The Rend Lake Board of Trustees Tuesday night approved an articulation agreement with SIU Carbondale to link RLC’s Criminal Justice Program to SIU.

RLC students who complete the Associate of Arts degree in Criminal Justice will be able to transfer seamlessly as juniors into SIU Carbondale’s Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice.

Under the agreement, RLC students are required to complete specific courses and maintain a 2.0 grade point average or higher to qualify. Once at SIU, students will be required to complete approximately 42 credit hours to complete the bachelor’s degree.

Gabriele Farner, Dean of Applied Science and Technology, said the agreement with SIU Carbondale is a great new opportunity for students looking to stay in the area.

“The addition of Southern Illinois University to our list of opportunities for Criminal Justice graduates is fantastic in so many ways. Not only is it a local partnership that brings new ideas and technologies to RLC students, but it also gives the students another, local option to continue their education,” said Farner. “We’re excited to be working with them to help all of our students.”

The agreement joins two others for RLC Criminal Justice students who can also opt for similar arrangements with Central Methodist University and Missouri Baptist University. Each of these articulation agreements will be reevaluated annually by RLC and the partnering university.

The agreement is effective immediately for those who meet program requirements at both institutions. Students wishing to learn more about program specifics should contact their RLC Academic Advisor at 618-437-5321, Ext. 1266.