CHARLOTTE—Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC) and WGU North Carolina, an affiliate of national online nonprofit Western Governors University (WGU), have signed a memorandum of understanding agreement that will ease the transition for Central Piedmont graduates to pursue bachelor’s degrees offered by WGU, provide tuition discounts, and offer access to scholarship funds.
The MOU establishes the principles that all articulated associate degrees at Central Piedmont will transfer to WGU, thus facilitating a seamless process for graduates who wish to pursue a bachelor’s degree. WGU is fully accredited and offers more than 60 undergraduate and graduate degrees in the high-demand fields of business, information technology, education, and healthcare, including nursing.
In addition, Central Piedmont graduates, faculty, and staff will receive a five-percent discount on WGU’s already cost-effective tuition of around $3,225 per six-month term for most undergraduate programs. They also will be eligible to apply for scholarships through the WGU Community College Partnerships Scholarship program, which provides each recipient with a tuition credit of $2,000, awarded over four terms at $500 each term. WGU will provide webinar training to Central Piedmont faculty and staff to ensure understanding of the partnership and articulation pathways, and provide relevant print materials and a designated landing page with customized information.
“Central Piedmont is happy and excited about this partnership with WGU North Carolina because it offers our students another direct pathway to a four-year degree, as well as an avenue to greater economic mobility,” said Dr. Kandi Deitemeyer, Central Piedmont President. “This program will serve the Charlotte-Mecklenburg community well as we work together to produce more individuals with bachelor’s degrees to meet our ever-growing workforce demands.”
WGU North Carolina officially launched in October 2017 through a partnership between the state and nationally recognized Western Governors University. More than 3,700 North Carolina residents are enrolled currently at WGU, and more than 4,000 alumni live in North Carolina.
“For nearly six decades, Central Piedmont Community College has been a champion of students and a catalyst for opportunity and business in North Carolina,” said WGU North Carolina Chancellor Catherine Truitt. “It’s an honor to partner with CPCC to provide a seamless transition for its graduates who want to pursue their bachelor’s degrees at a competency-based online university offering programs in high-demand fields.”
For more information about WGU North Carolina, visit nc.wgu.edu. To learn more about Central Piedmont Community College, visit www.cpcc.edu.
About Central Piedmont
Central Piedmont Community College is highly accessible and convenient to people of all ages who seek a real-world, affordable, hands-on education that will transform their lives and strengthen the economic, social, and cultural environment of Mecklenburg County. Central Piedmont is also a smart investment. At a fraction of the cost, students learn by doing, receiving a combination of technical and soft skills training from quality faculty who prepare them to enter the workforce and make a difference in their family, business, community, and world. Founded in 1963, Central Piedmont Community College has eight locations throughout Mecklenburg County, offering nearly 300 degree, diploma, and certification programs; customized corporate training; market-focused continuing education; and special interest classes. For more information, visit cpcc.edu, or connect with the college on social media at cpcc.edu/social.
