Madison College, Edgewood College Expand Partnership

Madison, Wis. (May 11, 2018) – Officials from Madison College and Edgewood College today formalized two agreements that will benefit transfer students from both institutions. One will benefit international students from Madison College who wish to transfer to Edgewood College, while the other will allow Madison College students who transfer to Edgewood College before receiving their associate degree to “reverse transfer” classes taken at Edgewood College to fulfill the requirements of their Madison College degree.

Both agreements are effective beginning with the 2018-19 academic year.

Officials from both schools describe the agreements as “innovative, forward-thinking and responsive to student needs.” The first allows international students from Madison College with F1 or J-1 non-immigrant visa status, which permits international students to study in the U.S., to receive their associate degree in liberal arts at Madison College and seamlessly transfer to Edgewood College to earn their bachelor’s degree in as few as two additional years. 

International students, as with all other Madison College students, will now be eligible to receive incremental scholarships from Edgewood College based on their cumulative GPA from Madison College – from $2,000 for students who transfer with a minimum GPA of 2.5, to $6,000 a year for international students who transfer with a GPA of 3.5 or above. In addition, these students are eligible to live on-campus at Edgewood College during their period of enrollment at Madison College. The colleges will offer joint programming opportunities for students interested in international education.

 “With this agreement, our international students will now be extended the same benefits offered by Edgewood College to our domestic students,” said Todd Stebbins, dean of Madison College’s School of Arts and Sciences. “Living in Edgewood’s residence halls while they’re at Madison College and during their time at Edgewood also makes it easier for international students to acclimate themselves to a new culture, which aids in their learning,” Stebbins said.

The second agreement penned by administrators from the two colleges allows Madison College students who earn at least 30 credits to transfer to Edgewood College, complete additional credits required for an associate degree, and transfer back those required credits to Madison College to earn an associate degree. According to Christine Benedict, Vice President for Enrollment Management at Edgewood College, earning an associate degree is an accomplishment that adds to a student’s resume and provides them with a completed credential that should be celebrated and acknowledged in their academic records.

“At Edgewood College, we are always excited to help students finish what they start,” Benedict said. “Making the process of transferring credits back to Madison College easier so that a student’s hard work can be put toward the completion of their associate’s degree is just another way we work in partnership with others to help students meet their educational goals.”

Over the past five years, according to data collected by Madison College, liberal arts transfer students make up an average of 30 percent of its enrollments. 

President Jack E. Daniels, Madison College (l.), and President Scott Flanagan sign the agreements, as colleagues from both institutions look on. Madison College Photo.
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