What UpSkill Pathways Are Available?
The UpSkill Program includes three pathways. These include Swift Coding, Android Development, and Game Production and Development. Each pathway includes three 7-week courses which are completed over the course of an academic year. Students can only choose one pathway per academic year.
What Does It Take To Enroll?
All students must have completed the 8th grade, have a minimum ACT composite score of 19 AND a minimum ACT reading score of 19; and high school GPA 2.75 or higher for admission to the CEP. An ASPIRE reading score of 428 (9th or 10th grade scores) or an Accuplacer reading score of 253 may be used as an equivalent for the ACT.
Computer & Software Requirements
Students will be required to have the following hardware and software per the desired pathway.
- Swift Coding
- A Mac computer operating with OS 10.15 (Majave) or higher (Windows operating systems are not compatible with the required software. iPads, tablets, and Chromebooks are not compatible.)
- Xcode App – free download
- Adobe XD – free starter program or upgraded to a paid plan
- Two free digital textbooks: Intro to App Development with Swift and App Development with Swift - Android Development
- A personal computer (Windows) or Mac computer – manufactured within the last seven years
- Android Studio – free download
- Adobe XD – free starter program or upgraded to a paid plan - Game Production and Development
- A personal computer (Windows) or Mac computer – manufactured within the last seven years
- A dedicated graphics card (Nividia or AMD – non Intel card)
- Unity – free download of both education or hobbyist plan
- Autodesk Maya – free download from A-State
How Do I Apply?
Schools interested in participating in this grant program must call the Arkansas Public School Resource Center at (501) 492-4300 to complete a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) no later than Aug. 6, 2021. Once the MOU is complete, the school contact will be notified by the Concurrent Enrollment Program to schedule a date for applications to be completed. Both former and new UpSkill students will work with the CEP staff via Zoom to activate accounts and train for registration into courses.
First time applicants for admission, go to AState.edu/Concurrent.
For assistance, please contact the Concurrent Enrollment Program Office at (870) 680-8365 or by email CEP@astate.edu
If you need further assistance applying, click here for a step-by-step guide or click here for a step-by-step video.
