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College Profile:
Georgia Perimeter College
Students at Georgia Perimeter College tell us it's "a great
place to start." Whether an honors student in high school or
someone who struggled for a "C" average, our students
say the small class sizes, top-quality faculty, and personal attention
they receive at GPC help smooth out their transition from high school
to college. Those resuming their education after being out of school
awhile are especially complimentary of the support they receive
at GPC.
Starting college is an exciting time. But, as with any change,
it can also be overwhelming. It doesn't have to be— not if
others are there to help, support, and encourage you. That is the
philosophy of Georgia Perimeter College, where you'll receive a
level of service and attention unheard of at other schools. That's
why GPC is not only a great place to start, but a great place to
take off on a new career or a new life.
Georgia Perimeter College is a two-year, associate degree-granting,
non-residential college, and the third largest unit of the University
System of Georgia. More than 16,000 students are served through
six locations in suburban Atlanta, each offering the atmosphere
of a small college along with all the advantages of a large institution.
The typical GPC student is either a recent high school graduate
intending to complete two years at the college before continuing
elsewhere or a worker seeking to upgrade job skills. Average student
age is 23.8 years. Most GPC students work at least part-time and
many take advantage of the flexible class scheduling, including
online and telecourses, to complete their degrees while working
full-time. Statistically, GPC graduates perform very well at four-year
schools, often surpassing those who began there as freshmen. The
curriculum specializes in liberal arts and professional preparation
while promoting international and intercultural understanding through
the college's unique diversity.
Founded by the citizens of DeKalb County and the DeKalb Board of
Education under the Junior College Act of 1958, Georgia Perimeter
College opened in 1964 as DeKalb College, the only public junior
college in the state supported and controlled by a local board of
education. It was transferred to state governance in 1986. The college
changed its name to Georgia Perimeter College in 1998 to better
reflect its growth outside DeKalb County and its status as a unit
of the State University System.
The college was established on the Clarkston Campus, with the Decatur
Campus added in 1972 and the Dunwoody Campus in 1979. The college
began offering courses in Gwinnett County in 1987. Its Lawrenceville
Campus moved to the new Gwinnett University Center, a partnership
between GPC and the University of Georgia, in January of 2002. In
1993, in cooperation with Clayton State College, DeKalb Technical
Institute, and Rockdale County Public Schools, GPC formed the Rockdale
Center for Higher Education, which offers both credit and non-credit
courses in Conyers. The college added its sixth location in the
summer of 2000, when it began offering classes at Georgia State
University's new Alpharetta Center in north Fulton County.
Georgia Perimeter College has pioneered an open-door admissions
policy, personalized approaches to instruction, and community-related
curricula and activities. The curricula feature transfer, developmental,
career, and continuing education programs. Associate degrees are
awarded to graduates who complete the two-year transfer or career
programs. The college's academic offerings correspond with curricula
content and requirements of the University System of Georgia, making
transfer of credits virtually seamless. The college also serves
as a community cultural center for the performing arts in music
and drama.
As the largest two-year institution of the University System of
Georgia, GPC serves a distinctly diverse population with students
from all over the U.S. and more than 120 foreign countries. The
college offers a wide variety of programs, including accounting,
business administration, computer information systems, dental hygiene
and assisting, journalism, political science, and teacher education.
Degrees offered at GPC are Associate of Arts (A.A.), Associate of
Science (A.S.), and Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.). Local
high school students can get a head start on their college degrees
through GPC's Joint Enrollment program.
The Georgia Perimeter Jaguars compete in NJCAA men's baseball,
women's softball, and men's and women's basketball, soccer, and
tennis. The men's tennis team captured its fourth consecutive national
title in Spring, 2001.
GPC students can also participate in the student newspaper, student
government, study abroad programs, various academic and social clubs,
honor societies, dramatic arts, and musical performing groups.
In addition to the Georgia HOPE Scholarship and various federal
financial aid programs, GPC students may compete for a number of
local scholarships funded through the GPC Foundation. With tuition
rates less than one-half that of state universities and the economic
advantages of living at home, students find GPC a very affordable
alternative for completing their first two years of college.
Affordability, accessibility, and quality of instruction all go
together to make Georgia Perimeter College a great place to start.
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Unique Career Opportunities at GPC
Students at Georgia Perimeter College can complete their
first two years of a baccalaureate degree program and transfer
to a four-year institution or complete a two-year career program
and go right to work in a well-paying, high-demand profession.
Career programs at the college include nursing, dental hygiene,
interpreter training, and fire management.
GPC's Nursing program has recently entered into partnerships
with several area hospitals to provide enhanced teaching facilities,
more than 50 scholarships, "real world" clinical
training, and guaranteed jobs for graduates. Licensed Practical
Nurses (LPNs) can complete a "bridge" program in
as little as 15 months to be certified as Registered Nurses
(RNs).
Dental Hygiene students at GPC also get a variety
of hands-on experience, ranging from the Veterans Administration
Hospital to Hughes Spaulding Children's Hospital, in addition
to the on-campus clinic. The quality of their education is
evidenced by a 100% first-attempt pass rate on the National
Board Exam for Dental Hygiene and 100% employment upon graduation.
The American Sign Language (ASL)/English language Interpreter
Training program at GPC gives students the skills
and knowledge to enter the growing profession of interpreting
for the Deaf. For the past two years, 100% of our graduates
passed the national written exam for interpreters and the
program chair has served as president of the international
Conference of Interpreter Trainers.
The field of fire services has taken on new significance
since 9/11/01. GPC's Fire Management curriculum prepares
graduates for a variety of careers in addition to senior management,
including arson investigation, fire prevention, public education,
and training. Graduates are also eligible for National Fire
Protection Association 1021 Fire Officer I & II certification.
Many courses are taught by front-line supervisors from area
fire departments.
Not only can graduates of these career programs go right
to work making competitive salaries, but also their course
credits can be easily transferred to a four-year school so
they can continue their education to a baccalaureate degree
and beyond. |
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