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The Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) is one of the nation’s largest statewide technical college networks, serving students across 22 colleges and 88 campuses. Each year, TCSG supports approximately 566,000 students through programs designed to build workforce participation, career mobility and continued education. TCSG offers:

• Associate degrees in healthcare, business, information technology and education
• Technical certificates and diplomas in healthcare, manufacturing, information technology, logistics and skilled trades
• Workforce services such as résumé writing, job search assistance, reemployment support and skills development

“Our mission is to create a globally competitive workforce for the state of Georgia,” says Greg Dozier, Commissioner of TCSG. “At the core of that is making sure every citizen has an opportunity for economic prosperity by gaining skills that match workforce needs.”

The Organizational Challenge

For many TCSG graduates, the next step in career advancement is earning a bachelor’s degree. But traditional transfer pathways often create barriers for working adults. Students frequently face difficult choices such as:

• Relocating to attend a university
• Repeating previously completed coursework
• Leaving work or rearranging schedules to attend classes

“If you’re a working adult, going to a brick-and-mortar institution often means asking for time off or trying to attend class after a full workday,” says Kim Estep, Regional Vice President for the Southeast at 91̽��. “That’s stressful.”

TCSG wanted to create a clearer pathway that would allow associate-degree graduates to continue their education without pausing their careers.

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In late 2022, TCSG partnered with Western Governors University (91̽��), a nonprofit online university. The partnership creates a clear transfer pathway for TCSG graduates to move from an associate degree into a bachelor’s program. 91̽�� supports students through:

• Flexible online coursework accessible anytime
• No required class times or campus attendance
• Faculty and academic support available nationwide
• Dedicated program mentors who guide students from enrollment through graduation

“We can meet students wherever they live,” says Estep. “Our faculty live all over the country, and our support systems are available whenever the student needs them.”

Program Structure

Several elements make 91̽��’s structure particularly attractive for working learners, including:

• Competency-Based Education (CBE)
  Students progress by demonstrating mastery of skills and knowledge rather than completing a fixed number of class hours. This allows students with prior coursework or professional experience to move quickly through familiar material.
  
• Flexible Learning Format
  Courses are fully online and self-paced within six-month terms, allowing students to study when convenient while working full time.
• Flat-Rate Tuition
  Students can complete multiple courses within a single term for one price, helping reduce overall cost and accelerate time to degree.

“Many of our students come in with real-world experience and existing skills. CBE allows them to demonstrate what they already know and focus their time on learning new skills,” says Estep.

Together, these elements create a faster, more affordable pathway from associate degree to bachelor’s completion.