In an effort to assist the many district residents in Shasta, Tehama and Trinity Counties who have some college credits – or even none – and have never finished a degree, Shasta College will launch the ACE (Accelerated College Education) program in June 2016. An information session will be held at the main Redding campus on April 7, 2016, at 6:00 PM in Room 802.
“We have a high percentage of residents in our area who have not finished a two-year degree,” said Dr. Joe Wyse, Superintendent/President of Shasta College. “Often, these are people who are already working full-time, but cannot advance in their careers due to the lack of a college degree. We now have a plan to help them finish those degrees they started, quickly and with support.”
Initially, four different degrees – two in Business and two in Social Science/Psychology – will be offered. For a student that does not want to transfer to a four year university, an Associate Degree in Business or Social Science is offered in a 9 month time span. Completion of a transfer degree in Business or Psychology, which will prepare a student to enter a CSU program with half of his or her units (60) complete, will take 16-17 months. All classes in the program are offered on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, plus online. Click on the followoing link for detailed program information: ACE Program Information
Students entering the first group in June 2016 will start with a Student Success class for which Shasta College will provide the textbook free of charge. In addition, financial aid and funding for transportation and/or childcare may be available. The first step is for students to attend the April session or contact Counselor Rebecka Renfer at (530) 242-7696 to schedule an appointment to evaluate their transcripts and create an educational plan.
For students who complete transfer degrees in 17 months, Shasta College is developing partnerships with various CSUs so that they can immediately enter online Bachelor’s Degree programs. This program is part of the initiative for which Shasta College received a $5 million Innovation Award from the State of California last year. The long-term goal is for 25% of district high school students to obtain Bachelor’s Degrees.
For more information, contact Liz Kohn, ACE Program Director, Shasta College, 530-242-7694.