FIRST COLLEGE PROGRAM AT THE PORTSMOUTH CAMPUS

About the Program

The First College Program is a program developed in partnership with the Portsmouth Public Schools and is available only to students in the Portsmouth Public High Schools.  It is designed for qualified high school seniors who plan to attend a college or university after they graduate from high school. The program offers seniors an opportunity to earn 19 semester hours of college-level courses prior to graduation from high school. 

Program Advantages

• Earn transferable college credits while still in high school at community college tuition rates

• Take classes at the Portsmouth Campus and obtain all rights and privileges of TCC students

• Take smaller sized classes with greater interaction with other college students

• Academic support and comprehensive student services

Who is Eligible

• Portsmouth Public Schools high school seniors who plan to attend a college or university after graduation from high school.

• Students who place into TCC’s English Composition I and II (ENG 111-112) through the compass placement test.

• Students who successfully complete both English 111-112 courses with a grade of C or better in the fall term of their senior year through the dual enrollment program at their high school.

Courses Offered

First College courses include the following core college transfer courses, plus others that the College and the Portsmouth Schools agree to add:

• General Biology I (4 credits)
• U.S. History  I-II (6 credits)
• Introduction to Psychology I (3 credits)

Where Classes Meet

After successfully completing the ENG 111-112 courses at their high schools through the existing dual enrollment program, First College student attend classes at TCC’S Portsmouth Campus in the spring semester with other TCC students.  First College students are integrated into the college's regular courses.

Transportation

Portsmouth Public Schools provides bus transportation to and from TCC’S Portsmouth Campus for those students participating in the program.

Program and Cost

The cost of the First College Program is the current tuition and fees rate for TCC as established by the State Board for Community Colleges. The Portsmouth Public Schools provides textbooks for First College Students. All interesed students and parents should attend a First College Information Session offered at one of the three public high schools in Portsmouth during the fall semester of each year.

For more information:

Contact your high school guidance counselor or:

TCC First College Program in Portsmouth

7000 College Drive

Portsmouth, VA 23703

Dean Kimberly Beatty

757-822-2430

kbeatty@tcc.edu

•  TCC Information Center

    757-822-1122

• TCC Website

   www.tcc.edu