Black River Technical College

Concurrent Classes

Any high school student that has completed the 8^th grade and is enrolled in an Arkansas public school and is recommended by their high school principal or superintendent may enroll in college courses when the combined enrollments do not exceed a normal academic load.  Each student must meet the following criteria adopted by the State Board of Higher Education as stated under Item I or Item II as follows: 

   Item I:  Presentation of Standardized test scores and high school grades:

A.                Scores from the ACT or the ASSET tests will be required for all English and Math courses.  Required scores are found under the Freshman Assessment and Placement section of the BRTC Handbook. http://www.blackrivertech.org/../OLD/BlackRiverCatalog04.pdf

B.                 High School GPA of 3.00 (on a 4.00 scale) in high school courses in the subject matter.

Item II:  Individual evaluation based on other performance criteria.  Students may be selected through a process determined to be appropriate by the high school principal and based on performance criteria, which justifies waiver of the standardized test scores, and the GPA criteria contain in Item I.A or Item I.B.

To be considered under this program, a student must submit an application for admission and a Letter of Good Standing from the high school principal or superintendent stating that the student meets all prescribed criteria.  Students apply for admission under provisions in Item II must provide a statement from the superintendent or principal outlining the selection process and performance criteria deemed to justify waiving the test score and grade point requirements. BRTC reserves the right to determine whether the criterion meets the college’s admission standards.  Students who have earned college credit while still in high school are required to submit all credentials after graduation from high school. 

Please refer to pages 21 – 22 in the Black River Technical College catalog.

Concurrent Classes and Advanced Placement Classes:

High Schools that are offering Advanced Placement Courses may still take advantage of the concurrent classes offered through BRTC.  Any school superintendent who would like to take advantage of BRTC concurrent classes, simply need to follow the guidelines above in addition to the following:

Book and Syllabus:

a.       Qualified instructors using BRTC books and course syllabus will receive immediate approval.

b.      If you are using a book chosen by your instructors, the book must first be submitted to the Department Head of that discipline at BRTC for approval. 

c.       If you are using a course syllabus provided by your instructor, the syllabus must first be submitted to the Department Head of that discipline at BRTC for approval. 

 Special Circumstances:

According to HB2793, a three-semester credit-hour college course   will count as one-half (1/2) Carnegie unit on the high school transcript.

However, with an agreed upon articulated agreement, a three-semester credit-hour course can count for one (1) Carnegie unit.