Are you eager to get a head start on your college education? Imagine graduating early, saving money on tuition, and having more time to pursue your career goals. It's all possible with the option to earn college credit before college!
Earning college credit before college not only saves you money on tuition, but also shows that you are a serious student who is ready for the challenges of college-level work, which can give you an advantage in the admissions process. You may even be able to skip introductory courses in college, giving you the opportunity to dive deeper into your chosen field of study.
So why wait until college to start earning college credit? Take advantage of the opportunity to get a head start on your education and jumpstart your future career today!
Learn more about dual credit through the answers to these frequently asked questions for students, parents, and educators.
Students and Parents
Dual credit is when a high school student takes a class that counts toward their graduation requirements, and, at the same time, college credit is awarded for the course. Dual credit courses can be taken at your high school, at a college campus, or through online courses. Dual credit courses are taught by credentialed high school teachers or college faculty.
Students should check with their high school counselor to confirm how the college level course will be counted towards their graduation requirements.
An Early College program allows students to take dual credits in high school that count toward an Indiana College Core and/or an Associates degree.
The Core Transfer Library (CTL) is a list of courses that will transfer among Indiana public institutions offering those courses. All meet general education or elective requirements, and some may apply to a degree program.
Each institution will have their own requirements related to transfer credits. Additionally, individual programs within an institution may have specific requirements. Official transcripts will need to be sent to the institution to determine transferability.
The IU Indiana College Core (ICC) is a block of 30 general education college-level credits taken while in high school that transfer to any public higher education institution in the state. Bringing the ICC to IU Southeast means you have completed all of your general education requirements before you’ve started your college career. Transferability is guaranteed at any public institution in the state of Indiana, however, please contact the institution to determine exact transferability.
Some students may begin taking dual credit courses as early as freshman year of high school. For most students, dual credit is taken between their sophomore year and senior years. Some dual credit courses have prerequisite requirements, and therefore, are only available to upper classmen.
There is no limit to the number of dual credits that a student can earn. However, students should consider aligning dual credit choses with their future academic and career goals.
Many dual credit courses come with some form of discounted rate compared to traditional costs. IU ACP courses are offered at no cost to the student. AP and CLEP include costs for the exams. Other collegiate credits costs are managed by the awarding institution. Federal and State financial aid are not available for dual credit courses.
Advanced Placement (AP): High school course that prepares students to take an AP exam at the end of the semester. The exam is scored between 1 and 5. At Indiana public colleges or universities, those with an exam score of 3 or higher will be awarded credit. The amount of credit and the course for which it is awarded is determined by the college or university.
Advanced College Project (ACP): IU courses that are taught by a credentialed high school instructor within the high school. The course follows the same rigor and structure as an IU collegiate equivalent. These classes are free for students.
Other College Credits: In some cases, college credits can be earned through other miscellaneous programs. In these cases, the awarding institution decides how those credits are accepted.
College Level Examination Program (CLEP): A series of tests covering history and social sciences, literature and composition, science, mathematics, business, and world languages that students can take to earn college credit instead of taking a course.
International Baccalaureate (IB): High school program that includes individual exams that can be taken and compiled to form the IB Diploma. Students will receive college level transferred credits according to individual institutions that are receiving the credits. Credits are assigned depending on the student’s final score.
Students will receive college credit and high school credit simultaneously.
Students can graduate from high school with transferable college credits.
Students can fast-track their undergraduate or workforce degrees.
Student may save on tuition and fees by reducing the time to complete a degree.
Students gain confidence in knowing they successfully completed a college-level course.
Students may be able to use the time saved to add a minor or consider study abroad opportunities.
Students will have access to a full range of college student support services while in high school to aid them in a smooth transition to college after graduation.
A student’s grades and/or withdrawals could impact their future eligibility for financial aid. To be eligible for financial aid after high school, a student must meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards while taking dual credit courses.
Dual credit encompasses many different options for students. Some of the options are free and others have costs associated for students that utilize the free and reduced lunch program. ACP courses are free to all students.
Educators
Yes. Indiana law currently requires every Indiana high school to offer a minimum of two dual credit courses. The intent is to expand opportunities for students to take college-level coursework while in high school. It also provides an opportunity to fulfill the Core 40 with Academic Honors (AHD) and Core 40 with Technical Honors (THD) diploma requirements using the dual credit options and will help more students prepare for college and careers. Find out more from the Indiana Department of Education and Indiana Commission for Higher Education.
High schools can establish dual credit partnerships by partnering with collegiate level education institutions.
While there is no age requirement for students to earn dual credit, some dual credit courses have prerequisites. In most cases, students seeking dual credit will need to provide evidence of their ability to meet minimum admission standards.
There is no limit to the number of dual credits that a student can earn. Typically, the limit comes from the number of courses offered at their high school or needed based on the student’s academic and career goals.
Most dual credit comes with some form of discounted rate. IU ACP courses are offered at no cost to the student. AP and CLEP include costs for the exams. Other collegiate credits costs are managed by the awarding institution.
An IEP does not disqualify a student from having access to dual credit courses.
AP/IB scores are sent via the college board to the institution where scores can be evaluated for transfer credits. ACP courses are already in the IU system as they are IU credits. Other collegiate credits would be transferred in upon receipt of an official transcript from the awarding institution.
The college is responsible for the college course materials and awards the college credit upon successful completion of the dual credit course. The high school is responsible for determining the specific high school credit that will be awarded for the college course.
All grading decisions, including those affecting GPA, are made per local schools and their policies.
