The Marlan and Rosemary Bourns College of Engineering (BCOE) at UC Riverside and Norco
College will sign a memorandum of understanding March 13 that smooths the pathway
for transfer students in engineering. The agreement ensures students will arrive at
UC Riverside well prepared to enter the third year of an engineering major, and that
their Norco College course credits are transferred.
“This is a great pathway opportunity for engineering students,” said Monica Green,
interim president at Norco College. “It is our mission to keep our students engaged,
connected and focused, and creating these pathways help our students succeed.”
Norco College will offer coursework required for the Transfer Admission Guarantee
(TAG) for bachelor’s degrees in bioengineering, chemical engineering, computer engineering,
electrical engineering, environmental engineering, materials science and engineering,
and mechanical engineering. The courses will meet specific major preparation requirements,
allowing full-time students to complete a degree in two years.
“They are essentially UCR students taking classes via Norco College, saving both time
and money,” said Jason Parks, dean of Instruction at Norco College.
BCOE will honor the course and GPA requirements in place at the time a student is
admitted to Norco College and guarantees transfer admission to students who complete
the transfer admission guarantee requirements in their declared major within three
years.
“This partnership is a major step in helping students navigate the transition to a
four-year institution,” said Marko Princevac, BCOE associate dean for undergraduate
affairs. “These types of transfer programs allow students to focus on the goal of
earning their degrees and we’re proud to be a part of the solution that helps meet
the demand for qualified engineers in today’s society.”
This agreement will help Norco College advance a broader goal of expanding access
and equity. Creating a clear guided pathway to completion removes artificial barriers
many students find difficult to navigate, particularly students from disadvantaged
and under-represented minorities in higher education.
The agreement also improves communication between the institutions regarding transfer
requirements each year and ensures successful and timely student transfers.
An official signing ceremony is scheduled for March 13, 2020 at 4 p.m. at Norco College
in the Center for Student Success, room 217. The event is free and open to the community.
Click here to view or download the invitation for the official signing ceremony.