Middle College Offers Associate Degree to High School Students
April 1, 2024
Middle College is Pathway to Degree for High School Students
Walters State’s Middle College gives highly motivated high school students the opportunity
to earn an associate degree while completing their junior and senior years of high
school.
“While dual enrollment students may take one or two classes per semester, Middle college
students usually take four or five classes per semester,” said Amy Kenner, director
of K12 Partnerships and Teaching Centers at Walters State. “Students create their
own schedule with the help of staff from the division of High School Programs and
high school counselors, choosing from in-person and online courses.”
Most Middle College students work toward an associate of science in general studies.
Students may also pursue degrees in digital media, electrical engineering technology
(automation or integrated systems control) computer information science, engineering
systems technology and other areas.
“The associate of science in general studies is popular with all students who plan
to transfer. Within the general studies degree program, students can choose 19 elective
hours that align with their educational goals,” Kenner said.
The state’s Middle College Scholarship makes Middle College affordable for families
of most high school students. Students may receive up to $2,000 per semester. Based
on 2023-2024 tuition rates, Middle College families paid around $300-400 in tuition
costs after the Middle College Scholarship was applied. Students must be enrolled
as a full-time Walters State student by fall of their junior year in high school to
be eligible.
“I realized this was a really good deal,” said William Houser, a senior at Towering
Oaks Christian School. “You get two years of college for less than a semester would
cost.”
Houser will graduate in May, two weeks before he receives his high school diploma.
He has been accepted into the Tickle College of Engineering at the University of Tennessee.
He comes from a family of engineers and plans to follow in that tradition.
“When I first learned about Middle College, I wasn’t sure I wanted to do it,” Houser
said. “Someone suggested that a take a class during the summer between my sophomore
and junior years. I took a philosophy class. That class was very engaging, so I decided
I would do it.” He added that he wasn’t sure if he would fit in at college. Once on
campus, he felt very welcome.
“The classes are college courses. They might demand more than high school. You can
still participate in extracurricular activities or work a part-time job. The homework
isn’t going to take all of your time. Plus, this is a good transition if you plan
on attending a larger four-year institution,” Houser said.
To be accepted to Middle College, students must have a 3.0 high school grade point
average or a 21 ACT composite along with additional Middle College application materials.
Additional eligibility requirements may be required by high schools.
Students interested in Middle College should see their high school counselor or visit
https://ws.edu/admissions/high-school-programs/middle-college/index.aspx.