Georgia’s 26 technical colleges, including DeKalb Technical College will convert from the quarter academic calendar to semester system, beginning with the fall semester in August 2011.

"This entire transition will ultimately enhance student success," said Dr. Debra Gordon, DeKalb Tech’s Dean of Student Support. "Our immediate focus in academic affairs is on those students who are three quarters away from graduation. We want to make sure they can easily reach their graduation goal before the transition".

There are more than 2,500 students that are within a few quarters of graduating said Cory Thompson, DeKalb Tech’s Director of Public Relations and Information. "Of the more than 8,000 students currently enrolled in credit programs, more than 75 percent will begin their academic career at DeKalb Tech under the quarter system, and end their studies here under the semester system," said Thompson.

The semester system will help us achieve that goal by better aligning us with other educational institutions, whether it is high schools or other post-secondary schools," said Dr. Robin Hoffman, President of DeKalb Tech.

The conversion will not affect students’ state or federal financial aid, including Georgia’s HOPE grant and scholarship programs. Annual tuition under the new semester system will be roughly equivalent to the annual cost under the quarter system; however, tuition will be paid three times a year instead of four times a year. Class sizes are not expected to increase on the semester system, nor will a student’s grade point average be affected.

For more information, go to TCSGSemester411.com or www.dekalbtech.edu.