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Tech PRep

Helping Students in Muscogee, Chattahoochee, Harris, Stewart, and Quitman Counties Reach Their Career Goals!

Tech Prep is a nationwide career development system that:

  • Provides a student with an individual career plan that focuses on a Tech Prep Career Major
  • Incorporates academic and career-related courses aligned (articulated) between secondary and postsecondary levels
  • Leads to a certificate, diploma, degree, or apprenticeship

Mission Statement

To provide every student an opportunity to participate in a seamless educational system that includes high-level academic and technical preparation for workforce readiness and lifelong learning.

Vision

"Preparing Today's Students for Tomorrow's Opportunities."

Given the rapidly changing nature of the 21st century economy, Georgia Tech Prep proposes to:

  • Provide students with information, guidance and resources to make informed career choices.
  • Provide a platform upon which business and education interests can work together to create exceptional and competitive solutions that are mutually beneficial.
  • Provide enhanced learning opportunities as well as material support to both educators and members of the business community.

Definition of Tech Prep Students

What is a Secondary Tech Prep Student?

A secondary Tech Prep student is a high school student who is functioning at or above grade level and who is enrolled in a career program of study that has been articulated between secondary and post secondary institutions culminating in a degree or a diploma.

A Tech Prep Student has:
(High School)

  • Program of Study Based on HS/PS Articulation Agreement (see definition below)
  • College Prep and/or Tech Prep Applied Academic Courses
  • Recommended 4 Career-Specific Courses (some school systems have additional requirements)
  • Intention of 2-4 Years Post secondary Degree or Diploma
  • Work-Based Learning if possible
  • Possible Advanced Placement at Post secondary Level

What is an Articulation Agreement?

An articulation agreement means that the competencies for certain courses taught in high school have been matched with those taught at the post secondary level. You may be awarded technical college credit if you complete the course with at least an 85 average and meet other requirements to gain a Tech Prep endorsement on your high school diploma. You must also meet the admission requirements at the technical college.

Secondary Tech Prep Graduate

A high school student who has successfully completed the academic and career-related courses specified in their program of study.

Tech Prep Completer

A student who has successfully completed the secondary and post secondary requirements of a Tech Prep program of study resulting in an associate degree, a diploma or an apprenticeship certificate.

Tech Prep Programs of Study

Tech Prep Programs of Study may come from the following career pathways:

  • Arts & Humanities Careers
  • Business, Marketing/Information, Management Careers
  • Environmental & Agricultural Careers
  • Health & Medical Careers
  • Human Services Careers
  • Technical /Engineering Careers

Why Tech Prep?

  • Students gain strong academic and technical skills
  • Students who meet Tech Prep Criteria may receive advanced placement / college credit at Columbus Technical College
  • Tech Prep graduates have a head start toward a technical education
  • Tech Prep graduates are prepared for high-skill, high-paying jobs
  • Students gain increased awareness of career options and are helped to gain focus on a career choice

What's An Articulated Course?

Sometimes course content taught at the high school is very similar to that taught at the technical college. To keep Tech Prep students from having to take courses at college that repeat content they have already taken, high school teachers meet with their post secondary counterparts and match course objectives to reach articulation agreements. This is what is referred to as a "seamless program of study without overlaps in content." EARN COLLEGE CREDIT!

Benefits to Students

  • Articulation saves time and money
  • It can accelerate progress
  • It reduces duplication
  • You can learn more through expanded content/advanced courses

Requirements for Articulation of Courses

  1. Student must gain Tech Prep endorsement on high school diploma.
  2. Student must have at least an 85 average in Tech Prep high school courses to be able to articulate them.
  3. Student must enter Columbus Technical College (or another Georgia technical college) within 18 months of graduation.
  4. Student must meet all entrance requirements at the post secondary school.

See the Quick Reference Guide 96kb, pdf Get Adobe Reader for listing of courses that have been articulated.

Tutorial Center

To assist in your transition from high school to Columbus Technical College, The Learning Resource Center is a tutoring center with the mission of providing support and assistance to students in meeting the expected outcomes of the core curriculum. The tutors in The Learning Resource Center have a special interest in assisting students who are taking English and mathematics courses. The tutors also address questions about other course material as well as COMPASS preparation. The Center provides free tutoring for applicants and students of Columbus Technical College . The Center is located in Room 603 in Patrick Hall. Applicants and students are welcome to drop in or to call (706) 641-4196.

For More Information

  1. See your high school counselor first, then
  2. Contact Ellen Harvill, Director of Workforce Development, Columbus Technical College at: eharvill@columbustech.edu, or 706.649.1922
    or Contact Jean Kirby, Columbus Area Tech Prep Consortium Coordinator at: jkirby@columbustech.edu, or 706.649.7503