Pathways After Rosary College
Where the Associate of Catholic Studies Leads
The ACS in Integrated Humanities is built to do two things well: stand on its own as a complete, formative education in the Catholic liberal arts tradition, and serve as a strong foundation for students continuing on to a four-year degree. Whichever path a student takes, our faculty and staff work individually with every student to plan the next step.
Path 1: Transfer to a Four-Year Institution
Most Rosary College students use the ACS as the first two years of a bachelor’s degree. Rosary College is a provisionally recognized institution in the Cardinal Newman Society’s Newman Guide, and the following Newman Guide Recommended institutions accept Rosary College transfer credit:
- Students may use any Rosary College courses to substitute for equivalent AMU courses.
- Requires a grade of C or better for a course to be considered for transfer credit.
- Students may use any Rosary College courses to substitute for equivalent CUA courses.
- Requires a grade of C- or better to transfer (engineering students need a C or better).
- Accepts Rosary College credit on a year-for-year basis: one completed year at Rosary = enter TMC as a sophomore; two completed years = enter as a junior. More than one but less than two years is evaluated case-by-case.
- Requires a cumulative GPA of at least a C.
- Accepts all 60 credits of the completed ACS degree toward Walsh’s general education requirements.
- Students transferring before completing the ACS are evaluated course-by-course.
- Requires a grade of C or better per course.
- Students who complete the full ACS degree may transfer all 60 credits toward a UST baccalaureate.
- Students with fewer than 60 completed credits can still substitute specific Rosary courses for UST equivalents (Art/Music 101, Communications 101/102, Humanities 101/201/301 or 401, Math 101/102, Philosophy 201, Theology 101, Science 101/102).
- Requires a grade of C or better per course.
- Rosary College partner institution.
- Accepts Rosary College credit on a case-by-case basis.
In every case, students must apply and be accepted to the partner institution — credit transfer is not automatic admission.
How transfer advising works at Rosary:
Every student meets with a designated advisor each semester to review academic progress and discuss transfer timing, target schools, and application requirements. We help students understand how their Rosary coursework maps onto each partner institution’s specific requirements above, and we assist with recommendation letters, transcripts, and application logistics.
Path 2: Direct Entry — Church and Community Service
Because the ACS is grounded in theology, philosophy, and the Catholic intellectual tradition, graduates are well prepared for entry-level roles serving parishes, dioceses, and Catholic institutions, including:
Parish or Diocesan Ministry Assistant
— supporting religious education, sacramental preparation, and parish communications
Catechetical/Religious Education Coordinator
— coordinating faith formation programs for children, youth, or adults
Catholic school support roles
— administrative or classroom assistant positions, often a stepping stone toward teaching certification
Nonprofit and diocesan administrative roles
— communications, development, and program coordination with organizations like Catholic Charities or diocesan chanceries
Path 3: General Workforce Entry
The ACS also develops the reasoning, writing, and communication skills that employers value broadly. Graduates are prepared for entry-level roles such as administrative or executive assistant, program coordinator, and office/operations support — particularly in mission-driven organizations, schools, and nonprofits.
Path 4: Discernment of Priesthood and Religious Life
Discernment resources:
For students who sense a possible call to the priesthood, religious life, or consecrated life, the ACS provides a strong grounding in philosophy and theology — subjects foundational to seminary and formation programs. Rosary College supports students in this discernment and connects them with the appropriate diocesan or religious-community contacts.
— priesthood and seminary discernment for men in our diocese
— national resources on priesthood, diaconate, and consecrated life
— discernment resources and searchable directory of religious communities for men and women (from the National Religious Vocation Conference)
— resources for men discerning a call to religious brotherhood
How We Support You
- Individual academic and transfer advising, every semester
- Vocational and career guidance grounded in our mission of forming students for service to the Church and society
- Direct relationships with transfer partner institutions
- Support for vocational discernment, including connections to diocesan and religious-community resources
Resource Links
Transfer partners (students must apply and acceptance is not guaranteed; see specific credit-transfer terms above)
- Ave Maria University
- The Catholic University of America
- The Thomas More College of Liberal Arts
- Walsh University — North Canton, Ohio
- University of St. Thomas — Houston, Texas
- Our Lady Seat of Wisdom College — Barry’s Bay, Ontario, Canada
Church and ministry employment
- CatholicJobs.com — national listings for parish, diocesan, and Catholic school positions
- Diocese of Charleston — Diocesan Offices Directory — local parish and diocesan listings
Vocational discernment