Accelerated Online Associate Degrees From eStarkState
Stark State College appears in our ranking of the Top 15 Affordable Associate’s in Web Development Online
On Blackboard, the Flexible Learning Program is Ohio’s fourth largest public NC-SARA member offering 24/7 access to faster, eight-week Stark State College courses for 16 associates and 18 certificates entirely online with 63 percent retention at a 22:1 learner-faculty ratio. For example, the AAB in Accounting Services for Health Administration plots a 64-credit, ACBSP-accredited online major chaired by Prof. Pam Benner for job placements like Aultman Hospital or Mercy Medical Center within 18 months. Headed by Dr. Dan Fuline, the AAB in Entrepreneurship offers a 63-credit 2+2 transfer track to Kent State University online with Phi Theta Kappa membership and two-month practicum.
Partnered with Clark State Springfield, the AAB in Judicial Court Reporting follows a 65-credit, NCRA-approved curriculum online under Prof. Rene Eneix for undergrads to become Certified Realtime Reporters and earn a median annual wage of $43,000. The AAB in Web Design & Development led by Dr. Larry Ray has a 61-credit, 18-month sequence will fast-paced online courses from Internet Marketing to Data Modeling plus hands-on JavaScript projects via the W.R. Timken Technology Center.
Other online options include the AAB in Tax, AAB in Corporate Finance, AAS in Computer Programming, AAS in Video Game Design, Gerontology Certificate, and Grant Writing Certificate.
About Stark State College
Stark State College originated in September 1960 when Ohio Senator Ralph Regula paired with Clayton G. Horn and Samuel Krugliak to open the Stark County Technical Institute. In 1963, President Fred A. Yenny graduated the inaugural class of 26 men at Timken Vocational School. In 1969, the General Assembly allocated $3.1 million to erect today’s 200-acre Jackson Township campus. In 1975, it was renamed Stark Technical College for new associate degrees. Fully accredited in 1976, Stark first went digital in 1979 with remote computer terminals. In 1986, it implemented the Ohio Transfer Module for B.A./B.S. completion. One decade later, the Stark State College name was adopted. In 2005, SSC worked with Lockheed Martin and Ariel Corporation to launch its Fuel Cell Prototyping Center.
Budgeting $32.66 million, Stark State College now educates 15,450 Spartans in 265 programs online and face-to-face at five locations from Alliance to Barberton with 45+ clubs like Gamers Guild. In 2019, SSC received the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society Continued Excellence Chapter Award. Three years prior, Stark State received the Greater Canton Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Award. Washington Monthly ranked SSC among its top 25 colleges for adult learners. From 2004 to 2014, Stark State College was The Chronicle of Higher Education’s 14th fastest-growing school. WalletHub placed SSC 494th for career outcomes and 504th for financing nationally. Best Value Schools named Stark State 15th in Ohio. Dyslexic Advantage also gave SSC 6/10 stars for disability support.
Stark State College Accreditation Details
On November 18, 2019, Stark State College will undergo the next Level I accreditation evaluation by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (HLC-NCA) to potentially extend its AQIP Pathway approval through 2029-30 under its fourth president, Dr. Para M. Jones, who earned the Greater Stark County Athena Leadership Award. Located 381 miles west via Interstate 80 in Chicago, Illinois, this giant 19-state Great Lakes Region accreditor is authorized by the U.S. Education Department to review SSC’s 123 associate and 142 certificate offerings. Stark State also features these specialized accreditations:
- Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology
- Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs
- Commission on Dental Association
- National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation
- Association of Nutrition and Foodservice Professionals
- Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education
- National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Lab Sciences
- Commission on Accreditation of Health Informatics and Information Management
- Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing
- Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care
- Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education
- National Court Reporters Association
Stark State College Application Requirements
The U.S. News & World Report classified admission to Stark State College as “least selective” because 100 percent of the 3,992 Fall 2013 entrants were openly enrolled. First-year Spartans simply must verify a high school diploma or GED equivalent. Minimum course units and grade point averages aren’t listed. Dual enrollment students only need a 2.0 GPA or better. Academic policy reserves credit transfer for accredited courses graded at least “C-.” Accuplacer placement tests may be necessary if GPAs are below 3.0. Exceptions are made for undergrads with Compass scores above 50 English, 58 Reading, and 39 Algebra. Preferred ACT scores rise above 16 English and 19 Math. For the SAT, placement test waivers require a 420 Reading or 460 Math mark. Non-native English speakers must present a 500 TOEFL, 6.0 IELTS, or 18 ACT English score.
Stark State College makes admission easy by accepting candidates on a rolling basis. Final registration deadlines are currently August 23rd for Fall, January 11th for Spring, and May 12th for Summer. Please note several financial aid opportunities close July 15th though. Prospective online Spartans log into MySSC accounts for the free application. Official high school transcripts and GED documents are mailed to 6200 Frank Avenue NW in North Canton, OH 44720. College Board institutional code 1688 is used for SAT/TOEFL score reporting. Supplemental items might include the passport photocopy, financial institution statement, placement tests, transfer evaluation form, and medical immunizations verification. Inquire further by contacting (330) 494-6170 or admissions@starkstate.edu.
Tuition and Financial Aid
For 2018-19, Stark State College charged Ohio undergrads $169.60 per credit. Non-resident associate majors paid $129 more at $298.60. Each three-credit course cost $508.80 to $895.80. Students covered a one-time $95 processing fee. The maintenance and security fee added $35 per semester. The Flexible Learning Program brought a $10 online fee per credit. Certain online degrees like the AAB in Judicial Court Reporting had fees of $25 to $100 apiece. Full-time associate attendance equaled about $5,088 for Ohioans and $8,958 for out-of-state students. SSC budgeted an extra $1,100 for books, $1,192 for personal expenses, and $5,252 for off-campus living. Two-year online associate totals range from $10,176 to $17,916.
According to the NCES College Navigator, the Financial Aid Office in Gateway Center gets 82 percent of new SSC Spartans assistance averaging $3,815 each for $2.66 million combined. Institutional funds include the Betty Jean Morford Memorial Scholarship, Art Moyer Scholarship, Marie Stokes Scholarship, Ned Saums Memorial Scholarship, Robert & Hortense Bobbitt Scholarship, George Lemon Scholarship, Robert McLain Entrepreneurial Scholarship, Daniel Schonhoft Accounting Scholarship, Fortisure Finishers Scholarship, Judith Lancaster Scholarship, and Paul & Susan Feaser Scholarship. The President’s Scholar Award gifts $2,500 to freshmen meeting minimum 3.0 GPAs and 22 ACT scores. The $3,000 Choose Ohio First Scholarship is renewable for STEM majors with in-state residency. Since 1963, the Stark Community Foundation has developed 100+ awards like the Harry Mestel Accounting Scholarship and Partners in Education Scholarship. Federal Pell Grant, SEOG Grant, and Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loan programs are also available with FAFSA forms coded 011141.
Learn more about Stark State College at the Flexible Learning Program website.
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