The University in the High School Program Schenectady County Community College Making College Accessible

The University in the High School Program (UHS) provides an opportunity for students in high school to earn college credits within specified high school courses. The program introduces students to SCCC courses and available services before graduating high school.

How does it work?
High school courses are identified and modified to meet current SCCC curriculum standards. Teachers with appropriate academic credentials are qualified as SCCC adjunct faculty through the College's official approval process. Students follow the same class schedule as any other high school student, only they have registered as SCCC students through the class, and credits obtained are counted toward a student's college education. The UHS program offers its students access to the SCCC library, computer lab, learning center, tutoring services, athletic activities, and reduced tuition fees. The students benefit through their early exposure to college level courses, by earning college credits, and by becoming part of the SCCC community while still in high school. The program benefits SCCC as well by introducing students to its courses and available services before they graduate from high school.

Most of the credits earned in the UHS program are accepted in the SUNY system and by other colleges and universities, provided the students meet the necessary requirements of a grade of "C" or higher. SCCC will join the National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Programs (NACEP) in October 2002, thereby adopting NACEP standards as a means of ensuring course quality and easing articulation between two and four year college. Joining this national college conglomerate will mean that SCCC courses will be accepted at colleges and universities such as Syracuse University, the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and Indiana University at Bloomington.

Currently, there are seven high schools participating in the program:

More than 150 students are enrolled in courses such as BUS 109 E-Commerce, BUS 121 Business Law, POL 123 National Government, MAT 180 Calculus I, and SPA 224 Intermediate Spanish II. Enrollment is expected to increase in the fall, and further increases are projected for next year. The program is being extended to other neighboring high schools.

Griffin Holly, UHS instructor for BUS 109 E-Commerce at Guilderland High School

Students interested in taking the UHS program must complete an SCCC registration form, submit a Certificate of Residence, and pay the current tuition fee. Students interested in UHS should contact Euclid Rose at SCCC's Division of Continuing Education (518) 381-1315.