Beginning this fall, Quincy College students and alumni who have completed their associate degree in criminal justice will now have the opportunity to continue to study on the Quincy campus to earn their Bachelor of Arts degree through a new partnership with Curry College.

The agreement creates a new pathway for those eager to earn their bachelor’s degree in criminal justice to either start or advance their career in law enforcement. The joint program offers Quincy College students guaranteed admission to Curry, a fixed tuition rate, flexible online and in-person learning options, and the convenience of continuing their studies on the Quincy College campus. By transferring 91 credits, students begin at Curry College, through its Division of Continuing and Graduate Studies, with senior-level standing and earn their bachelor’s degree in two semesters or one academic year. A signing ceremony on June 15 in Quincy formally launched the new collaborative partnership.

“With hundreds of notable alumni, who are leaders in their fields from public safety to social services, Criminal Justice continues as one of Curry’s signature academic programs,” said Curry College President Kenneth K. Quigley, Jr. “We are deeply committed to our mission of educating students to engage in meaningful careers and active citizenship, and we are pleased and proud to provide Quincy College students this opportunity to continue on seamlessly to earn a Curry bachelor’s degree and advance their learning and careers.”

“This collaboration reinforces Quincy College’s commitment to accessible, affordable education for students throughout the region,” said Dr. Richard DeCristofaro, President of Quincy College. “The opportunity to now earn a four-year criminal justice degree here, on our campus, is another example of a creative approach to education that puts our students first. We are pleased to have the opportunity to continue and strengthen our partnership with Curry College on behalf of our students.”

The partnership comes at an opportune time for the field of law enforcement with projected employment growth of 5 percent through 2029, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. As veteran officers retire, Massachusetts police departments are eager to recruit more young professionals. On average, police officers or recruits with a bachelor’s degree can earn roughly 20 percent more than their peers with a high school diploma, or GED, and 10 percent more than those with an associate degree.

Beginning in the fall of 2021, the first cohort will begin their third-year studies with Quincy College faculty and curriculum on the Quincy campus. They will complete courses such as Law Enforcement and Society, Introduction to Corrections, and Unequal Justice. The program also incorporates new electives allowing students to earn a minor in sociology along with the major in criminal justice. The fourth or final year will be led by Curry College faculty on the Quincy campus with offerings of in-person and remote classes.

Both Curry and Quincy College offer courses in multiple modalities to include Curry’s hyflex model, allowing students to select week to week, whether to attend courses live in person or online. The expanded flexibility offered by both Curry and Quincy has been met with great approbation from many students who have juggled both home and work responsibilities this year in particular.

For more information on this exciting opportunity, please attend our upcoming info session held on June 24. For those interested in learning more, email ccce@curry.edu or Hope Becker at hbecker@quincycollege.edu for additional information.