GVSU's direct credit program expands, Michigan high school students benefit

More than 200 high school students across Michigan are earning college credits through established partnerships among Grand Valley, intermediate school districts, technical education centers 还有高中.

While these students can take their direct credits to any college, Grand Valley leaders said the students are getting a jump start on their post-high school plans while enhancing the education they receive from their career and technical education programs.

Mike Eichberger is one year into his new role at Grand Valley as a school partnership specialist. 艾希伯格会见 tech center and high school administrators to see if GVSU courses would be equivalent to their career and tech education programs. Before agreements are signed, instructors and course content are reviewed.

Assisting Eichberger are nearly 30 Grand Valley faculty members who are charged with reviewing proposed agreements related to their specific areas, such as allied health sciences, athletic training, business, computing, criminal justice, education, engineering, hospitality, and film and video production.

Jenny Baweja, program director for Allied Health Sciences (AHS), has reviewed many proposals as two AHS courses — Medical Terminology and Introduction to Health Care — are popular 直接学分课程. 

"Through information sharing between AHS and the tech center instructors, we're creating an educational community around the students,巴韦贾说. “我们参观了科技公司 centers and expose students to campus to inspire them toward a 医疗保健的未来."

The direct credit partnerships expand access to higher education and reduce cost barriers for K-12 students, according to Eichberger. The courses are transferable and Grand Valley charges a reduced tuition rate directly to tech centers. 

"Why duplicate their learning?巴韦贾说. "We're creating educational efficiencies, and students are getting credit for the work they're doing before they enter college. These AHS courses are standard for pre-health programs."

GVSU signed its first direct credit agreement with Northwest Education Services in 特拉弗斯城 in 2023. Eichberger said there are now nine similar agreements with Michigan career tech 中心和高中.

Eichberger said he continually meets with Admissions colleagues and Omni regional directors in 特拉弗斯城, Battle Creek, 马斯基根 and 底特律. “It’s great to collaborate with our GVSU colleagues living and working in the areas. 他们与 the community helps enhance the overall GVSU partnership 经验，”他说.

Shannon Owen, director of Northern Michigan programs, said the university's effort to connect with school districts and tech centers began in earnest following the pandemic.

“When a gap analysis showed strong alignment between career tech education programs and entry-level college courses, we recognized the importance of validating these learning experiences,” 欧文说. “I’m grateful that GVSU is establishing a process to expand this program statewide.”