Savannah Technical College (STC, ) History and Academics

History

The Savannah Technical College began its journey as the Opportunity School in 1929. The Savannah Chamber of Commerce sponsored the school, which quickly began to grow to an enrollment of 466 students in 1930 and moved to a larger setting. The school moved again to a building inside of the Independent Presbyterian Church and began offering shop classes and business education classes. Voters of Chatham County approved a bond that combined the Opportunity School and the Harris Area Trade School to create the Savannah Area Vocational-Technical School.

As the need for a larger facility grew, the plans to acquire land to build a consolidated vocational-technical post secondary school began in 1973 and the ground breaking ceremony was held in 1978. Evening classes started in the fall of 1981 and regular classes began in the summer. In 1984, the Savannah Tech Foundation and Advisory Council was established to raise funds for endowment, research grants, and scholarships. In the fall quarter of 1989, the official name of the school changed to Savannah Technical Institute. The school received accreditation to award diplomas and associate’s degrees by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and School (SACS).

The school later received recognition as the 5th largest of 33 technical colleges. The school experienced one last name change in 2000 and became known as Savannah Technical College. The school continued to provide continuing education, technical education, business training, and adult literacy education. Savannah Technical College also received recognition as the 3rd fastest growing two-year college in the country. Enrollment grew and the campus continued to expand, and the school’s Liberty Campus opened in 2006.

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Information Summary

Ranks 81st in Georgia and 2483rd overall. See the entire top 2,000 colleges and universities list
Overall Score (about)	57.1
Total Cost On-Campus Attendance	$4,044
Admission Success rate	N/A
Student Ratio Students-to-Faculty	14 : 1
Retention (full-time / part-time)	60% / 44%
Enrollment Total (all students)	3,817

Academics

Savannah Technical College is a diverse school with many educational opportunities. The school offers diplomas, technical certificate of credit programs, and associate degree programs at five campus sights that include Fort Steward AEC, Crossroads Campus, Liberty County Campus, Savannah Campus, and Effingham County Campus. The college also offers online educational options for students. There are 6 academic divisions at the Savannah Technical College: Business and Technology, Economic Development, General Studies, Health Sciences, Industrial Service, and Public Service.

Business and Technology Division

The Business and Technology Division is for students interested in entering fields related to technology and business areas. Highly skilled professionals who bring a wealth of knowledge to the programs are responsible for teaching the courses. Students learn through engaging experiences to create meaningful educational experiences. Many graduates start successful careers after graduating from a business and technical program. Some students choose to further educational experiences and pursue bachelor’s and master’s degree after graduating from the Savannah Technical College.

Business & Technical Division

Programs within the Business & Technical Division prepare students for careers in accounting, paralegal studies, and computer information systems. Possible degrees, diplomas, and certificates that students may earn are Computer Support Specialist Degree, Management and Supervisory Development Diploma, CISCO Certificate, Business Administration Technology Diploma, Accounting Associate Degree, and Microsoft Networking Technician Certificate.

Economic Development Division

The Economic Development Division offers students short-term career certificates. The programs achieve this goal by designing programs to meet the needs of the community. Students also participate in business partnerships for hand-on experience in a particular area. Students gain many technical skills through educational experiences. The state of the art laboratories and teaching facilities prepare student for real world experiences.

A few of the career fields that students may enter after receiving training in the Economic Development Division include aviation, customer service, manufacturing, and warehousing. Possible certificates, degrees, and diplomas include Certified Manufacturing Specialist, Team Supervisor Certificate, Aircraft Electrical Assembly Certificate, Certified Customer Service Specialist, and Certified Warehousing and Distribution Specialist.

General Studies Department

The General Studies Department offers students support for the occupational and academic programs available through the college. General education programs are available for all credit programs. The General Studies Department also offers assistance via a testing center. The testing center offers diagnostic testing, exit exams and placement testing for students.

Students can also seek assistance from the Career Services Center, where they can receive information about job opportunities from career counselors and receive help with other job-seeking needs. The Learning Enrichment Center offers certified tutors for students who need these services and students who do not speak English as their first language may receive ELS and RSL courses to assist with their educational needs. There are over 200 learning support and general education courses offered at Savannah Technical College. Students can earn a Technical Communications Certificate from this department.

Health Sciences Department

The Health Sciences Department prepares students for all levels of the health care industry. Upon completion of a program, students can earn an entry-level position with many opportunities for advancement. Students receive preparation for positions in nursing homes, dental offices, hospitals, home health, and health and illness care facilities.

