GCC Teams Up with Assumption College

Starting this January, GCC Associate in Science in Criminal Justice graduates will have a new option for continuing their education at GCC and online. Thanks to a new transfer agreement between GCC and Assumption College in Worcester, GCC Criminal Justice graduates can apply their GCC coursework and degree toward Assumption's Bachelor of Social Science program with a concentration in Criminal Justice. The first two classes of Assumption Criminal Justice Bachelor's program will be taught at GCC and the rest of the required courses will be offered online through Assumption's Continuing & Career Education (CCE) division. Both current GCC students as well as recent graduates will be able to take advantage of this new program.

The agreement between GCC and Assumption College draws on the strengths of both colleges. GCC's Criminal Justice program provides a broad education in the administration, operations and objectives of the criminal justice system and its component parts: police, courts, and corrections. Assumption is a nationally recognized private college with a reputation for academic quality and a low student-to-faculty ratio. Assumption faculty members are leading Criminal Justice experts known for their personalized approach to teaching. Assumption College has a similar transfer program with Quinsigamond Community College and experience partnering with other community colleges. CCE at Assumption College is considered a great value because the tuition for CCE courses at Assumption is lower than per-course costs at other area colleges. 

Dennis Braun, Director of Continuing & Career Education at Assumption College said, "This new agreement with GCC provides for a seamless transfer from GCC to Assumption's Bachelor of Sciences in Social Sciences program. Not only will it be easy to transfer credits, but students can complete their four-year degree in their own community and online. We're glad to be able to make Assumption's strong Criminal Justice Program available to GCC graduates."

Terry Lynn, GCC's Dean of Professional Studies, said, "GCC's partnerships with highly respected four-year institutions provides more choices for area residents. We continue to see an increase in employment standards in the criminal justice field. Many jobs, including most federal law enforcement jobs, now require a bachelor's degree. We want all of our students to be able to achieve their dream job. This new partnership with Assumption College gives our criminal justice students and graduates an affordable and convenient option to complete their bachelor's degree."

For information about the new transfer agreement, contact Assumption College's Division of Continuing & Career Education at 508-767-7364 or goplaces@assumption.edu.

By Mary McClintock '82

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