Academic Catalog

Introduction

Institutional Overview

Since its founding in 1964 as New Jersey’s first county college, Ocean County College (OCC) has been dedicated to educating and serving residents of Ocean County, New Jersey, and beyond, as an innovative academic leader. Supported financially by Ocean County, the State of New Jersey, and its student body, OCC sits on 275 acres in Toms River, NJ. Situated in the rapidly growing 628-square-mile region of Ocean County, OCC is a vital educational hub, offering inclusive access to exceptional opportunities for learners of all ages and backgrounds.

As a publicly funded institution, OCC remains agile in addressing community needs, extending support beyond education to create sustainable employment pathways for students. In this dynamic role, OCC contributes significantly to individual growth and the overall development of Ocean County and the state, solidifying its position as a crucial catalyst for positive change. OCC’s Mission demonstrates the institution’s commitment to serve its students and community and lays the foundation for this work.

Mission 

Ocean County College, an innovative academic leader, provides affordable, student-centered, high-quality educational experiences that empower diverse learners to succeed. 

To achieve its mission, OCC invests in and fosters academic, economic, and cultural excellence and ensures financial strength by generating multiple revenue streams, engaging in national and international university and corporate partnerships, and cultivating a technologically progressive and entrepreneurial spirit.

Vision 

Ocean County College will be the boldest, most innovative and entrepreneurial student-centered college in the nation, will promote exemplary learning experiences, and will advance community college education internationally.

Guiding Principles

  • Student-Centered: We empower our students to learn and succeed through distinctive, high-quality learning opportunities.
  • Accessible: We welcome all people to the Ocean County College community by providing affordable, flexible, and barrier-free educational opportunities.
  • Innovative: We proactively seek opportunities to improve through ingenuity and strategic partnerships.
  • Collaborative: We practice teamwork and open communication within a culture of civility and mutual respect.
  • Courageous: We act with determination to serve our students and achieve our goals.
  • Trustworthy: We exercise integrity, transparency, and data-informed decision-making.

Strategic Goals

Strategic Goal 1: Empower students to learn, engage, and achieve

  • Objective 1.1 Enhance student learning.
  • Objective 1.2 Engage students in co-curricular activities.
  • Objective 1.3 Improve student persistence, completion, and career attainment.

Strategic Goal 2: Optimize and expand enrollment of all learners

  • Objective 2.1 Promote our value and identity.
  • Objective 2.2 Achieve sustained growth in enrollment.
  • Objective 2.3 Provide relevant programs to foster workforce development.

Strategic Goal 3: Elevate organizational effectiveness

  • Objective 3.1 Create and sustain a highly effective work environment.
  • Objective 3.2 Advance our use of technology and information.
  • Objective 3.3 Optimize the use of our campus facilities.
  • Objective 3.4 Implement effective policies and practices.

Strategic Goal 4: Expand relationships with external stakeholders

  • Objective 4.1 Collaborate across the College to promote positive stakeholder communication and cultivation.
  • Objective 4.2 Connect with local and extended community supporters.
  • Objective 4.3 Explore new and innovative partnerships.

Accreditation

Ocean County College is an accredited institution and a member of the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) http://www.msche.org. Ocean County College’s accreditation status is Accreditation Reaffirmed. The Commission’s most recent action on the institution’s accreditation status on June 27, 2024, was to reaffirm accreditation.

MSCHE is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA)

The Associate nursing program at Ocean County College located in Toms River, New Jersey is accredited by the:

Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
3390 Peachtree Road, NE, Suite 1400, Atlanta, GA 30326
(404) 975-5000

The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the Associate nursing program is Continuing Accreditation.

View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program at: https://www.acenursing.org/search-programs/