Austin Community College recently partnered with The University of Texas and Texas State University for two programs that will provide students with automatic transfer and dual enrollment opportunities.

ACC's Path to Admission through Co-Enrollment program with UT allows students who maintain a 2.5 GPA or higher, an automatic transfer to the university once all core curriculum, or general education courses, are completed at ACC. The program is designed for students who graduated in the top 10 percent of their high school class but do not yet qualify for admission to UT. ACC announced the partnership March 1.

For students interested in attending Texas State, ACC will offer the Pathway Program for the fall 2014 semester. The program will allow students to enroll in ACC and Texas State courses simultaneously.

Students interested in participating will complete core curriculum at the ACC Hays Campus. Upon completion, students will have guaranteed admission to Texas State as long as they maintain a 2.25 GPA or higher. ACC announced its partnership with Texas State on March 5.

"With every education partnership we form, we are that much closer to reaching our collective goal—creating accelerated pathways for more students to achieve a college education," ACC President Richard Rhodes said in a news release. "Our co-enrollment programs with UT Austin and Texas State allow students to save on tuition, earn an associate degree and have a seamless transition as they work toward their bachelor's degree."