Sweet Briar eases requirements for transfer students with associate degrees

For transfer students entering Sweet Briar in Fall 2019, an associate degree from a regionally accredited community college will replace Sweet Briar’s required leadership core curriculum — the College’s version of traditional general education requirements. Eligible students may move directly into coursework that fulfills the requirements for their major of choice.

“Transfer students add so much value to our community, and the academic coursework many have completed to earn associate degrees is significant,” said Melissa Richards, vice president for communications and enrollment management at Sweet Briar College. “We want to help these students in their pursuits to complete four-year degrees — that are accessible and affordable — in a timely manner.”

Of course, transfer students who are eligible to skip the core may choose to take some of the leadership core classes, but they are no longer a requirement, Richards added.

Eligible degrees under the new agreement are the Associate of Arts (AA), the Associate of Science (AS) and the Associate of Arts and Sciences (AA&S)[Editor’s Note (April 15, 2019): The Associate of Arts and Sciences (AA&S) also qualifies]. The qualifying associate degree must have required a minimum of 30 credits for its general education requirement with at least one 3-credit course in each of the following:

• Humanities/fine arts


• Social/behavioral sciences


• Natural sciences/mathematics

It is not too late to apply to Sweet Briar College for the Fall 2019 term, and the College still has merit and need-based financial aid available, as well as on-campus housing options. The Office of Student Life provides orientation and programming for transfer students to welcome them and to help them acquaint to campus life.

“Transfer students bring different life experiences that are integral to our campus life, and making students feel welcome is one of the things Sweet Briar does best,” said Dean of Students Marcia Thom-Kaley. “Most transfer students have already experienced other institutions and are immediately attracted to the advantages of a community where faculty and staff know your name and recognize you during lunch.”

Credit awarded by the community college for AP or IB examination scores will be re-evaluated by Sweet Briar College. If all of the AP and IB examination scores meets SBC criteria, the associate degree qualifies for this agreement. If there is AP or IB credit that does not meet SBC criteria, the student’s associate degree credit will be evaluated and applied to Sweet Briar’s leadership core requirements as appropriate.

To learn more about Sweet Briar and to apply, visit sbc.edu/admissions or email admissions@sbc.edu.