Academic Common Market Could Save Eligible Delaware Students Thousands in College Tuition
Delaware residents who want to pursue college majors not offered at the University of Delaware or Delaware State University could be eligible for in-state tuition rates at more than 100 southern public colleges that participate in the Academic Common Market (ACM).
"Thanks to this partnership, Delaware undergraduates enrolled this year in majors such as industrial engineering at West Virginia University, speech language pathology at Towson University and architecture at University of Maryland saved an average of $13,000 in tuition costs,” said Secretary of Education Lillian M. Lowery. “This expands the opportunities for Delaware students to study programs not offered in their home state.”
The ACM is a tuition-savings agreement among 15 states that are members 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 and may set limits on participation. Both baccalaureate and graduate-level programs are offered in the ACM, but professional degree programs such as pharmacy, law, dentistry and medicine are not.
Since Delaware joined the SREB in 1998, the state has certified more than 900 students at more than 70 colleges. This year, 116 students were certified for a total tuition savings of more than $1.4 million.
"ACM students from Delaware have been enrolled in baccalaureate programs in acting, architecture, dance, dental hygiene, filmmaking, fire protection engineering, forest resource management, hearing and speech sciences, interior design, and materials science and engineering, and other majors not offered at Delaware State University or the University of Delaware," Academic Common Market State Coordinator Cynthia Kirkpatrick said.
"At the master’s level, students have received the ACM tuition savings for programs in architecture, education of the deaf and hard of hearing, journalism, library and information science, occupational therapy, public health, and speech-language pathology. Doctoral students have been certified for the ACM in anthropology, audiology, occupational therapy and theatre design/arts administration programs."
In addition to the ACM campus-based programs, the ACM/Electronic Campus offers distance learning opportunities. There currently are three undergraduate and 20 graduate-level degree programs available to Delaware residents. Working adults pursuing degrees, such as a bachelor of science in dental hygiene, master of library science, or doctor of nursing practice, can complete their degree and receive the ACM tuition savings while remaining employed in their current job (Texas does not participate in the ACM/Electronic Campus).
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 15 participating member states are certified each year for the ACM.
The participating states are: Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia. Florida and Texas offer graduate-level programs only.
Students and parents with questions about the ACM are encouraged to contact the Delaware Department of Education’s Higher Education Office at (302) 735-4120 or (800) 292-7935. You can search for an eligible programs and download the application form at www.doe.k12.de.us/dheo.
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Contact Info.
Alison Kepner Delaware Department of Education 401 Federal Street, Suite #2 Dover, Delaware 19901 Phone: (302) 735-4035 Fax: (302) 739-4654 Email: akepner@doe.k12.de.us |
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