Gwinnett Technical College (GTC) President Dr. D. Glen Cannon and Georgia Gwinnett College (GGC) President Dr. Stanley C. Stas Preczewski today celebrated the signing of an articulation agreement that will benefit many students across our community. This particular agreement focuses on students seeking a bachelors degree in criminal justice.
An articulation agreement often called a transfer agreement – is an officially approved agreement between two institutions, which allows students to apply credits earned in specific programs at one institution toward advanced standing, entry or transfer into a specific program at another institution. Such agreements help students make a smooth transition from one institution to another by minimizing duplication of coursework. Because articulation agreements are between institutions, they do not require students to make individual arrangements.
As more students start their post-secondary education at community colleges with the intention of transferring to a four-year institution, articulation has become an important part of the higher education system.
The GTC/GGC criminal justice articulation agreement is student-focused and designed to minimize loss of credit and course duplication when a student transfers from GTC to GGC in pursuit of a bachelors of science degree in criminal justice. This agreement opens opportunities for Gwinnett Technical College students to continue their education past the associate degree level and earn a four-year degree from Georgia Gwinnett.
Dr. Cannon shares, Students work hard for their course credits and should be able to take those credits with them wherever they continue their education if both institutions are accredited. Gwinnett Technical College welcomes the opportunity to forge partnerships like this one with Georgia Gwinnett College so we can meet the needs of our students and grow graduating classes to meet the workforce needs of tomorrow.
The most important aspect of this agreement is that it clears a path for students, said Dr. T.J. Arant, GGCs senior vice president for Academic and Student Affairs and provost. We appreciate the close collaboration of GTCs Russ Pomrenke and GGCs Dr. Ron Hunter in creating some of the new courses needed for Gwinnett Techs new associate of science in criminal justice degree program and for ensuring that all of the courses align with the courses in Georgia Gwinnett Colleges bachelors of science degree program. Their dedication to students and commitment to providing quality education made this agreement possible.
In todays job market, a criminal justice degree proves very versatile. Careers in criminal justice are found at the federal, state, county, and local levels, as well as in the private sector. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of 2016, roughly three million workers were employed in the criminal justice field. This broader field includes subfields such as law enforcement, corrections, forensic science, homeland security, private security, academia and legal services.
According to Career Profiles the top five most popular criminal justice careers today are 1) patrol officer, 2) paralegal/legal assistant, 3) probation/community control/correctional treatment specialist, 4) detective/criminal investigator, 5) legal secretary. These rankings are based upon the number of professionals employed in these fields.
Because of the high demand for careers in criminal justice, Gwinnett Technical College offers its criminal justice degree program at both the Lawrenceville and Alpharetta-North Fulton campuses.
Almost 600 students are currently registered in Georgia Gwinnetts criminal justice/criminology bachelors degree program.
The criminal justice program articulation between GGC and Gwinnett Technical College is one of two articulation agreements in place between these two institutions. The other agreement applies to courses of study in accounting, business administration, economics, management, marketing, art, English, history, humanities, music, political science, psychology, sociology, speech, biology, chemistry, math, information technology and physical science.
In addition to the articulation agreements with Georgia Gwinnett College, Gwinnett Technical College offers students transfer agreements with these institutions:
Albany State University
American Intercontinental University
Bellevue University
Brenau University
DeVry University
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Ferris State University
Georgia Military College
Georgia State University
Herzing University
Johnson & Wales University
Kennesaw State University
Life University
Mercer University
Middle Georgia State College
Missouri State University
Oglethorpe University
Piedmont College
Reinhardt University
Robert Gordon University
Saint Leo University
Schiller International University
Strayer University
Thomas University
Tuskegee University
Valdosta State University
Walden University
Additionally, there are articulation agreements between the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG), the University System of Georgia (USG), the Georgia Independent College Association (GICA), and a long list of other SACS-COC accredited schools that give students today many great transfer options. For more information on Gwinnett Technical College transfer credits, visit http://www.gwinnetttech.edu/enrollment/transfer .
Gwinnett Technical College offers more than 150 degree, diploma and certificate program options that can be completed in two years or less. Articulation agreements are constantly being negotiated and evaluated to make the transfer between two and four-year institutions as seamless as possible. Gwinnett Technical College hosts an annual transfer fair in February to educate their students about the exciting transfer options available.
For more information about Gwinnett Technical College, visit www.GwinnettTech.edu or call 770-962-7580.
Georgia Gwinnett College offers 15 bachelors degree programs in disciplines aligned with area employment opportunities and economic development needs.
To learn more about Georgia Gwinnett College, visit www.ggc.edu or call 678-407-5000.
