2019 collegiate academy graduates

Earn a High School Diploma and Associate Degree at the Same Time

Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College’s Collegiate Academy allows students to simultaneously earn a high school diploma and an Associate Degree. The student body consists of high school juniors and seniors enrolled in dual-credit courses at their high school and MGCCC.

Highlights of Collegiate Academy

  • Expands learning opportunities for highly motivated students.
  • Provides up to 60 hours of transferable college credit to universities and/or an industry certification credential.

How to Become Part of Collegiate Academy

  • Meet all eligibility criteria for dual credit/dual enrollment.
  • Be a high school junior (14 core Carnegie units) in good standing, with a GPA of 3.0 or above.*
  • Submit an unconditional written recommendation from your high school principal or guidance counselor.
  • Demonstrate appropriate, responsible, and respectful behavior on the high school campus.
  • Demonstrate the maturity to cope with the challenges and relative freedom of a college environment.*Alternative admission is possible with a minimum overall GPA of 3.0 and a minimum composite ACT score of 30 or equivalent SAT score.

What Students Can Expect

  • A customized high school experience with the rigor of college.
  • A transition to college in a flexible, supportive, and academically enriched environment.
  • A chance to get a head start on a college degree while earning a high school diploma.
  • An environment that surrounds students with positive role models, helps them acclimate to college-level standards, and engages full immersion into both the high school and collegiate environment.

What to Expect After Completion of the Program

  • High school graduation
  • Associate degree from college and/or industry certification credentials
  • Scholarship opportunities
  • Accumulation of up to 60 college credits and/or industry certification credentials
  • Strong connection and identification with a community of learners.
  • Increased maturity, independence, and evidence of coping skills

What School Districts Can Expect

  • MGCCC works with each school district to customize Collegiate Academy.
  • The curriculum can be customized within degree requirements to meet the needs of the district. This includes the new Mississippi Graduation Requirements with Endorsement Options, excluding most health care programs.
  • Students attend normal high school activities (athletics, band, choir, etc.) and organize college classes to fit within their schedules.
  • Classes are taught at the high school (up to 29 credit hours), at an MGCCC campus, and online.

Benefits of Collegiate Academy

  • A customized high school experience with the rigor of college.
  • A transition to college in a flexible, supportive, and academically enriched environment.
  • A chance to get a head start on a college degree while earning a high school diploma.
  • An environment that surrounds students with positive role models, helps them acclimate to college-level standards, and engages full immersion into both the high school and collegiate environment.

Join the Collegiate Academy

For more information on how you can earn your high school diploma and Associate Degree at the same time, contact the Collegiate Academy representative on the campus you would attend.

Download the Collegiate Academy Brochure (PDF)

Jackson County

Colleen Hanna
colleen.hanna@mgccc.edu
(228) 522-1416

George County

Will Overstreet
william.overstreet@mgccc.edu
(601) 766-6434

Harrison County Campus

Justin Mills
justin.mills@mgccc.edu
(228) 897-9235

Perkinston / Stone County

Bobby Ghosal
bobby.ghosal@mgccc.edu
(601) 928-6207