Greenville Technical College will begin offering a new accelerated associate degree program this Fall Semester that can be completed in one year.
Ideal for new high school graduates and adult learners, the One-Year Accelerated Associate Degree program is a full-time, three-semester program for qualified students to earn an associate of arts or associate of science in a fast-track format. Students usually complete traditional associate degree programs in two years.
“This new accelerated program is the first of its kind at a technical college in South Carolina*. It will allow students to earn their associate of arts or science degree at Greenville Tech, and then transfer to a four-year college or university program a full year ahead of their peers,” said Dr. Jermaine Whirl, vice president of learning and workforce development at Greenville Technical College. “This is a bonus for many of our students who are dedicated to continuing their education through to a bachelor’s degree and beyond.”
To enter the program each fall, students must meet several academic requirements, complete an online interest form and submit a 500-word essay on how an accelerated degree would help them achieve their educational and career goals. The essay will be scored and evaluated as part of the placement process.
Academic requirements include placement into English Composition I (ENG 101) and College Algebra (MAT 110) or the following official test scores: 540 or higher on all sections of the SAT, 22 or higher on each section of the ACT, or a 200 or above on each section of the GED. Students must also earn an overall minimum score of 12 on the essay rubric.
Students accepted into the fall cohort will attend daytime classes Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., in two 7-week terms each Fall and Spring semesters. There is also a 10-week Summer term. Some online and hybrid (face-to-face and online) courses are included, but most courses are offered in the traditional classroom format.
To keep student success at the forefront in this accelerated program, students are assigned a dedicated transfer advisor and academic coach. Students are expected to achieve a minimum grade of “C” in order to progress through the cohort degree program.
Limited seats are available to those who qualify. Priority application deadline is May 31, and the final application deadline is July 26. Fall 2019 cohort classes begin August 26. To learn more about the One-Year Accelerated Associate Degree program and how to apply, visit www.gvltec.edu/2-years-in-1/.
Interested students are invited to attend an open house session, either May 14 or May 28. Both sessions are from 6-7 p.m. and will be held in Room 121 of the University Transfer building (#104) on the Barton Campus (506 S. Pleasantburg Dr.). To RSVP for this open house, visit https://GTCAcceleratedDegree.eventbrite.com.
*This release updated on 6-20-19 to clarify scope of program.