Rowan's new 3+1 program will offer students a chance to complete a bachelor's degree from Rowan University for a fraction of the normal cost.
DEPTFORD TWP. -- Getting a bachelor's degree at Rowan University is about to get much cheaper thanks to a new program the university is offering through Rowan colleges.
Students attending Rowan colleges will be able to stay an extra year for their junior-year courses before finishing their bachelor's degree at Rowan University -- saving them thousands.
Starting this fall, Rowan University will be offering a "3+1" option with Rowan College at Burlington County (RCBC) and at Gloucester County (RCGC). University officials say this is the first time any community college has been authorized to offer junior-year courses.
With the 3+1 program, students will complete an associate degree at one of the Rowan colleges and stay on for an additional year. From there, students "transfer seamlessly to the University" to complete their final year for their bachelor's degree, according to RCGC president, Fredrick Keating.
"Students' credits will all be accepted by the university for their capstone year, allowing them to earn their bachelor's degree at a university for significantly less money," Keating said.
A bachelor's degree at Rowan University -- combined room and board expenses -- can cost about $98,000, according to figures on the university's website. Tuition and fees alone cost about $52,000 for the four years.
Students who get their associate's degree at Rowan College first, then transfer to Rowan University to complete their bachelor's degree can expect to spend about $35,000, not including room and board.
However, with the 3+1 program, students would pay $12,600 total for the three years at the county college and pay about $13,000 in tuition and fees for the final year at Rowan -- a total of $25,600 for the four-year education.
To start, the program will be available for five majors which are biology, liberal studies, law & justice, nursing, and psychology.
RCBC will also offer psychology and law and justice programs online that will align with the 3+1 programs, allowing students from throughout the state to participate.
"These partnerships were formed in the best interest of students and there is no better example than this new '3+1' opportunity that reduces the total cost of a bachelor's degree to far less than what many universities charge for a single year," Dr. Ali Houshmand, president of Rowan University said. "We are bringing high quality education within reach to many families in our region."
The 3+1 program was approved by the N.J. President's Council, an advisory board that represents New Jersey's public, private, and community colleges and universities, in June and has now received full regulatory approval from Middle States Association, and the New Jersey Secretary of Higher Education Rochelle Hendricks.
Both colleges are enrolling students for the programs this fall. Students who are already enrolled at one of the colleges can opt in to the program with the help of academic advisors who will help them make up and plan for the classes they've still got left to take, according to Keating.
"3+1 is a huge part of an effort to make college affordable for New Jersey residents," Keating said. "We want to keep our students in Jersey, give them an affordable education, and help them to stay and contribute to New Jersey as strong members of the workforce."
Caitlyn Stulpin may be reached at cstulpin@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @caitstulpin. Find NJ.com on Facebook.