Answering the call: PTC's Dual Enrollment program helps Jackson get early start as emergency medical technician

There’s a shortage of emergency medical workers across the nation and around South Carolina. Rebecca Jackson is answering the call right out of high school, thanks to some help from Piedmont Technical College. 

“I’m going through my certification right now,” she said. 

While attending Saluda High School, Jackson earned college credit and received EMT training through PTC’s Dual Enrollment program.  

Dual Enrollment is an advanced-credit program for high school juniors and seniors. Different classes are available online, at the student’s high school, or on the PTC campus. There are four ways to participate in Dual Enrollment at PTC: 

•    Traditional Dual Enrollment courses are taken at the student’s high school with their high school instructors.
•    OnDECK classes are offered on a PTC campus and let students earn high school units and college credit at the same time.
•    PTC has partnered with some school districts on a Middle College that allows high school juniors and seniors the opportunity to earn 48-plus college credit hours.
•    Early admission is for students looking to earn credit through PTC, but not through their high school. 

“I took most of my classes on campus” at PTC’s Saluda County Campus, Jackson said. “I liked them. It was a good experience seeing different types of classes in a different environment.” 

Courses offered through the Career Quick Start program prepare students for work in a critical workforce area of their choice. Students can take the first steps toward, and in some cases complete, industry-recognized credentials while still in high school. Jackson will receive an emergency medical technician certificate through Career Quick Start. 

“I’m trying to work part time as an EMT,” she said. 

Jackson graduated from Saluda High School, having already earned more than 30 credits through Dual Enrollment. She plans to major in biology in college. 

“I’m going to USC Columbia,” Jackson said. “I think I might go into criminal investigation or law enforcement.” 

She’ll also fill a workforce need and earn money at a time when university life is getting more and more expensive.  

Dual Enrollment at PTC is designed to be affordable to all students. South Carolina residents attend tuition-free if they take at least six credit hours per semester (generally at least two classes) at their high school, on campus or online. 

“Everybody thought it was a good opportunity to get the college classes without having to pay,” Jackson said. “My parents thought it was great. That’s already one year of college down.” 

Before applying, students should understand Dual Enrollment is an opportunity to take courses at the college level, so the amount of work necessary to succeed is usually much greater than in high school. Because dual enrollment courses become part of a permanent college transcript, students must commit to doing the work required. 

Jackson said high school students sometimes worry about what college classes are like. Taking her Dual Enrollment courses helped eliminate that perception, she said. 

“Piedmont Tech serves her well,” said Dr. Bryan Vacchio, director of school counseling at Saluda High. “She’s so academically talented, it was a no-brainer. She’ll probably be able to graduate now in three years or less.” 

Piedmont Technical College offers more than 80 courses approved to transfer to any senior public institution in the state by the S.C. Commission on Higher Education. Many private colleges in the state also accept them. 

“It’s a great opportunity that shouldn’t be passed up,” Jackson said. 

Students should talk with a high school guidance counselor if they think Dual Enrollment might be right for them. Individual Graduation Plan meetings, which involve students, parents and counselors, can often indicate whether a student’s goals are a good fit for Dual Enrollment. 

“To be able to go to college for free is outstanding,” Vacchio said. “It’s a godsend to many, especially in a rural community. If you’re able to take advantage of these classes, why not?” 

Dual Enrollment is available at high schools throughout the PTC footprint. Also, students outside the service area can seek approval to attend from their local technical college. Hundreds of high school and home school students all over the region are already taking advantage of the program to jump-start their college careers. 

Learn more online at www.ptc.edu/dualenrollment or contact PTC’s Dual Enrollment Office at (864) 941-8315.