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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.
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 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.
The Indiana College Core is based on competencies and learning outcomes in six areas:
Ivy Tech's Indiana College Core Technical Certificate (TC)—also known as the Start as a Sophomore pathway—is available at 29 Ivy Tech locations throughout the state as well as 100% online through IvyOnline. If you don’t see a location listed, the Indiana College Core is not being offered there at this time.
The Indiana College Core is also offered at Indiana high schools that meet certain criteria established by the Indiana Commission for Higher Education. To find out if your high school school offers the Core, use the Indiana Commission for Higher Education's High School Finder. Select only the "Ivy Tech" box to see which high schools have Ivy Tech as their primary college partner.
High schools are continuously being added to this list, so also check with your counselor to see what is offered at your school.
Find high schools offering the Indiana College Core: Desktop | Mobile
After you complete the Indiana College Core, you can begin pursuing your bachelor's degree with automatic sophomore status at any Indiana public four-year institution. Choose from the following Indiana colleges and universities:
The Indiana College Core completion guide provides the recommended path to graduation, broken out into eight-week terms. Typical path to completion is one year. Courses are numbered to show an overall quantity for students taking fewer classes at a time. Consult with your advisor to determine which classes are the best option for you to take.
If you're motivated and want a more personalized academic experience, consider pursuing the Indiana College Core through the Honors Start as a Sophomore pathway.
Students who take 12 to 15 credit hours in honors courses as part of the 30-credit hour curriculum, and have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 in the general education core, will be awarded the Honors Start as a Sophomore credential.
See your academic advisor or contact the Honors College at honorscollege@ivytech.edu.
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.
If you have questions or need assistance we’re available 24/7 via phone at 888-IVY-LINE (888-489-5463) or online chat.
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.
Don't see a nearby location? Call 1-888-489-5463 and we'll get you started.
Monday–Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET
Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET
812-934-3954
R11express@ivytech.edu
Batesville Admission Office
1 Ivy Tech Drive
Batesville, IN 47006
Fax: 812-934-4590
Visit our office by appointment
Monday - Thursday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET
Fridays 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET
812-330-6013
bl-info@ivytech.edu
Bloomington Admissions
200 Daniels Way
Bloomington, IN 47404
Virtual Meetings Available by Appointment
Call 812-330-6013
Meet the Bloomington Admissions Team→
Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET
Columbus Admissions Office
4475 Central Avenue
Columbus, IN 47203
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
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 East Chicago Admissions
410 East Columbus Drive
East Chicago, IN 46312
2024-2025 Office Hours
Monday, Wednesday, & Thursday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Tuesday: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Friday: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Open Saturdays: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. during the following dates:
August 10
August 17
December 7
March 15
574-830-0375, ext. 5303
asksouthbendelkhart@ivytech.edu
Elkhart Admissions Office
22531 County Road 18
Goshen, IN 46528
Jed Duvick - Assistant Director of Enrollment
574-289-7001 ext. 5379
Kate Batie- South Bend Recruiter
574-289-7001 ext.6858
Enrollment Services/Student Affairs Hours: Effective January 2024:
Mondays and Tuesdays: 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Wednesday and Thursdays: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Fridays: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
First week of classes in January and August: 7:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.
812-429-1435
evansville-admissions@ivytech.edu
Evansville Admissions Office
3501 N First Avenue
Evansville, IN 47710
Fax: 812-429-9878
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
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
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
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
Virtual On-Demand Service:
Video | Voice | Chat
Monday–Friday | 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. ET
Enter Zoom Room →
Monday–Friday, by Appointment Only
Hamilton County Admissions Office
300 N. 17th Street
Noblesville, IN 46060
Zoom Video Call
Email askhamiltoncounty@ivytech.edu to schedule.
Monday - Thursday from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Friday from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Indianapolis Admissions Office
50 W. Fall Creek Parkway N.
Indianapolis, IN 46208
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
Kokomo Admissions Office
1815 E Morgan Street
Kokomo, IN 46901
Please contact Admissions at our full-service campus located in Valparaiso.
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
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
Lawrence Admissions Office
9301 East 59th Street
Indianapolis, IN 46216
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
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
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
Monday, Thursday, and Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Tuesday and Wednesday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
765-651-3100, ext. 3418
marion-admissions@ivytech.edu
Marion Admissions Office
261 Commerce Drive
Marion, IN 46953
Zoom Video Call
Call 765-651-3100, ext. 3418 to schedule an appointment.
K–14 Initiatives
Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
765-651-3100, ext. 3418
shancock1@ivytech.edu
Please contact Admissions at our full-service campus located in Valparaiso.
Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET
765-289-2291, ext. 1233
askmuncie@ivytech.edu
Muncie Admissions Office
125 S High Street, Ball Building, 2nd Floor
Muncie, IN 47305
Fax: 765-282-2414
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
Please contact Admissions at our full-service campus located in Sellersburg.
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
Zoom Video Call
Call 765-966-2656, ext. 1202 to schedule an appointment.
Fax: 765-962-3775
Please contact Admissions at our full-service campus located in Sellersburg.
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
sellersburg-admissions@ivytech.edu
Sellersburg Admissions Office
8204 Highway 311, Pfau Hall, Room A2
Sellersburg, IN 47172
2024-2025 Office Hours
Monday, Wednesday, & Thursday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Tuesday: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Friday: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Open Saturdays: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. during the following dates:
December 7
March 15
574-289-7001, ext 6858
asksouthbendelkhart@ivytech.edu
South Bend Admissions Office
220 Dean Johnson Blvd.
South Bend, IN 46601
Jed Duvick- Assist Director of Enrollment
574-289-7001 ext. 5379
Enidza Deynes-Wallace - Elkhart Recruiter
574-830-0375 ext. 5303
Tell City Career and Technology Center
1034 31st Street
Tell City, IN 47586
Fax: 812-547-7916
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
Enter Zoom Room →
Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET
574-316-4325
jlackey20@ivytech.edu
Warsaw Admissions Office
2545 Silveus Crossing
Warsaw, IN 46582
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.