Graphic provided by: Robeson Community College.
Robeson Community College has been recognized as a top institution for online degrees in the public service field by STEPS (Student Training & Education in Public Service). Only 13 percent of higher education institutions in the United States secured a position on the rankings for the 2024 academic year. Specifically, Robeson Community College achieved a placement in the top 20 for the best online criminal justice degree and in the top 50 for the best online public service degree among community colleges nationwide.
Kyle Smith, a community outreach specialist at STEPS, expressed, “Our objective was to pinpoint the premier colleges offering online degree programs that empower graduates to effect meaningful change in their communities through education, public policy, and various career pathways,” in a press release.
Degrees in public service equip students with the skills to pursue careers dedicated to aiding those most in need, whether locally or globally. This encompasses diverse fields such as teaching, social work, public administration, criminal justice, and public health.
Melissa Singler, President of RCC, commended the faculty and staff involved in the criminal justice program, emphasizing, “This recognition reaffirms what we already knew about the quality of our criminal justice program.”
The restructuring of the criminal justice program at Robeson Community College was aimed at catering to individuals with full-time occupations. Executive Vice President Eric Freeman explained, “We revamped the program to enhance user-friendliness, particularly for individuals juggling full-time jobs. By transitioning to fully online classes, we have significantly improved accessibility for our students, many of whom are employed full-time, often in law enforcement roles.”
The accolade for the criminal justice program underscores the success of these strategic adjustments, aligning the program more closely with the schedules and needs of working professionals.
The surge in enrollment in online degree programs persists, with recent data (Fall 2021) from the National Center for Education Statistics revealing that 60 percent of students undertake at least one online class, and 30 percent are exclusively enrolled in online courses.
Robeson Community College’s criminal justice program offers the flexibility of 100 percent online completion, enabling students to pursue their education at their own pace and convenience.
For further information on the Criminal Justice Program at Robeson Community College, kindly visit Robeson Community College Criminal Justice Program.
Editor’s Note: The original press release from RCC was condensed for brevity. The complete version is accessible on the RCC website.