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NCTA, Cambridge High School sign pact
Cambridge, Neb. -- Agriculture classes at Cambridge will soon ease the transition for students going from high school into college thanks to an agreement recently signed by school officials.
Administrators from Cambridge High School and the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture inked the multi-level agreement for dual credit courses on February 9 at the CHS school board meeting.
Sophomores, juniors and seniors at CHS can enroll in on-line courses, on-campus laboratories, and perhaps even a 5-day summer camp at NCTA to help jump start their careers at the Curtis two-year college, said Scott Mickelsen, NCTA associate dean.
"Most of their courses they will receive on-line, with NCTA dually-accredited professors, with assistance from CHS instructors," Mickelsen said. "Also, hands-on learning activities and learning labs are available, with CHS bringing the students to campus."
CHS Trojans students can benefit from scholarships, reduced costs for college classes, credit transfers to other colleges, and targeted coursework while still in high school, said Robert Gregory, CHS superintendent.
"We are very excited to begin a partnership with NCTA; our staff is anxious to begin the process of preparing for class next fall," said Gregory. "Together, we believe we can offer a top of the line educational opportunity for our students and other area students if they choose to participate."
Courses selections include sales communication, introduction to spreadsheets, animal management, landscape appreciation, crop science, natural resource management, livestock nutrition, college algebra, microeconomics and pesticide certification or commercial ag carrier (CDL).
Students who complete 30 credits during their high school years will receive an NCTA Certificate in Diversified Agriculture. Mickelsen said that equates to one year of college.
Enrollment is not limited to just the courses from the Diversified Agriculture Certificate. CHS students will have access to all dual credited courses taught through NCTA.
Additionally, if CHS chooses to offer the summer experience, NCTA will provide dual credit courses on campus to include tuition, lodging, meals, recreational activities and leadership opportunities. The fee will be $500 per participant.
Also, during the summer camp, laboratory sessions will be available at the college rate of $139 per credit hour. NCTA has offered dual credit, also known as concurrent courses, to help students hone skills in agriculture.
The courses are offered on line or through live-time sessions by instructors who are dually accredited for high school and college courses. Tuition has been $43.75 per credit hour, although that fee may be increasing for Fall, 2015 courses.
High school "academies" and certificate programs are growing in popularity, Mickelsen said, due to the lesser cost for earning college credits and focusing a career path for individuals in preparation for college.
While it is not unusual for students to enter college with 5-10 hours, those already having earned a full year of studies is unique, he added.
Information about dual credit or any other NCTA courses, including transfer credits, can be gained at ncta.unl.edu or by calling 1-800-3-CURTIS. Contact Tina Smith, admissions and recruiting coordinator, or Vicky Luke in registration and financial aid.