Nichols & QCC Launch "A to B" Business Program

(Front seated): Nichols President Debra M. Townsley and QCC President Gail E. Carberry (Back row): Nichols Vice President for Enrollment and Marketing Thomas R. Cafaro; Nichols Provost and Executive Vice President Ezat Parnia; Vice President for Academic Affairs Patricia Toney; Dean of Academic Affairs and Director of Distance Learning Steven Marini

Nichols College President Debra M. Townsley and Quinsigamond Community College President Gail E. Carberry announce the establishment of an "Associate's to Bachelor's" Business Program ("A to B"), to begin in the fall. The joint business program combines the benefits of a QCC associate's degree with the advantages of Nichols bachelor's degree.

QCC students who enroll in the "A to B" Business Program will be jointly admitted to Nichols. After earning an associate's degree in business at QCC, students will complete a third year of business coursework at QCC, then transfer all 90 credits - equal to three years - to Nichols College and pursue a bachelor of science in business administration degree in their fourth year. Program flexibility is a significant advantage to the student, as fourth- year coursework taught by Nichols professors can be completed on the QCC campus, on Nichols' campus in Dudley, or through Nichols' online program. Students must maintain a grade point average of 2.0 or higher while enrolled in the program.

The "A to B" Business Program is the perfect extension to Quinsigamond's business program, as business administration is the second largest associate's degree offered at QCC. Further, there are significant career benefits associated with being a Nichols graduate. One in ten Nichols alumni is a president, CEO, or business owner, and 96 percent of the class of 2006 was employed within six months of graduation with an average annual salary of $40,000.

"We are thrilled that Nichols is providing a new channel for our students to continue their business studies," says QCC President Carberry. "Our students now have an affordable and seamless route to a highly regarded Nichols College business degree."

Nichols President Townsley adds, "The agreement complements Nichols' mission to transform students into tomorrow's business leaders. We are immensely pleased that a QCC business graduate now has an opportunity to become a Nichols College graduate."

Presidents Carberry and Townsley officially signed the new program agreement at a short ceremony on Wednesday, January 30th, in QCC's Administration building. Students interested in learning more about the program may contact the Quinsigamond Admissions Office at 508-854-4262 or Nichols Admissions Office at 508-213-2150.

QCC and Nichols College are accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc., a nongovernmental, nationally-recognized organization. In addition, Nichols College's Associate of Business Administration, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Masters in Business Administration are accredited by the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education.

For more information on the "A to B" Business Program, please contact:

QCC
Daniel dela Torre, Coordinator of Transfer - Articulation and Transfer Counselor
508-854-4404
ddelatorre@qcc.mass.edu

Nichols College
Rayanne Drouin, Director of Enrollment Services for Graduate & Professional Studies
508-213-2150
rayanne.drouin@nichols.edu