Central Texas College will begin online registration for the central campus fall 2008 semester Monday. Returning students and those students who have completed the admissions process, including academic advisement and all required testing, may then register using the CTC online WebAdvisor system.

Fall semester classes begin Aug. 25.

To register online, students may log onto www.ctcd.edu and click the Students link. Then click the link to WebAdvisor to begin the registration process. Information on how to register, tuition fees and other related items may be found on the CTC student Web page.

Walk-in registration will be held in Student Services (Bldg. 119) Aug. 11-22. Students may register from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and 8- 11 a.m. Fridays. Students may also seek counseling and other enrollment services during these hours.

Late registration will be conducted Aug. 25-28. A $10 late fee will apply.

New student orientation will be Aug. 22 at 9 a.m. in the Nursing and Science Building (Bldg. 150), room 1075 and Aug. 29.

All new students are encouraged to attend one of the sessions and learn about the campus, the policies and procedures and the many available student services.

To sign up, students should call (254) 526-1258.

Beginning this semester, CTC will offer a new associate degree program aimed at aspiring teachers. The associate of arts in teaching (AAT). The new program provides the option of three curricula containing courses designed to transfer towards bachelor degree programs and initial teacher certification.

Each curriculum includes 60- 66 credit hours of coursework.

The first two curricula is the AAT EC-4 program which prepares students for teaching early childhood to fourth grade. The EC 8-12 is designed for those wishing to teach any grade level. The third option, EC-4 with early childhood degree specialization, is specifically for those wanting to teach children younger than elementary school age.

The two-year AAT degree, as defined by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, is fully transferable to all four-year Texas public universities.

However, students who only complete the AAT meet the "No Child Left Behind" requirements for professionals and therefore may qualify for work requiring at least an associate's degree.

Also, substitute teachers who are completing their undergraduate degrees are eligible to take the AAT courses as needed and/or appropriate.

The new degree program is the second new plan offered by CTC this year.

This summer, the college initiated an online homeland security degree program. CTC now offers 21 degree programs and 19 certificate programs which can be earned completely online.