Arcadia University in Glenside and Atlantic Cape Community College announced a 2+2 Program-to-Program Articulation Agreement on Monday, December 16 in the STEM Building on Atlantic Cape’s Mays Landing campus.
Atlantic Cape’s Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Josette Katz and Arcadia Associate Provost Dr. John Noakes signed the agreement.
Under this partnership, Atlantic Cape students who have completed an Associate in Arts Degree in Communication will be assured status as a junior and a seamless transition to Arcadia University’s Bachelor of Arts in Media & Communication degree program. Students who complete their remaining required courses at Arcadia may earn their bachelor’s degree in two years (or four semesters).
“Atlantic Cape offers a much lower tuition for credit than four-year institutions and by allowing students to complete their first two years at Atlantic Cape, they can significantly reduce the overall cost of a bachelor’s degree,” said Dr. Josette Katz, senior vice president of Academic Affairs. “Articulation agreements save students time and money, they provide crucial support, thus making their educational journey more efficient.”
“These agreements also play a crucial role in addressing the skills gap in our workforce by encouraging students to continue their education and earn a bachelor’s degree. They help prepare graduates for more specialized and higher-paying careers,” continued Dr. Katz. “This can benefit employers who are seeking a highly skilled workforce and ultimately contributes to economic growth and development.”
Arcadia University is a top-ranked private University in Greater Philadelphia that has been recognized by the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society Transfer Honor Roll for the support it provides to community college transfer students. As part of the agreement, Arcadia will accept a maximum of 75 transfer credits from Atlantic Cape upon a student’s graduation. A minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA is required for any student seeking to submit an application to Arcadia as a full-time student.
“We are proud to partner with Atlantic Cape to create a pipeline for students interested in pursuing diverse careers in the expanding field of media and communications,” said Dr. Noakes. “Our Media and Communication program balances theory with practice, providing a critical understanding of the communication process through engaging classroom instruction, professional internships, and global learning. Arcadia students land highly sought-after positions at media organizations, professional sports teams, nonprofits, and more.”
Professor of Communication Keith Forrest spoke about some of the benefits this transfer program can provide for students.
“One of the things that we have always tried to do in the Communication Program is not necessarily what’s most obvious, but what is best. Arcadia, while it is far away in miles from Atlantic County, is very close to us in the way that it sees the world,” said Forrest, who worked for Arcadia as Media Relations Manager between 1997-99. “Most of the students who attend Arcadia study abroad and one of the amazing things that they have done with this articulation agreement is to make sure that, even though our students are transferring in as juniors, they still have the ability to study abroad if they want to.”
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