Bloomfield College of Montclair State University and Donald M. Payne, Sr. School of Technology Announce Dual Enrollment Program
Essex County high school students can earn college credit as part of new agreement
Montclair, NJ (02/20/2024) — Bloomfield College of Montclair State University and the Donald M. Payne, Sr. School of Technology have entered into a new partnership that will create a dual enrollment program for Essex County high school students.
Eligible students at the School of Technology, which is part of the Essex County Schools of Technology District, will have the opportunity to take coursework totaling up to six credits in Game Design in Bloomfield's Creative Arts and Technology division. The courses will count towards both a high school diploma and a Bloomfield College of Montclair State University degree.
Students who are selected to participate in the program and complete coursework in good academic standing will be admitted to Bloomfield upon graduation, creating a new pathway for Essex County students to pursue affordable, high-quality higher education.
The partnership is the first milestone for Bloomfield since its merger with Montclair State University in July of 2023, and signals a commitment to honoring the institution's mission by continuing to play a key role in creating educational opportunities for students that are historically underrepresented.
"We are thrilled to enter into this partnership with the Essex County Payne School of Technology and give local high school students the chance to begin their pursuit of higher education in our intimate, personalized learning environment," says Bloomfield Chancellor Marcheta Evans.
"At the Essex County Schools of Technology, we pride ourselves on creating quality learning experiences that prepare students for post-secondary and career-oriented success," says Essex County Schools of Technology Director of Career and Technical Education Academies Cathleen DelaPaz. "This partnership with Bloomfield College's CAT program allows students at Essex County Payne Tech to earn college credits in their Career and Technical Education (CTE) program, by being exposed to rigorous curricula and by learning on state-of-the-art technology and equipment.
"We are thankful to our partners at Bloomfield College, to our County Executive Mr. Joseph DiVincenzo and to our Superintendent Dr. James Pedersen for encouraging these important pathways for success, and are thankful to the instructors on both sides for their dedication to making this partnership a reality for the students of Essex County."
Bloomfield's Game Design program is consistently ranked among the top programs in New Jersey, and has been ranked as one of the top 50 programs in the nation.
Students can learn game design methodology, computer imaging, 2D and 3D design in Bloomfield's award-winning Center for Technology + Creativity, positioning themselves to pursue careers in game design and development for video game platforms, computers and smartphones.
"Our Creative Arts and Technology faculty, facilities and curriculum are nationally recognized, and our graduates are extremely prepared to have an immediate impact on the industry," says Evans. "To be able to create this pathway for students at Essex County Payne Tech champions our mission of access and life-changing educational opportunities, and I cannot wait to see what they can achieve."
For more information on Bloomfield College of Montclair State University's academic programs, visit bloomfield.edu/academics.
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