News

    WKU, KCTCS reaffirm transfer agreement

    Published on Feb 27, 2025

    Two men in business attire are seated at a table, shaking hands and smiling. The backdrop features multiple “WKU” logos, indicating Western Kentucky University. The man on the left is wearing a blue suit, red bow tie, and glasses, while the man on the right is dressed in a blue plaid suit with a striped tie. On the table, there are two banners: one red, labeled “Western Kentucky University,” and another blue, labeled “KCTCS” (Kentucky Community & Technical College System). Signed documents and pens are also visible, suggesting a formal agreement or partnership signing event.At a news conference this morning, Western Kentucky University and the Kentucky Community and Technical College System reaffirmed an agreement that will help more students across Kentucky easily transfer to WKU and earn four-year degrees.

    “In 2009, WKU began signing individual agreements with KCTCS partner institutions, each strategically constructed to reduce barriers and make possible a college degree for even more aspirational students,” WKU President Timothy C. Caboni said. “This morning, we celebrate and reaffirm this critical alliance with the entire KCTCS system, a relationship that propels not only students seeking a four-year degree, but one that also strengthens WKU, KCTCS, our community, our state and our region.”

    Students from the 16 KCTCS colleges will have access to automatic transfer scholarships up to $4,000 and numerous support services through the WKU Transfer Center to provide a seamless transfer process.

    “In 2021, WKU and SKYCTC began working with the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education and the National Association of System Heads to develop strategies and methods to make the transition from community and technical college to WKU easier than ever before,” President Caboni said. “This work included conducting a comprehensive review of the intricacies of the transfer process and implementing changes, such as the expansion of our transfer advising program and services, which significantly streamlined the process from admission to class registration.”

    KCTCS President Ryan Quarles said, “KCTCS students come from all types of backgrounds and experiences, and we want to provide them with the resources they need to achieve their education goals. We are excited to continue to partner with Western Kentucky University and to expand support services to provide seamless transfer pathways for KCTCS students from across the system. Education opens doors, and increasing access to four-year degrees better prepares our students for employment success.”

    The WKU Transfer Center is the one-stop location for students interested in transferring to WKU. The transfer center can assist students with transfer admission, credit evaluation, advising, and much more. “WKU uses academic advisors to advise students on which courses will seamlessly transfer between KCTCS and WKU,” said Dr. Chris Jensen, assistant vice president for student success.

    With more than 200 degree programs, including more than 80 offered online, WKU is accessible to community college students across the commonwealth.

    “Our transfer center works with KCTCS to create pathways to popular majors for transfer students,” Jensen said. “And WKU works with students to create an individual transfer plan if one is not mentioned on our website.”

    WKU Housing & Residence Life also offers a Transfer Living Learning Community for any student who is transferring to WKU from a community college or a four-year university.

    Each year, about 14,000 KCTCS students transfer to a four-year college or university.

    For more information and to learn about WKU’s transfer admission requirements, go to www.wku.edu/transfer.