Dual Enrollment Academy

Tri-County Technical College and Clemson University have established a first-of-its-kind dual enrollment academy that provides qualified high school students a guaranteed path to earn their Clemson degree.

The TCTC Dual Enrollment Academy is targeted to high school students in the Anderson, Oconee and Pickens school districts whose parents did not earn a bachelor’s degree. Students will be recruited in their sophomore year of high school and those admitted to the academy will take dual enrollment courses through TCTC at little to no cost. To be offered a guaranteed path to Clemson, participating students must meet all academic requirements and achieve a 3.0 or higher GPA in all college coursework and a 4.0 or higher GPA in all high school coursework.

The academy is expected to launch in spring 2026 with 25 students in the first cohort and increase incrementally each academic year to a maximum of 150 students per year. Students in the first cohort are expected to matriculate to Clemson in fall 2028.

In addition to rigorous college courses taught by TCTC’s credentialed college faculty and guaranteed admission to Clemson, the academy will provide a college admission and orientation session that prepares the student for dual enrollment and their future college experience. TCTC and Clemson will also provide future-focused advising and career counseling centered on the student’s career goals and field of study, as well as support services to aid the student’s learning and success. In addition, parents/guardians will have the opportunity to participate in community-building activities and attend workshops on financial literacy and FAFSA, navigating higher education, and understanding the unique needs of first-generation college students.

TCTC has established participation agreements with all seven school districts in Anderson, Pickens, and Oconee counties. As part of the agreement, participating high schools will engage in the recruitment, selection and onboarding of qualified students and provide bus transportation for enrolled students to the nearest TCTC campus for in-person coursework.

Students interested in the TCTC Dual Enrollment Academy should contact their school’s guidance counselor to learn more.