Building on a long-standing partnership of offering pathway programs to assist students in making the transition from diploma to degree, Durham College (DC) and Trent University have signed a new agreement that will fast-track students to a college diploma in Journalism and a university degree in Media Studies in only a four-year timeframe.

The new pathways program agreement was signed July 8, 2015 at Trent University Durham by Don Lovisa, president of Durham College and Dr. Leo Groarke, Trent University president and vice-chancellor. It will allow graduates of DC’s two-year Journalism – Web and Print and Journalism – Broadcast and Electronic Media programs to pursue a Bachelor of Arts degree in Media Studies at Trent University in Peterborough or at Trent University Durham, where the Media Studies degree is being offered for the first time in fall 2015.

“This is another example of our progressive and long-standing partnership with Trent University,” said President Lovisa. “Developing new pathway programs for our students ensures they get the best of both a college and university education – technical, professional and theoretical training along the way to earning a diploma and degree. That means when they graduate they are better-positioned with employers and for finding professional success.”

This agreement marks the first partnership between Trent and DC’s School of Media, Art and Design. There are now more than 14 diploma-to-degree pathways in place between DC and Trent University, providing degree completion opportunities for graduates of the college’s business, General Arts and Science, computing, Environmental Technology, Police Foundations and Pharmaceutical and Food Science Technology programs. The two institutions are also currently working on two additional pathways from the School of Media, Art and Design at DC into Media Studies at Trent University, to be finalized in fall 2015.