SUBMITTED REPORT
Austin Community College (ACC) and Texas State University announced their partnership, the Pathway Program, during the construction topping-out celebration for the ACC Hays Campus. Beginning in fall 2014, the program will allow students to take courses at ACC and Texas State simultaneously.
A similar program exists between ACC and the University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin).
Students in the program will complete the core curriculum at ACC’s Hays Campus in the Kyle/Buda area, scheduled to open in spring 2014. As long as they maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.25, students will be guaranteed full admission for most Texas State majors for the completion of a bachelor’s degree.
Pathway Program students can also live in Texas State residence halls their first year.
“With every education partnership we form, we are that much closer to reaching our collective goal – creating accelerated pathways for more students to achieve a college education,” said Dr. Richard Rhodes, ACC president/CEO. “Our co-enrollment programs with UT Austin and Texas State allow students to save on tuition, earn an associate degree, and have a seamless transition as they work toward their bachelor’s degree.”
Students in both programs will benefit from smaller, cohort-tailored classes with high academic standards at ACC while being introduced to the student life and academic expectations of the universities. The programs also allow for participants to have access to a variety of activities and services through both ACC and their partnering institution.
ACC is the top source of transfer students to area universities. According to data from ACC, students who transfer to UT Austin and Texas State from ACC perform, on average, better than other community college transfer students.