Austin Community College has partnered with the University of Texas at Austin and Texas State University for two new co-enrollment programs, designed to give students both the ACC and university experiences.
PACE begins with the 2013-14 freshman class.
ACC’s program with UT Austin, Path to Admission through Co-Enrollment (PACE), will begin with 2013-14 college freshmen. It is designed for students who rank in the top 10 percent of their high school graduating class but do not qualify for automatic admission to UT Austin. Participating students will take most of their courses at ACC and one course each semester at UT Austin until the complete the core curriculum. Students can then continue their education at UT Austin without applying for admission.
ACC and Texas State announced their partnership, the Pathway Program, during the topping-out celebration for the ACC Hays Campus. Beginning in fall 2014, the program will allow students to take courses at ACC and Texas State simultaneously. Participants will complete the core curriculum at ACC’s Hays Campus in the Kyle/Buda area. As long as they maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.25, students will be guaranteed full admission for most Texas State majors for the completion of their bachelor’s degree.
Pathway Program students can live in Texas State residence halls their first year. (Photo courtesy Texas State University)
“With every education partnership we form, we are that much closer to reaching our collective goal – creating accelerated pathways for more students to achieve a college education,” says Dr. Richard Rhodes, ACC president/CEO. “Our co-enrollment programs with UT Austin and Texas State allow students to save on tuition, earn an associate degree, and have a seamless transition as they work toward their bachelor’s degree.”
Students in both programs will benefit from smaller, cohort-tailored classes with high academic standards at ACC while being introduced to the student life and academic expectations of the universities. The programs also allow for participants to have access to a variety of activities and services through both ACC and their partnering institution.
ACC is the top source of transfer students to area universities, and ACC students who transfer to UT Austin and Texas State perform, on average, better than other community college transfer students.
For more information, read recent press releases on ACC’s co-enrollment agreements with UT Austin and Texas State.
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By Claire Budgen March 25, 2013 - 8:36 pm
This looks like an excellent program. When are applications to PACE due for Sept 2013 entry?
Thank you.
By Claire Budgen March 26, 2013 - 3:03 pm
Can students apply to PACE if they think they are eligible, or would they have been notified by now if eligible?
By ACC Staff March 28, 2013 - 4:00 pm
Hi Claire, students invited to participate were notified via UT Austin’s admissions portal and by mail. There is no application directly to the PACE program.