ECU, Halifax Community College sign transfer agreement
East Carolina University’s Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Sciences signed a bilateral agreement with Halifax Community College (HCC) on May 5 to offer criminal justice students a path to a four-year degree.
Academic leaders from East Carolina University and Halifax Community College sign ab agreement that opens up new pathways for eastern North Carolina students. (Contributed photo)
The partnership, which will go into effect this fall, offers graduates of HCC’s associate in applied sciences degree in criminal justice technology a clear pathway into a bachelor’s degree at ECU. With two additional years of study, graduates of HCC may complete a Bachelor of Science degree in criminal justice at ECU.
“Unlike most articulation agreements, what makes this transfer pathway so unique is that criminal justice students will be able to take courses in their major that will transfer to the four-year program,” ECU Interim Vice Provost for Academic Affairs Allen Guidry said. “Most agreements limit students to taking general education courses and electives before transferring, which essentially requires students to wait two years until they can begin studying the courses they are interested in as their major.”
Dr. Heidi Bonner, chair of ECU’s Department of Criminal Justice, has been working for almost a year to coordinate the specifics of the partnership.
“Developing transfer agreements with our community college partners is one of the most rewarding aspects of my job,” Bonner said. “We are excited about this new option for HCC students and look forward to welcoming Patriots to our department and to ECU.”
“With this agreement, students may take courses in corrections, criminology and criminal law during their first two years at HCC, while also taking general education courses alongside those core classes,” said Dr. Jeffery Fields, HCC vice president of academic affairs. “This option offers the best of both worlds and allows students to get their foot in the door of their careers right away.”
Earlier this year, ECU officials signed transfer agreements for its criminal justice program with Pitt Community College and Edgecombe Community College, adding to agreements signed last year between ECU, Beaufort Community College and Sampson Community College. Additionally, ECU soon may add agreements with Wake Technical Community College and Vance-Granville Community College.
“Bilateral agreements are a great way to facilitate transfer student journeys and ensure they are successful once they arrive at ECU,” said Jean-Luc Scemema, Harriot College associate dean for academic programs. “I am planning to increase our bilateral agreement portfolio in the college, and I am looking forward to collaborating with all departments interested in developing new agreements.”