Albany State University-[node:field-date:custom:Y]--Award Credit for AP/IB/CLEP/DSST/ACE/Portfolio review, -MOWR/Dual Enrollment/Joint Enrollment program

Goal 2: (CCG #6) Shorten time to degree completion through programs that allow students to earn college credit while still in high school and by awarding credit for prior learning that is verified by appropriate assessment.

In order to shorten time to degree completion, ASU is currently a) offering dual/joint enrollment programs for high school students; b) awarding credit based on Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate scores/exams; c) awarding credit based on assessment of prior learning via CLEP or DSST scores; d) awarding credit based on ACE credit; e) assigning an enrollment management specialist (advisor) solely for high school students, parents, and counselors to provide them with a dual enrollment orientation, and encourage dual enrollment students to matriculate to ASU, and f) university open house for students and parents to learn about dual enrollment opportunities.

Progress in 2014-2015: Fifty-three Dougherty County Early College (DCEC) students enrolled as dual enrolled students in Fall 2013; 36 students enrolled in Fall 2014; and 12 have registered for Fall 2015.  A decision by the Dougherty County School System to move the students at the DCEC from the ASU campus to one of the high schools in the county or allow the students to enroll in the high school closest to their homes resulted in fewer Early College students enrolled in fall 2015, confirming ASU’s   impetus to continue reaching out to the Dougherty County high schools as well as other high schools in the region to establish new Dual Enrollment agreements.  The ASU recruitment team with representatives from Admissions, Financial Aid, Online Learning and Academic Affairs met at various times with principals or counselors from five area high schools during the year. An agreement was reached with one of the high schools, and eligible students are to enroll in spring 2016. Twelve of the Early College students who graduated in May of 2015 enrolled early as regular college students at ASU beginning either in the Summer or for the Fall 2015 semester.  ASU will continue to maintain data on the dual enrolled students. One concern voiced by the DCSS was transportation of students wishing to participate in dual-enrollment at ASU.  An agreement was made to allow academically qualified DCSS teachers to be part-time ASU faculty and use the ASU syllabus for each course, thus allowing some students to remain in their schools rather than being transported to and from the ASU campus.  Faculty credentials are being reviewed.

Deerfield Windsor School (DWS) continues to actively work with ASU in dual enrollment of their students and the Counselor sits with the students interested in dual enrollment prior to the end of their sophomore or junior year and assists them in completing their FAFSA and ACCEL applications for the coming year.  ASU’s meetings with DWS administration, parents and students continue to see an increased interest in dual enrollment – some with ASU or others with our area state college. 

In July 2015, the new Enrollment Management Associate Provost assigned two experienced staff members to recruit at the area high schools and to serve as liaisons at the local technical college and the state college with a goal of increasing the transition from the student’s previous institution to ASU. One of these liaisons will also coordinate courses for ASU at the Cordele campus to be shared with Darton State College.

ASU strategy to retain dual enrollment students as ASU freshmen by increasing matriculation rates of dual enrollment students to at least 3% in Fall 2016 will begin in Fall 2015 and will be facilitated by Enrollment Management. The Director of Admissions will identify dual enrollment students to department deans and chairs to be contacted on the basis on their anticipated major for recruitment in their projected major.  ASU recruiters will also actively contact these dual enrollment students with ASU information to retain dual enrollment students as ASU Freshman.

ASU Open Houses for college-bound high school students will provide students with a first-hand look at the benefits of attending Albany State University.  The Open Houses will include:  Information Fair – Chat with representatives from ASU organizations and offices while gathering information and giveaways. Academic Sessions – Hear from faculty, staff and students within the schools/colleges, campus and residence hall tours.  Information Sessions- Topics such as admission requirements for transfer students, military veterans as well as information regarding the application and financial aid processes.

Goal 2: Shorten time to degree completion through programs that allow students to earn college credit while still in high school and by awarding credit for prior learning that is verified by appropriate assessment