Cowley College Students Can Now Finish a Criminal Justice Degree in One Year

New pathway with Newman University carries a $20,000 scholarship and credit for police academy and military training.

Cowley College graduates can finish a bachelor's degree in criminal justice in as few as 12 months under a new agreement between Newman University and the Kansas Association of Community Colleges, the statewide association representing the 19 community colleges and three technical colleges in Kansas. 

Cowley is one of the member colleges participating in the pathway, which was signed Aug. 31. It's built for two groups: Cowley graduates who want a bachelor's degree ensuring no credits are lost in transfer while completing their degree with substantial scholarships, and working public-safety professionals in Kansas who already have an established criminal justice career but do not have a bachelor's degree and could use financial assistance to complete their degree. 

Here's how it works. Newman's Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice takes 120 credit hours. A student who transfers with an Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree from Cowley College can transfer up to 60 of those hours with them into their bachelor’s degree. Newman then awards up to 30 hours of credit for prior learning. That leaves roughly 30 hours to finish at Newman, which a full-time student can complete in two consecutive semesters plus a summer or intervening term. 

The prior learning credit is what makes the timeline work for people already in the field. Newman will evaluate law enforcement basic training through the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center and Kansas CPOST certifications, military training and occupations on a Joint Services Transcript, employer and industry training, current professional certifications, and standardized exams such as CLEP and DSST. 

Vice President of Academic Affairs, Dr. Scott Layton said, “Anytime Cowley can enter into these formal agreements, it benefits students.” Expressing that “The Newman agreement is a great opportunity for Cowley Criminal Justice graduates to continue their education in an accelerated format, allowing them to advance their careers more efficiently.”

"The opportunity to obtain an accelerated bachelor’s in criminal justice is an extraordinary opportunity for current students as well as industry professionals that want to advance, but in the long run it will benefit every community by putting out better trained and educated officers," said Frank Owens, Director of Criminal Justice at Cowley College. 

Cost is built into the agreement. Every Cowley graduate admitted to the pathway receives a $20,000 Newman scholarship toward the degree. Newman also matches, dollar for dollar, any federal Pell Grant or State of Kansas financial aid the student applies to the program. 

"A lot of people in Kansas law enforcement are two or three semesters from a bachelor's degree and don't know it," said Alden Stout, vice president for academic affairs at Newman University. "They've been trained at the academy, they've served in the military, they've earned certifications, and none of it has ever been counted. This agreement counts it. Then it gets them to the finish line in about a year without asking them to leave the job or the community they serve.” 

Students who hold an Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree from Cowley College are assured admission to Newman with junior standing. Upper-division coursework is offered in formats built around working schedules, including online and hybrid options, and each student is assigned an academic adviser and a program liaison. Graduates who hold an Associate of Applied Science degree are also eligible, following a degree audit to confirm general education requirements have been met. 

Cowley College students can learn more from here. More on the degree is at here.

About Cowley

Cowley College was founded in 1922 and has a rich history of providing quality education for over a century with multiple campuses located in Arkansas City, Mulvane, Wellington, Wichita, and Winfield Kansas. Cowley College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and offers a wide range of academic programs, including associate degrees, technical certificates, and workforce development courses, catering to various career paths and interests. Visit cowley.edu for more information.

About Newman University 

Newman University is a private Catholic liberal arts institution in Wichita, Kansas, founded in 1933 by the Adorers of the Blood of Christ. Newman offers associate through doctoral degrees across business, education, healthcare, social work, and the arts and sciences. Guided by its Catholic mission and commitment to personalized education, Newman serves more than 3,000 students, 99% of whom receive financial aid. For more information, visit newmanu.edu.

Hunter Ferguson | Integrated Communications Specialist
Cowley College
125 S. 2nd Street
Arkansas City, KS 67005
hunter.ferguson@cowley.edu