ST. GEORGE — As the state observes Utah College Application Month, Washington County’s two largest institutions of higher education — Dixie Technical College and Utah Tech University — are partnering to help every high school senior have the opportunity to complete a college or university application.
Representatives from the two institutions and the Utah System of Higher Education will visit every high school in the county throughout the month of October to teach students how to apply to college and tell them about the educational opportunities available in Washington County and across the entire state of Utah.
Washington County residents can apply to Utah Tech University for free by using the waiver code UT2024 at apply.utahtech.edu and to Dixie Technical College by using the waiver code UCAW23 at dixietech.edu/apply.
“It’s not too early for high school juniors and seniors to start planning the next steps of their educational path, and Utah College Application Month is the perfect opportunity for students and parents to engage in conversations about the future,” Jordan Rushton, president of Dixie Technical College, said in a news release. “Taking advantage of the educational opportunities right here in Southern Utah is critical to ensuring loved ones continue to live, work and thrive here.”
While Dixie Tech and Utah Tech partner to help community members earn an education, there are differences between a technical college and polytechnic university. Largely, technical colleges offer skill-specific programs and certificates for a particular career or trade that can often be completed in one year or less.
Polytechnic universities also focus on applied, hands-on learning and career readiness, but also offer general education degrees along with more in-depth associate, bachelor and graduate degrees.
“Both Dixie Technical College and Utah Tech University are committed to training the workforce that sustains our economy and enriches the beautiful region we call home,” Richard “Biff” Williams, president of Utah Tech University, said in the news release. “Both institutions offer unique educational experiences that can be customized to fit individual preferences, goals and career paths. Students can utilize a combination of both schools to discover what they enjoy and gain the knowledge and skills to obtain a career that can support their family and help our local economy thrive.”
To learn more about Dixie Technical College or Utah Tech University, visit dixietech.edu or utahtech.edu or look for a combined publication from the two institutions coming to your mailbox soon.