HCCC | RU-N CONNECT Program

• Marketing, B.S.
• Supply Chain Management, B.S.
• Leadership and Management, B.S.

• Public Administration, B.A.

• Biology, B.A.
• Biology, B.S.
• Psychology, B.A.
• Social Work, B.A.
• Computer Science, B.A.
• Education (Urban Secondary Education), B.A.

• Criminal Justice, B.A.

HCCC | RU-N CONNECT Program is a collaborative transfer partnership between Hudson County Community College and Rutgers University–Newark that provides HCCC students with guided transfer pathways, joint support services, and streamlined degree completion opportunities. HCCC students benefit from Rutgers–Newark’s strengths as a highly accessible, research-driven public university known for its inclusive campus community, extensive academic support, and strong record of advancing social mobility for first-generation and transfer students.

Students enrolled at Hudson County Community College who are pursuing an eligible associate degree and intend to transfer to Rutgers University–Newark may apply for the CONNECT program. Some pathways may require minimum GPA or course requirements. Rutgers–Newark’s mission-driven focus on access means qualified part-time, working, first-generation, and adult learners are encouraged to participate, with advising calibrated to varied life and work schedules.

Eligible HCCC students who meet the program requirements and complete their associate degree pathway may receive joint admission or a streamlined transfer admission process into participating Rutgers–Newark programs. Admission requirements may vary by major. Because Rutgers–Newark is part of a leading public research university, some programs are selective to maintain academic quality, but CONNECT advising clarifies criteria early so students can plan confidently.

The following Rutgers–Newark’s academic programs are available to participating HCCC-RU-NCONNECT students.

• Marketing
• Supply Chain Management
• Leadership and Management
• Public Administration
• Biology
• Psychology
• Social Work
• Computer Science
• Education
• Criminal Justice

Additional pathways are expected to expand over time. Many of these fields align with Rutgers–Newark’s urban-engaged strengths, offering access to research, service learning, and internships with government agencies, nonprofits, health systems, financial services, tech firms, and cultural institutions in the region.

This program is specifically designed to maximize transfer credits and minimize the loss of credits between institutions. Students are encouraged to complete their associate degree before transferring whenever possible. As a public university partner, Rutgers–Newark works from established statewide transfer agreements and discipline-aligned course maps to protect progress toward your bachelor’s degree.

Yes. Eligible Early College students from HCCC may participate in the CONNECT program if they meet pathway requirements and intend to continue toward a bachelor’s degree at Rutgers–Newark. Early access to Rutgers–Newark’s advising and student success services can help these students sustain momentum from high school through bachelor’s completion.

All HCCC-RU-N CONNECT students are required to submit a Rutgers undergraduate application. Program participants will qualify for a Rutgers–Newark application fee waiver as part of the partnership agreement. Students should verify the current waiver and procedures with program advisors.

Yes. Students are encouraged to complete the FAFSA and may receive assistance identifying scholarships, grants, and other financial aid opportunities available through both institutions. Rutgers–Newark’s commitment to affordability includes connecting transfer students to need-based aid, merit scholarships, work-study, and emergency support resources that can sustain progress toward graduation.

The program provides coordinated advising, academic planning, transfer coaching, and ongoing support to help students adjust successfully to university life and stay on track for graduation. At Rutgers–Newark, students also benefit from robust tutoring, writing and math centers, mentoring programs, career development, and commuter-friendly engagement that respects work and family responsibilities.

CONNECT students may gain access to select Rutgers–Newark events, advising opportunities, campus visits, and student engagement activities before officially transferring. This early integration introduces students to a vibrant, diverse campus culture with abundant clubs, service projects, research experiences, and arts and civic initiatives.

Yes. One of the main goals of the program is to reduce unnecessary credit duplication and create clearly aligned degree pathways that support timely graduation. Rutgers–Newark’s scale and public-mission infrastructure support frequent course offerings, predictable scheduling, and clear milestone tracking so students can plan around work and family commitments without derailing progress.

Unlike a traditional transfer process, CONNECT offers:

• Structured academic pathways that map HCCC coursework directly to Rutgers–Newark degree requirements.
• Coordinated advising between both schools.
• Early university engagement that builds belonging and participation.
• Personalized student support and outreach on key academic milestones.
• Improved credit transfer alignment to minimize excess credits and cost.
• A more guided and predictable transition experience into a public research university with deep community partnerships, diverse peer networks, and strong career pipelines.

No. Part-time students may also be eligible depending on their academic pathway and progression plan. Students should speak with an advisor to determine the best pathway option. Rutgers–Newark’s commuter- and transfer-friendly environment, evening offerings in many programs, and accessible location make part-time progress viable without sacrificing quality or support.