(Wilmington, De.)  If your major is not offered at the University of Delaware or Delaware State University, you may be eligible for in-state tuition rates at one of 130 southern public colleges that participate in the Academic Common Market (ACM).  In 2006, eligible Delaware residents in programs such as mining engineering at Virginia Tech and speech language pathology at Towson University saved an average of $10,220 annually in tuition costs.

The ACM is a tuition savings agreement among the 16 member states of the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB).  Public colleges in SREB states that elect to participate in the ACM select the programs of study they will offer.  Both baccalaureate and graduate-level programs are offered in the ACM.  First professional degree programs—such as pharmacy, law, dentistry, and medicine—are not included in the ACM.

In Delaware, the ACM program is administered by the Delaware Higher Education Commission (DHEC). Cynthia Kirkpatrick, ACM state coordinator, has worked with the program since Delaware joined SREB in 1998. “Since then we have certified 450 students at more than 50 participating colleges in the other 15 ACM states. I’ve had the pleasure of talking with many happy students and parents over the years.”

ACM students from Delaware have been enrolled in baccalaureate programs in acting, architecture, dance, dental hygiene, equine science, filmmaking, fire protection engineering, forest resource management, hearing and speech sciences, interior design, marine science, materials science and engineering, and other majors not offered at Delaware State University or the University of Delaware. Students in master’s programs in architecture, education of the deaf and hard of hearing, library and information science, occupational therapy, and speech language pathology have also received ACM tuition savings. At the doctoral level, students have been certified for the ACM in anthropology, audiology, nursing, occupational therapy, and theatre design/arts administration programs.

“The Academic Common Market offers financial savings for Delaware students to reach education goals that they might have not been able to afford,” stated Education Secretary Valerie A. Woodruff. “This unique partnership with the SREB and ACM offers college-bound students with financial assistance to help them reach their dreams.”

In addition to the ACM campus-based programs, the ACM/Electronic Campus offers distance learning opportunities.  There are currently three undergraduate and 18 graduate-level degree programs available to Delaware residents.  Working adults who are pursuing degrees such as the bachelor of science in dental hygiene, master of library science, and doctorate of nursing practice can complete their degree and receive the ACM tuition savings while remaining employed in their current job.

SREB is the nation’s first interstate compact for education. Founded in 1948 by southern leaders in business, education and government, SREB works to improve every aspect of education from early childhood to doctoral degrees and beyond.  More than 2,000 students in the 16 member states are certified each year for the ACM.

The participating states are Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia.  Florida, North Carolina and Texas offer graduate-level programs only.

Students and parents with questions about the ACM are encouraged to contact DHEC at (302) 577-5240 or (800) 292-7935 (toll-free outside New Castle County).  Program guidelines, a list of participating institutions and eligible programs, and the application form are available online at www.doe.k12.de.us/high-ed.

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Delaware's Department of Education is committed to promoting the highest quality education for every Delaware student by providing visionary leadership and superior service.