Introduction

About Technical Advanced Placement

Technical Advanced Placement (TAP) enables qualified high school students to earn credit and/or advanced standing in programs at Tri-County Technical College that lead toward an occupational associate degree, diploma, or certificate.

The purpose of TAP is to

reduce duplication between high school and College courses and curricula;
enable students who do well in specified high school courses to save time, money, and/or to carry lighter course loads in one or more terms while at Tri-County Technical College.

High school and College faculty work together to develop procedures for students to earn TAP credit. All TAP procedures are fully approved by administrators of Anderson, Oconee, and Pickens County school district offices, career centers and Tri-County Technical College.

Many students have benefited by participating in the TAP process! However, while students may earn a number of credits at Tri-County Technical College through TAP, a minimum of twenty-five percent of the credit hours required for a certificate, diploma, or associate degree must be earned through courses taken at Tri-County Technical College. Included in the approved course work for a diploma or degree must be two courses selected from the curriculum major, unless specifically exempted by both the department head and division chair.

About this Handbook

This handbook will help you determine if Technical Advanced Placement (TAP) is an opportunity that you wish to pursue, as well as provide specific procedures to follow as you participate in the TAP process. It contains an introduction, answers to frequently asked questions, tips for career planning, and specific TAP procedures. Courses articulated for TAP credit are organized by division and program to enable you to see what the TAP possibilities are in the major you are pursuing.

Planning Wisely for College Studies

Suggestions for Students in Grades 9 - 11

Your college and career planning should start as early as possible because what you take in high school can save you time, money, and frustration in college, and help you begin a rewarding career without unnecessary delays.

Academic Courses:

Taking the right academic courses is very important, especially if you plan to participate in Technical Advanced Placement. By combining a solid academic foundation with advanced placement for occupational and other courses, you'll find that your first terms at Tri‑County will go smoothly, that you'll be able to earn satisfactory grades, and that you won't have to spend time (and money!) gaining fundamental skills that you could have learned in high school.

Your school has its own Career Planning Guide that suggests academic courses that prepare you for success in two‑year college majors -- follow those suggestions! In addition, here are some general guidelines to help you prepare for programs at Tri‑County:

take the highest level of academic coursework you are capable of handling successfully;
do your very best in English classes (English skills are important for all college majors as well as career success!);
take as many computer courses as possible that will help you gain word processing and other computer skills;

Occupational Courses: You should plan to combine your academic studies with some occupational courses while in high school. Occupational courses are important for all students because they

give practical, real-world applications of how math, science, and English skills are used;
help expose you to different career opportunities;
may qualify you for Technical Advanced Placement (or similar programs at other area two-year colleges);
help prepare you for employment opportunities after graduation with companies that offer tuition assistance programs for college study.

Even if you don't know what you want to do after high school, take some occupational courses and explore the possibilities! (And remember, computer courses are particularly helpful, no matter what college major or career you plan to pursue after high school).

Suggestions For Seniors

You should examine the academic and occupational courses you've taken in high school and answer these questions:

Have you taken any academic and/or occupational courses that may qualify you for Technical Advanced Placement? (If the answer is "yes," then read the rest of this handbook carefully!)
Have you taken the math and English courses you need to be successful in a College program? If you think you need to brush up in math, reading and/or English, consider taking some review classes in the summer before starting your College major in the fall. Call the Comprehensive Studies division office at Tri-County Technical College (646-1450) for more information.
Do you know what opportunities are available to help you pay for your education at Tri-County? (There are numerous options such as federal grants, Lottery Scholarships, Tri-County Technical College Foundation Scholarships, work‑study programs, and many others! Just drop by Tri-County's Financial Aid Office in Miller Hall, or give them a call [646-1650]. They'll be glad to tell you what's available and how to apply.)

Important Information about TAP Credit

Listed below is important information you should know about credit earned through TAP.

You have up to one year from your date of high school graduation to apply for TAP.
TAP credit is good for one year from the date it is awarded until you enroll at Tri-County Technical College.
You must enroll (be accepted, register for classes and maintain enrollment for at least six class days) in order for the credit to appear on your official TCTC transcript.
Once you complete your first semester, the credit becomes part of your permanent record, just as if you took the course(s) on the TCTC campus.
TAP credit means you've exempted certain courses at Tri-County. You'll earn credit hours but will not receive a "grade" on your transcript, so there will be no effect on your overall grade point average.
TAP credit may be used for required courses or approved elective courses in TCTC degree programs or for required courses in diploma or certificate programs. (Elective course credit must be approved by the TCTC department head for the program in which you are enrolled.)
While students may earn a number of credits at Tri-County Technical College through TAP, a minimum of twenty-five percent of the credit hours required for a certificate, diploma, or associate degree must be earned through courses taken at Tri-County Technical College. Included in the approved coursework for a diploma or degree must be two courses selected from the curriculum major, unless specifically exempted by both the department head and division chair.
TAP credit applies primarily to Tri-County Technical College programs. If you plan to enter or transfer to another college, you should contact that college to verify whether or not TAP credit would be accepted. In most cases, TAP credit would NOT tranfer to a four-year college or university.

