The Technical Academy
Provides college-bound students with the opportunity to develop advanced technical skills and earn college credit toward an associate and/or bachelor’s degree while still in high school.
How It Works
Students are enrolled at BCTC and RACC while in high school. Depending on the program selected, students may complete up to six college courses at BCTC during the first and second year of their program, earning up to 18 college credits. The college credits earned while at the BCTC will be tuition-free.
All credits earned will appear as completed courses on a college transcript establishing the transferability of these courses.
In the third year of the program, students may take an additional three courses on RACC’s campus, earning up to an additional 12 college credits while in high school (depending on the program selected). Tuition for the final courses taken on RACC’s campus (while students are still in high school) may be subsidized by the CTC and is dependent on state and federal funding.
The Benefits
- BCTC students can earn college credits while still in high school.
- Students can enter the workforce at multiple points prior to earning a degree.
- Students have the opportunity to earn recognized industry certifications and prepare for jobs that are in high demand.
Participating Programs
Business Management & Entrepreneurship
Students are prepared for employment as office managers, assistant managers, sales representatives, entrepreneurs, supervisors, human resource employees, benefits coordinators, market researchers, and management trainees in programs such as those operated by banks, retail establishments, and other business and industrial enterprises. Students earn up to 27 credits while in high school.
 College Courses Offered at BCTC | Credits | |
 BUS-100 | Introduction to Business | 3 |
IFT-110 | Microcomputer Apps | 3 |
BUS-110 | Business Math | 3 |
ACC-105 | Financial Accounting | 3 |
MGT-100 | Principles of Management | 3 |
BUS-220 | Principles of Marketing | 3 |
High School Senior Year Capstone Courses at RACC | ||
ACC-110 | Managerial Accounting | 3 |
ORI-103 | College Success Strategies | 3 |
MGT-215 | Human Relations in Business | 3 |
Computer Systems Networking & Security
Students are prepared for supporting others in the use of computer hardware, software, networks and websites. Coursework will prepare students for various industry-standard certification exams. Students in the Computer Technology Academy will need to meet with a CTC counselor to select courses for their individual career pathway. Students earn up to 27 credits taken while in high school.
 College Courses Offered at BCTC | Credits | |
 IFT-100 | Introduction to Information Technology | 3 |
NET-100 | Computer Networking | 3 |
NET-106 | Installation & Maintenance of PCs I | 3 |
NET-120 | Server Administration | 3 |
NET-206 | Installation of PCs II | 3 |
NET-250 | Network Security (senior year at BCTC) | 3 |
High School Senior Year Capstone Courses at RACC | ||
 MGT-215 | Human Relations in Business | 3 |
ORI-103 | College Success Strategies | 3 |
IFT-110 | Microcomputer Apps | 3 |
Information Technology (IT) Programming
Students are prepared for supporting others in the use of computer hardware, software, networks and websites. Coursework will prepare students for various industry-standard certification exams. Students in the Computer Technology Academy will need to meet with a CTC counselor to select courses for their individual career pathway. Students earn up to 27 credits taken while in high school.
 College Courses Offered at BCTC | Credits | |
 IFT-100 | Introduction to Information Systems | 3 |
PRG-100 | Introduction to Computer Programming | 3 |
WEB-100 | Web Design I | 3 |
PRG-260 | Database Systems | 3 |
IFT-110 | Microcomputer Applications | 3 |
IFT-120 | Advanced Microcomputer Applications | 3 |
High School Senior Year Capstone Courses at RACC | ||
 ORI-103 | College Success Strategies | 3 |
MGT-215 | Human Relationships in Business | 3 |
BUS-100 | Introduction to Business | 3 |
Mechatronics Engineering Technology
Students are prepared for careers as engineering technicians in diversified manufacturing. Students gain knowledge and skills in blueprint reading, CAD drawing, mechanics, pneumatics, hydraulics, electricity, motors, motor control, programmable logic controls, robotics and motion control, process control, instrumentation and computer integrated manufacturing. Emphasis is placed on predictive maintenance, troubleshooting and quality assurance. Capstone year students will be advised by the RACC Career Coach into the Schmidt Training and Technology lab courses. Students can earn up to 29 credits.
 College Courses Offered at BCTC | Credits | |
 MET-101 | Fundamentals of Shop Machinery | 3 |
MET-120 | Industrial Mechanics I | 5 |
MET-130 | Industrial Electrical Systems | 4 |
MET-140A | Intro to Programmable Logic Controllers I | 2 |
 High School Senior Capstone Courses at the Schmidt Training and Technology Center | ||
MET-140B | Intro to Programmable logic Controllers II | 2 |
MET-150 | Industrial Mechanics II | 6 |
MET-160 | Rotating Electrical Machines | 4 |
Entrance Requirements
- Students must be in 10th or 11tth grade.
- 3.0 overall GPA *
- Math Proficiency
- Reading Proficiency
- To remain in the Academy, students must complete a college prep academic sequence throughout high school.
- Signed Letter of Intent to attend RACC to earn an associate degree.
- A set of indicator courses will be established for each Technical Academy program. Completion of an indicator course with a C or higher will waive a student from the appropriate placement test for the purpose of matriculating to RACC as a degree-seeking student.
* With special permission a student may be accepted on a provisional basis with a 2.5 GPA or higher.