University in the High School

 

Julianne Joslin, like many SCCC students, is thankful for the University in the High School program, which helped her get a jump-start on college credits before she even graduated from high school. She took College Composition and Introduction to Literature while she was a student at Mohonasen High School. Those six credits were ready and waiting for her when she enrolled here at SCCC, and they saved her time and money.

According to Julianne, taking the courses in high school also gave her important pre-college experience. "I would recommend it because it gets you ahead for one thing. It also actually prepares you and gives you an idea of what you are getting into later with the college courses." Julianne took the courses from SCCC adjunct instructor Kathryn Ermie at Mohonasen, and stated the experience helped her understand the structure and requirements of the college courses she now takes. Julianne plans to transfer to a four-year institution where she may be majoring in Spanish. Many more high school students are getting the same opportunity that Julianne did. The UHS program has nearly 100 courses in 18 area high schools this fall, and there are additional courses planned for spring semester. Each course is taught by a certified teacher who has been approved as an adjunct faculty member through our normal approval process. Once approved, the adjunct instructors teach SCCC courses to high school students, utilizing the same course outlines and textbooks as used by on-campus instructors. Similar to on-campus practices, new adjuncts teaching UHS courses are observed in the classroom, and formal evaluations are written. Once approved by SCCC, the students in those courses can get credit for the work done at well below the SCCC tuition rate. This fall the cost to the students is $25 per credit, which will increase to $35 per credit for the spring semester. Students can use those credits when they enter SCCC or can transfer them to other colleges around the state and country.

The College is a member of the National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partners (NACEP), an organization of colleges and universities which offer UHS-type courses. The College is adhering to NACEP standards and anticipates applying for organizational accreditation in August 2005. In addition, the College is a member of SUNYCEP, an organization of SUNY two-year colleges which offers courses in high schools. Last December the SUNYCEP winter meeting was held on the SCCC campus. Serving approximately 1400 students per year, SCCC's UHS program is in the middle range, in terms of size. Fulton Montgomery Community College's program serves fewer than 200 students. However, Corning's ACE Program serves more than 1800 students; Genesee's ASP Program serves 2100; and Monroe's Dual Credit program serves more than 4000 students annually!

 

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