The Associate of Science degree (A.S.) in Advanced and Continuous Studies (A&CS) is described as a 3+1 program. It is a second associate degree earned at Sussex County Community College (SCCC) and simultaneously offers a third year of studies at the bachelor’s level with partnering institutions. Students must apply and be accepted into the bachelor’s program before enrolling in courses for the A.S. in Advanced and Continuous Studies. Once accepted, students are required to meet with a designated counselor to assist the students on their path to graduation from the A&CS program and toward their successful transition to the four-year institution granting the students their Bachelor of Science degree.
SCCC has identified the need for students to progress beyond the standard number of associate degree credits while still maintaining Associate-degree level matriculation status and financial aid eligibility. The proposed A&CS Associate of Science degree provides opportunities for accessible and affordable educational pathways for its students and encourages New Jersey students to remain in-state to earn their bachelor’s degrees.
This proposed A&CS offers the second associate degree built on already-earned general education credits from the first associate degree at SCCC with an additional 29-30 new credits, for a total of 90 unique credits earned at SCCC. These 90 unique credits will then directly transfer to Ramapo College of New Jersey [RCNJ] and allow A&CC degree graduates to pursue their bachelor degrees.
This new pathway to baccalaureate attainment would not have been possible without the New Jersey Legislature enacting N.J.S. 18A:3B-78. This ground-breaking statute established in 2018 that “A four-year institution of higher education and a county college may partner to establish a three plus one-degree program for a baccalaureate degree in such majors as the institutions of higher education may determine.”
The proposed A.S. in Advanced and Continuous Studies with Ramapo College of New Jersey enables implementation of this legislation. It offers students a path to earn a second associate degree at Sussex County Community College [SCCC] while simultaneously preparing students to complete the final year (senior year) of studies at Ramapo College of New Jersey. Thus, students will earn two associate degrees at SCCC and then transfer to RCNJ to complete a final number of credits to earn a bachelor’s degree. For the A.S. in Advanced and Continuous Studies, students must apply and be accepted into the bachelor’s program at RCNJ before enrolling in courses for the A.S. in Advanced and Continuous Studies. Once accepted students are required to meet with a dedicated 3 +1 Advisor. The 3 +1 Advisor will be staffed by an advisor shared between SCCC and RCNJ. This shared role will provide appropriate advisement for matriculation into the program and, ultimately, provide students the mentoring so helpful on the pathway to successful graduation.
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