Early College Cohort Pathway

In partnership with Midlands Technical College, Lexington Two’s Early College Cohort Pathway offers a unique opportunity for students to take college-level courses at no cost, with the potential to earn an associate degree while still in high school. This pathway allows students to fast-track their education by potentially entering a 4-year college or university with as much as half of their bachelor’s degree already completed!

Students who participate in this program receive credit for the college courses they take, which appear on BOTH their high school and college transcripts. These courses are considered AP/Dual Credit on the high school transcript and are given additional weighting when calculating the GPA, helping students strengthen their academic profile for future college admissions.

Beginning the 2025-2026 school year

Early College Cohort Associate Degree Pathways:

*Associate in Arts (Concentration: Marketing)

rising 9th grade, only
Minimum 61 credit hours
Designed to prepare students for careers in business and industry.
Upon completion of the degree program, students will also be recognized as CTE completers in Marketing Communications.
Graduates may continue their education at MTC, transfer to a 4-year college or university, and/or prepare to pursue a career in fields such as digital marketing, advertising, promotion, retail, merchandising, corporate communications, or sales.

*Associate in Arts (Concentration: Finance/Accounting)

rising 9th grade, only
Minimum 61 credit hours
Designed to provide students with a foundation in accounting principles, practices, and technologies that prepare them for successful careers in accounting and related fields.
Upon completion of the degree program, students will also be recognized as CTE completers in Accounting.
Graduates may continue their education at MTC, transfer to a 4-year college or university, and/or prepare to pursue a career in fields such as accounting, bookkeeping, auditing, or tax preparation.

*Associate in Arts (Concentration: General Management)

rising 9th grade, only
Minimum 61 credit hours
Students will gain valuable insight into the managerial skills needed to succeed in today's technology-driven and innovation-intensive workplace.
Upon completion of the degree program, students will also be recognized as CTE completers in General Management.
Graduates may continue their education at MTC, transfer to a 4-year college or university, and/or prepare to pursue a career in fields such as sales, banking, transportation/logistics, entrepreneurship, operations, retail management, hospitality, or healthcare.

*Associate in Arts (Concentration: Public Service)

*Associate in Arts (Concentration: Interdisciplinary Studies)

rising 10th grade, only
Minimum 61 credit hours
The MTC Associate in Art program is designed for students who plan to transfer to a four-year college majoring in business, humanities, education, or social sciences.
It is also designed for those needing pre-requisite courses for 2-year degree programs at MTC.
Graduates may continue their education at MTC or transfer to a 4-year college or university.

*Associate in Science (Concentration: Interdisciplinary Studies)

rising 10th grade, only
Minimum 62 credit hours
The MTC Associate of Science program is designed for students who plan to transfer to a four-year college majoring in computer science, engineering, health sciences, mathematics, or science.
It is also designed for those needing pre-requisite courses for 2-year degree programs at MTC.
Graduates may continue their education at MTC or transfer to a 4-year college or university.

What can you do with an associate degree?

An Associate of Arts (A.A.) or Associate of Science (A.S.) degree offers students a head start on their higher education journey, allowing them to enter a four-year college or university with as much as half of their bachelor's degree already completed—all at no cost.

In addition to transferring credits to a 4-year institution, students can also tailor their A.A. or A.S. degree to align with their specific career goals. Whether they plan to continue their education or jump straight into the workforce, an associate degree opens doors to various career opportunities immediately after high school, giving students the flexibility to choose the path that best fits their future aspirations!

Who is the Early College Cohort for?

The Early College Cohort program offers a unique opportunity for students to begin their dual enrollment journey as early as their freshman (9th grade) year, or the summer before their sophomore (10th grade) year. Students in this cohort will work towards earning an associate's degree while simultaneously completing high school, through dual credit coursework taken during the fall, spring, and summer semesters.

Participation in this program requires a commitment of 3-4 years, allowing students to engage in college-level courses early on. To be eligible, students should be prepared for a challenging academic experience, with developed study skills, effective time management, and the self-discipline necessary for handling college coursework.

Eligibility Requirements

Rising 9th	Rising 10th
Good standing (grades, attendance, behavior) Principal and Counselor recommendation Eligible PSAT, MAP and/or ACCUPLACER scores Student Interview and Teacher recommendations	Good standing (grades, attendance, behavior) Principal and Counselor recommendation Eligible PSAT, SAT, ACT or ACCUPLACER scores Ranked in top 25% of class/3.0 GPA (weighted) Student Interview and Teacher recommendations

How does this work with the high school schedule?

Approved dual credit courses earn both high school units of credit and college credit hours. Therefore, many DE courses can count towards SC High School Diploma Graduation Requirements, and directly affect the high school grade point average (GPA). In accordance with South Carolina state regulation, students may earn one credit unit toward the high school diploma for each approved three‐semester hour college course they successfully complete.

Sample Student Schedule

	Sample 10th Grade Schedule		Sample 11th Grade Schedule		Sample 12th Grade Schedule
Block	Fall	Spring	Fall	Spring	Fall	Spring
1st block	MTC Courses - MW/TTh	MTC Courses - MW/TTh	MTC Courses - MW/TTh	MTC Courses - MW/TTh	(3-4) MTC Courses + High School Course(s)*	(3-4) MTC Courses + High School Course(s)*
2nd block	High School Course	High School Course	High School Course	High School Course
3rd block	High School Course	High School Course	High School Course	High School Course
4th block	High School Course	High School Course	High School Course	High School Course

*Students may also take at least two (2) courses during the summer

*Students can enroll in additional high school classes depending on whether degree requirements have been met and/or if high school graduation requirements have been met.

What are my next steps?

Complete the application for the Early College Cohort by clicking on the link below.

The application window for the 2025-2026 academic year is now closed.