(PDF) (DOC) (JPG)May 10, 2025

Sussex County residents can earn undergraduate and graduate degrees and save money, thanks to a partnership between Sussex County Community College and Ramapo College

MAHWAH, N.J. – Sussex County, NJ students aiming for careers in social work, business, and teaching have new, seamless pathways to bachelor’s and master’s degrees under a trio of agreements between Ramapo College of New Jersey (RCNJ) and Sussex County Community College (SCCC) that were signed at Ramapo’s picturesque Mahwah campus in April.

New transfer articulation agreements establish three new 2+2+1 pathways, allowing ambitious students to start their education at SCCC and earn a bachelor’s degree from Ramapo College. Students will have the opportunity to earn a Master of Social Work (MSW), Master of Business Administration (MBA), or a Master of Arts in Special Education (MASE) from Ramapo in as little as five years.

These pathways offer a more affordable option for enrolled students. Taking classes close to home at SCCC during the first two years of the program presents significant savings in commuting and tuition costs, all while benefiting from the opportunity to attain bachelor’s and master’s degrees from RCNJ.

“This agreement reaffirms Ramapo’s enduring partnership with Sussex County Community College, which is built on a shared commitment to student success and educational access,” said Ramapo College President Cindy Jebb. “By creating pathways for SCCC students to join Ramapo, we are not only honoring the hard work of county college students but also investing in the future leaders of our region.”  

The program builds on Ramapo’s commitment to creating access to higher education and providing clear roadmaps to success for New Jersey residents, helping the Garden State retain and train college students who can then enter key, beneficial areas of the New Jersey workforce after graduation. The new agreements are designed to reduce unnecessary costs, eliminate duplicate coursework, and help students stay on track toward their degrees. National data shows that students who transfer without clear agreements can lose an average of 12 to 15 credits—equivalent to an entire semester of coursework, time, and tuition. That credit loss can cost students between $8,000 and $10,000.   

The social work path allows qualified students to spend two years at SCCC earning an Associate of Science (AS) in Human Services, leading straight to two years at RCNJ to obtain a Bachelors of Social Work (BSW) and become eligible for the advanced standing track of the MSW, which can be completed in one year.

Under the agreement, students will receive specialized advising and know which courses to take, creating a seamless roadmap from an associate to bachelor’s to master’s. The program will help fill a gap in social service providers in Sussex County, an area that is underserved. Students will participate in field placements close to home, so they can give back to their communities. The program prepares students for all aspects of social work, including clinical, policy and research work.

Likewise, the business path allows students to begin their studies at SCCC to earn an AS in Business Administration, then move on to Ramapo’s AACSB-accredited Anisfield School of Business for their undergraduate business degree, then an MBA – all achievable on a five-year timeline. The Anisfield School’s long-standing accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) means experienced faculty are active researchers, staying current in their fields, and the college is continuously improving forward-thinking, hands-on learning experiences for students.

The teaching track allows students to earn an AA in Liberal Arts at SCCC, then a BA in Elementary Education at Ramapo, followed by an MA in special education at Ramapo, all in five years.

Students benefiting from the three agreements will also have the option to take a break between their bachelor’s and master’s degrees, or not pursue a master’s degree.

The agreements cemented in April build on the existing, strong partnership between Ramapo and SCCC. In 2023, the two institutions began accepting students into a 3+1 Bachelor’s degree path, enabling students to save significantly on the cost of a bachelor’s degree from RCNJ while conveniently attending classes close to home in Sussex County. Under that program, students remain on SCCC’s campus while taking the third year of Ramapo’s bachelor’s degree curriculum, then take classes at Ramapo’s Mahwah campus for their fourth year. Students in that program can save approximately $7,000 on the degree as compared to those who transfer after earning their first associate’s degree. 

For more information about the new  2+2+1 pathways for an MSW,  MBA or MASE, or the 3+1 pathways, prospective students can visit the Sussex County Community College website.

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About Ramapo College

Ramapo College of New Jersey is the state’s premier public liberal arts college and is committed to academic excellence through interdisciplinary and experiential learning, and international and intercultural understanding. The comprehensive college is situated among the beautiful Ramapo Mountains, is within commuting distance to New York City, was named one of the 50 Most Beautiful College Campuses in America by CondeNast Traveler, and boasts the best on-campus housing in New Jersey per Niche.com. Established in 1969, Ramapo College offers bachelor’s degrees in the arts, business, data science, humanities, social sciences and the sciences, as well as in professional studies, which include business, education, nursing and social work. In addition, the College offers courses leading to teacher certification at the elementary and secondary levels, and offers graduate programs leading to master’s degrees in Accounting, Applied Mathematics, Business Administration, Contemporary Instructional Design, Computer Science, Creative Music Technology, Data Science, Educational Leadership, Nursing, Social Work and Special Education, as well as a Doctor of Nursing Practice.

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