WGU Texas, Tarrant County College District Partner to Eliminate Transfer Barriers for Students Who Seek Four-year Degrees

FORT WORTH – WGU Texas and Western Governors University (WGU) have announced a partnership with Tarrant County College District (TCCD) to implement WGU’s “Onward With Learning” initiative—better known as the OWL Transfer Program—to support students who seek bachelor’s degrees after completing their associate degrees. The program launched this month and is designed to remove common transfer barriers through early engagement with students and sustained support during their academic journey at TCCD.

“WGU is committed to helping Tarrant County College students further their educational achievements by removing barriers to transfer,” said Spencer Stewart, WGU’s Vice President of Partnerships. Tarrant County College’s high-quality programs will prepare them for a four-year degree program at WGU Texas, and by engaging students early and often we can make sure they streamline their academic journey—saving them time and tuition costs.”

Benefits to students participating in the OWL Transfer Program include:

• Guaranteed admission at WGU Texas for Tarrant County College graduates participating in the OWL program.
• Eligibility to earn a scholarship of $900 per six-month term, for up to two years.
• Regular email communications through the OWL Nurture Program to keep students on track for success and graduation.
• Free online transfer success courses and co-advising from WGU staff to ensure credit transfer maximization.
• Access to social-emotional learning course—the Program for Academic and Career Advancement (PACA)—that helps develop students’ confidence, communication skills, help-seeking skills, and planning, time management, and study habits.

WGU—the nation’s largest online, nonprofit university—introduced the OWL Transfer Program this month to 21 community colleges across the country to serve thousands of students who are newly enrolled or who have completed less than 50 percent of their associate degree programs (30 credits), and who are interested in one of 13 bachelor’s degree programs from WGU Texas’ College of Business, College of Information Technology, or Teachers College.

“This articulation agreement creates another seamless, cost-effective pathway for TCC students interested in pursuing a bachelor’s degree through WGU,” said TCC Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost Elva LeBlanc. “The OWL Transfer Program will not only expand opportunities for TCC graduates, but will also make an impact on the Texas workforce which relies heavily on highly-skilled workers.”

More information about the OWL Transfer Program, including a full list of eligible WGU Texas degree programs and a sign-up form for interested students, is available at www.wgu.edu/owltransferprogram.

About Tarrant County College District

Serving more than 100,000 students each year, Tarrant County College is one of the 20 largest higher education institutions in the United States. The two-year college offers a wide range of opportunities for learners of all ages and backgrounds, including traditional programs, such as Associate of Arts degrees, Community & Industry Education courses, workshops and customized training programs. The College has six campuses throughout Tarrant County, including TCC Connect that provides flexibility with e-Learning and Weekend College. TCC also assists employers in training their workforces with its TCC Opportunity Center.