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5 Things to Know About a Communiversity Degree

Brookdale's Communiversity is an educational bargain for students looking for a four-year degree and even a master's.

For Meghan Fischer, of Port Monmouth, and Kevin Moedt, of Middletown, the prospect of paying for four years of college is daunting. The seniors are both feeling the financial crush, so the pair turned up at last week to hear how the NJ Coastal Communiversity might ease the burden.

"My parents have told me I can't take out any student loans," said Moedt, who works at the and is interested in a hospitality and tourism degree from New Jersey City University.

Fischer said going away to school would be her first choice but with one parent laid off from work, a degree through the Communiversity "is a better option financially than going away."

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The Communiversity is a partnership among five universities that provides local access to baccalaureate and graduate degree programs in a variety of majors including: business, education, public safety, social work, information technology, liberal arts and nursing.

If Fischer, who wants to pursue elementary education, goes with the Georgian Court University through the Communiversity, she could save 45 percent off the cost of tuition. Instead of commuting to the Lakewood university, she would take her classes at Brookdale's Wall location. 

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Before you head off to a four-year school with hefty tuitions, you too might want to consider an education in Monmouth County.

Take a look our list of five things you should know about local programs, before you pay big bucks for college:

1. Communiversity students get degrees and diplomas from schools like Rutgers and Montclair State universities, without ever having to step foot on their campuses. Classes are held at Brookdale's Lincroft campus (first for the associates degree) and then at Wall or Freehold extensions for the bachelor's degree.

2. The degrees offered through the alliance are varied. New Jersey City University (NJCU) offers a degree in national security studies, and New Jersey Institute of Technology has a degree in information systems that is entirely online.

3. The Communiversity offers two nursing degrees with Rutgers and NJCU, including an accelerated program. Working registered nurses can also get their master's degree.

4. Two schools offer an easy transfer experience with a dual admissions program. With NJCU or Georgian Court, students apply once, save on fees and sail smoothly through the transition from associate to bachelor's degree - all while completing their degrees here in Monmouth County.

5. Programs are pre set. This means you lose some freedom in choosing classes, but it also means you know what to expect - evening classes, two nights a week, beginning at either 4 or 6 p.m. - a boon for any working person or parent who needs predictability in their schedule.

Find out about upcoming open houses for the Communiversity and dual admissions programs.

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