Career Pathways
(A partnership between Polk State College and Polk County School Board)

 Earn college credit with Polk State College while attending High School

As a student in a Polk County Career Academy, or Career Center (Ridge or Traviss), you may receive free college credit if you choose to attend Polk State College, through a partnership between Polk State College and Polk County School Board.  Your credits may be applied to certificates and associate in science (AS) degrees at Polk State College provided you meet the requirements outlined in the partnership agreements.

It’s Free! You pay no tuition for credits you receive through the partnership.

 Click on the Polk State College degree program you’re interested in to see which
Polk County high school programs offer you free college credit while in high school.

What is the difference between AA and AS degrees?

AA - The Associate in Arts prepares you to continue toward a bachelor’s degree at four-year colleges, such as Polk State College, or transfer to other state colleges and public universities. The majority of your courses are general education credits.
AS - The Associate in Science prepares you to enter a specialized career field. Many credits also transfer in part or in whole to Polk State College or other state colleges and public universities. The majority of your courses are technical education credits. 

 Why an AS Degree? Did you know:

• 1/3 of Polk State College students enter with the goal of attaining an AS degree that allows them to begin their career in 2 years or less.
• Numerous high-skills, high-wage careers in healthcare, business, and information technology are open to AS graduates.
• Graduates of these programs often enter the professional workforce with higher entry salaries than people with four-year degrees!
• Certificate programs are also available in select program areas. Generally, these programs can be completed in one year or less. They provide rapid entry into the workforce, and the credits can be applied to an AS degree in the same field. 

Continue your path and get your Bachelor’s at POLK STATE COLLEGE

Once you have completed any Polk State AS Degree, not only will you have the technical skills to get a job, you can continue at Polk State, full or part time, to complete a Bachelor of Applied Science degree. The BAS degree provides individuals the opportunity to build upon the foundational skills attained through their associate degree program by completing upper-division course work in management and leadership practices.         

Bachelors Concentrations available in:
Business Administration          Healthcare Administration       Public Administration
Public Safety Administration   And coming in 2012: Business Information Technology
For more information visit: www.polk.edu/bachelor 

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 To receive credit:

1. Enroll in one of the Career & Technical Education or Career Academy Programs at your school.
2. Complete the curriculum of your program with a 3.0 GPA or better.
3. Complete high school with an overall GPA of 2.0 or better.
4. Successfully complete the end-of-course assessment required for each articulated course.
5. Present to Polk State College Admission and Registrar’s office a copy of the letter of congratulations from the Polk County School Board.  This letter lists earned credits. Click HERE (PDF) to see a sample of this letter. The original letter (copies not accepted) can be submitted in person to:
                       Polk State College
                       Admission and Registrar’s Office
                       Attn: Transcript Evaluation
                       999 Avenue H NE
                       Winter Haven, FL 33881-4299
6. Enroll in Polk State College, in the certificate or Associate in Science degree program that correlates with your high school program within three years of graduating from high school.
7. Earn at least 3 college credits at Polk State College and your credits will then be applied to your Associate in Science or certificate program as applicable.

Tampa Bay Region Career Pathways Consortium Did you complete a Career or Technical program in Hillsborough, Hernando, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Sarasota, and Manatee counties? Do you want to attend Polk State College? Polk State College is a member of the Tampa Bay Career Pathways Consortium. This consortium is a partnership between certain secondary and postsecondary schools from around the Tampa Bay metro area that create pathways between high school, career center, and state college programs. For more information about these schools and potential free college credit, visit the website: www.TBCareerPathways.org.