Atlantic Cape Community College President Dr. Barbara Gaba and Thomas Jefferson University’s College of Health Professions Dean Dr. Michael Dryer officially signed an enrollment partnership agreement on November 30 that establishes a convenient and accessible pathway for Atlantic Cape students to enroll in Jefferson’s health programs.
“The need for Respiratory Therapists has grown tremendously since the COVID-19 pandemic and the need is expected to grow by more than 23 percent between now and 2028,” said Dr. Gaba. “Locally, our hospital partners (AtlantiCare, Cape Regional and Shore Medical) are reporting a dire need for these practitioners as many of their current respiratory care employees are at or nearing retirement age.”
Through this agreement, signed in the STEM Building on the Mays Landing campus, students who successfully submit an application and possess the required academic criteria will be eligible to matriculate into one of several available Jefferson health profession programs:
- Respiratory Therapy & Medical Laboratory Sciences
- Biotechnology;
- Cytotechnology;
- Medical Imaging & Radiation Sciences;
- Behavioral & Health Sciences;
- Health Service Management;
- Health Studies;
- Accelerated Health Sciences
“Atlantic Cape is proud to respond to the needs of the communities we serve, and together with our University Partners, we are able to meet their needs and provide more opportunities for our students at the same time,” said Dr. Gaba. “This articulation agreement, together with our current 1+1 articulation with Brookdale Community College AAS in Respiratory Care, provides students with an opportunity to achieve the credential, and for us, the opportunity to meet a community need.”
Dr. Dryer expressed his excitement and optimism that this agreement will help both institutions of higher learning positively impact their respective communities.
“This collaboration with Atlantic Cape creates new opportunities for students to explore and pursue their health career goals with Jefferson’s College of Health Professions,” said Dr. Dryer. “We are delighted to work with Atlantic Cape – an anchor institution in South Jersey – in their efforts to strengthen and empower the communities they serve. We look forward to being a part of the students’ journey in furthering their education and preparing them for high-demand careers in health.”
Dr. Gaba touted the benefits that Atlantic Cape students will be eligible to receive through this agreement with Jefferson’s health programs.
“We believe that this program will be mutually beneficial for our two institutions and will provide a unique opportunity for our students to advance their educational goals. With this new program, we continue to create new pathways for our students to attain graduate degrees from a well-respected four-year University, while also meeting the needs of the communities we serve,” Gaba continued.
Atlantic Cape students who have completed their required prerequisite course work, have earned the necessary minimum GPA and have earned an associate’s degree will enter Jefferson with junior status. Students who may be entering any of the four aforementioned programs may be eligible for financial aid provided that all required FAFSA documents are submitted prior to each program’s respective deadlines.
“I am proud we are able to further our mission through our university partnerships, articulation agreements, and degree pathways, which serve to expand the opportunities for an affordable and high-quality college education,” Gaba concluded.
Visit www.atlanticcape.edu/ for more information on each Jefferson College of Health Professions program’s application requirements.
Click here to view a photo gallery of this event on Flickr.
About Atlantic Cape Community College
Atlantic Cape Community College is a Middle States accredited and 2022 Achieving the Dream Leader College proudly serving the residents of Atlantic and Cape May counties. As a comprehensive, two-year community college, Atlantic Cape offers 47 undergraduate degree programs, and 33 certificate and workforce development professional series programs at its Mays Landing, Atlantic City and Cape May campuses. Atlantic Cape is home to the renowned Academy of Culinary Arts, rated the top culinary school in New Jersey, and for more than 50 years, our highly-acclaimed Nursing program. Atlantic Cape also partners with several four-year universities to offer students the opportunity to earn a bachelor’s degree without having to leave home.
About Thomas Jefferson University
Thomas Jefferson University is a leader in transdisciplinary, professional education. Jefferson, home of the Sidney Kimmel Medical College and the Kanbar College of Design, Engineering and Commerce, is a preeminent university delivering high-impact education in 160 undergraduate and graduate programs to 8,200 students in architecture, business, design, engineering, fashion and textiles, health, medicine, science and social science. Jefferson is re-defining the higher education value proposition with an approach that is collaborative and active; increasingly global; integrated with industry; focused on research across disciplines to foster innovation and discovery; and technology-enhanced. Student-athletes co
