In an announcement that shows the changing nature of higher education, Brookdale Community College said Monday it has signed a transfer agreement with the John Patrick University of Health and Applied Sciences, a four-year institution located in South Bend, Indiana.
Brookdale officials said the relationship will allow students to accomplish their educational and career goals with more affordable and easier access to bachelor’s and master’s degree programs. After graduating with an associate degree from Brookdale, the students can effortlessly transfer to a bachelor’s degree program at JPU with access to regional sites across the country.
JPU is a nationally accredited university that offers A.S., B.S. and M.S. degree programs in the radiological sciences, and integrative and functional medicine. JPU uses the now-familiar hybrid model of education where students, if they choose, can do the majority of instruction occurring online — being on campus for as little as three days a semester.
From nursing to radiological technology to respiratory care, Brookdale offers various degree programs designed to provide world-class training, in-demand skills and professional experience in the health care industry. Brookdale’s Health Sciences Institute is one of the most popular destinations in the state of New Jersey for aspiring health care professionals, offering five degrees and 14 certifications in the field.
Brookdale President David Stout said he feels the partnership is a solid fit.
“JPU’s progressive approach to education provides students with the opportunities, resources and tools they need to reach their fullest potential both in education and professional discipline,” he said. “This union is a continuation of our promise to continually expand the resources available to our students to ensure the highest quality education in our health science degrees.”
JPU hybrid degree programs take four semesters to complete (16 months), in which 14 of the 15 weeks are done online, while the other week is an intense boot camp conducted at a regional site. JPU also offers graduate certificates and degree programs in integrative and functional medicine and a Bachelor of Science in health and lifestyle medicine focusing on research, prevention, treatment and reversal of diseases caused by lifestyle factors such as nutrition, physical inactivity and chronic stress.
The two institutions are exploring various other opportunities, including the creation of accelerated B.S. and M.S. tracks in a blended degree offering.
JPU President Brent Murphy said the school prides itself as having a state-of-the-art campus which offers open access to high-quality and cost-effective education and lifelong learning options to students.
“Brookdale Community College and JPU have worked very closely to develop this innovative agreement to benefit Brookdale’s students and graduates,” he said. “I have found working with Brookdale’s leadership to be very rewarding, as our vision, passion and values are well aligned.
“This alignment has allowed us to create unique opportunities in niche disciplines to include the B.S. in medical imaging and the integrative and functional medicine disciplines. Brookdale’s students and graduates can make a difference in these areas that are being underserved in today’s challenging health care markets.”