The department offer professional diplomas, associate degrees, and technical certificates. A few of the careers include patient-care technicians (PCT), medical assistants (MA), and certified nursing assistants (CAN). Students may earn diplomas, degrees, and certificates in Medical Assisting, Central Sterile Processing, Surgical Technology, Paramedic Technology, Phlebotomy Technician, Dental Office Management, and Emergency Medical Technician.

Industrial Services Division

The Industrial Services Division prepares students for industrial related professions. The programs combine classroom instruction and training with hands-on experience to prepare students for industrial positions. Possible fields that students can work in include commercial truck driving, construction management, automotive and collision repair, drafting, aircraft structural, historical preservation, and electronic and computer engineering.

Students can earn such degrees, certificates, and diplomas as a Drafting Diploma, Gas Metal Arc Welding Certificate, Historical Preservation and Restoration Associate Degree, Masonry Apprentice Certificate, Air Conditioning Technology Degree, and Automotive Collision Repair Diploma.

Public Service Division

The Public Service Division prepares students to work in all level of public service. This division has trained professional who are dedicated to student success. The programs aim is to prepare students with the skills necessary to attain professional and personal goals. The curriculum is of the highest quality possible. The division consists of the areas of Marketing; Cosmetology/Barbering; Criminal Justice/Peace Academy; Culinary Arts; Hotel, Restaurant, and Tourism; and Early Childhood Care and Education programs.

Students can earn degrees, certificates, and diplomas such as Basic Law Enforcement Certificate, Culinary Institute of Savannah-Culinary Arts Associate Degree, Barber Diploma, Basic Fire Company Officer-TCC, Early Childhood Program Administration Certificate, Hospitality Customer Service Provider Certificate, Nail Technology Certificate, Marketing Diploma, Fire Officer II-TCC, and Sales Representative Certificate.

Most Popular Fields of Study

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Admissions

Students must follow a few easy instructions to apply for admission to the college. Students must complete the application and pay the non-refundable application fee, submit official GED or high school transcript, submit transcripts for university or college courses or degrees, show proof of college entrance exam scores or make arrangements to take a placement examination, complete the FAFSA form, and complete a BLAST (Basic Learning About Savannah Tech) orientation session prior to registration and advisement. The orientation is available online for students to access. Students must access the Savannah Technical College’s website for this information.

International students may need to seek assistance from the General Studies Department if students are in the process of studying English as a Second Language (ESL). There are several admission forms on Savannah Technical College’s website for program admission. Other applications include Dual and Joint Enrollment Application, POST Exam Form, Change Major Form, and International Student Admission Application.

Financial Aid

Students must complete the FAFSA form to qualify for financial assistance. Students have options to receive many forms of state and Federal financial assistance to finance schooling. A few of the ways that students may finance an education include grants, work-study programs, loans, and scholarships. Aid is available based on the financial need of each student. The college also offers several options for loans and scholarships. Many students may have to depend on private loans if these students do not qualify to receive assistance through FAFSA. There are also a number of outside scholarships that students may qualify for based on certain criteria.

Student Financial Aid Details

Ranks 6522nd for the average student loan amount.
Secrets to getting the best scholarships and financial aid in Georgia.

Students

The campus is full of student organizations in which students can join. Students are encouraged to participate in order to develop social interactions, leadership skills, and community involvement. A few of the organizations include Air Conditioning Technology Club (ACT), Dental Assistant Club, National Vocational-Technical Honor Society (NVTHS), Surgical Technology Club, SkillsUSA Club, and Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE).

This college also offers assistance for special groups of individuals. The college also has Disability Services that offers assistance with the special needs of students. Students who require these services should get information from Savannah Technical College’s website. There is also a program called Savannah Technical College’s Special Populations program that helps people who are part of a defined group of individuals. The aim is to remove the barriers that prevent success on academic and economic areas. Students who are displaced homemakers, limited English proficient and single parents qualify for this service.

Student Enrollment Demographics

Bibliography

Russell, Preston and Barbara Hines. A History of Her People Since 1733. Savannah: Frederic C. Beil Publisher, 2002. Print
Savannah Technical College. 19 April 2011. Web. 19 April 2011.
Silivanch, Annalise. Making the Right College Choice: Technical, 2-year, 4-year (Thinking About College). New York: Rosen Pub Group, 2010. Print.

Savannah Technical College