North Central Michigan College partners with Michigan Department of Education's Office of Career and Technical Education to offer college credit to high schoolers

Thanks to a partnership between North Central Michigan College and the Michigan Department of Education’s Office of Career and Technical Education, Michigan high school students who completed CTE credits with a grade of a B or higher will receive college credit at North Central Michigan College.

According to an article on North Central Michigan College’s website, the school’s Dual Enrollment Coordinator, Cassidy Leirstein, was quoted as saying of the new development, “This initiative underscores North Central’s commitment to fostering seamless transitions from high school to college and providing even more accessible pathways to higher education. Now CTE graduates can save money on tuition while accelerating their progress in programs they’re already interested and invested in, including accounting, business, education, and engineering."

Career and technical education courses available in high schools throughout Michigan are intended to be aligned with high-paying career paths that students will get hands-on training in while still in high school. Many schools offer CTE courses in healthcare, manufacturing, information technology, and more. 

The Charlevoix-Emmet Intermediate School District, which is local to North Central Michigan College, currently has more than 1,000 students taking CTE courses at various schools within the district. In addition to classroom learning, students are also getting hands-on training, workplace training, and career counseling in fields like aviation and welding.

Jim Rummer, who serves as the Charlevoix-Emmet Intermediate School District’s director of Career and Technical Education, explained how beneficial it is for high school students to take advantage of CTE coursework. He said, “Articulated credit serves as a crucial time- and money-saving tool for students, enabling them to accelerate their educational journey by recognizing prior learning achievements. By bypassing redundant coursework, students can expedite their path to graduation, saving both time and money while still achieving their academic goals.”

In order to be eligible to receive North Central Michigan College credit for their high school CTE classes, students must complete the course with a B or better, register for classes at North Central, and it must be within two years of their high school graduation.

Stephen Strom, the Vice President of Academic Affairs at North Central Michigan College, said, "North Central is committed to providing a culture of academic excellence and accessibility, and this partnership exemplifies our dedication to providing students with the tools they need to succeed in an ever-evolving economy. We look forward to welcoming and supporting the next generation of Michigan's workforce on their educational journey."

For more information about North Central Michigan College, visit the school’s website.