Students who are still in high school can take classes at Tri-County Community College through a variety of programs. For more information about enrollment opportunities for high school students, please see the Admissions Office.
Dual Enrollment
The Dual Enrollment program at Tri-County Community College allows high school students 16 years of age or older to enroll in selected college classes tuition-free. Students are responsible only for payment of books and student fees. The Dual Enrollment program is a great way for motivated high school students to get a head start on their college career. The Dual Enrollment Guide can help explain the program.
Some special rules apply for high school students taking classes on the TCCC campus. An applicant who is a minor between the ages of 16 and 18 years may be considered as a person with special needs and admitted to the appropriate courses or programs provided:
The minor applicant has left the public schools no less than six calendar months prior to the last day of regular registration of the semester in the institution for which admission is sought.
The application of such minor is supported by a notarized petition of the minor’s parent, legal guardian, or other person or agency having legal custody and control of such minor applicant. This petition certifies the place of residence and date of birth of the minor, the parental or other appropriate legal relationship of the petitioner to the minor applicant, and the date on which the minor applicant left the public schools. However, all or any part of the six-month waiting period may be waived by the superintendent of the public schools of the administrative unit in which the applicant resides.
Such admission will not preempt institution facilities and staff to such an extent as to render the institution unable to admit all applicants who have graduated from high school or who are 18 years of age or older.
It shall be the policy of the State Board of Education and the Department of Community Colleges to encourage young people to complete high school before seeking admission to community colleges. Selected high school students may be admitted to appropriate courses in a community college under the following conditions:
Require approval of the local board of trustees and the local board of education upon recommendation by the community college president and the school superintendent.
Restrict participation to students 16 years of age and older upon the initiation of such action by the public school. Students under 16 years of age may be admitted under certain conditions. Please consult Admissions Office for requirements.
Require joint approval of individual student programs by the principal of the secondary school and the admissions office of the community college.
In order for a high school student to enroll concurrently in a community college, that student must be taking at least two courses at his/her high school and be making appropriate progress toward graduation as determined by the school principal.
High school students shall not displace adults but will be permitted to fill in as space permits. Classes at community colleges shall not be started solely for high school students. However, once admitted these students should be treated as all other students.
It is the policy of Tri-County Community College to waive the tuition for any high school student taking curriculum courses under a cooperative program agreement (Huskins Bill) or through the dual enrollment provision noted in NCAC 2C.0305 (c). If a high school student does not take a curriculum course through a cooperative program agreement or does not meet the requirements of the dual enrollment provisions noted in NCAC 2C.0305 (c), the student is not eligible to receive a tuition exemption.
Learn and Earn Online The Learn and Earn Online program allows high school students to take online college classes. Public high school students enrolled in grades 9, 10, 11,or 12 are eligible to participate. Students enrolled in Learn and Earn Online classes shall be tuition exempt, and books will be the responsibility of the participating high school. Students should see their high school guidance counselor to sign up for online classes through the Learn and Earn Online program.
High school students attending a nonpublic school (home school) may enroll in any Learn and Earn Online course with space available that has been offered to but not filled by any eligible public school student. Non-public school students shall be responsible for supplying their own textbooks and other instructional materials.
Effective July 1, 2010
Approved Comprehensive Articulation Agreement Courses included in College Transfer core 44 and other required hours
AST-151-IN1 General Astronomy I
AST-151-IN1General Astronomy I Lab
BIO-110-IN1Principles of Biology
BIO-120-IN1Introductory Botany
CIS-110-IN1Introduction to Computers
CIS-110-IN2Introduction to Computers
HEA-110-IN1Personal Health & Wellness
MAT-140-IN1Survey of Mathematics
MAT-140A-IN1Survey of Mathematics Lab
College Transfer Electives
BUS-110-IN1 Introduction to Business
BUS-115-IN1Business Law I
BUS-137-IN1Principles of Management
CJC-111-IN1Introduction to Criminal Justice
CJC-141-IN1Corrections
CTS-115-IN1Information Systems Business Concept
NON-Transfer approved LEO Courses
CIS-111-IN1Basic PC Literacy
CJC-113-IN1Juvenile Justice
CJC-222-IN1Criminalistics
CTS-285-IN1Systems Analysis & Design
EDU-144-IN1Child Development I
EDU-153-IN1Health, Safety & Nutrition
EDU-234-IN1Infants, Toddlers, & Twos
EDU-243-IN1Learning Theory
ELC-128-IN1Introduction to PLC
ETR-215-IN1Law for Entrepreneurs
ISC-112-IN1Industrial Safety
MED-121-IN1Medical Terminology I
MED-122-IN1 Medical Terminology II
MKT-120-IN1 Principles of Marketing
OST-131-IN1Keyboarding
OST-136-IN1Word Processing
OST-155-IN1Legal Terminology
OST-164-IN1Text Editing Applications
SEC-110-IN1Security Concepts
WEB-110-IN1 Internet/Web Fundamentals
College Tech Prep The College Tech Prep program is a sequenced course of study that is designed to provide students with a more technically oriented educational background leading from high school graduation to an Associate in Applied Science Degree at a technical or community college.
The College Tech Prep program at Tri-County Community College is comprised of major career clusters from which students can select a Career Pathway. The Career Pathway presents the recommended high school courses that will provide students with the academic and vocational/technical background needed to successfully pursue and complete a two-year Associate Degree Program or four year Baccalaureate Degree. By following a Career Pathway, upon graduation from high school, students can receive advanced placement at Tri-County Community College in the following areas of study:
Accounting
Automotive Technology
Business Administration
Computer Information Technology
Crimincal Justice Technology
Early Childhood Education
Electrical/Electronics Technology
Healthcare Management
Medical Assisting
Office Administration
Tri-County Community College has agreed to grant advanced placement and course credit to Cherokee, Clay, and Graham County high school graduates for successful completion of designated courses at high school. Students must score a “B” or better, a level 3 or 4 on the end of course test, and enroll in college within 2 years of high school graduation to receive college credit for articulated classes.
Early College High School The Tri-County Early College High School is a partnership of the college and Cherokee County Schools. It is a Learn and Earn high school established with a grant from the Gates Foundation. The school started in the Fall of 2006 with 45 ninth graders. Classes are held on TCCC's Main Campus in the Patterson Building and in two mobile classrooms. For more information on the Early College High School, contact them at 835-4690.
Intellectually Gifted Under 16 Years Old
A student under the age of 16 may enroll if the president or his designee finds that the student is intellectually gifted and has the maturity to justify admission to the college. The college follows the eligibility requirements and procedures outlined in NC Community College policy, “Admissions Criteria for Intellectually Gifted and Mature Students Under 16 Years Old.” Please contact the Admissions Office for more information and required documentation.
Home Schooled Students Home-schooled students are considered for admissions on the same basis as North Carolina public school students with appropriate documentation that the home school is registered with the state. An official transcript from the home school must include the following criteria:
Name of the home school and address
Name of the principal
Name of the student
Student’s social security number (optional) and birth date
Curriculum and courses taken each year with grades and a grade point average
