Tri-County Tech and Lander University bridge criminal justice programs

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Students graduating from the criminal justice technology program at Tri-County Technical College now can bridge to Lander University’s Bachelor of Science in criminology or paralegal studies programs.

Tri-County Technical College President Galen DeHay and Lander University President Richard Cosentino signed an articulation agreement for the programs announced this week in a news release.

“Lander University and Tri-County Technical College share a common vision to help students advance their education and their future careers,” Scott Jones, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs at Lander University, said in the release. “This partnership with Tri-County helps both institutions honor our commitment to the state of South Carolina to develop a strong and able workforce through high-quality education, as well as empower our students to lead satisfying and productive lives.”

About 100 students complete Tri-County Tech’s criminal justice technology degree each year, feeding into careers in law enforcement, security, court support, correction and other human service positions. The program also includes a paralegal emphasis that will help prepare these students for Lander’s bachelor’s degree in the field.

“At Tri-County, we promote economic diversity and prosperity in the communities we serve, and we measure our success by our ability to ensure students earn a high-quality credential that leads to a family-sustaining wage,” DeHay said in the release. “While our criminal justice program graduates are prepared to enter the workforce immediately upon graduation, we continue to create pathways with partners like Lander that allow students to further their education in an affordable, accessible and convenient way.”

Transfer program applicants who meet Lander’s requirements are guaranteed admission to the school, as well as priority acceptance for their chosen major.

“Tri-County graduates are well prepared for success at Lander,” Lucas McMillan, dean of Lander’s College of Behavioral and Social Sciences,” said in the release “Lander’s programs in criminology and paralegal studies take advantage of the full-time and part-time faculty members that we already have in place, as well as new faculty hires in recent months. The credentials and experience that our faculty bring to the table will give students the knowledge and skills to have successful careers and contribute to society.”