Students who would like to receive a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Elizabeth City State University can now start their coursework at Beaufort County Community College.

The two colleges entered into an articulation agreement Thursday to help students on this career track seamlessly transfer their courses.

Colleges around the state often have slightly different, required coursework tied to a major. An articulation agreement acknowledges that the college where the student will finish their coursework, in this case Elizabeth City State University, will accept all of the classes taken at BCCC. Students in the criminal justice program often go on to a four-year institution to complete a bachelor’s degree.

Crystal Watts, instructor for criminal justice technology, said, “This gives our students one more option to complete a four-year degree. As the focus changes from incarceration to surveillance, parole and probation, students with a better understanding of the law and technology will be able to get further ahead.” Probation and parole positions require a four-year degree.

“More of our students are coming to BCCC as a way to save money on their four-year degree,” said Dr. Crystal Ange, vice president of academics at BCCC. “We want to make sure that as they transfer to another institution, we guarantee that achievements will be honored. We are glad to work with Elizabeth City State University to provide this opportunity for our criminal justice students.”

The criminal justice technology curriculum is designed to provide knowledge of criminal justice systems and operations. Students focus on local, state and federal law enforcement, judicial processes, corrections and security services. They also look at the criminal justice system’s role within society.

Students with a degree in criminal justice can find careers in a variety of local, state and federal law enforcement, corrections and security fields. Examples include police officer, deputy sheriff, county detention officer, state trooper, intensive probation/parole surveillance officer, correctional officer and loss prevention specialist.

According to Vann Newkirk, provost at Elizabeth City State University, “ECSU always looks to cooperate with local educational institutions in order to improve the lives of the citizens of North Carolina. This agreement provides an excellent opportunity for graduates of BCCC to expand their educational horizons without the cost of travel or high-cost tuition offered by many private educational providers.”

As a constituent institution of the University of North Carolina, Elizabeth City State University offers baccalaureate, professional and master’s degrees for a diverse student body. Its mission is to promote economic, social and environmental progress for the people of northeastern North Carolina, the state and the nation. The historically black college enrolls nearly 2,500 students in 37 baccalaureate programs and three master’s degree programs.

The university achieves its commitment to the highest quality education by maintaining a rigorous focus on academic excellence through liberal arts programs and using innovative and flexible technology-based instruction models to enhance its signature areas: integrating technology with education, improving human health and wellness and advancing the natural and aviation sciences.

Beaufort County Community College provides accessible and affordable quality education, effective teaching, relevant training and lifelong learning opportunities to the people of Beaufort, Hyde, Tyrrell and Washington counties.