Kansas community college graduates could earn a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice in as little as 12 months through a new agreement between Newman University and the Kansas Association of Community Colleges.
The agreement creates an accelerated pathway to Newman’s Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. It is designed for community college graduates and working public safety professionals who have not completed a bachelor’s degree.
Students with an Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree may transfer up to 60 credit hours toward the 120-hour program. Newman may also award up to 30 hours for prior learning, potentially leaving about 30 hours to complete at the university.
Eligible prior learning could include law enforcement training, Kansas CPOST certifications, military experience, employer training, professional certifications and standardized exams. Credit will be awarded only when the training meets college-level requirements and does not duplicate previously earned credit.
“A lot of people in Kansas law enforcement are two or three semesters from a bachelor’s degree and don’t know it,” Newman Vice President for Academic Affairs Alden Stout said.
Full-time students could complete the remaining requirements in two consecutive semesters and a summer or intervening term. Online and hybrid courses will be available to accommodate working students.
Graduates of colleges represented by KACC will receive a $20,000 Newman scholarship. The university will also match federal Pell Grants and State of Kansas financial aid applied to the program.
Students with an associate degree in arts or science are assured admission with junior standing. Those with an Associate of Applied Science degree are also eligible, but Newman will first review their transcripts to determine whether general education requirements have been satisfied.
KACC Executive Director Heather Morgan said the partnership will help working criminal justice professionals complete their degrees more quickly and at a lower cost.