Application process for diploma programs

Please review the admission process below to apply for our diploma programs, including the following:

• Dental Assistant
• Electrical Trades
• Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning with Related Plumbing and Electrical
• Medical Assistant
• Practical Nursing (For information about the Practical Nursing admission process, please click here.)
• Welding with Print Reading
• Intergenerational programs

To apply for our EFDA or Phlebotomy Certificate programs, please complete the application form here.

The Greater Altoona Career & Technology Center (GACTC) welcomes all interested individuals to submit applications for admission into GACTC diploma programs. Acceptance to GACTC and the intended adult education program is based upon the following admission criteria and availability in the intended program.

To be considered for admission for our career training diploma programs, prospective students must complete the following:

1. Application for Admission (form below).
2. Copy of the applicant’s final high school transcript, documentation of completion of a high school equivalency (i.e. GED), or equivalent foreign education as verified by a GACTC-approved credential evaluation service. Applicants who apply during their senior year of high school must provide a copy of their final transcript following graduation from high school.
3. PA Criminal Record Information: Applicants must submit a Criminal Background History for employment (not for volunteer purposes) from the PA State Police that is within 1 year of the date of the start of the program to the GACTC. Applicants must request the background record from the PATCH system at https://epatch.state.pa.us/Home.jsp. The PA State Police Criminal Background Check is $22.00 (fee is subject to change). GACTC reserves the right to deny applicants to postsecondary educational programs based on the results of the criminal background check. GACTC reserves the right to accept an applicant with a criminal background based on the severity, date(s), and frequency of the conviction(s). View PA Criminal Background Check Directions. Once the background check has been provided to the applicant via the system, please submit to the Continuing Education office.
4. PA Child Abuse Clearance: Applicants must submit a PA Child Abuse Clearance that is within 1 year of the date of the start of the program to the GACTC. To request this clearance, please visit https://www.compass.state.pa.us/cwis/public/home to create an individual account. Please follow the instructions to apply for the PA Child Abuse History Clearance. The purpose of the clearance is School Employee. When your report is ready (you will receive an email when it is ready), please provide to the Continuing Education office. There is a $13.00 fee for the PA Child Abuse History Clearance (fee is subject to change). The GACTC reserves the right to deny applicants entrance to postsecondary educational programs based on the results of the PA Child Abuse Clearance. View instructions to obtain PA Child Abuse Clearance Directions.
5. For the Dental Assistant and Medical Assistant Programs for Academic Year 2025-2026: Federal Criminal History Fingerprinting: Applicants must submit a Federal Criminal History Fingerprinting, please visit https://www.identogo.com There is a $26.20 fee (fee is subject to change). Please follow the steps on website. Click on “Get Fingerprinted”, select fingerprinting service by state (PA), click on “Digital Fingerprinting”, and enter service code (1KG6NX). You must have a current email address to allow correspondence. Click on “Schedule Manage Appointment”, choose form of identification you will be providing. Visit Identogo Center to complete fingerprinting. Applicants must submit the confirmation receipt to adulted@gactc.edu.
6. Meeting with the Continuing Education Office to tour the facility, review intended program expectations, recommended academic preparedness, program format, tuition, and financial aid information. A visit with the intended program may be arranged!
7. After receiving acceptance to the program, a $100.00 nonrefundable deposit fee is due. Payments may be made online via GACTC Student Portal, cash or check, payable to the GACTC. For instructions to pay online, please click here GACTC Student Portal  Online Registration Fee Instructions.

GACTC reserves the right to deny admission and/or readmission to any student for an adult education program if, in the opinion of GACTC authorities, his/her admission is not in the best interest of the student or GACTC.