Darton State College (DSC) Academics and Admissions

Academics

Darton College is a member of the University System of Georgia, located in Albany, Georgia. It historically has operated as a two-year college, serving students who plan to transfer to four-year institutions and those who wish to begin their careers after earning an associate’s degree, however, in May 2011 it was given permission by the University System of Georgia to offer bachelor degrees in nursing.

Total enrollment is approximately 5,000. The majority of students are women, and 48 percent are minorities. Students are primarily from southwestern Georgia, but 15 states and 19 countries are represented in the student body.

The college offers over 50 majors in fields leading to transfer to four-year schools and more than 20 two-year career degree programs. Numerous online degrees are offered, as are certificate programs.

Darton is designated as southwest Georgia’s education center for nursing and allied health education.As previously mentioned, it now offers the bachelor of science in nursing degree. The allied health programs include cardiovascular technology, dental hygiene, diagnostic medical sonography, emergency medical service, health information technology, human services technology, medical laboratory technology, nursing paramedic-RN bridge, occupational therapy assistant, physical therapy assistant, psychiatric technology, and respiratory care.

A few of the other associate degrees offered are accounting, business computer systems, governmental services, histologic technology, management paralegal studies, psychiatric technology and human services technology.

To receive an associate’s degree, students must complete a minimum of 60 semester hours of academic work, with at least 18 hours in residence at Darton and meet a competency in fitness/wellness requirement unless exempted by a specific program requirement. Under a Georgia law, students must also pass courses or an exam in United States and Georgia history and the United States Constitution.

The college follows the six-area core curriculum proscribed by the University of Georgia System to enhance transferability within the system. Students pursuing transfer associate degrees take 60 semester hours in the core curriculum. Nine hours must be taken in essential English and math skills, and four hours are chosen from computer science, communications and speaking, ethics, foreign languages, leadership development, science and society, financial planning and investment management, mythology, or global issues; students also take six hours in humanities or fine arts, 11 hours in science, mathematics and technology, and 12 hours in social science. Courses may also be taken in array of fields of emphasis in arts and sciences.

Academic support includes labs for coaching in writing, math and foreign languages, and peer-tutoring centers in other disciplines. Darton is designed a Military-Friendly College and the Darton College Military Resource Center services active, reserve and National Guard personnel and future students and veterans.

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Information Summary

Ranks 97th in Georgia and 2860th overall. See the entire top 2,000 colleges and universities list
Overall Score (about)	52.7
Total Cost On-Campus Attendance	$14,956
Admission Success rate	N/A
Student Ratio Students-to-Faculty	23 : 1
Retention (full-time / part-time)	56% / 42%
Enrollment Total (all students)	6,195

Admissions

Prospective students may apply online via the college’s website, darton.edu, paper applications may be requested and then mailed or students may also apply in person at the Admissions Center in the Administration Building on Gillionville Road in Albany.

SAT or ACT scores are not required, however, students may become exempt from placement testing with a score of 430 in critical reading and 400 in math on the SAT or 17 on both the english and math ACT, provided the tests were taken within the previous five years.

International students must present a high school transcript and transcripts from all previously attended colleges. TOEFL scores are required if English is not your second language and if the language of all instruction throughout secondary school was not in English. International students must also present a copy of their passport, visa form I-94 and other immigration documents if currently in the United States.

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Financial Aid

In addition to Pell Grants and other federal financial aid, Darton participates in the state of Georgia’s HOPE Grant, HOPE Scholarship and Zell Miller Scholarship Program. Students who have earned HOPE scholar status in high school or in college may receive substantial aid.

On campus, the Dean’s Scholar Award covers tuition and mandatory fees for the fall and spring semesters for incoming freshmen who have a college preparatory diploma, a combined 1,000 SAT score or 22 on the ACT, a 3.0 high school GPA and show evidence of school and community involvement.

Division scholarships are awarded by faculty in each division for promising students. Other scholarships include the half-tuition Madge Holm Memorial Human Services Technology Scholarship, the Darton College Memorial Scholarships for sophomores, the Grace Edmond Memorial Scholarship for students who work on publications, and Dr. Jerry A. Walton Memorial Scholarship for students in teacher education.

Student Financial Aid Details

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Students

Campus housing is available in an all-suites complex, Darton Commons, and in a new complex, Darton Village South.

The Darton student center offers an indoor climbing wall, bowling alley and racquetball courts. The Adventure Based Leadership Education Center offers programs in team-building and leadership development on an outdoor challenge course.

More than 30 clubs are in operation, engaging in a range of activities such as outdoor adventures, sports and fitness, music, debate, religious affiliations and community service. The student newspaper, the Cavalier Attitude, is published monthly in print and operates a frequently updated website.

Student Enrollment Demographics

Athletics

Darton is a member of the National Junior College Athletic Association. The Darton Cavaliers compete in the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association. Intercollegiate men’s teams are fielded in baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, swimming and diving and wrestling. Women’s sports include basketball, cross country, soccer, softball and swimming and diving.

Programs of intramural, extramural and recreational sports and leagues are offered through the Office of Student Life.

Facilities include the 100,000-square-foot Darton College Physical Education complex, with an indoor pool, aerobics and dance studio, 3,000-seat Cavalier Arena, fitness center, eighth-mile indoor walking track, a recreational gym, classrooms, lounge areas and locker rooms, as well as a multipurpose room in the student center and outdoor intramural fields.

Local Community

Albany, with a population of about 77,434, is the county seat of Dougherty County, population 95,000. It has been called the “Quail Hunting Capital of the World” and the “Pecan Capital of the World.” Located on the Flint River, it is about 190 miles south of Atlanta and about 90 miles north of Tallahassee, Florida. Median household income in 2000 was $28,639 compared to $41,994 nationally. About 33 percent of residents were white, 64.8 percent black or African-American, 0.6 percent Asian and 1.2 percent Hispanic or Latino, according to the 2000 Census.

Major employers include Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital, Procter & Gamble, Albany State University, Miller Brewing, and Teleperformance, a call center and customer service company. Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany is a significant nearby military installation. A regional carrier for Delta Airlines, Atlantic Southeast Airlines, provides air service and Albany Transit provides intracity bus service.

The Albany Museum of Art is noted for its collection of African and African-American art.

Darton State College