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Start as a Sophomore Pathway (Indiana College Core)

GET A SMARTER START ON YOUR DEGREE

WHAT IS THE 'START AS A SOPHOMORE' PATHWAY?

The Start as a Sophomore pathway—Ivy Tech's name for the Indiana College Core—consists of a block of 30 credit hours that are guaranteed to transfer to another Indiana public college or university.

WHO IS THIS PATHWAY FOR?

  1. Students who plan to spend one year at Ivy Tech and then transfer to any public Indiana four-year university as a sophomore to pursue their bachelor's degree.
  2. Students taking Ivy Tech classes in high school, either through Dual Credit or Dual Enrollment, who want to earn their first year of college credits before they graduate and then head to Ivy Tech to complete their two-year associate degree or transfer to a public Indiana four-year university as a sophomore to pursue a bachelor's degree.

WHY IS THIS ALSO CALLED THE INDIANA COLLEGE CORE?

In 2013, the Indiana legislature required that state colleges and universities establish the requirements for an Indiana College Core (formerly the STGEC) of at least 30 credit hours which allows students to fully transfer the Core as the first year of instruction toward a two-year associate degree or a four-year bachelor’s degree.

Pursuing the Indiana College Core at Ivy Tech allows you to continue your education at Ivy Tech or any public Indiana four-year university as a sophomore without losing any credits.

SAVE $5,000+

Ivy Tech's tuition is the lowest in the state, making it the most affordable college option in Indiana. Students on the Start as a Sophomore pathway who complete their first year of college at Ivy Tech can save more than $5,000 on their bachelor's degree. Dual Credit high school students, who take classes for free at their high school, can save even more.

THE INDIANA COLLEGE CORE

Technical Certificate (TC)
30 Credit Hours | 2 Semesters | 1-Year
Offered at 29 Ivy Tech Locations, plus 100% Online

The Indiana College Core is a long-term certificate offered by Ivy Tech consisting of 30 credit hours toward general education requirements. It is offered at 29 Ivy Tech locations throughout the state as well as 100% online. Full-time students typically take two semesters, or one year to complete the Core.

To earn the Core, students must take at least three credit hours in six competency areas, as well as an additional 12 “elective” credit hours from the same competencies. Once these credits have been earned, you will have fulfilled the core requirements equivalent to your first year of college.

Core Competency Credit Requirements

The Indiana College Core is based on competencies and learning outcomes in six areas:

Foundational Intellectual Skills

  • Written Communication – 3 required credits, no more than 6 credits
  • Speaking & Listening – 3 required credits, no more than 6 credits
  • Quantitative Reasoning – 3 required credits, no more than 15 credits

Ways of Knowing

  • Scientific Ways of Knowing – 3 required credits, no more than 15 credits
  • Social & Behavioral Ways of Knowing – 3 required credits, no more than 15 credits
  • Humanistic & Artistic Ways of Knowing – 3 required credits, no more than 15 credits

SEE COURSE LIST

START AS A SOPHOMORE DETAILS

HOW TO GET STARTED

Apply to Ivy Tech

To get started, simply apply to Ivy Tech! You'll soon be on your way to saving thousands of dollars on you first year of classes before you transfer to a four-year university to complete your bachelor's degree.

Contact Us with Questions

If you have questions or need assistance we’re available every day, 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. via phone at 888-IVY-LINE (888-489-5463) or online chat.

APPLY NOW

TRANSFERRING CREDITS IS GUARANTEED, BUT ACCEPTANCE IS NOT

It's important to remember that transfer admission is not guaranteed just by enrolling in the Start as a Sophomore pathway and completing the Indiana College Core. Once you complete your year at Ivy Tech, you will need to be admitted to the institution you intend to transfer to.

The Indiana College Core does mean that if you are admitted, your coursework will be fully transferable towards meeting the general education requirements at any state-supported institution within Indiana. Many private Indiana institutions will also accept the Indiana College Core towards their degree requirements.

If you are interested in securing automatic acceptance, our Guaranteed Admissions pathway may be right for you.

Learn More about Guaranteed Admissions

Find Local Admissions Contact Info

Don't see a nearby Admissions location? Call 1-888-489-5463 and we'll get you started.

Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET

765-643-7133
askanderson@ivytech.edu

College Connection Coach

Kyle Bell

kbell59@ivytech.edu

Fax: 765-648-2755

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Monday–Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET
Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET

812-934-3954
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Batesville Admission Office
1 Ivy Tech Drive
Batesville, IN 47006

Fax: 812-934-4590

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Visit our office by appointment
Monday - Thursday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET
Fridays 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET

812-330-6013
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Bloomington Admissions
200 Daniels Way
Bloomington, IN 47404

Virtual Meetings Available by Appointment
Call 812-330-6013
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Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET

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Columbus Admissions Office
4475 Central Avenue
Columbus, IN 47203

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Please contact Admissions at our full-service campus located in Richmond.

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Please contact Admissions at our full-service campus located in Lafayette.

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Monday–Thursday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. CT
Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT

lakecounty-admissions@ivytech.edu

Lake County at Crown Point Admissions
9900 Connecticut Drive
Crown Point, IN 46307

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Available Monday–Friday, 9 to 11 a.m. CT

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Monday–Thursday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. CT
Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT

219-392-3600
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Lake County at East Chicago Admissions
410 East Columbus Drive
East Chicago, IN 46312

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Monday–Thursday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET
Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET

574-830-0375, ext. 6858
asksouthbendelkhart@ivytech.edu

Elkhart Admissions Office
22531 County Road 18
Goshen, IN 46528

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January, March, August and October:
Monday - Thursday: 8 a.m.- 6 p.m. CT
Fridays: 9 a.m.– 5 p.m. CT

All other months
Mondays and Tuesdays: 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. CT
Wednesdays and Thursdays: 8 – 5 p.m. CT
Fridays: 9 a.m.– 5 p.m. CT

812-429-1435
evansville-admissions@ivytech.edu

Evansville Admissions Office
3501 N First Avenue
Evansville, IN 47710

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Fax: 812-429-9878

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Monday–Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET
Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET

260-480-4268
fortwayne-sasupport@ivytech.edu

Fort Wayne Admissions Office
3701 Dean Drive, Student Life Center, Room SL 101
Fort Wayne, IN 46835

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Please contact Admissions at our full-service campus located in Lafayette.

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Monday–Thursday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET

317-916-6301
AskFranklin@ivytech.edu

Franklin Admissions Office
2205 McClain Drive
Franklin, IN 46131

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Monday–Thursday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. CT
Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT

219-392-3600
lakecounty-admissions@ivytech.edu

Lake County at Arts & Science Building Admissions
3491 Broadway
Gary, IN 46409

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Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. ET

765-653-7410
mfrank35@ivytech.edu

Greencastle Admissions
915 S Zinc Mill Road
Greencastle, IN 46135

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Monday–Friday | 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. ET
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Please contact Admissions at our full-service campus located in Columbus.

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Monday–Friday, by Appointment Only

317-921-4300

Hamilton County Admissions Office
300 N. 17th Street
Noblesville, IN 46060

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Zoom Video Call
Email askhamiltoncounty@ivytech.edu to schedule.

Ashley Anderson, Assistant Director of Admissions aanderson550@ivytech.edu

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Monday–Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET
Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET
2nd Saturday of the month, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. ET

1-888-489-5463

Indianapolis Admissions Office
50 W. Fall Creek Parkway N.
Indianapolis, IN 46208

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Monday–Thursday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET
Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET
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765-459-0561
kokomo-enrollment@ivytech.edu

Kokomo Admissions Office
1815 E Morgan Street
Kokomo, IN 46901

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Please contact Admissions at our full-service campus located in Valparaiso.

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Monday, Wednesday & Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET
Tuesday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET
Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET

765-269-5200
lafayette-admissions@ivytech.edu

Lafayette Admissions Office
3101 S Creasy Lane Ivy Hall 1233
Lafayette, IN 47905

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Lake County has 3 full-service locations. Select a location below to see contact information for their Admissions department.

Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET

1-888-489-5463

Lawrence Admissions Office
9301 East 59th Street
Indianapolis, IN 46216

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For School of Health Sciences inquiries:
Elinor Sutton
9301 E. 59th Street, Suite 329
Indianapolis, IN 46216
317-921-4800 ext 084451
school-of-healthsciences-generalinformation@ivytech.edu

 

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Monday–Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET
Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET

812-537-4010 ext. 5305
R11express@ivytech.edu

Lawrenceburg Admissions Office
50 Walnut Street
Lawrenceburg, IN 47025

Fax: 812-537-0993

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Monday–Thursday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET
Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET
Or by appointment

765-459-0561
kokomo-enrollment@ivytech.edu

Logansport Admissions Office
1 Ivy Tech Way
Logansport, IN 46947

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Monday–Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET
Friday, 8 a.m to 4:30 p.m. ET

812-265-2580, ext. 4121
etingle2@ivytech.edu

Madison Admissions Office
590 Ivy Tech Drive
Madison, IN 47250

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Monday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Tuesday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

765-651-3100, ext. 3310
marion-admissions@ivytech.edu

Marion Admissions Office
261 Commerce Drive
Marion, IN 46953

Zoom Video Call
Call 765-651-3100, ext. 3310 to schedule an appointment.

K–14 Initiatives
Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
765-651-3100, ext. 3418
therschberger1@ivytech.edu

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Please contact Admissions at our full-service campus located in Valparaiso.

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Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET

765-289-2291, ext. 1233
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Muncie Admissions Office
125 S High Street, Ball Building, 2nd Floor
Muncie, IN 47305

Fax: 765-282-2414

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Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET

765-599-2613, ext 4026
askmuncie@ivytech.edu

New Castle Admissions Office
3325 IN-3
New Castle, IN 47362

Fax: 765-282-2414

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Please contact Admissions at our full-service campus located in Kokomo.

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812-385-8495

Princeton Career & Technology Center
2431 S Crabtree Drive
Princeton, IN 47670

Fax: 812-385-8580

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Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET

765-966-2656, ext. 1202
richmondenrollment@ivytech.edu

Richmond Admissions Office
2357 Chester Boulevard
Richmond, IN 47374

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Call 765-966-2656, ext. 1202 to schedule an appointment.

Fax: 765-962-3775

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Please contact Admissions at our full-service campus located in Sellersburg.

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Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET
Tuesday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET
Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET

812-246-3301, ext. 4504
seladm@ivytech.edu

Sellersburg Admissions Office
8204 Highway 311, Pfau Hall, Room A2
Sellersburg, IN 47172

Virtual On-Demand Service (video, voice, or live chat):
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET
Tuesday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET
Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET

Enter Zoom Room →

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Please contact Admissions at our full-service campus located in Columbus.

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Please contact Admissions at our full-service campus located in Columbus.

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Summer 2023:

Monday–Thursday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Friday: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Saturday: Closed (Open June 3rd and 11th, 2023)

Autumn 2023:

Monday–Thursday: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., after 7 p.m. by appt.
Friday: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Saturday: Virtual 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

To make an appointment to meet with a specific advisor at a particular time, please send an email at least two days in advance to asksouthbendelkhart@ivytech.edu. Seasonal hours end on Wednesday, Jan. 18.

574-289-7001, ext 6858
asksouthbendelkhart@ivytech.edu

South Bend Admissions Office
220 Dean Johnson Blvd.
South Bend, IN 46601

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812-547-7915

Tell City Career and Technology Center
1034 31st Street
Tell City, IN 47586

Fax: 812-547-7916

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Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. ET

812-298-2280
acox87@ivytech.edu

Terre Haute Admissions
8000 S Education Drive
Terre Haute, IN 47802

Virtual On-Demand Service:
Video | Voice | Chat
Monday–Friday | 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. ET
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askvalparaiso@ivytech.edu

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Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET

574-267-5428, ext. 7203
abooker46@ivytech.edu

Warsaw Admissions Office
2545 Silveus Crossing
Warsaw, IN 46582

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STUDENT PROGRESS CHECKLIST

Use this handy checklist to monitor student progress toward fulfilling the Indiana College Core. You can check off completed courses, add subtotals for each competency area, and tally total completed credits.

PRINT CHECKLIST