Apr 20, 2024  
2023-24 Gaston College Catalog and Student Handbook 
    
2023-24 Gaston College Catalog and Student Handbook

College Now (Career and College Promise) / Early Colleges / University Center



College Now-A Career and College Promise (CCP) Program

Session Law 2011-145, the Appropriations Act of 2011, authorizes the State Board of Education and the State Board of Community Colleges to establish the College Now Career and College Program. This program replaces all previous high school programs (Huskins, Dual Enrollment, and Learn & Earn Online). College Now provides seamless dual enrollment educational opportunities tuition free for eligible North Carolina private, public, charter, and home-schooled high school students, allowing them to accelerate completion of college certificates, diplomas, and associate degrees that lead to college transfer or provide entry-level job skills. College Now includes College Transfer Pathways, Career & Technical Education Pathways, and Cooperative Innovate High School Programs (Early College). Students are responsible for paying for registration fees and textbooks unless the School System incurs the cost. Information on current pathways being offered may be found through the College Now webpage.

Application requirements for the College Transfer Pathways and the Career Technical Pathways include: (1) High School Transcript, (2) Completed Career and College Promise Enrollment Form with required signatures, and (3) Completed College Application.

Entrance Requirements for the College Transfer Pathways is dependent upon a students’ grade level. For junior and senior entrance requirements: (1) Must have an unweighted GPA of 2.8 or higher on high school course work OR demonstrate college readiness through approved assessment tests (Plan, PSAT, SAT, ACT, RISE, NCDAP, Accuplacer, Asset) and (2) Maintain 2.0 college GPA after two (2) courses. For freshman and sophomore entrance requirements (for College Transfer Pathways only): (1) Must be identified as academically or intellectually gifted in English, reading, and math as outlined in the local Board of Education’s Academically & Intellectually Gifted (AIG) local plan or must be identified as academically or intellectually gifted in English, reading, and Math on an aptitude AND achievement test as evidenced by a score in the range of 92nd to 99th percentile on an aptitude and achievement test included in the Mental Measurements Yearbooks published by Buros Institute of Mental Measurements, (2) Must demonstrate college readiness in English, reading, AND mathematics on a diagnostic assessment test approved by the State Board of Community Colleges identified in Attachment A of the Career & College Promise Operating Procedures, and (3) Must have the maturity to justify admission to the Community College, as demonstrated by obtaining letters of recommendations from the Principal or designee at the high school and high school Academically Gifted Coordinator and have approval of the Community College President or designee.

Entrance requirements for the Career & Technical Education Pathways include (1) Must be a junior or senior, (2) Must have a unweighted GPA of 2.8 or higher on high school courses, demonstrate college readiness through approved assessment tests (Plan, PSAT, SAT, ACT, RISE, NCDAP, Accuplacer, Asset), or submit the Principal Readiness Waiver (which is only applicable for pathways that do not contain transfer courses), (3) Must meet prerequisites of courses in career pathway, and (4) Maintain 2.0 college GPA after two (2) courses.

Gaston Early College High School (GECHS)

Gaston Early College High School (GECHS) is an innovative high school located on the Dallas Campus of Gaston College. The Early College High School is operated by Gaston College and Gaston County Schools through a joint partnership.

This non-traditional high school offers Gaston County students a unique opportunity to receive a high school diploma while earning an Associate in Arts, Associate in Science, or Associate in Engineering degree from Gaston College. GECHS offers state-of-the-art technology and rigorous academics. Students take college courses at no additional cost, and after graduation, they may transfer to a four-year college or university.

For further information on GECHS, please visit the Gaston Early College High School website.

Gaston Early College of Medical Sciences (GECMS)

Gaston Early College of Medical Sciences (GECMS) is an innovative, healthcare-focused high school located on the Dallas Campus of Gaston College. The Early College of Medical Sciences is operated by Gaston College and Gaston County Schools through a joint partnership.

This non-traditional high school offers Gaston County students a unique opportunity to receive a high school diploma while earning a diploma or associate degree in preparation for a career in the Medical/Healthcare field. Programs/pathways include the Associate in General Education in Nursing, Health Information Technology, Human Services Technology, and Biotechnology Sciences. Students take college courses at no additional cost, and after graduation, students may continue with post-secondary education and/or go directly into the workforce.

For more information on GECMS, please visit the Gaston Early College of Medical Sciences website.

The University Center at Gaston College

The University Center at Gaston College was established in 1990 through the efforts of Appalachian State University, The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, and Gaston College. Located on the Gaston College’s Dallas Campus, the University Center coordinates a cooperative program with various area colleges and universities to bring four-year and graduate-level classes to Gaston College in order to make classes more accessible to the citizens of Gaston and Lincoln counties. Identifying the needs within the community and cooperation with various senior institutions are the dominating factors that determine the classes offered through the University Center. Most courses are offered during evenings for the convenience of working adults.