Registration is currently open for an 8-week summer semester of affordable and transferable courses at Central Georgia Technical College in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math, as well as general core, targeted for students in need of coursework as a requirement for their major at their choice of college in the fall.

“These are academically rigorous courses that can start students on a pathway to high-wage, high-demand careers, such as engineering, IT, healthcare, and biotechnology,” said Dr. Amy Holloway, the vice president for Academic Affairs at CGTC. “While these courses are open to all qualified students, we are targeting high school students with an aptitude in math and science who are considering a STEM career or college major. Many of these courses meet requirements for academic rigor and can be transferred into a technical college or four-year institution through CGTC articulation agreements.”

In 2014, the Occupational Outlook Quarterly of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported STEM careers are projected to provide for the most job openings until 2022. Careers as a civil engineer, software developers, computer programmers, and scientific and healthcare product manufacturers are among the fields projected to provide the most employment.

The demand for workers in these fields is seen as a direct result of new technologies and the need to replace a generation of workers set to retire. Consistent with the College’s mission to provide educational, economic and workforce development opportunities, the mini-mester is designed to equip students with the knowledge needed to fulfill the education requirements of this demand.  

The College offers courses in Engineering Technology, Biotechnology, Drafting/CAD Design, Computer Information Technology, and Health Science. Additionally, there are general core courses in College Composition, College Algebra, Psychology, History, and more. STEM courses are transferable to select institutions under local agreements. General core courses are transferable under University System of Georgia and Georgia Independent College Association agreements.

STEM courses at CGTC are offered with convenient class scheduling from May 30 to July 27. Classes are offered day, evening, or online at multiple CGTC campuses and centers.