Iola, Kansas — Allen Community College graduates can finish a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice in as few as 12 months under a new agreement between Newman University and the Kansas Association of Community Colleges, the statewide association representing the 19 community colleges and three technical colleges in Kansas.
Allen Community College is one of the member colleges participating in the pathway, which was signed Aug. 31. It’s built for two groups: Allen Community College graduates who want a bachelor’s degree ensuring no credits are lost in transfer while completing their degree with substantial scholarships, and working public-safety professionals in Southeast Kansas who already have an established criminal justice career but do not have a bachelor’s degree and could use financial assistance to complete their degree.
Here’s how it works. Newman’s Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice takes 120 credit hours. A student who transfers with an Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree from Allen Community College can transfer up to 60 of those hours with them into their bachelor’s degree. Newman then awards up to 30 hours of credit for prior learning. That leaves roughly 30 hours to finish at Newman, which a full-time student can complete in two consecutive semesters plus a summer or intervening term.
The prior learning credit is what makes the timeline work for people already in the field. Newman will evaluate law enforcement basic training through the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center and Kansas CPOST certifications, military training and occupations on a Joint Services Transcript, employer and industry training, current professional certifications, and standardized exams such as CLEP and DSST.
“This partnership creates a valuable opportunity for Allen Community College graduates and working professionals to complete a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice quickly, affordably and without losing hard-earned credits.,” said Dr. Lyvier Leffler, president at Allen Community College.
Cost is built into the agreement. Every Allen Community College graduate admitted to the pathway receives a $20,000 Newman scholarship toward the degree. Newman also matches, dollar for dollar, any federal Pell Grant or State of Kansas financial aid the student applies to the program.
“A lot of people in Kansas law enforcement are two or three semesters from a bachelor’s degree and don’t know it,” said Alden Stout, vice president for academic affairs at Newman University. “They’ve been trained at the academy, they’ve served in the military, they’ve earned certifications, and none of it has ever been counted. This agreement counts it. Then it gets them to the finish line in about a year without asking them to leave the job or the community they serve.”
Students who hold an Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree from Allen Community College are assured admission to Newman with junior standing. Upper-division coursework is offered in formats built around working schedules, including online and hybrid options, and each student is assigned an academic adviser and a program liaison. Graduates who hold an Associate of Applied Science degree are also eligible, following a degree audit to confirm general education requirements have been met.
Allen Community College Offers an Associate of Science in Criminal Justice Studies and a certificate in Criminal Justice Leadership, with many students opting to earn both concurrently.
Prospective students can learn more about the degree options at Allen by visiting www.allencc.edu and more about the credentials at Newman at www.newmanu.edu/academics/criminal-justice.
Allen Community College provides quality educational and support services in an atmosphere that is caring, safe, and conducive to learning.
Newman University is a private Catholic liberal arts institution in Wichita, Kansas, founded in 1933 by the Adorers of the Blood of Christ. Newman offers associate through doctoral degrees across business, education, healthcare, social work, and the arts and sciences. Guided by its Catholic mission and commitment to personalized education, Newman serves more than 3,000 students, 99% of whom receive financial aid.
