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EGCC offers dual enrollment for high school students
By Denise Dick
YOUNGSTOWN
Mahoning Valley high school students have the option of earning college credit — at school, college or via distance learning — through Eastern Gateway Community College.
The college has offered dual credit to area high school students since 2009, but in fall 2015, the program called College Credit Plus, will be governed by new tuition policies implemented by the state.
“We offer many different course options for high school students in the areas of English composition, humanities, fine arts, social sciences, natural sciences, math and technical courses,” Johnna Provenzano, EGCC transfer coordinator, said.
Courses transfer to other colleges and universities in the University System of Ohio.
Youngstown State University offers a similar program through College in High School. Some high schools, including Poland Seminary, participate through both institutions.
Principal Kevin Snyder said Poland’s involvement with EGCC started this year when a teacher, who has a law degree, wanted to teach government at the school through the dual credit program. YSU didn’t approve the teacher through its program because it favors a different degree.
“We felt someone with a juris doctorate was qualified to teach government,” Snyder said.
He contacted EGCC, which approved the teacher under its program.
Poland Superintendent David Janofa said working with both institutions allows the district to offer students more options.
Government is the only course at Poland offered for dual credit through EGCC this year, though that may grow.
“At this time, we’re investigating others,” the principal said.
As with YSU’s College in High School, students must meet certain criteria to sign up for EGCC’s Credit Plus.
They must have a minimum 2.0 grade point average and show they are prepared for college based either on their ACT or COMPASS placement test score.
Provenzano said school districts will be charged a discounted tuition rate through the College Credit Plus program beginning fall 2015.
The program’s tuition structure must be approved by college trustees, but it’s set at $40 per credit hour for courses on the high school campuses, $52 per credit hour for online and $117 per credit hour on the college campus.