TU/CCBC freshman transition program
The Freshman Transition Program is a partnership between Towson University (TU) and the Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC). Candidates who may not be offered admission to for their freshman year are selected by TU's Office of Admissions to participate in the program. Students who participate in the program:
- are offered the unique opportunity to begin their college career on TU's campus, even if they have not been admitted to TU in their freshman year
- are admitted, enrolled and registered for classes with CCBC upon completion of placement testing (if required)
- take CCBC courses taught by CCBC faculty on TU's campus (CCBC paid faculty teach these courses on-campus at Towson University)
- live in TU's residence halls and receive the same support services as TU students.
Students have the opportunity to receive the TU college experience during their freshman year and have the opportunity to transfer as a degree candidate to Towson when program requirements have been met.
Students who are offered participation in the program will be notified by TU's Office of Admissions. Upon receipt of the Freshman Transition Program Participation Agreement Package, students must submit the Participation Agreement found in the packet along with their participation fee to the Towson University Office of Admissions by May 1, or two weeks after receipt of your offer of participation, whichever is later. We recommend that you mail your Participation Agreement by certified mail through the post office. Upon receipt, you will be sent a Freshman Transition Program To-Do List. This package will list all tasks that you must complete before the start of classes. You may also view the To-Do List at the Freshman Transition Program To-Do List Web site.
If you have questions about the Freshman Transition program, please contact Ann Gamble, CCBC's Freshman Transition Program Coordinator at 443-840-1735.
Program Participation
You may participate in the Towson University Freshman Transition Program for a maximum of two consecutive semesters. Academic progress while in the program will be governed by CCBC academic standards. You may view the CCBC College Catalog for a full description of academic standards.
You will be eligible to transfer to Towson according to the following criteria:
Successful completion of the Towson university Freshman Transition program with:
- At least 12 credits ( a maximum of two zero-credit courses from the following: MATH 083, ENGL 052, RDNG 052) completed at the conclusion of the fall 2010 semester with a 3.0 or better cumulative grade point average (GPA) and a minimum of C (or a grade of Pass in a Pass/Fail course) in each course, or
- At least 24 credits (a maximum of three zero-credit courses from the following: MATH 083, ENGL 052, RDNG 052) completed at the conclusion of the spring 2011 semester with a 2.5 or better cumulative GPA.
*Developmental zero-credit courses included.
Students who do not successfully complete the Towson University Freshman Transition Program within the required 12 or 24 credit hours or who discontinue the program prior to transferring to Towson University must:
- meet regular criteria for admission to Towson University. Students will no longer be accorded the Freshman Transition Program criteria for admission to TU. Transfer admission criteria are detailed in Towson University's Undergraduate Catalog.
- make continuing CCBC arrangements or re-apply to Towson
- make other housing arrangements
Student Responsibilities
Students in the Towson University Freshman Transition Program are CCBC students who also receive a Towson Identification (OneCard) and access to all campus services. As such, students are fully expected to adhere to the Codes of Conduct of both institutions.
Student Privacy
Both TU and CCBC comply with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA/Buckley Amendment), as amended. Student information is shared between Towson and CCBC when it pertains to participation in the Towson University Freshman Transition program.
Applying for Financial Aid
Financial Aid will be administered by CCBC. All students are encouraged to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) located at the FAFSA Web site. If you have already submitted the FAFSA, you can go online to direct your application to CCBC (Code # 002063). Please visit the CCBC Web site for additional financial aid information.
TU will advise CCBC about your additional student services costs, such as room and board. CCBC will add these costs to the total to determine how much financial aid you will be awarded. Financial aid from CCBC can be used to pay TU Student Services expenses.
