Private Higher Education Transfer

In 1997, more than 2.2 million students in the United States successfully transferred postsecondary credit from one institution to another.In recent years, transfer and articulation concerns have become more prominent in higher education policy discussions based on both the increasing numbers of students transferring and the more varied and complex progression of students through higher education (Sima, Inman, & Stein, 2001, p. 1).Additionally, students do not always transfer simply a general education block of courses, but in fact shop around between institutions with criteria of accessibility, perceived ease, and cost.Given the complexities of transfer and articulation, making such connections can be difficult at many levels, and the issue is clouded even further with a lack of consensus on the overall benefits of higher education (Katsinas, 1999).Attempting to predict an uncertain future and what type of degrees and competencies will be needed is difficult.The current examination was framed around the question: What can be learned about the community college students who decide to transfer to four-year institutions like Madonna and what does Madonna do to help them succeed? Madonna University History and MissionMadonna University is proud of its long-standing commitment to quality liberal arts education and public service.Founded by the Felician Sisters of Livonia as Presentation Junior College in 1937, it was renamed Madonna College in 1947 and incorporated as a baccalaureate institution; it became coeducational in 1972, initiated its first graduate programs in 1982, and achieved university status in 1991.Celebrating over 50 years of academic excellence, Madonna University maintains its tradition as an independent Catholic Franciscan University (Kujawa, 2002).A pioneer in opening its doors to both older and younger adults with diverse economic, religious, social and cultural backgrounds, the University remains committed to its belief in the spiritual, educational, and service-oriented mission: education for truth, goodness, and service (Kujawa, 2002).Madonna University is an independent Catholic, Franciscan institution of higher learning committed to teaching, scholarship, and service with about 4,500 students.The University's educational philosophy is founded on Franciscan beliefs, and this view defines men and women as moral-ethical beings and advocates a life based on truth, goodness, and service to others. Madonna University is committed to meeting the educational needs of traditional