Dual Enrollment Programs

Dual enrollment programs allow high school students to take college courses and earn college credits while still attending high school. These programs are designed to boost college access and degree attainment, especially for students typically underrepresented in higher education. Students can take actual college courses, often on the postsecondary institution's campus and taught by a college instructor. Early college high schools are a form of dual enrollment that typically offer an aligned curriculum including both high school and college courses, allowing students to earn their high school diplomas and up to 2 years of transferrable college credits. Many dual enrollment programs offer discounted or free tuition. The programs target students in grades 11 and 12, though early college high schools typically include grades 9-13 or 9-12. College instructors typically teach the college courses rather than high school instructors.