GSCC sees all-time high in dual enrollment students, contributes to state increase

Miranda Prescott, The Gadsden Times
·3 min read

Gadsden State Community College marked an all-time high for its dual enrollment program over the past two years, according to a news release from the college.

Since 2020, GSCC has seen a 57% increase, which helps contribute to the more than 15% increase in high school students participating in dual enrollment across the state, according to the Alabama Community College System.

“Dual enrollment is certainly a great way for students to get a head start on their college experience,” said Tonya Douthitt, dual enrollment coordinator at Gadsden State. “I believe we will continue to see an upward trend in dual enrollment across our service area as more students learn about these opportunities.”

Dual enrollment is one of the programs that gives Alabama’s high school students access to college-level classes that simultaneously apply to credit in both high school and college.

Those who choose to take dual enrollment classes need only to worry about the grade when it comes to receiving college credit for the class, whether it's taught in person, hybrid or online.

Dual enrollment students at Gadsden State Community College alongside the college's mascot, Swoop the Cardinal.
Dual enrollment students at Gadsden State Community College alongside the college's mascot, Swoop the Cardinal.

Students who want to participate in GSCC's dual enrollment program need to be in the 10th, 11th or 12th grade; gain permission from their school counselor; and receive an admissions packet to the college alongside a dual enrollment application.

Students also must have a minimum placement score before registration in core subjects such as English, math and computer science.

Recently, an additional $5 million was awarded by the state Legislature and signed by Gov. Kay Ivey for dual enrollment opportunities at Alabama’s community colleges.

Those funds, as well as funds designated last year, are being used to help expand dual enrollment scholarships to high school students interested in taking college-level science, technology, engineering and math courses at community colleges.

Programs that are eligible for scholarship awards at GSCC, with a 2.0 GPA or higher for placement, include:

  • Air Conditioning and Refrigeration

  • Auto Collision Repair

  • Automotive Manufacturing Technology

  • Automotive Service Technology

  • Carpentry

  • Child Development

  • Civil Engineering Technology

  • Computer Science

  • Diesel Mechanics

  • Electronics Engineering Technology

  • Electrical Technology

  • Health Information Technology

  • Industrial Automation Technology

  • Mechanical Design Technology

  • Mechatronics, MSSC – Certified Production Technician

  • Office Administration

  • Paralegal/Legal Assistant

  • Precision Machining and Welding

STEM-approved scholarship courses include anatomy, astronomy, biology, chemistry, computer science, geography, geology, math, physical science and physics. Students will need a 2.5 GPA to participate in STEM-related academic work.

Aida Massenburg, 17, a junior at Glencoe High School, said she chose to participate in GSCC's online dual enrollment program so she can complete as many general studies classes as possible before becoming a college freshman.

“I am getting a jump start on my college education by enrolling in courses that are much more affordable than the same courses taught at four-year universities,” she said. “I have already completed two classes, and I have plans to take four more classes before high school graduation.”

For more information about dual enrollment at Gadsden State, visit gadsdenstate.edu/ACEinstitute.

This article originally appeared on The Gadsden Times: Gadsden State reports all-time high in dual enrollment students