Early IT Program

The Early IT Program is an innovative partnership that challenges the status quo for college access and affordability while significantly increasing the quantity, quality, and diversity of IT talent. The information technology sector is a strategic component of economic development in the State of Ohio. The demand for skilled information technology professionals continues to grow beyond the current capacity of the educational system. An effective, scalable, and sustainable talent development system is integral to Ohio's economic competitiveness.

This program is centered around key innovative concepts that significantly reduce the total cost of a bachelor's degree (economic efficiency) while improving the level of job readiness for the graduates (educational excellence). The programs key concepts include:

  • Teach the first year of the bachelor's degree in high schools
  • Provide automatic guaranteed admission to the bachelor’s degree for those students who successfully complete the first year in high school
  • Use competency based graduate certificate to train high school teachers, enabling them to teach college courses
  • Integrate a 20-month paid work experience (co-op) with average pay of $45,000
  • Deliver the bachelor's degree on community college campuses to increase transition and completion rates
  • Provide an accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree option to eliminate an additional two years of education
  • Utilize competency and project-based pedagogy to provide hands-on information technology education

The University of Cincinnati School of Information Technology partners with school districts to offer a pathway for high school students to work towards completing college and a career in Information Technology.

Students complete their first year of college while still in high school. The program reduces the number of years to graduate and the total cost. All students who complete their first year of classes in high school and complete these classes with a C or above average will be automatically admitted to the University of Cincinnati Information Technology program.

For academic partnership questions, please contact Kelly Broscheid:

Headshot of Kelly Broscheid

Kelly Broscheid

Associate Director of Academic Partners, School of Information Technology

238C TDC

513-556-5022

For student support questions, please contact Alana Calhoun:

Headshot of Alana Calhoun

Alana Calhoun

Assistant Director of Student Success, School of Information Technology

238C TDC

513-556-4552

To learn more or participate in the Early IT program, please contact Corbin Purdum:

Headshot of Corbin Purdum

Corbin Purdum

Assistant Director, Student Recruitment, CECH Office of Student Recruitment

2610 University Cir

513-556-0625

Current Partnerships:

In the News:

Spotlight: Warren County Early IT Students Intern with Information Technology Solutions Center

Akron Beacon Journal: Akron Public Schools and Stark State College Partnership

Channel 9

WCCC News