Towson University and St. Mary’s College of Maryland have created a streamlined route for eligible St. Mary’s College graduates to pursue select master's degrees at TU.
The agreement strengthens existing collaboration between the two institutions and supports student success by providing academic advising, recruitment and admission pathways designed to help qualified students transition directly from their undergraduate studies at St. Mary’s College into graduate programs at TU.
Through the partnership, eligible St. Mary’s College students who meet minimum GPA requirements may gain assured admission to nine TU graduate programs following completion of their bachelor's degree and fulfillment of program requirements. Participating programs include actuarial science and predictive analytics, computer science, economic analytics, forensic science, health science, human resource development, nursing, professional writing and supply chain management.
Students who participate in the program will benefit from coordinated advising between the two institutions, opportunities to engage with TU’s faculty and staff, application fee waivers and a simplified transition to graduate study. Out-of-state students enrolled through the program will also be eligible for a 30% TU tuition discount while continuously enrolled in a graduate program.
“This partnership creates new opportunities for students to continue their academic journey and pursue advanced degrees that prepare them for meaningful careers,” says Melanie Perreault, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs at TU. “By providing a clear pathway from St. Mary’s College of Maryland to Towson University’s graduate programs, we’re removing barriers associated with graduate education and helping students build the knowledge and skills needed to lead in Maryland and beyond.”
The agreement also calls for joint recruitment efforts, information sessions, campus visits and collaborative programming to help students explore graduate opportunities early in their undergraduate experience. St. Mary’s College and TU will work together to identify prospective participants and provide support throughout the pathway process.
“St. Mary's College of Maryland is committed to ensuring our students have access to outstanding opportunities after graduation, and this partnership expands those possibilities,” says Katherine Gantz, provost and dean of faculty at St. Mary’s College. “Partnering with Towson University creates a clear, supportive bridge, allowing our graduates to take the curiosity, critical thinking and close mentorship they experience here straight into advanced study.”
The partnership begins this academic year and will remain in place for an initial three-year term. The program is designed to support students who enroll in a Towson University graduate program within one year of completing their bachelor’s degree at St. Mary’s College of Maryland.
To learn more about the program, visit www.smcm.edu/tugrad.
For TU media inquiries, email Jamie Abell at jaabell@towson.edu.
For St. Mary’s College media inquiries, email Gretchen Phillips at gdphillips@smcm.edu.
About Towson University
Towson University repeatedly ranks as the #1 public university in Maryland, serving as the state’s university of opportunities. With more than 160 years of experience pushing possibilities, TU is a nationally recognized comprehensive public research university, known as a leader in inclusive excellence, social mobility, scholarship and the creative arts. As the largest university in greater Baltimore, TU’s momentum is always accelerating, with nearly 20,000 students and more than 200 bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs in business, science, education, fine arts, health professions, humanities, social sciences and applied professional fields. Located in Towson, Maryland, amid one of the country’s cultural and economic epicenters, TU is a powerful engine of opportunity and catalyst in the Mid-Atlantic, partnering with hundreds of businesses and organizations, impacting communities and fueling change for the public good. TU meets the holistic needs of each student to achieve success, a result of a deeply inclusive culture with a focus on equity among all students, faculty, staff and over 200,000 alumni worldwide.
About St. Mary's College of Maryland - The National Public Honors College
St. Mary’s College of Maryland, the National Public Honors College, is a Phi Beta Kappa institution and is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. The first standalone public honors college, St. Mary’s College is the model for transformative and experiential education. Approximately 1,650 students attend the college, nestled on the St. Mary’s River in Southern Maryland.
