellent next step in the ongoing partnership between our two institutions, and we look forward to continuing to welcome strong Westmoreland students to IUP and helping them to meet their educational goals.”
To qualify, students must be currently admitted and enrolled at Westmoreland, maintain a minimum grade point average of 2.0 or the minimum grade point average required by the IUP program they have chosen, have earned less than 30 credit hours before applying for the dual admissions declaration, and plan to pursue both an associate degree and bachelor's degree.
“We have always had a great relationship with IUP,” Westmoreland President Tuesday Stanley said. “This agreement allows the student to transfer seamlessly to IUP with their associate degree. We are excited that this agreement also allows our students to have access to many of IUP's resources, including dining and housing. It is all about the students.”
Since 2015, more than 330 students from Westmoreland have transferred to IUP to complete their academic studies.