Questions and Answers About Technical Advanced Placement

How can students participate in Technical Advanced Placement?

If you take certain high school courses and complete specific requirements, you can receive TAP credit. In some areas, requirements might be as simple as submitting a Competency Verification form from your high school teacher and completing a TAP exam; in other areas, requirements might include taking the College's placement test and completing a transition course.

What steps should students follow to earn TAP Credit?

Identify the Tri‑County course(s) for which you want to earn TAP credit. (A complete list of all courses articulated for TAP credit is available in APPENDIX B. ), and/or;
If you have identified the major/program you wish to enroll in, review the TAP procedure page for that program to see if you have taken any of the courses listed as articulated for TAP credit. (Remember, this handbook only contains information about Tri-County programs that have courses articulated for TAP credit. You can learn about other programs/majors by reviewing the College catalog).
Read the TAP procedure page listing the course(s) for which you are interested.
Follow all steps carefully and ask questions whenever you need more information. (Your guidance counselor, high school occupational or career center teacher, or the Tri-County department head listed on the TAP Procedure page can help.)

Does it cost anything to participate?

No, in most cases, it doesn't cost anything to participate. (If the requirements for the TCTC course you're interested in require a Competency Verification form and a TAP exam, there are no charges. However, if the requirements involve a transition course, you will have to register for that course and pay all required tuition and fees. If you pass the transition course, you will receive TAP credit retroactively, which won't cost you anything.)

Do students have to apply to Tri-County and be accepted before participating in TAP?

Most TAP procedures, except those involving transition courses, just require that you be a senior in high school. (When a transition course is required, you would need to be fully accepted into the TCTC degree program before registering for the transition course.) Some juniors in high school may be eligible for TAP credit. (See TAP Credit for Juniors).

How can TAP Credit be used?

When you complete all required TAP procedures, you will receive a copy of the "Course Transfer/Exemption" form from Tri-County Technical College. Once you enroll at Tri-County, the credit appears as "transfer credit" on your official college transcript. The credit may be applied to graduation from any Tri-County certificate, diploma, or associate degree program as either a required course, or as an elective in an associate degree program (with your College department head's approval). If you successfully earn TAP credit for one or more courses, you do NOT have to take those courses when you enroll at Tri-County - TAP credit is used just like credit awarded for courses taken on the Tri-County campus.

Can TAP Credit be used for other colleges?

In most cases, TAP credit can only be used for advanced placement in one of Tri-County's programs.

If you enter Tri-County's University Transfer program, you can use TAP credit for electives that apply to AA/AS graduation requirements, but you should not plan on TAP credit transferring to a four-year college or university at this time.

Is Technical Advanced Placement available at other colleges?

All South Carolina technical colleges (and many throughout the country) offer similar programs, although they may be called something other than "Technical Advanced Placement." Each college sets its own program guidelines and requirements. For more information, contact the college you plan to attend.

In which areas can students earn credit through TAP?

If you've taken specific occupational and/or academic courses in high school, and you complete the procedures listed in this booklet, you may be able to earn credit in most of Tri-County's certificate, diploma, and degree programs.

Will there be other areas in which students can earn TAP Credit?

Each year, high school and college faculty review courses at both the high school and college levels to determine if additional courses should be articulated. As procedures are developed in these new areas, the TAP information on Tri-county’s website will be updated so students will have the latest information abut TAP. The web address is www.tctc.edu/tap.html.

Where can students receive more information?

If you have questions about TAP, see your guidance counselor, occupational or career center teacher, or contact the appropriate College department head listed on the TAP procedure pages of this booklet. You may also contact Tri-County’s Office of Collaboration at 646-1501.

Explanation of TAP Procedures

How TAP Procedures Are Developed

TAP procedures (the steps you need to complete before earning TAP credit) are developed by teams of high school and Tri-County Technical College faculty who teach similar or equivalent courses. These faculty teams are called "articulation committees," and a committee for each subject area meets each year. Officials of Tri-County Technical College and the school districts of Anderson, Oconee, and Pickens counties then approve the procedures developed by the committees. The articulation committees also review TAP procedures annually in order to ensure that the procedures are current and effective.

TAP Procedure Pages

Technical Advanced Placement (TAP) procedures in Tri-County's four Divisions (Arts and Sciences, Business and Human Services, Health Education, and Industrial and Engineering Technology) are described in each Division section of this handbook. The section for the Arts and Sciences Division is organized by each articulated course; the sections for the other three Divisions are organized by each program in which courses are articulated.

Each TAP Procedure page contains the following information:

brief description of the Tri-County Technical College program or major;
list of high school courses that you must have completed or currently be taking in order to try for TAP credit;
TCTC courses for which you can earn TAP credit when you successfully complete all the procedures listed;
list of the procedures you must complete in order to earn TCTC credit through TAP. (NOTE: The steps are not the same for all courses, so read the procedure list carefully for each course in which you hope to earn TAP credit!);
list of the courses you will take at Tri-County after you've earned TAP credit, in order to graduate from the program. (NOTE: The list assumes you've earned the maximum amount of TAP credit for the TCTC courses listed in that area. If you earn TAP credit from another department, you may be able to use it as a requirement or an elective course on the list.);
name of the degree you'll earn from Tri-County when you graduate;
name of the TCTC department head you should call if you have questions or if you need more information.

