Ohio Career-Tech Students Gain Dual Credit Path
Students at five south-central Ohio career centers can now earn college credit toward applied technical degrees through the new ShawneeWORKS partnership.
Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Financial Aid
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Shawnee State University and five south-central Ohio career and technical centers have launched ShawneeWORKS, a partnership that expands dual credit and College Credit Plus and streamlines admissions into applied technical degree programs. Students at the five regional career technology centers can begin taking ShawneeWORKS benefits this year.
Why it matters
The partnership responds to demand for graduates with applied technical skills in southern Ohio, and aims to lower the cost of earning a credential or degree for high school and adult learners. For families weighing college costs, shorter paths from career-tech programs into applied degrees could change how much time and money a credential takes.
The inaugural partner schools are Scioto County Career Technical Center, Pike County Career Technology Center, Pickaway-Ross Career & Technology Center, Buckeye Hills Career Center, and Southern Hills Career & Technical Center. The source does not list specific dollar amounts, eligibility thresholds, or enrollment caps for the program.
The players
Shawnee State University
A public university in Portsmouth, Ohio, that leads the ShawneeWORKS partnership with its applied technical degree programs.
Scioto County Career Technical Center
One of five inaugural career and technical centers in the ShawneeWORKS partnership, serving south-central Ohio students.
Pike County Career Technology Center
One of five inaugural career and technical centers in the ShawneeWORKS partnership, serving south-central Ohio students.
Pickaway-Ross Career & Technology Center
One of five inaugural career and technical centers in the ShawneeWORKS partnership, serving south-central Ohio students.
Buckeye Hills Career Center
One of five inaugural career and technical centers in the ShawneeWORKS partnership, serving south-central Ohio students.
The details
ShawneeWORKS links Shawnee State University with the five career centers so that dual credit and College Credit Plus courses can be taken between partner schools. Students who complete career-tech training can enter the workforce directly or move into an applied technical degree through a streamlined admissions process.
Timeline
2026: Students at regional career technology centers begin taking ShawneeWORKS benefits.
Education Landscape
ShawneeWORKS builds on Ohio's College Credit Plus framework, which already lets high school students earn college credit before graduation. The partnership adds a regional pipeline that connects career-tech graduates directly to applied technical degrees in an area where that pathway has been less developed.
Students at the five partner career technology centers can ask their school counselor whether ShawneeWORKS dual credit and College Credit Plus courses are available to them. Families should confirm with Shawnee State University's admissions or financial-aid office how credits transfer into applied technical degree programs before enrolling.
The takeaway
ShawneeWORKS is a regional attempt to shorten the path from career-tech training to a credential, and its ultimate effect on cost depends on how credits are applied. Students interested in it should ask their career center or Shawnee State University's admissions office how dual credit will count toward a specific program.
Further reading
For more on how dual credit and early college options can lower what a degree costs, see Financial Aid coverage for Ohio.
More information
Find details on the program at ShawneeWORKS program information.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Pike County News Watchman.
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