By Rachel Payne
Tacoma Community College recently became the first 2-year college recognized as a Pathway College for graduates of the Global Assessment Certificate™ program (GAC). The college is now part of a network consisting of more than 100 pathway colleges and universities worldwide. The University of Iowa, Oklahoma State University, and Pacific Lutheran University are among the 34 participating U.S. universities.
“We are very pleased to be the first community college in the country to participate in this highly successful program for international students,” said Tacoma Community College President Pamela Transue, who signed an agreement with ATC Education Solutions’ Global Academic Director, Ros Washington, on June 6, 2013.
“Because of the way the program is structured, when these students arrive for study at higher education institutions in the United States, they are well prepared to be successful.”
The GAC is a an internationally recognized university preparation program that provides students with the academic skills and knowledge, independent learning skills, English language proficiency and confidence to enter and successfully complete a bachelor’s degree at university. It is a product of ACT Education Solutions, Limited (a wholly owned subsidiary of ACT Inc).
The GAC has Approved Teaching Centers in more than a dozen countries, including Bahrain, Canada, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Suriname, Taiwan, Thailand, U.S. and Vietnam.
“This new relationship will allow TCC to attract students from new markets,” said International Programs Director James Newman.
In order to graduate from the GAC, students must successfully complete assignments and assessments comparable in level to freshman year undergraduate studies.
More information on the GAC program is posted here.