Special Admission Programs

At Wake Tech, every degree offers transfer potential, and there are many great schools from which you can choose. 

Under the Transfer Assured Admissions Policy (TAAP) of North Carolina’s Comprehensive Articulation Agreement (CAA), admission to one of the 16 UNC System institutions is assured, provided the student meets certain requirements.

As an enhancement to the CAA, Wake Tech has created special transfer partnerships with seven UNC universities. These partnerships provide eligible students with a variety of benefits that may include career, financial aid and academic advising from both Wake Tech and UNC advisors, guaranteed admission, access to the university’s campus resources, athletic events and more.

  • Students must have graduated from a North Carolina community college with an Associate in Arts or Associate in Science degree.
  • Students must meet all requirements of the CAA.
  • Students must have an overall GPA of at least 2.0 on a 4.0 scale, as calculated by the college from which they graduated, and a grade of “C” or better in all CAA courses.
  • Students must be academically eligible for re-admission to the last institution attended.
  • Students must meet the judicial requirements of the institution to which they apply.
  • Students must meet all application requirements at the receiving institution, including the submission of all required documentation by stated deadlines.

The CAA does not assure admission to a specific institution, campus or major. Students who make an early choice of transfer destination and an early choice of major are far likelier to complete their associate degree, successfully transfer, persist in their program and complete the bachelor’s degree.

Appalachian State University: Aspire Appalachian

Aspire Appalachian is a co-admission program between Appalachian State and Wake Tech intended for successful community college students who plan to transfer to Appalachian after completing their Associate of Arts (AA), Associate of Science (AS) or Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degrees. Aspire Appalachian also provides advising support for students during their education at Wake Tech and prepares them for a successful transition to Appalachian. To be eligible, students must have completed, or be in the process of completing, ACA 122 with a grade of C or higher, have at least two semesters remaining to complete at Wake Tech and are on track to completing the AA, AS or AAS degree (must graduate with a 2.25 or high GPA).

Students participating in Aspire Appalachian receive guaranteed admission to Appalachian, on-site admissions and academic advising by an Appalachian-assigned advisor at Wake Tech, coordinated financial aid programs and invitations to special webinars, events and newsletters designed to help students successfully transfer to and succeed at Appalachian.

If you have questions for Wake Tech about this program, contact us at [email protected].


East Carolina University: Pirate Promise

The ECU Pirate Promise Agreement is a co-admission program designed to improve transfer student access and success. To be eligible, a student must be enrolled in an Early College, a Career and College Promise Program or be in their first year of community college enrollment pursuing an eligible degree, such as AA, AS, AE, BSIT or BSRN.

Through the program, qualified students enjoy guaranteed admission (students must meet ECU’s admissions requirements, including a cumulative GPA of 2.5), a waived transfer application fee, joint academic advising and financial aid counseling, scholarship opportunities, access to ECU’s libraries, ECU transit, discounted athletic tickets, workshops and more.  

If you have questions for Wake Tech about this program, contact us at: [email protected]


North Carolina A&T State University: Aggie Plus

NCA&T’s Aggie Plus Program will provide enhanced advising (career, financial and academic) to Wake Tech students who are enrolled in the Associate in Arts (AA), Associate in Science (AS), Associate in Engineering (AE) and Associate in Applied Science (AAS) programs where an articulated agreement exists for the transfer of credit. Students will also enjoy access to a special orientation session, an Aggie Plus program event each semester and priority review in the university’s admissions process.

For more information on the Aggie Plus program, contact us at [email protected]


North Carolina State University: C3

C3 – the Community College Collaboration – is a dual-admission, dual-enrollment program designed for community college students from low- to moderate-income backgrounds with demonstrated potential for academic success and who aspire to transfer to N.C. State after completing their associate degree.

The C3 program offers terrific benefits, including academic and program support for students during their time in community college, access to advisors at both institutions and transfer events that are designed to enable a successful transition to N.C. State and timely completion of a bachelor’s degree. Eligible degrees include Associate in Arts, Associate in Science and Associate in Engineering. Students must have and maintain a 3.0 GPA to join and stay in the program. Admission is competitive, and a higher GPA may be necessary for transfer admission.

Unsure if C3 is right for you? Contact Wake Tech Advising at [email protected]


UNC-Chapel Hill: C-STEP

C-STEP – the Carolina Student Transfer Excellence Program – aims to enable more community college students to transfer to and graduate from UNC-Chapel Hill. C-STEP focuses on high school seniors and community college students who are not more than halfway toward their Associate in Arts or Associate in Science degree.

Admission to UNC-Chapel Hill requires a GPA of at least 3.2. The university also considers a demonstrated ability to overcome obstacles, first-generation college status, diversity, employment history and family responsibilities.

If you have questions for UNC-Chapel Hill, email the program at [email protected].

Have questions for Wake Tech? Email Wake Tech Advising at [email protected].


UNC-Charlotte: 49erNext

49erNext is a program for students who plan to transfer to UNC-Charlotte after graduation from Wake Tech. The program is available to students who are new and continuing students who have earned fewer than 15 credit hours. Eligibility may also include being enrolled full-time at Wake Tech. Eligible programs include the Associate in Arts (AA), Associate in Science (AS) or Associate in Engineering (AE) programs. (This program is not available to students who plan to study architecture or nursing.)

The benefits of the 49erNext program are many and include career, financial and academic advising from both institutions, access to UNC-Charlotte's campus and student events and cohort events on Wake Tech's campuses. Once enrolled in the program, students must maintain a 2.0 GPA and remain enrolled in an eligible program.

If you have questions for Wake Tech about the 49erNext program, contact us at: [email protected]


UNC-Wilmington: Pathways to Excellence

Got a good GPA? Love the beach? UNCW guarantees admission to graduates of Wake Tech’s Associate in Arts (AA), Associate in Science (AS) and Associate in Engineering (AE) programs, provided that the student completes the degree with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 and that all other admission requirements are met. Students who graduate with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher accrue additional benefits. The Pathways to Excellence program includes scholarship consideration and access to a regional advisor based at Wake Tech.

If you have questions for Wake Tech about this program, contact us at: [email protected]waketech.edu