Sonoma State University and College of Marin have partnered to offer new bachelor's degree programs on the College of Marin campuses. The new partnership will allow students working toward a bachelor's degree the ability to complete upper division Sonoma State University classes at the community college campus.
College of Marin and SSU are also combining resources to facilitate student transfer from the community college's Associate in Arts degree programs to Sonoma State's bachelor's degree completion programs.
Robert Eyler, dean of the School of Extended and International Education at Sonoma State University, believes the partnership will aid in the reduction of achievement gaps for underserved ethnic and socioeconomic groups by addressing common barriers of university transfer. "It will solve advising and commute problems for many students that want to complete a degree but may not be able to," he says.
"This partnership with Sonoma State creates a seamless path to a local bachelor's degree for Marin County residents," says Jonathan Eldridge, acting superintendent/president for College of Marin. "For our students, the prospect of completing a four-year degree while never having to leave the comfort and resources they have come to know at College of Marin is significant."
Between four and six faculty members will be recruited to teach a variety of courses in each Sonoma State degree completion program at College of Marin, with one or two courses starting within the next year. The first full degree completion program may begin as early as fall 2018.
Students interested in the degree completion programs must meet SSU transfer requirements and have completed pre-major preparatory courses and core courses before applying. Advisors at both campuses will provide pre-admission evaluations and support throughout the application process, including advising students on funding their bachelor's degree.
Since programs offered through the partnership are self-supporting, state fee waivers do not apply; however, financial aid and SSU scholarships will be available for eligible students.