UpSkill Pathways
Give your students a head start in today’s fastest-growing industries with the A-State UpSkill Program—a fully online, grant-funded opportunity designed to prepare high schoolers for real-world success. With two dynamic pathways to choose from—Swift Coding and Game Development—students can explore in-demand skills in software development, mobile app creation, and digital game design.
These nine-month, asynchronous courses require no prior experience and are ideal for motivated students interested in technology, design, and innovation. Participants will work with professional-grade tools like Xcode and 3D modeling software, build impressive portfolio projects, and earn a certificate upon completion—making them stand out for college admissions and future career opportunities.
Thanks to funding from the Arkansas Governor’s Office, up to 100 students can participate at no cost to schools or families. All we need is your help: once a school signs a simple Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), a counselor or designated representative assists with student enrollment.
Help your students take the next step toward high-demand, high-opportunity careers. Encourage them to explore these transformative tech pathways today.
Your Pathways to Success!
Course Overview
- Students will learn the fundamentals of the Swift language throughout this program. The program begins with an introduction to coding with Swift, where no prior experience is necessary. Foundations, techniques and tools in coding using Swift and Xcode will be used in the creation of an IOS app by the completion of the program. After completion of these classes, students will receive a Certificate in Swift Coding.
Course Structure
- The nine-month program consists of three asynchronous online courses taught in a seven-week format. Students will take two courses in the fall semester and one course in the spring. Each week, students will have modules to work through. At the conclusion of the final course, students will have created a final project, such as an application.
Course Schedule
- Fall I
- Course I: Introduction to Coding with Swift
- Fall II
- Course II: Intermediate Coding with Swift
- Spring I
- Course III: Advanced Studio in Swift Coding
The Arkansas Governor's Office has provided the Arkansas Public School Resource Center (APSRC) with a grant to enroll up to 250 high school students in A-State UpSkill Program for the current academic year.
Public schools interested in enrolling students for this one-of-a-kind program are asked to contact the APSRC office to complete a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). Once the MOU is completed, a representative from the school - either a school counselor or other designee - will need to help the student complete A-State's application for admission.
All students must have completed the 8th grade, have a minimum ACT composite score of 19, an ACT reading score of 19, and a 2.75 high school grade point average for admission to the CEP. An ASPIRE reading score of 428 (9th and 10th grade scores) or Accuplacer reading score of 253 may be used as an equivalent for admission. UpSkill courses are open to all high school students who meet these admission requirements.
To request an MOU, call APSRC at (501) 492-4300 or email jketcham@apsrc.net.
Course Overview
- Game production will have students working with 3D and 2D tools to produce games and content for games, including animations and programming mechanics.
Course Structure
- The nine-month program consists of three asynchronous online courses taught in a seven-week format. Students will take two courses in the fall semester and one course in the spring. Each week, students will have modules to work through. At the conclusion of the final course, students will have created a final project, such as an application.
Course Schedule
- Fall I
- Course I: Introduction to Digital Game Development
- Fall II
- Course II: Digital Game Asset Creation
- Spring I
- Course III: Digital Game Design Production Design
Public schools interested in the enrolling students for this one-of-a-kind program are asked to contact the APSRC office to complete a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). Once the MOU is completed, a representative from the school - either a school counselor or other designee - will need to help the student complete A-State's application for admission.
All students must have completed the 8th grade, have a minimum ACT composite score of 19, an ACT reading score of 19, and a 2.75 high school grade point average for admission to the CEP. An ASPIRE reading score of 428 (9th and 10th grade scores) or Accuplacer reading score of 253 may be used as an equivalent for admission. UpSkill courses are open to all high school students who meet these admission requirements.
To request an MOU, call APSRC at (501) 492-4300 or email jketcham@apsrc.net.