Pace University and Bergen Community College Announce New Dual Admission Agreement

Agreement builds bridges between schools, fosters seamless academic transition for students

Bergen Community College and Pace University have signed a new dual admission agreement, allowing students who complete their studies at Bergen Community College in New Jersey to matriculate into Pace with junior standing.

Presidents, provosts and administrators from Pace and Bergen made the announcement on March 10, 2022 during an in-person meeting of the two schools at Bergen Community College.

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As part of the agreement, Bergen Community College students who graduate from certain programs with an Associate of Arts (A.A.), Associate of Science (A.S.) or Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree and a minimum grade point average of 2.5 will be guaranteed acceptance to Pace University. Students graduating from Bergen will have their lower-level general education/core requirements waived if they transfer to Pace.

For the transfer students, a maximum of 68 credits will be applied toward the completion of the relevant Pace Bachelor’s degree programs. Additionally, Pace will offer scholarships of up to $25,000 to eligible transfer students who graduate with a GPA of 3.2 or higher on either Pace University campus in Westchester or New York City. Students with a 3.4 GPA or above, will receive the agreed upon Honors coursework and a letter of recommendation from the Director of the Bergen Honors Program or from a faculty member/advisor within the College are also automatically eligible to enroll in Pforzheimer Honors College at Pace.

"We are thrilled to join with Bergen Community College, our neighbor in New Jersey, in this important and forward-looking agreement," said Pace President Marvin Krislov. "This partnership will allow us to help Bergen students achieve their dreams, and we are eager and excited to continue providing all our students opportunities to succeed in the ever-changing global economy.”

“Providing graduates with clear pathways to four-year institutions and the workforce represents a central goal of Bergen Community College,” President Eric M. Friedman, Ph.D., said. “Creating transfer agreements with partners such as Pace University helps the College achieve those goals by offering students a mutually coordinated path for success and upward mobility.”

President Krislov also noted that Bergen graduates have more than 135 majors and programs to choose from at Pace; opportunities to get involved in over 100 student clubs and organizations; a choice of two campuses – one in lower Manhattan and another in Pleasantville – and can enjoy what campus life has to offer.

Furthermore, Bergen students committing to Pace will have access to academic counselors to maximize course offerings and to ensure a smooth transfer process. Transfer students will also be able to tap into thousands of internships and career placement opportunities offered through Pace’s Department of Career Services. Historically, Pace has some of the strongest job placement outcomes among undergraduate and graduate students. It’s one of the many reasons that Pace is ranked number one in upward economic mobility among four-year private universities according to a study conducted by Harvard University’s Opportunity Insights.

“Providing students with opportunities to pursue higher education, reach their potential and achieve their goals are guiding principles at Pace,” said Pace Provost Vanya Quiñones. “This agreement with Bergen Community College will be a transformative experience for students and creates a clear pathway for success. We’re eager to be partnering with our colleagues at Bergen to make this agreement a reality.”

About Pace University

Since 1906, Pace University has educated thinking professionals by providing high quality education for the professions on a firm base of liberal learning amid the advantages of the New York metropolitan area. A private university, Pace has campuses in New York City and Westchester County, New York, enrolling nearly 13,000 students in bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs in its Dyson College of Arts and Sciences, Lubin School of Business, College of Health Professions, School of Education, School of Law, and Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems.