Academy Program
The Southwestern Michigan College Academy Program offers college-level educational opportunities to current high school juniors and seniors, often at no cost to students or their parents. Your high school may pay for part or all of the college costs.
The Academy Program, a collaboration between SMC and the Lewis Cass Intermediate School District, gives high school students a jump start on a college education or career. Students have a choice of exploring different career opportunities through the academy program and may acquire up to 32 credit hours toward the completion of an associate degree, while they are still in high school.
Earn high school and college credits at the same time, earning enough college credit hours to get a certificate or land an entry level job after you graduate from high school.
Depending on the academy program chosen, students spend half of the day at their high school and the remainder at either SMC's Dowagiac campus or the Niles Area Campus.
Available Academies
- Business
- Automotive Technology
- Computer-Aided Drafting & Design Technology
- Education
- Electronics Technology
- Emergency Medical Technician (Fall 2008)
- Fire Science (Fall 2008)
- Health Care
- Honors Academy
(General Education Transfer) - Human Services
- Precision Production Technology
- Welding Technology
Admission Criteria
- A minimum GPA of 2.5 (higher for certain programs)
- Good attendance
- Grade of C or higher in high school algebra
- Must meet all course prerequisites
- Permission from your high school administration
Your Responsibilities
- Attend and participate in each class
- Study and complete all college assignments
- Discuss your progress with the instructor on a weekly basis
- Provide your own transportation
Getting Started
Talk with your high school counselor. Each high school has certain admission criteria beyond what SMC requires. Because space is limited in some programs, your high school counselor should enroll you prior to the end of your school year for the academy courses starting the following fall.
Call Susan Wandel, Early College Coordinator at (269) 782-1283 or (269) 687-1600, ext. 1283 or email her at swandel@swmich.edu for more information.
