The school initially offered training in the brick masonry, carpentry, electrical, and printing trades, and by 1941, 200 students were enrolled.

Renamed Alabama Technical College in 1973, it was the first state-operated trade school in the southern United States.

The school initially offered training in auto mechanics and repair, plastering and cement finishing, brick masonry, woodworking, dry cleaning and laundry, general business, and tailoring.

The school was renamed Gadsden State Technical Institute in 1972 and designated a historically black college in 1997.

The college initially offered both professional and technical programs through day and night courses, which commenced in September 1965 with more than 700 students enrolled.

[7][9][14][11] In 2002, the Gadsden State Cherokee Campus was opened in Centre to accommodate more students.

[13][15] Gadsden State operates under four divisions: Academic, Career Technical, Health Sciences and Skills Training.

[24] The program is re-evaluated annually,[24] and when offered, is available to full-time GSCC students in good academic standing.

[26][27] Gadsen State has an open admissions policy and accepts life experience as credit.

The agreements allow students to automatically transfer after completing an associate degree at Gadsden State.

[33] Cultural groups on campus include: Baptist Campus Ministries, Cardinal Arts Journal, FCA Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Gadsden State Democrats/Republicans, Gadsden State Singers, Global Engagement Club, Gospel Singing, Show Band and Students Without Borders.