MARIETTA, OHIO — Washington State College of Ohio (WSCO) has been approved by the Ohio Department of Higher Education to offer College Credit Plus (CCP) pathways through Ohio’s Statewide Innovative Waiver, creating new opportunities for high school students to earn free college credit while preparing for careers in some of the state’s most in-demand industries. The waiver expands access to Engineering Technology Pathways by removing traditional CCP eligibility requirements for approved programs.
The Statewide Innovative Waiver Pathway allows eligible students to enroll in designated CCP pathways without first meeting the traditional cumulative GPA or placement testing requirements required for CCP participation. Students who successfully complete coursework can earn college credit while working toward industry-recognized credentials, certificates, or degrees aligned with Ohio’s workforce needs.
Through the waiver, WSCO will offer the following approved pathways:
Short-Term Certificates
These short-term certificate programs can be completed in as little as one semester on a part-time basis, providing students with a flexible way to earn college credit and industry-recognized credentials while still in high school.
• Instrumentation
• Certified Production Technician (CPT)
• Precision Machining
• Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC)
One-Year Certificates
• Chemical Operator
• Manufacturing Technician
• Control System Technician
Associate Degrees
• Electrical Engineering Technology
• Manufacturing Engineering Technology
“Ohio’s manufacturing and engineering industries continue to evolve, and the demand for skilled technicians has never been greater,” said Tracey Hooper-Porter, Dean of Technology and Transfer at WSCO. “This waiver creates opportunities for students who may not have previously considered College Credit Plus by allowing them to begin building technical skills earlier. These pathways combine college coursework with hands-on learning experiences, industry-recognized credentials, and college credit that prepare students for rewarding careers while strengthening Ohio’s future workforce.”
CCP enables students in grades 7-12 to earn both high school and college credit simultaneously at no cost to families. The Statewide Innovative Waiver broadens access by creating career-focused pathways designed specifically for students pursuing high-demand technical careers. Students pursuing pathway credentials at WSCO must declare one of the waiver majors and successfully complete designated coursework to earn credit, but the waiver removes barriers that may have prevented them from getting started.
Lisa Walsh, Director of CCP Partnerships at WSCO, said the waiver reflects the college’s commitment to expanding educational access while strengthening partnerships with local schools.
“Every student deserves the opportunity to pursue a career that matches their interests and abilities,” Walsh said. “This innovative waiver provides more high school students access to college-level learning through a clear pathway into careers that are critical to building Ohio’s workforce. We look forward to working closely with our high school and career center partners to help students take advantage of these opportunities.”
The statewide waiver was developed in collaboration with regional employers and workforce organizations, whose partnership and support helped demonstrate the need for expanded engineering technology pathways. Industry partners, including Pioneer Group, Grimm Scientific Industries, Micro Machine Works, Kraton Corporation, Appalachian Ohio Manufacturers’ Coalition, Ohio Natural Energy Institute, Building Bridges to Careers, and Holdren Engineering, will help to shape the pathways through curriculum guidance, work-based learning opportunities, and workforce expertise, ensuring students are prepared for careers in Ohio’s high-demand technical industries.
The approved pathways align with industries experiencing significant workforce demand throughout Ohio, including advanced manufacturing, industrial automation, process technology, and engineering technology. By allowing students to begin these pathways earlier, the initiative helps build a stronger workforce pipeline while reducing the time and cost required to earn a college credential. Ohio created the Statewide Innovative Waiver to increase access to CCP and connect more students with high-demand career fields through industry-recognized credentials and technical degree pathways.
Students and school districts interested in learning more about WSCO’s Statewide Innovative Waiver pathways or CCP opportunities are encouraged to contact Lisa Walsh at lwalsh@wscc.edu.