Information On Selected Types Of TAP Procedures

Competency Verification/Teacher Recommendation Forms: All TAP procedures require that you have a Competency Verification/Teacher Recommendation form sent to Tri-County Technical College by your high school or career center teacher.

The information provided on this form certifies that you have mastered the skills necessary to proceed further with the TAP process. In most cases, having a completed Competency Verification/Teacher Recommendation (CVTR) form on file is the first step in applying for TAP credit. CVTR forms are available online at www.tctc.edu/cvtrforms.html.

TAP Exams: TAP exams are usually given between April and August on the Tri-County campus, although some departments will make special arrangements on an individualized basis. Exam schedules are mailed to each school and career center during the spring of each year, or you may contact the TCTC department head for more information.

Transition Courses: Several programs require successful completion of a transition course in order to earn TAP credit for one or more entry-level course(s) in a specific Tri-County major. In such cases, you would need to:

submit a completed Competency Verification/Teacher Recommendation form (or other documentation of competency as indicated on the TAP procedure page);
be admitted to the College by completing all admissions requirements;
register for and complete the transition course.

TAP Credit for Juniors

High school seniors or recent high school graduates usually pursue TAP credit. However, some juniors may pursue TAP credit during their junior year if EACH of the following criteria is met:

If you have taken an occupational course at your high school and/or career center that is articulated with a Tri-County course for TAP credit, AND
You plan to enroll in a Tri-County course during your senior year of high school through STEP (Secondary Transition Enrollment Program), AND
The course you plan to enroll in as a STEP student requires a prerequisite for which TAP credit is possible. For example, you want to take CPT 270 Advanced Microcomputer Applications as a STEP student, which has a prerequisite of CPT 170 Microcomputer Applications. If you qualify to take the TAP exam for CPT 170, pass it, and enroll as a STEP student in CPT 270 during your senior year, you will be given TAP credit for CPT 170.

If each of these three criteria apply to your situation, you may take the TAP exam at the end of your junior year in high school. Again, this option is limited to students who plan to enroll in a higher level course during their senior year in high school through STEP.

Procedure Pages Organized by Division

We have organized the courses available for TAP credit by Division. The Divisions are listed below, followed by the TAP courses available in each Division.

TCTC DIVISION/COURSES

Arts and Sciences:
Communications I* (ENG 155)

* students who receive TAP credit for this course will be exempt from the English section of the ASSET, Tri-County's placement test.

Business and Human Services:
Microcomputer Applications (CPT 170)
Computers and Programming (CPT 114)
Internet Communications (IST 225)
Health, Safety, and Nutrition (ECD 135)
Office Accounting (AOT 137)
Introduction to Keyboarding (AOT 101)
Keyboarding (AOT 105)
Document Formatting (AOT 110)
Information Processing Software (AOT 165)
Office Database Applications (AOT 263)
Integrated Information Processing (AOT 267)
Information Processing Applications (AOT 167)
Office Desktop Publishing (AOT 265)
Television Studio Techniques (RTV 222)
Photography (RTV 140)

Health Education:
Medical Vocabulary/Anatomy and Physiology (AHS 104)
Medical Terminology (AHS 102)

Industrial and Engineering Technology:

Engineering Technologies:
Electrical Circuits I (EET 113)
Electrical Circuits II (EET 114)
Basic Technical Drawing (EGT 101)
Introduction to CAD (EGT 151)
Fundamentals of CAD (EGT 152)
Engineering Graphics II (EGT 115)
Introduction to the Computer Environment (EGR 110)
Print Reading (EGT 104)

Industrial Technologies:
Basic Sheet Metal (ACR 150)
DC Analysis (EEM 111)
DC Circuits (EEM 115)
AC Analysis (EEM 112)
AC Circuits (EEM 116)
Solid-State Devices (EEM 131)
Digital Electronics (EEM 230)
AC/DC Machines with Electrical Codes (EEM 217)
Motor Controls I (EEM 151)
Electrical Installation/Electrical Code (EEM 171)
Drive Systems (IMT 121)
Hydraulics and Pneumatics (IMT 131)
Industrial Electricity (IMT 140)
Machine Tool Theory I (MTT 121)
Machine Tool Theory II (MTT 123)
Machine Tool Theory III (MTT 125)
Machine Tool Practice I (MTT 122)
Machine Tool Practice II (MTT 124)
Machine Tool Practice III (MTT 126)
Machine Tool Math Applications (MTT 105)
Tool and Die Math Applications (MTT 205)
ARC Welding II (WLD 113)
Gas Metal Arc Welding I (WLD 108)
Gas and Arc Welding (WLD 106)
Welding Safety and Health (WLD 110)