Cony High School students earn university certification with high school diploma
Early College program taught at high school gives students a head start in college career
AUGUSTA–This June four Cony High School students will graduate with more than their high school diploma. Through the Early College program with the University of Maine at Augusta (UMA) four seniors (and one junior) at Cony also received a post-secondary education credential–a Certificate in Computer Information Systems-Cyber Fundamentals Level I. These students were recognized at a special ceremony at the end of May.
Successfully completing the program were Cote Rich, Luc Sirois, Jacob Mills, and Olivia Rheaume, all graduating seniors from Augusta. The Cony junior receiving a Certificate is Gerald Moody, who is eligible to pursue a CIS-Cyber Fundamentals Level II Certificate beginning this fall.
This innovative and collaborative program through UMA and Cony High School allowed Henry Felch, UMA Associate Professor of Cybersecurity and Computer Information Systems and Betina Tagle, UMA Assistant Professor of Computer Information Systems to teach two college-level courses each semester in nine-week sessions onsite at Cony High School.
“We were excited to bring these courses into the Early College program,” stated UMA Professor Henry Felch. “Cony High School has been a wonderful partner and the students were eager to learn.” Felch continued, “Several have indicated their interest in pursuing a degree in Cybersecurity or CIS.”
To earn the Certificate in CIS-Cyber Fundamentals Level I students completed the following course work: Introduction to Computer Science, Programming Fundamentals, Networking Concepts, and Introduction to Information Security. To be eligible for the UMA Certificate, completed 50% of the required courses through UMA and maintained a Minimum 2.00 G.P.A. in the Certificate course work.
“Opportunities through Early College are an excellent way for high school students to begin earning college credit and reduce the time and cost of a college education,” said Rachael Magill, UMA Director of Early College. “UMA Early College students are not just college ready, they are college proven.”
UMA’s Early College program allows Maine high school juniors and seniors to take college courses while in high school and earn college credit. The credit earned often can be applied toward a two-year associate or four-year baccalaureate degree. An example of courses includes College Writing, Elementary Statistics, Introduction to Psychology, Introduction to Literature, and US History I.
Depending on the program, high school students can participate in Early College classes in a variety of ways. Some courses are taught through distance learning options, while others are taught in person in the student’s high school or on a UMA Campus or Center.
UMA’s Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity program incorporates a multidisciplinary perspective through a combination of courses that offer a holistic approach to cybersecurity education by providing the opportunity to take courses not only in computer science and technology but also in the humanities, social sciences, and ethics.
UMA transforms the lives of students of every age and background across the State of Maine and beyond through access to high-quality distance and on-site education, excellence in student support, civic engagement, and professional and liberal arts programs.