Wiregrass Tech announced in July that the college is offering a new Associates of Science Degree in Occupational Studies. The new program is ideal for high school students who have taken elective courses in various areas through the college’s Dual Enrollment program. Alone those course credit hours would have not contributed to a degree unless the student enrolled into those specific programs and completed all of the program required courses under the degree track.  With the new Occupational Studies degree, these course credit hours collectively can be applied toward the new associate’s degree.

After reviewing the recent high school dual enrollment graduates, Zachary Hulett took both Welding and Automotive classes while attending Irwin County High School.  With these courses he took while in high school he is the first student to earn the new Associates Degree.  Hulett is currently enrolled at Wiregrass Tech as an Automotive Technology student and will graduate in December with his Automotive Technology Diploma.

Zachary’s accomplishment of completing his high school requirements and earning an associate’s degree is an amazing testimony of his work ethics and effort.  In addition to meeting his required hours for high school he took five-degree level academic college core classes, and 45 hours of occupational college courses.  “Zachary is an amazing student who is always smiling and has a great attitude and work ethic,” shared Lisa Helms, Wiregrass Assistant Director for High School Services. “He maintained an excellent GPA throughout his time at Wiregrass as a Dual Enrollment student and I’m excited that he has earned this new Associates Degree.” 

Wiregrass has over 100 programs including over 70 that qualify for the HOPE Career Grant.  For parents interested in the Dual Enrollment program, please contact Lisa Helms at [email protected] or your child’s high school counselor.   Visit www.wiregrass.edu to learn more about the programs Wiregrass offers.