Lawrence Technological University and Henry Ford High School forge new partnership
The "early middle college" agreement between LTU and HFHS will allow high school students to earn a high school diploma and an associate’s degree simultaneously. Students who complete the program will also qualify for half-priced tuition to complete a bachelor’s degree at LTU.
Lawrence Technological University has entered agreements with over 40 area high schools, but the agreement with Henry Ford High School marks the first with a school from the Detroit Public Schools Community District. The program will have students begin taking introductory college-level computer science courses beginning in tenth grade. By their senior year, students will be taking more advanced courses in computer science, along with college-level literature and natural science courses. The program lasts five years in all, with the final year spent at LTU taking even more advanced courses in cybersecurity, programming, and the humanities.
An early middle college, sometimes referred to as an EMC, is a designation given by the Michigan Department of Education to five-year programs that allow high schoolers to earn a diploma and either an associate’s degree or 60 hours of transferable college credits. There are many EMC programs across the state. One feature that sets the arrangement between LTU and HFHS apart is the added bonus of half-priced tuition for students who complete the program and wish to pursue a bachelor’s degree at LTU.
In a news release from the university, Henry Ford Principal Michael Mokdad spoke about how the agreement will benefit students, "The EMC program aligns with Henry Ford High School's mantra of 'Excellence Leads to Opportunity'. It provides students access to the highly coveted information technology field, coupled with a world class education from Lawrence Technological University. The future is bright and will take them as far as their dreams."
Patrick Nelson, associate professor and chair of the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science at LTU, expressed a similar sentiment, "The first cohort of students in the new collaboration between HFHS and LTU have the opportunity to set the stage for a new generation of high school students to develop skill sets necessary to secure great career opportunities in computer science right out of high school. This is an exciting time for LTU to be involved with such a wonderful group of students and teachers at Henry Ford High School. For these kids, the sky is truly the limit."