Freshman Transition Program Estimated Expense Information*
Expense/Description |
Amount |
Due Date |
Paid To |
Participation Agreement Fee
Nonrefundable fee to secure your space in the program |
$300 |
May 1 |
Towson |
Housing Deposit (optional)
Only if on-campus housing is requested. Nonrefundable, but applied to student account for the spring term if the student remains in Towson housing. |
$350 |
May 1 |
Towson |
Student Services Fee*
The flat fee of $1,500 includes Towson student fees that provide identification cards, access to university recreation facilities, student e-mail accounts, and other student services. |
$1,500 per semester |
September 9 |
Towson |
CCBC Tuition*
Per credit hour tuition charges vary by residency: $90 for Baltimore County residents; $183 for other Maryland residents; $274 for non-Maryland residents. Minimum tuition charges are based on a 12-credit schedule. Visit the CCBC Web site for current tuition rates. |
$1,140 - $3,288 (approximate per semester) |
August 3 |
CCBC |
Towson Housing (optional)*
Housing rates are approximate and based on double occupancy. Visit TU's Department of Housing and Residence Life Web site for additional housing information. |
$2,527 (approximate per semester) |
September 9 |
Towson |
Board/Meal Plan (required only if living on campus)*
Several meal plans are available for resident and non-resident students. Visit TU's Dining Web site for meal plan information. |
$1,892 (approximate per semester) |
September 9 |
Towson |
Parking (optional)*
Freshman students living on campus are not eligible for parking permits. Commuter students may choose to purchase a semester or annual parking permit. |
$230
(annual) |
August 28 |
Towson |
*2008-2009 and or 2009-2010 expenses are shown above and are subject to change.
Placement Testing
As a new Towson University Freshman Transition Program student, you may be required to take placement tests which will assess your basic skills in reading, writing and mathematics. As soon as possible, you should contact the Developmental Education/Placement Testing Office at Towson University at 410-704-2418 to make arrangements to complete this testing.
You may be exempt from portions of placement testing, if you can provide evidence of:
- SAT scores (500 or above exempts for each skill area)
- ACT scores (21 or above exempts for each skill area)
- transferring two general education classes with a grade of C or better
- transferring a freshman English composition course equivalent to TU's ENGL 102
- transferring a college-level mathematics course
- relevant college credits earned through AP test scores
- relevant college credits earned through IB test scores
If you will need to take any of the ACCUPLACER Tests, it is recommended that you prepare by reviewing the information and practice tests located at the CollegeBoard Web site.
Placement test results:
- will appear on the computer screen at the end of the test, at which time you will receive a copy of your score report.
- will be used by CCBC to develop your class schedule. Therefore, the sooner you complete testing, the more choices the CCBC staff will have to draft an ideal schedule for you. Developmental Education Courses, which do not count toward the 120 units necessary for graduation at TU, may be required if your score does not meet the CCBC placement cutoffs for general education classes.
Reserve TU Housing
Students must call the Department of Housing and Residence Life at 410-704-2516 to request housing. New freshmen who are participating in the Towson University Freshman Transition program are guaranteed space in Towson University housing if they submit a signed housing contract and $350 non-refundable housing deposit by May 1.
Contact the Department of Housing and Residence life at 410-704-2516 to request that housing information be mailed to you.You will receive a confirmation in the mail as receipt of your housing contract and deposit. This confirmation guarantees you a space in university housing only. Tubman and Paca Houses are not an option for this program.
Contact the Department of Housing and Residence life at any time if you have questions about this process at 410-704-2516, or visit TU's Department of Housing and Residence Life web site.
Sample Schedule of Pre-Selected Courses
Based on your placement test scores, CCBC advisers will develop a schedule of pre-selected courses for students. You can expect to receive your schedule of courses by mid-August. There will be a limited number of courses, however all courses will meet general education or developmental requirements for both Towson and CCBC. A sample schedule of courses previously offered in the program is listed below.* Please note that all course offerings will be scheduled based on classroom availability and most will be offered during late afternoon or evening hours.
Course |
Course Name |
Credits |
Transfers to Towson as |
| ENGL 052 |
Basic Writing II |
4 non-credit hours |
not applicable |
| ENGL 101 |
College Composition I |
3 credits |
ENGL 102 |
| SPCM 101 |
Fundamentals of Speech Communication |
3 credits |
COMM 131 |
| HLTH 101 |
Personal Health |
3 credits |
HLTH 101 |
| PSYC 101 |
Psychology |
3 credits |
PSYC 101 |
| MATH 082 |
Introductory Algebra |
3 non-credit hours |
not applicable |
| HIST 111 |
U.S. History 1 |
3 credits |
HIST 145 |
| CINS 101 |
Introduction to Computers |
3 credits |
COSC 111 |
| SOCL 101 |
Introduction to Sociology |
3 credits |
SOCI 101 |
*The above is intended only as an example of courses that will apply to general education requirements, regardless of major. Enrollment in courses may require placement testing. Students who place into developmental courses will enroll in the appropriate developmental course. Developmental course work does not transfer to Towson, but successful completion will meet the prerequisite requirement for college-level math or English at Towson. English and math courses may require placement testing.
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