GCCC and Newman University Establish Accelerated Criminal Justice Degree Pathway
Garden City Community 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 (KACC), the statewide association representing Kansas’ 19 community colleges and three technical colleges.
GCCC is one of the member colleges participating in the new pathway, which was signed Aug. 31, 2026. The pathway is designed for two groups: GCCC graduates who want to earn a bachelor’s degree, with no credits lost during the transfer process and substantial scholarships available to help them complete their degree; and working public-safety professionals who already have established careers in criminal justice but do not have a bachelor’s degree and could benefit from financial assistance to complete their degree.
“This agreement creates a meaningful opportunity for our graduates and working professionals in Southwest Kansas to build on the education and experience they already have,” said Dr. Ryan Ruda, GCCC President. “By recognizing prior learning and providing significant financial support, Newman is helping make a bachelor’s degree more accessible while also strengthening the workforce that serves our communities.”
Newman’s Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice requires 120 credit hours. Students who transfer from GCCC with an Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree can transfer up to 60 credit hours toward the bachelor’s degree. Newman will then award up to 30 additional credit hours for prior learning, leaving approximately 30 credit hours to complete at Newman. A full-time student can complete the remaining coursework in two consecutive semesters, plus a summer or intervening term.
The prior-learning component is particularly beneficial for working public-safety professionals. 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.
The pathway also provides significant financial assistance. Every GCCC 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 GCCC 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.
The new agreement supports the continued development of a highly trained public-safety workforce in Southwest Kansas by providing GCCC graduates and current professionals with a clear pathway to complete a bachelor’s degree without starting over or leaving their careers.
“This partnership gives our graduates a valuable opportunity to build on the education and training they have already completed at GCCC,” said Brandy Unruh, GCCC Associate Professor of Criminal Justice and Public Safety. “Recognizing prior learning and professional experience can significantly shorten the path to a bachelor’s degree while making that degree more accessible and affordable.”
Students interested in GCCC’s criminal justice pathway can learn more by visiting GCCC’s website or contacting criminaljustice@gcccks.edu. Additional information about Newman University’s Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice is available on Newman’s website.
About Garden City Community College
Founded in 1919, Garden City Community College (GCCC) has served the public longer than any other community college in Kansas. GCCC is the senior leader in community college education for Kansas, with a tradition of preparing people of all ages from diverse backgrounds for success in their lives and careers. The mission of GCCC is to help each student become a positive contributor to the economic and social well-being of society. GCCC offers opportunities for every individual through our shared vision of becoming the premier educational nexus to progress and world-class learning in a dynamic environment. From here, you can go anywhere. For more information, visit gcccks.edu.
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.
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Garden City Community College exists to produce positive contributors to the economic and social well-being of society.