Atlantic Cape and Arcadia University Officially Sign Articulation Agreement for Media & Communication Degree Program

MAYS LANDING — Atlantic Cape Community College and Arcadia University proudly announced a 2+2 Program-to-Program Articulation Agreement on Monday, December 16 in the STEM Building on Atlantic Cape’s Mays Landing campus as Atlantic Cape’s Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Josette Katz and Arcadia Associate Provost Dr. John Noakes officially signed the agreement.

Under this partnership between the two institutions of higher learning 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.”

Joining Dr. Katz and Dr. Noakes for the official signing were Arcadia University’s Dr. Jill Pederson and Dr. Lisa Holderman, as well as Atlantic Cape’s Dr. Denise Marie Coulter and Dr. Augustine Nigro.

Click here to view a photo gallery of this event on Flickr.

Visit atlanticcape.edu/partners-in-education for more information on this and other articulation agreement transfer programs available to Atlantic Cape students.

About Atlantic Cape Community College

Atlantic Cape Community College is a Middle States accredited, 2022 Achieving the Dream Leader College and Hispanic Serving Institution proudly serving the residents of Atlantic and Cape May counties. As a comprehensive, two-year community college, Atlantic Cape offers 47 undergraduate degree programs, and 33 certificate and professional series programs at its Mays Landing, Atlantic City and Cape May campuses. Atlantic Cape is home to the renowned Academy of Culinary Arts, rated the top culinary school in New Jersey, and for more than 50 years, our highly-acclaimed Nursing program. Atlantic Cape also partners with more than 30 colleges and four-year universities to offer students the opportunity to seamlessly earn a bachelor’s degree upon graduation.

About Arcadia University

Arcadia University is a top-ranked private University in Greater Philadelphia that provides an educational experience that is values-based; rooted in justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI), and places students at the center. U.S. News and World Report ranks Arcadia as the best school in Pennsylvania for study abroad, while the Institute of International Education ranks Arcadia best in the nation in that same category. The University's Physical Therapy and Physician Assistant programs also are nationally ranked in their respective categories by U.S. News & World Report.