The University of Phoenix has announced significant improvements to its community college alliance program, aimed at enhancing transfer pathways for students pursuing bachelor’s degrees. Effective from December 5, 2025, the updated program introduces a sixth-course tuition waiver for eligible transfer and concurrent-enrollment students, reinforcing the institution’s commitment to affordability and accessibility.
This upgrade allows community college students to transfer into bachelor’s programs without restrictions based on program selection. The initiative is designed to assist students in saving both time and money as they progress from associate degrees to bachelor’s degrees in fields aligned with current job market demands.
Raghu Krishnaiah, Chief Operating Officer of the University of Phoenix, emphasized the importance of community colleges in promoting economic mobility. “By upgrading our alliances with a sixth-course tuition waiver and clearer transfer pathways, we’re reducing friction and cost so students can keep momentum toward their goals,” he stated.
The leadership at alliance community colleges also recognized the positive impact of these changes. Eric M. Friedman, Ph.D., President of Bergen Community College, highlighted the program’s role in facilitating students’ social and economic mobility post-graduation. “I am especially proud of this partnership with the University of Phoenix that not only offers a pathway to a bachelor’s degree but a tuition benefit for Bergen graduates,” he remarked.
The enhancements include co-designed transfer pathways and tools that simplify the process for students. Kellie Stubblefield, Director of Community College Strategy and Assistant Dean of Specialized Programs at the University of Phoenix, noted that they have collaborated with community colleges to streamline transfer processes. “Together with our alliance colleges, we co-designed transfer pathways, aligned catalogs, set up faster transcript reviews and joint advisor trainings—so students spend less time on paperwork and more time making progress,” she explained.
Under the new sixth-course tuition waiver program, eligible students who successfully complete five courses at the University will receive a tuition waiver for their sixth course. This benefit is available for concurrent-enrollment, bachelor’s, master’s, and credit-bearing certificate programs, although it excludes doctoral and competency-based programs.
To qualify, students must be current or former attendees of alliance community colleges, enrolling in University programs after the effective date of the waiver. The tuition waiver cannot be combined with other offers from the University of Phoenix and is subject to specific university policies.
In terms of timing, students must enroll and attend the sixth course within 365 days of starting their first course in the cycle. If they do not reach the sixth course within this timeframe, a new 365-day cycle will begin with their next first course.
The University of Phoenix has established articulation agreements across the United States, allowing transfer students to maximize their prior college credits from more than 5,000 accredited institutions toward a bachelor’s degree. The university maintains transfer-friendly policies and provides Transfer Guides to help students understand how their community college coursework can be applied to specific degree programs, facilitating a clearer and more efficient transition from associate to bachelor’s degrees.
For more information about transfer credit pathways and opportunities, interested individuals can visit the University of Phoenix website.
The University of Phoenix continues to innovate in education, focusing on supporting working adults in advancing their careers. The institution emphasizes flexible schedules, relevant courses, and a skills-mapped curriculum designed to meet the needs of today’s job market, ensuring that students can balance their educational pursuits with their busy lives.
