Pierpont Community & Technical College Programs: Your Pathway to Success

Pierpont Community & Technical College is dedicated to serving North Central West Virginia and beyond, offering accessible and flexible educational pathways to high-demand careers. With a focus on community, hands-on learning, and personalized support, Pierpont provides students with the tools they need to succeed in today’s workforce.

Accessible Education for High School Students: Dual Enrollment

Pierpont is committed to making higher education accessible, particularly for high school students. Through dual enrollment programs, students can earn college credit while still in high school, often at a reduced or no-cost tuition.

Dual Credit Pathways

Dual enrollment courses offer an exceptional learning opportunity for students, providing small class sizes, personal relationships, and flexibility. West Virginia residents can benefit from state-funded tuition for courses within a pathway that earns dual credit, as long as there is a formal agreement between Pierpont and the student's school district, private school, or homeschool family.

"One Walk Two Degrees" Program

Pierpont's "One Walk Two Degrees" program empowers students to earn a liberal arts associate degree, setting a strong foundation for their future. Each pathway thoughtfully organizes elective courses to align with in-demand career fields, often leading to an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree that can be completed within just one year after earning an AA.

Crosswalks

Similar to state-funded pathways, crosswalks are designed to help students earn valuable credits towards a Career Technical Education (CTE) program, even if they’re not pursuing an entire AA degree. Courses within a crosswalk that earn dual credit will qualify for state-funded tuition for WV dual enrollment students.

Read also: About Grossmont Community College

Guaranteed Admission and Standards

High school students are guaranteed admission to the dual enrollment program, regardless of GPA requirements, high school grade level, or in-state residency. However, dual enrollment students are held to the same standards as any other Pierpont student and are expected to be familiar with the Pierpont student handbook and course catalog.

How to Participate in Dual Enrollment

Discuss dual credit options with your high school counselor and create a plan.
Apply to Pierpont.
Complete the application and grant parents/guardians permission to access the student account and records.
Set up your Microsoft 365 account at myaccount.microsoft.com.
Register for classes using the Dual Credit Pathways Registration Form, working with your high school counselor to determine the appropriate courses.

Accessing Resources and Support

Confirmation of Registration: Check with your high school counselor to confirm registration.
Textbooks: Visit the online bookstore or check with your high school counselor to see if your school district provides them. Access the schedule to order books, using the "Bookstore" link under "Current Students" on pierpont.edu.
Online Classes: Online courses are located within Blackboard, accessible through the student portal.
Portal Access Issues: Ensure you are logged out of all apps and are using your Pierpont login and password with MFA set up. Contact support with your name, date of birth, the last four digits of your Social Security number, a clear description of the issue, when it occurred, and a screenshot if possible.
Dropping a Class: Submit a Dual Enrollment Registration Form, indicating the course(s) you wish to drop by checking the "drop" box.
Academic Calendar: Familiarize yourself with the Academic Calendar, which outlines important dates and deadlines throughout the semester, including add/drop and withdrawal deadlines.
Password Management: Passwords expire every 90 days.
Portal Security: Log out of the portal after each session to clear the cache and prevent issues.
Course Syllabus: Read the course syllabus carefully at the beginning of the semester and download it for easy access.
Communication: Check your Pierpont email regularly, as this is the primary way the college communicates with students.

Degree and Certificate Programs

Pierpont Community & Technical College offers a range of degree and certificate programs designed to prepare students for success in various fields.

Associate of Applied Science (AAS)

The Associate of Applied Science degree is awarded to students who successfully complete programs emphasizing preparation in the applied arts and sciences. These programs are designed to lead individuals to employment in a specific career. Graduation with an AAS degree assures employers that graduates have satisfactorily completed a minimum of 60 credit hours.

Associate of Arts (AA)

The Associate of Arts degree is designed to satisfy the lower division requirements of Bachelor of Arts degrees, preparing students to transfer to upper division baccalaureate programs. Graduation from an associates program assures that students have been provided a foundation in general education that enables them to appreciate their culture and environment as well as different cultures of the world, the development of a system of personal values based on accepted ethics that lead to civic and social responsibility, and the attainment of communication skills necessary for growth as a lifelong learner.

Certificate of Applied Science

Certificate of Applied Science degree programs generally take one year or two semesters (less than two years of full-time coursework) to complete and are designed for students seeking to learn basic skills or increase their proficiency in a specific occupational area. Students take skill-development courses in their field of interest and a limited number of related courses.

Skill Sets and Advanced Skill Sets

In today’s work world, students must adapt to change by seeking new knowledge and building upon their current talent to create the ability to perform a specific job. Skill sets are designed to assist students with facing this challenge. They typically consist of several courses designed to prepare students with specialized skills and are often part of the Certificate of Applied Science and/or the Associate degree.

Advanced Skill Sets: 12 or more but less than 30 credit hours (or noncredit contact hours, equivalent to 12 or more but less than 30 credit hours).
Basic Skill Sets: Fewer than 12 credit hours (or noncredit contact hours, equivalent to fewer than 12 credit hours).

Skill Set and Advanced Skill Set programs alone do not qualify for financial aid.

Financial Aid and Resources

Pierpont Community & Technical College offers various financial aid options and resources to help students afford their education.

West Virginia Invests Grant

The West Virginia Invests Grant, also known as the "Free Community College Grant," covers the full cost of tuition for an associate’s degree or certificate in an in-demand, high-paying field.

A Supportive Community

Pierpont is more than just a college; it's a community. The college rallies together in times of need, celebrates each other’s successes, and works every day to create opportunities for learners of all ages. With small class sizes and personalized support, students can form strong connections with faculty and peers.

Student Success Stories

Caleb S. chose Pierpont because of the professor-student connection that is formed to help students succeed in all areas of life.
One student learned of Pierpont’s ASL program through a customer and appreciated the well-rounded education offered by the program.

Additional Resources

The Pierpont Community & Technical College Catalog is a comprehensive resource that provides information on curriculum, course offerings, admissions, graduation requirements, and institutional policies and procedures.

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