IT Flexible Apprenticeship (ITFA)
The application for the 2025-2026 Cohort is now open. Please review the Application Process section below for eligibility requirements and complete the program application.
Application deadline: August 1, 2025
If you have questions about the program or application process, please contact Erica Kenney at ekenney@cscc.edu. Erica is the program recruiter and Career Educator for IT at the college--she's here to help! Book an appointment with Erica here.
Program Overview
The IT Flexible Apprenticeship is a two-year (one year classroom and Career READY preparation which may result in an up-to one year apprenticeship) earn-and-learn program available to students in select Information Systems Technology majors (see the Eligibility section below for more information). Students who progress successfully through the program will enhance their learning by applying their classroom knowledge in the workplace, while picking up additional workplace skills that help with classroom performance.
Highlights of the program include:
- During the first year, students complete full-time technical coursework while engaging in a rigorous career readiness program.
- At the end of year one, qualified students have the opportunity to interview with
employer partners to compete for a paid IT apprenticeship.Wages range from $18-27/hour,
with an average of nearly $23/hour.
- Apprenticeship interviews are competitive and employment is not guaranteed. Approximately 60% of students receive an apprenticeship.
- Students who are hired by an employer spend approximately 12 months in a paid apprenticeship
with the opportunity to be converted to full-time employment upon graduation.
- Since 2017, 80% of apprentices are converted to full-time regular employment.
Alumni Testimonial
After finishing his service in the armed forces, Garrett Braxton chose Columbus State for its career-focused classes. Through the ITFA program, Garrett applied what he was learning in real time, earned a competitive wage while still in college, and graduated with both an associate degree and a job as a software engineer at State Auto.
Application Process
- This requirement may also be satisfied through college transfer credit, AP scores, or IB scores.
- Eligible to work in the United States without sponsorship.
- Current Columbus State students must have a minimum of 24 credit hours (approximately
4 semesters) remaining in their degree program, and a 2.0 or higher cumulative GPA.
*If you are unsure, or have a prior college degree, you should consult with an advisor in Computer Science & IT Pathway. - New students who have not attended college before should complete the appropriate New Student Program.
- Complete the ITFA program application below.
**A limited number of students are accepted from these programs for each cohort year.
- Applied and accepted to Columbus State. If you have not yet applied to the college, click here.
- Submitted official high school or GED transcripts to the college.
- High school seniors may apply prior to graduation, but will need to submit a final transcript as soon as it is available.
- Completion of Math 1025 or college-level placement for Math, Writing, and Reading. College-level placement can be achieved through any combination of the following:
| . | MATH | WRITING | READING |
| ACT Score | 20 | 18 | 22 |
| SAT Score | 510 | 480 | 480 |
| CSCC Placement Score | 30 | 5 | 22 |
| GED (since 2014) | 165 | 165 | 165 |
| High School GPA (within last 10 years) | 3 | 3 | 3 |
- Applications are reviewed weekly and you should expect a response within 5-7 business days.
- Prior to completing the ITFA Program Application, confirm you are in one of the Eligible Program majors. Follow up with your Academic Advisor or contact the Telephone Information Center at 614-287-5353.
- Application Deadline: August 1, 2025
Program Onboarding
Students who are accepted to the program are required to complete several additional steps prior to the start of the Autumn semester. These steps will be outlined in your official acceptance email, but include:
- Attend a mandatory Onboarding Workshop, which will take place during the Summer semester. At the virtual
Onboarding Workshop, students will gain a further understanding of program expectations
and requirements including:
- Academic expectations
- Career preparation requirements
- Next steps you need to complete prior to Autumn semester
- Attend the mandatory Program Orientation, which takes place in August. At Program Orientation, students
will:
- Meet the rest of the students in the cohort and start building a support network.
- Meet the Career Services team and understand the Career READY process that prepares students to interview.
- Hear from program alumni about their experience, including helpful advice to make the most out of it.
- Engage with an employer panel where employers will provide interview and job advice, including the things that they're looking for in candidates.
This workforce product was funded by a grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration. The product was created by the grantee and does not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Labor. The U.S. Department of Labor makes no guarantees, warranties, or assurances of any kind, express or implied, with respect to such information, including any information on linked sites and including, but not limited to, the accuracy of the information or its completeness, timeliness, usefulness, adequacy, continued availability, or ownership. This product is copyrighted by the institution that created it.
This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 1800612. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.