RCC and St. Thomas Aquinas College Sign Agreement to Ease Transfer for Exercise and Sport Science Students

Rockland Community College (RCC) is proud to announce a new agreement with St. Thomas Aquinas College (STAC) that will make it easier for students who earn an Associate of Science in Human Performance Studies – Exercise and Sport Science at RCC and then transfer to STAC to continue their academic journey toward a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science.

Through this partnership, eligible RCC graduates can transfer up to 70 credits into STAC’s Exercise Science program, which includes concentrations in Allied Health or Kinesiology. Students must complete all required courses for the undergraduate degree at STAC but will enter with advanced standing thanks to this comprehensive credit transfer agreement.

“This agreement reflects our commitment to providing RCC students with strong, affordable, and accessible transfer opportunities to continue their education,” said Patti Zodda, Professor and Program Director of the Human Performance and Wellness Department . “We’re excited to expand our partnership with STAC and open new doors for students pursuing careers in health, wellness, and human performance.”

In addition to guaranteed credit transfer, the agreement provides a range of financial benefits for RCC students:

• Students with a minimum 2.5 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) will qualify for transfer scholarships to reduce the cost of tuition at STAC.

• Students who live on campus at STAC will receive free housing for their first semester (meal plan not included).

• Students who commute will be eligible for a $2,000 commuter grant per academic year.

“We’re thrilled to partner with Rockland Community College to support student success in the growing field of Exercise Science,” said Joy Gallagher, Assistant Director of Admissions for Transfer Students at St. Thomas Aquinas College. “This agreement underscores our shared mission to promote educational opportunity and make four-year degrees more attainable.”

STAC will also offer housing options for RCC students who transfer into the program, ensuring a smooth and supportive transition into campus life for those who choose to live on-site. For more information about the Human Performance Studies A.S. program at RCC, visit: https://sunyrockland.edu/programs/human-performance-studies/

To learn more about transferring to St. Thomas Aquinas College, visit: https://stac.edu/admissions-aid/transfer/

About St. Thomas Aquinas College

St. Thomas Aquinas College is an independent liberal arts college located on 72 acres in Rockland County, NY, which provides education at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The College’s approximately 2,000 full and part-time students can choose from more than 100 different majors, minors, specializations, and dual-degree programs across four Schools: Arts & Social Sciences, Business, Education, and STEM. The College is recognized by U.S. News & World Report in the Top-Tier for Regional Universities, by Colleges of Distinction in both its New York and Catholic editions, by Affordable Colleges Online as a Top College in New York for Return on Investment, and is included as a Military Friendly School®. St. Thomas Aquinas College is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools; its School of Education is a candidate for accreditation by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP), and its School of Business is accredited by the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE). For more information, visit www.stac.edu.

About Rockland Community College, State University of New York

Rockland Community College, State University of New York, offers a safe, supportive learning environment for thousands of students who appreciate small class sizes and personal attention from a distinguished, award-winning faculty that includes Fulbright scholars and SUNY Distinguished Professors. Thanks to the school’s affordable tuition, students who begin their career journey at RCC and then transfer to a four-year college can save up to $100,000 on their education. RCC is also proud to provide career training and professional development to adult learners looking to change careers or upgrade their skills through its new Career Skills Academy. More information can be found at www.sunyrockland.edu.