CTC/KISD DUAL CREDIT PROGRAM GIVES HIGH SCHOOLERS

A HEAD START ON COLLEGE

Central Texas College (CTC) recently entered into a new partnership with the Killeen Independent School District (KISD) to offer college-level courses for dual credit in all four high schools beginning this school year. The Dual Credit Program will provide high school students the opportunity to enroll in some “core” classes and receive both high school and college credit.

CTC, in conjunction with KISD, now offers both Government 2301 and Government 2302 on all four high school campuses. The courses are taught by CTC faculty and the courses are part of the normal KISD bell schedule at that high school. Students can pre-register for the courses through KISD. Upon successful completion of the courses, students will receive both high school and college credit.

“This is an excellent opportunity for students to get a head start on their college careers,” said Tasha Gardner, recruitment/admissions counselor at CTC. “Students can ease into the college atmosphere with smaller classes and a more personal learning environment. Based on the response, additional courses may be added in future semesters.”

Gardner added, “All courses denoted as part of the ‘core' curriculum are guaranteed to transfer to a four-year university in Texas and to most institutions outside of the state. CTC sends many well-prepared students to major universities such as the University of Texas, Texas A&M, Baylor, Texas State University and the University of Houston just to name a few.”

CTC is a worldwide institution and courses are designed to transfer easily to four-year universities both in Texas and outside the state. Articulation agreements established by the college allow students to lock in a four-year degree plan with guaranteed transfer credit.

Students considering the dual credit program must complete the regular application for admission to CTC. They must also complete the CTC early admission application with signatures from a parent or school counselor. Eligibility guidelines also call for the submission of exit level TAKS scores, if the student has them; SAT, ACT or THEA scores if the student has taken any of these tests; and an unofficial copy of their high school transcript. If a student has not taken the 11 th grade TAKS they may be required to take an alternative (ASSET) entrance test.

The Dual Credit Program offers two options. Students may participate in dual enrollment, which offers classes at the high school, or the concurrent enrollment plan. This plan provides for pre-approved courses to be taken on the CTC campus for both high school and college credit. “We have quite a few students involved in concurrent enrollment,” noted Gardner . They attend high school during the day and then attend late afternoon or night classes at CTC.”

With either option of the Dual Credit Program, students can become eligible to participate in internships available to only college students. They can also participate in college clubs and organizations and transfer those memberships to the same clubs at four-year schools. Students in vocational programs can qualify to graduate from CTC with a certificate of completion upon graduation from high school.

Students interested in CTC's Dual Credit Program can visit the “Prospective Student” section on-line at www.ctcd.edu or call a recruitment/admissions counselor at 254-526-1409.