Originally published in The Times | Northeast Technology Center students have a tremendous opportunity to earn college credit while completing career training at NTC. For only $8 per credit hour,high school and adult students may earn credit toward an Associate in Applied Science degree with one of the Alliance college partners - OSU Institute of Technology, Rogers State University and NEO A&M College.

The Cooperative Alliance is part of a commitment by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education and the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education to work together for the benefit of Oklahoma students. To date, over 2,000 college credit hours have been earned by NTC students through this Alliance agreement. The number of college credit hours granted for NTC coursework varies by college and NTC program.

Costs are minimal for a student to take advantage of the Cooperative Alliance. College tuition is waived, but there is an $8 per credit hour fee assessed for the college credit that will be granted by the participating college. NTC students qualify by being enrolled in a technical program that is part of the Alliance. High school students must also return a Parent Statement of Understanding form that has to be completed and signed by the parent/student. Also, the high school student must meet one of the following criteria while at NTC before earning college credit with one of the Alliance colleges: a cumulative grade point average of 2.5, a composite score of 15 on the Plan Test taken during the sophomore year or a composite ACT score of 19.

This week NTC hosted participating colleges on each of its campuses to co-enroll qualified students.

“We are very pleased with the benefits the Cooperative Alliance is able to offer our students,” said Diane Hampton, NTC Cooperative Alliance Coordinator. “We are also pleased with how many students are taking advantage of this great opportunity. At the Kansas Campus, every eligible student in Instructor Wade Friesen’s Electrical Technology program signed up for co-enrollment with OSU-IT.” Northeast Technology Center also has Cooperative Agreements with St. Gregory’s University, Coffeyville Community College and Pittsburg State University to provide a seamless transition from NTC to college, though con-enrollment is not required. College credit is granted by these institutions after NTC program completion, admission requirements are met and in some cases,additional hours are completed at the institution.

Northeast Technology Center’s campuses are located in Afton, Kansas, Pryor and Claremore. Through its full-time daytime classes, short-term evening classes,and its business and industry services and training, NTC serves well over 18,000 patrons per year. For more information on the earning college credit through the Cooperative Alliance,visit NTC’s website at www.netech.edu or call Diane Hampton at 918-257-8324 or 918-540-1111.