With fall semester comes new opportunities at Savannah Tech

New instructional programs, expanded class schedules, easier transferability and the debut of low-cost student loans

SAVANNAH – When classes begin this August, students at Savannah Technical College will find many new opportunities available to them including:

· New instructional programs in Dental Hygiene (Savannah Campus) and Fire Science (Crossroads Campus); expanded program offerings at Effingham and Liberty campuses

· Semester scheduling

· New ease of transferability for core courses to University System of Georgia schools

· A new state-funded student loan program

“Taken together, these changes can really make a difference for someone considering which college to attend this fall,” says College President Kathy Love. “Technical colleges always provide great value because of our focus on workforce development. Now, with our calendar meshing more closely with high schools and universities, expanded curriculum choices, smoother transfers for college core classes, low tuition costs and state assisted loans, we offer greater appeal to a wider audience.”

The College will enroll its first co-hort of Dental Hygiene students this fall, as the program completes its transition from Armstrong Atlantic State University to STC. The program includes 18 semester hours of core classes and 65 semester hours of fundamental and occupational courses and clinical labs, operating from a lab at Savannah Mall for this year. The College is in the process of equipping a dental hygiene lab on campus for next year.

A full slate of Fire Science programs will begin at the Crossroads Technology Campus including:

· Fire Fighter I & II Certification Training: Basic firefighting instruction designed to prepare the student to earn state firefighter certification.

· Fire Officer I & II Certification Training: Comprehensive supervisor and officer development program with credit toward earning a diploma and associate degree.

· Fire Science Diploma: Academic and leadership development program.

· Fire Science Associate Degree: Comprehensive academic and leadership development degree program.

Classes will be offered that are convenient to firefighter work schedules with daytime, evening, online and hybrid classes with practical hands-on training occurring at various fire departments. “We are partnering with the state firefighting certifying agency and area departments to offer this training,” says Tony Faust, lead instructor and retired Savannah Fire Battalion Chief.

The Effingham Campus will offer expanded programming in Machine Tool Technology and the Liberty Campus will offer expanded programming in Automotive Technology.

For the first time, Savannah Technical College will offer classes on a semester calendar, featuring two 16-week semesters and a shorter summer term. The state-wide initiative will bring the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) calendar into alignment with public schools and University System of Georgia (USG) institutions, making for a more seamless delivery of education. At the same time, TSCG and USG have inked an agreement that guarantees transferability for 10 college core courses between the two systems, making it easier for students seeking to enroll in different institutions. Until now, credits in five core courses – mathematics, algebra, pre-calculus and two courses in English composition – were transferrable. The new agreement allows the transfer of five additional TCSG courses in American literature, psychology, economics, sociology and public speaking.

Earlier this month, the State approved a new low interest loan program from students graduating high school with at least a 2.5 GPA and maintain at least a 2.0 in college. Savannah Technical College students would be eligible to receive these loan funds in they meet the eligibility requirements. “Even though our tuition and fees are the lowest to be found, we know that some of our students need financial assistance to continue their education,” says Love. “This program gives those students an opportunity to complete their students and graduate without a tremendous debt load.” Savannah Technical College has been approved to offer Federal Student Loans possibly as early as fall semester.

Fall semester starts August 24.