Bergen Community College To Offer Classes In Mahwah This Fall

Beginning this fall, Bergen Community College’s criminal justice students can complete a “good portion of their program,” without making the drive down Route 17 to Paramus.

“We will be running about 15 to 18 credits worth of classes at the Law and Safety Institute in Mahwah, for purposes of convenience and expansion, and to better reach our students in our Northwest quadrant,” said Dr. David Eichenholtz, who is in charge of community outreach.

Eichenholtz said the five to six courses will run in conjunction with criminal justice programs that can be completed at the college’s main campus. The Institute, on Campgaw Road in Mahwah, has hosted one or two classes in the past, but this fall’s offerings mark a big increase. The county-wide training facility, which will host mainly afternoon and evening classes for BCC, was a “perfect option” for school, he said.

“We are looking to target adults. So we are hoping that people there to renew their emergency response qualifications might be interested in a related degree program as well,” he said.

The college is also looking to target those interested in a career change. Eichenholtz called criminal justice a “hot area” for the college right now, enrollment-wise.

However, high school students thinking about a career in law enforcement might also consider the nearby campus as an introduction to the course of study.

“As long as they are over 16, this might be a good way for kids to test the waters if they think they are interested in careers along these lines,” Eichenholtz said.

Though Bergen Community recently announced an expansion effort that included offering classes at Fort Lee High School, Eichenholtz said that will not likely be happening at MHS.

“The Law and Public Safety Institute is the only site we are looking to expand with there.”

Students can already register online for the fall classes in Mahwah.