SOUTHFIELD—Lawrence Technological University and Hartland High School have signed a new agreement that will allow Hartland students to take two accelerated LTU architecture and design courses in the summer, with scholarship support to reduce costs.

Students meeting eligibility requirements will be allowed to take accelerated versions of LTU’s ARCH1213, Introduction to Visual Communication, and ARCH 1223, Visual Communication. Hartland students will receive a scholarship allowing them to pay for the courses at the same tuition rate as LTU’s summer camps, rather than standard tuition. Eligibility requirements include a 3.0 grade point average and completing several Hartland High animation and engineering classes.

The first LTU course focuses on skills such as computer aided drafting and design, digital image production, and information modeling. The second course continues building those skills, along with using physical, digital, and hybrid media to analyze existing architectural works.

Under the five-year agreement, the courses will first be offered in the summer of 2020 at the same time as LTU’s popular summer camps for high schoolers.

“Hartland High School is a premier high school with a focus on science and design,” said Lisa Kujawa, associate provost for enrollment management and outreach at LTU. “Hartland High students are a perfect match for our technological and design focus.”

Added Scott Shall, associate dean of LTU’s College of Architecture and Design: “Hartland High School has been an important partner for the College of Architecture and Design at LTU for the last decade. Hartland High School students are well prepared and highly motivated. I have no doubt they will thrive in the expedited courses offered them under this new type of articulation structure.”

“Hartland High School is very excited about the partnership with Lawrence Technological University,” said Matthew Assenmacher, who teaches mechanical engineering, architecture, and animation courses at Hartland High. “This program will provide more learning opportunities to students while building a transitional relationship between the high school and university stage.”

Lawrence Tech currently has dual-enrollment agreements with 33 high schools and two middle schools in southeast Michigan, with more agreements pending. Agreements generally allow high school students to take LTU courses for college credit—some at the high school involved, some on LTU’s campus, some online, and some programs a hybrid.

This story was published in Technology Century.