CCSU, Junior Achievement Ink Agreement Offering Academic Credits for JA Courses

Central Connecticut State University and Junior Achievement, Southwest New England Inc., have signed an agreement that will enable local high school students to earn academic credits at Central.

The three-year agreement applies to high school students who are taking Junior Achievement (JA) courses at participating high schools. JA courses cover various topics across its core content areas of financial literacy, work and career readiness, and entrepreneurship.

Central will award academic credits to students who complete specific JA courses, including Marketing Principles 1 and 2; Introduction to Business and Technology; and Economics, among others. Students must earn a C- or higher to transfer JA course credits to Central. JA courses are free of charge and transferable credits will be applied at no cost to the students.

“This type of innovative agreement allows the university to partner with strategic thinkers like Junior Achievement and educate the next generation of business leaders,” said CCSU President Dr. Zulma Toro. 

Faculty at Central and representatives from JA will work together to determine eligible coursework; how credits are transferred; and other implementation details.

To comply with New England Commission of Higher Education standards and specific school accreditation requirements, Central will establish the requirements for high school teachers to become qualified instructors for Central.

“This partnership with Junior Achievement exemplifies our commitment to providing opportunities for students to earn college credit during high school and to further pave the way for student success in the dynamic field of business,” says Dr. Lisa Frank, Interim Dean of Central’s School of Business.

Nationally, Junior Achievement reaches more than 4.8 million students per year in 209,651classrooms and after-school locations. JA programs are taught by volunteers in inner cities, suburbs, and rural areas throughout the United States, by over 100 JA  Area Offices in all 50 states.

JA of Southwest New England was founded in 1951. In just the past year, JA delivered high-quality economic education to more than 30,000 Connecticut students in 165 schools and sites, including 85 high schools, with more than 1,200 volunteers from 239 leading companies. 

Providing children from kindergarten through 12th grade with positive adult role models who illustrate ways to build self-confidence and develop financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and work readiness skills, is a hallmark of Junior Achievement. Data indicates that 84 percent of JA alumni nationally agree that their Junior Achievement experience helped with their financial literacy, and 88% of JA alumni say they are satisfied with their careers, compared to 49% of the general public, according to JA officials.