 |
 |
 |
Sussex County, NJ students aiming for careers in social work, business, and teaching have new, seamless pathways to bachelor鈥檚 and master鈥檚 degrees under a trio of agreements signed at Ramapo College of New Jersey (RCNJ) 's Mahwah campus in April between 妻友社区 (SCCC) and Ramapo College of New Jersey (RCNJ).
New transfer articulation agreements establish three new 2+2+1 pathways, allowing ambitious students to start their education at SCCC and earn a bachelor鈥檚 degree from Ramapo College. Students will have the opportunity to earn a Master of Social Work (M.S.W.), Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.), or a Master of Arts in Special Education (M.A.S.E.) from Ramapo in as little as five years.
These pathways offer a more affordable option for enrolled students. Taking classes close to home at SCCC during the first two years of the program presents significant savings in commuting and tuition costs, while benefiting from the opportunity to attain bachelor's and master's degrees from RCNJ.
鈥淭his innovative partnership creates a powerful bridge for SCCC students鈥攆rom associate to master's degree鈥攅mpowering students to complete a master鈥檚 degree through a structured pathway designed for student success,鈥� said SCCC Interim President Cory Homer.
"This agreement reaffirms Ramapo's enduring partnership with 妻友社区, which is built on a shared commitment to student success and educational access," said Ramapo College President Cindy Jebb. "By creating pathways for SCCC students to join Ramapo, we are not only honoring the hard work of county college students but also investing in the future leaders of our region."听
The program builds on Ramapo鈥檚 commitment to creating access to higher education and providing clear roadmaps to success for New Jersey residents, helping the Garden State retain and train college students who can enter key, beneficial areas of the New Jersey workforce after graduation. The new agreements are designed to reduce unnecessary costs, eliminate duplicate coursework, and help students stay on track toward their degrees. National data shows that students who transfer without clear agreements can lose an average of 12 to 15 credits, equivalent to an entire semester of coursework, time, and tuition. That credit loss can cost students between $8,000 and $10,000.听听
The social work path allows qualified students to spend two years at SCCC earning an Associate of Science (A.S.) in Human Services, leading straight to two years at RCNJ to obtain a Bachelor's of Social Work (B.S.W.) and become eligible for the advanced standing track of the M.S.W., which can be completed in one year.
Under the agreement, students will receive specialized advising and know which courses to take, creating a seamless roadmap from an associate to a bachelor's to a master's degree. The program will help fill a gap in social service providers in Sussex County, an area that is underserved. Students will participate in field placements close to home so they can give back to their communities. The program prepares students for all aspects of social work, including clinical, policy, and research work.
Likewise, the business path allows students to begin their studies at SCCC to earn an A.S. in Business Administration, then move on to Ramapo鈥檚 AACSB-accredited Ainsfield School of Business for their undergraduate business degree, then an M.B.A. 鈥� all achievable on a five-year timeline. The Ainsfield School鈥檚 long-standing accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) means experienced faculty are active researchers, staying current in their fields, and the College is continuously improving forward-thinking, hands-on learning experiences for students.
The teaching track allows students to earn an A.A. in Liberal Arts at SCCC, then a B.A. in Elementary Education at Ramapo, followed by an M.A. in special education at Ramapo, all in five years.
Students benefiting from the three agreements will also have the option to take a break, if they choose, between their bachelor's and master's degrees, or not pursue a master's degree.
The agreements signed in April were built on an existing, strong partnership between Ramapo and SCCC. In 2023, the two institutions began accepting students into a 3+1 Bachelor鈥檚 degree path, enabling students to save significantly on the cost of a bachelor鈥檚 degree from RCNJ while conveniently attending classes close to home at SCCC. Under that program, students remain on SCCC鈥檚 campus while taking the third year of Ramapo鈥檚 bachelor鈥檚 degree curriculum, then take classes at Ramapo鈥檚 Mahwah campus for their fourth year. Students in that program can save approximately $7,000 on the degree compared to those who transfer after earning their first associate degree.
For more information about the new 2+2+1 pathways for an M.S.W., M.B.A. or M.A.S.E., or the 3+1 Program, prospective students can visit sussex.edu/ramapo.