Georgian Court President Joseph R. Marbach, Ph.D. (left) and Brookdale President David Stout, Ph.D. (right)
Local community college students can complete their associate and bachelor’s degrees for less than $33,000 through a new 3+1 program between Brookdale Community College and Georgian Court University. The partnership, which launches in January 2020, helps students save money and make the most of their time as they pursue degrees at Brookdale and Georgian Court.
“This means students can stay at Brookdale for a third year to begin their bachelor’s studies, then transfer to either Georgian Court University’s Lakewood campus or our Hazlet location for a fourth year to complete their degree,” Joseph R. Marbach, Ph.D., Georgian Court president, explained.
“College students today are looking for affordable options that are accessible and flexible,” he said. “The Brookdale-Georgian Court 3+1 program, available to students ready to transfer as early as Spring 2020, reflects that.”
A Win for Students and Institutions
While schools across the state represent a range of partnership models, this agreement marks the first of its kind in New Jersey—a 3+1 agreement between a community college and a four-year, private institution.
“Transferring from Brookdale to Georgian Court is simple and seamless,” said Kathleen Boody, GCU’s interim vice president for enrollment and retention.
“Our generous transfer policy of accepting at least 75 community college credits—and in some cases, more—is also part of the 3+1 deal,” she said. “And ultimately, at the end of four years, students graduate with two degrees: an associate degree and a full bachelor’s degree. That’s impressive.”
The arrangement is considered a win-win all around.
“For most or all majors, some of the third-year courses will be taught by GCU professors as students get ready for their final year of college,” explained Janice Warner, Ph.D., interim provost for Georgian Court. “Most importantly, 3+1 students will pay Brookdale tuition and fees for these university-level courses.”
In their final, fourth year of college, 3+1 students finish at:
- GCU’s main campus in Lakewood in one of six GCU majors; they can also pursue teacher certification or fifth-year studies toward an MBA; or
- GCU@Hazlet, which offers conveniently scheduled classes attractive to students juggling work, family, and school. 3+1 transfers attending GCU@Hazlet get reduced tuition at $550 per credit, and can pursue one of six GCU majors, teacher certification, and/or fifth-year studies toward an MBA.
Building on a History of Transfer Success
Georgian Court has an exceptionally strong transfer student population and a history of transfer success.
“We see about 80 percent of our full-time transfer students graduate,” said Dr. Warner. “That far exceeds the national transfer student graduation average of about 60 percent.
“Transfer students—including so many from Brookdale Community College—bring an incredible work ethic with them and overall, are very goal-oriented,” she said. “They come to Georgian Court to finish what they started.”
In May 2019, about 60 percent of undergraduates who earned a Georgian Court degree arrived at the university as transfers. Beyond Brookdale, the university attracts students from Ocean County College; Rowan College of South Jersey-Cumberland; Middlesex County College; Raritan Valley Community College; Atlantic Cape Community College; and Mercer County Community College.
Georgian Court is also a repeat member of the Phi Theta Kappa Transfer Honor Roll, the premier national listing that identifies top four-year colleges and universities for creating a dynamic pathway to support transfer students.