Fairmont State’s Community Health Promotion Program enters into Articulation Agreement with Blue Ridge Community and Technical College’s Criminal Justice Program

Fairmont State University’s Community Health Promotion program has entered into an articulation agreement with Blue Ridge Community and Technical College’s (BRCTC) Criminal Justice program. This agreement will help BRCTC criminal justice graduates expand their education through a simplified transfer process and allow them to better their careers and communities.

BRCTC criminal justice graduates can put themselves at an advantage by pursuing a community health promotion degree. This will give them an extra edge in today’s competitive job market and help them become seasoned professionals. A major component of the criminal justice system is drug rehabilitation and recovery. The Community Health and Promotion program can help with understanding and handling the arduous process of recovery and reduce the likelihood of reoffences.

“This partnership is invaluable for our criminal justice students focusing on a community corrections management concentration,” said BRCTC Criminal Justice and Legal Studies Program Coordinator Megan Anderson. “It provides them with a unique blend of justice and health promotion skills, preparing them to work in diverse roles at places like day report centers and in treatment coordination. This dual expertise empowers them to make a meaningful impact across various community settings.”

Those working in the prison system could also benefit from a community health promotion degree by learning how to meet the needs of unique populations and promote healthy behaviors within jails and prisons. Even those who work as law enforcement officers can benefit by learning how to assess health risks and promote healthy behaviors within the community they are protecting.

“Community colleges and four-year universities working together for the betterment of the state is critical. Students attending BRCTC can take classes in their community and develop relationships with classmates who may be colleagues in the future,” said Dr. Janie Leary, Associate Professor of Community Health Promotion. “The program’s HyFlex format allows the BRCTC students to complete a 4-year degree without having to move.”

Graduates from BRCTC’s 2-year Criminal Justice program will be able to easily transfer into Fairmont State’s Community Health Promotion program, with several core credits for the Bachelor of Science already completed. BRCTC students also have the option to take additional courses while completing their criminal justice degree that will meet even more course requirements within the Community Health Promotion program, lessening the complexity of figuring out what courses students need to take.

“Students are concerned about the cost of a college degree. Ensuring courses transfer from an associate degree to a bachelor’s degree is important,” stated Leary. “The more courses from the associate degree that transfer, the faster students can graduate and with less debt. Both BRCTC’s Criminal Justice program and Fairmont State’s Community Health Promotion program offer courses that use open resource materials. This further reduces the cost of a degree.”

Dr. Andrea Haney, Assistant Professor of Community Health Promotion added how this agreement is beneficial to both students and the communities they will go on to serve.

“This agreement represents a significant milestone in our commitment to providing accessible pathways for students interested in making a difference in their communities. Through this collaboration, students will have the opportunity to seamlessly transition from the foundational coursework at the community college level to the advanced studies offered at Fairmont State University, ultimately preparing them for impactful careers in community health,” said Haney. “We believe this partnership will not only benefit our students but also contribute to the well-being of our communities by producing highly skilled professionals dedicated to improving public health outcomes.”

To learn more about Fairmont State University’s Community Health Promotion program, visit the Community Health program homepage.

To learn more about Blue Ridge Community and Technical College’s Criminal Justice program, visit BRCTC's Criminal Justice program page.