Higher education

Hill Country University Center

(HCUC) offers affordable higher education to Fredericksburg and Gillespie County residents as well as individuals from surrounding counties.

The center provides a technologydriven classroom setting, allowing Texas Tech University (TTU) and Central Texas College (CTC) to offer face-to-face, online and hybrid classes toward completion of a variety of associate’s, bachelor’s and graduate degrees, as well as certifications and continuing education credits.

The facility, built in 2010 by the Hill Country University Center Foundation, is located on a 68-acre site east of Fredericksburg. The 24,000 square foot facility includes seven classrooms, 10 offices, a science laboratory, student lounge, computer lab and H-E-B Community Events Center.

Texas Tech University

The TTU Regional Teaching Site at Fredericksburg offers upper-level courses toward bachelor’s degrees in a variety of disciplines.

TTU in Fredericksburg provides personalized advising and small student-faculty ratios. Bachelor’s degrees in General Studies, Human Sciences and University Studies allow students a flexible, affordable, attainable and prestigious education without having to leave home.

The interdisciplinary degree plan is designed to meet the needs of the local economy and allows students to choose their own distinct minors that best fit their career goals.

TTU partners with Central Texas College to offer a unique 2+2 program, where students take the first two years of core coursework with CTC, then transfer to TTU to complete the upper-division coursework toward their bachelor’s degrees.

The site also houses TTU’s Department of Plant and Soil Science’s continuing education programs offering professional certificates in Viticulture and Winemaking. A third program in Small-Scale Farming is under development and anticipated for 2022.

With state-of-the-art facilities, including a teaching vineyard and winery lab at HCUC, students have hands-on learning experiences to prepare for a career in the wine industry through TTU.

The Texas Viticulture and Winemaking Certificate Programs are designed for wine industry entrepreneurs, vineyard managers, winemakers, cellar workers, and prospective winery employees seeking comprehensive knowledge of grape growing and the winemaking process.

The Small-Scale Farming program will be focused on sustainable production of food and ornamental crops, and livestock for local markets.

TTU’s “TechTeach” is also housed in Fredericksburg. It is a teacher education program that combines student teaching experience at Fredericksburg Elementary School with education courses offered at HCUC and online.

Central Texas College (CTC)

Central Texas College is a twoyear, open admissions institution that provides educational opportunities

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focused on making its students employable.

The college offers a wide range of associate degrees and certificates through both online and face-to-face day and evening classes at HCUC.

In addition, CTC offers area students core curriculum courses, which are transferable to Texas public colleges and universities. The college works with local school districts to offer and expand certificates, trade programs and associate degrees for students who wish to enter the workforce or pursue a four-year degree.

The mission of CTC is to provide a high value post-secondary education, with one of the most affordable tuition rates in Texas.

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI)

OLLI is designed for adults age 50+ who are still working, semi-retired or fully retired.

Administered by TTU, the program offers non-credit courses taught by current and retired faculty and local professionals during convenient afternoon or evening hours.

With no tests, no grades and no papers, OLLI classes are focused on exploring exciting topics and pursuing new interests.

For the latest catalog of OLLI classes in the Hill Country, see olli.ttu.edu.

Community Events and Conferences

HCUC offers meeting and function space for community events, club meetings, private social functions, and corporate conferences and workshops.

Its 4,000-square-foot H-E-B Community Events Center includes a catering kitchen, accommodations for up to 200 guests, ample parking and state-of-the-art audio/visual system.

Contact Mary Little, executive director of the HCUC at Mary.Little@ hcucenter.org or phone her at 361-445-6840 for more information.

HCUC 2818 U.S. 290 East Fredericksburg, TX 78624 830-990-2717 https://hcucenter.org/

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