The latest studies in the (CWID) initiative examine student perceptions of associate degrees and how reverse credit transfer influences retention and bachelor’s degree attainment.
CWID is聽a multi-state initiative designed to facilitate the implementation of reverse credit transfer policies and processes that benefit college students who have transferred from the community college to the bachelor鈥檚 level and have not secured an associate鈥檚 degree at the time of transfer. The initiative is designed to encourage partnerships between community colleges and universities to significantly expand programs that award associate degrees to transfer students while pursuing a bachelor鈥檚 degree. CCRI researchers have used the CWID data set to explore several aspects of this transfer – from credit loss to degree attainment and more.聽See the data notes and briefs . The most recent studies are outlined below.
Modeling the Effect of the Reverse Credit Transfer Associate’s Degree: Evidence from Two States
In December, Jason Taylor and Matt Giani published a study on the impact聽of reverse credit transfer on students in Hawaii and Minnesota. Taylor and Giani specifically asked聽how聽receiving an associate’s degree via credit transfer influences retention and bachelor’s degree attainment.聽Results showed mostly positive evidence with some null results, and the researchers found no聽evidence that reverse credit transfer negatively influences students鈥� progress toward the bachelor鈥檚 degree. See聽link to , or download a PDF below.
Reverse Credit Transfer and the Value of the Associate’s Degree: Multiple and Contradictory Meetings
This study examines how transfer students perceive聽the value of an associate’s degree. By conducting five student focus groups, the researchers (Eden Cortes-Lopez and Jason Taylor) found that transfer students perceived the associate’s to be both beneficial and limiting.聽The results show the potential of the associate鈥檚 degree via reverse credit transfer as a way to support students鈥� progress toward the bachelor鈥檚 degree. However, the findings suggest that all transfer students do not equally value or understand the purpose of the associate鈥檚 degree. The researchers provide recommendations for policy, practice, and future research. See聽link to聽, or download below.