Under a new joint admissions partnership with Brookdale Community College, students can soon earn a degree from Georgian Court University in Hazlet.
The program, announced this week at the college’s Northern Monmouth Higher Education Center, allows Brookdale graduates looking to continue their education in such a way that they can earn—for the first time—undergraduate and graduate degrees at the Hazlet site. Other degree completers will be able to enroll as well.
Currently, Brookdale transfer students can pursue GCU degrees in English, psychology, and teacher certification at Brookdale’s center in Wall, New Jersey. Beginning Fall 2016, students can also pursue those degrees in Hazlet, and GCU is currently taking applications.
By Fall 2017, after a one-year transition, GCU will move the programs to the Hazlet center, and will add bachelor’s degrees in business administration and interdisciplinary studies. GCU also plans to eventually launch master’s degree programs at the site.
Focusing on Accessibility, Affordability
The new agreement signed by GCU President Joseph R. Marbach, Ph.D., and BCC President Maureen Murphy, Ph.D., reflects their shared commitment to providing meaningful, viable options for those pursuing higher education.
“Delivering GCU degrees at the Hazlet site extends the reach of our university and meets degree completers where they are—geographically and academically,” said Dr. Marbach. “We also know that affordability is of critical importance to all students, and especially so with adult learners looking to balance the demands of work, family, and classes.”
GCU also believes that other degree completers—those who have some college credits but want to finish a bachelor’s program and those seeking additional education for career purposes—will be well served by taking GCU classes at the convenient Bayshore-area location just off Route 35.
Currently, about 25 percent of Georgian Court students are nontraditional learners who are at least 23 years old. “We want to ensure that all students have access to the challenging coursework and academic experiences that contribute to their marketability after college,” said Dr. Marbach, noting the success rates of recent graduates.
Among the Class of 2015, the GCU Office of Career Services found that 90 percent of graduates were employed or enrolled in graduate school within six months of finishing GCU. Dr. Marbach also credited Brookdale for successfully preparing students to continue their education. More than 1,500 Georgian Court graduates transferred from Brookdale.
Partners on the Path from High School to Graduate School
The May 17th announcement mirrors national trends in higher education innovation through partnerships. Moments before the GCU ceremonial signing, Brookdale entered an Early College Academy agreement with Raritan High School, giving their students the chance to earn an associate’s degree—also at the Hazlet center—while enrolled in high school. That means some traditional-aged students can earn multiple degrees without ever leaving Hazlet.
“A colleague of mine likes to say that Brookdale is where we are, college is what we do, and community is why we do it,” said Matt Reed, Ph.D., Brookdale’s vice president for learning. “I see these initiatives as sort of stitching together a community of educators to serve Monmouth County in a really clear, distinct way. We could not be happier to announce these new partnerships tonight.”
Added GCU’s Dr. Marbach: “Partnerships are becoming the norm in higher education, and it’s great to be piloting a program that allows a student to complete an associate’s degree, a bachelor’s degree, and a master’s degree in one location. Affordability and accessibility are critical to local students, and that mission is something we both share at Georgian Court and Brookdale.”
About Brookdale Community College
Brookdale, the County College of Monmouth, is a dynamic community college system committed to student success, lifelong learning, economic development and the common good of society. Brookdale plays a transformative role in our community, providing educational, cultural and professional programs and offerings to enable, empower, and inspire all community members to fulfill their aspirations to the best of their ability. Brookdale is an open-access, future-oriented institution committed to student success and development in a socially diverse environment.
