What Is “Dual Enrollment,” and How Does It Work?

Introduction

You may be familiar with the idea of “dual enrollment” if you are a high school student or a parent of a student currently enrolled in high school. Over the past few years, it has grown in popularity as a way for students to choose their classes, particularly as a means of obtaining college credit and proving one’s academic prowess. However, what exactly is dual enrollment? We’re here to break it down for you.

Dual enrollment programs allow students to take actual college courses while still in high school, usually at a local community college or university. This permits students to earn college credits that are more likely to be usable as a college student than any college credits earned through Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate tests and exams, which often don’t actually end up offering students real, applicable credits at many universities. This could lessen future tuition costs and give students a head start on their college careers, allowing them more time and space to take a variety of classes. It’s also a way for students to challenge themselves academically and test their academic prowess, which ultimately gives students a leg up in the college admissions process and eventually

Dual enrollment can be a game-changer for the right students, but it can also be too overwhelming for others. In this post, we’ll dive into what dual enrollment is, how it works, its benefits, and the challenges to consider.

Understanding Dual Enrollment

As the name implies, dual enrollment literally means that the student is enrolled in two schools — the high school and the college or university offering the class (not as a full-time student obviously, but as a student nonetheless!). This program is almost always pre-arranged between the college or university and high school, so your school counselor will have insight into the dual enrollment programs available to students at your school.

However, some schools might let you take college courses even if there’s no official dual enrollment partnership with your high school. This probably means that the classes you take would not count for your high school graduation requirements — technically speaking, this would mean these aren’t dual credit classes but “concurrent enrollment” classes, which means you’re only getting credits at one of the schools. Still, they could help you meet college credit requirements in the future. This could be a good option if your school also doesn’t offer many AP or IB classes, as you’d still be taking college-level classes as a high schooler.

Once you’re sure you have either a dual enrollment class or concurrent enrollment option available to you, then it’s best to think of how these college-level courses fit into your overall academic plan for your high school years. Just because dual enrollment is an option doesn’t mean it’s right for every student; remember that the demand of college classes is usually much higher than your average high school class, even an Advanced Placement class. It can take significant time away from other important high school classes while not offering much benefit for the future, depending on the specific class in question. Dual enrollment courses “looking good” for college admissions don’t justify falling behind in your usual school courses — remember, you can always save college coursework for when you’re actually in college!

You should also consider the subjects offered for dual enrollment students and how they fit your interests and abilities. For example, if you’re an adept STEM student who might want to go pre-med in the future, you’ll probably want to go for a college-level class in science or math (which might actually decrease the number of college classes you will need to take going forward). It’s probably best that you don’t opt for a humanities class or an elective class that isn’t necessarily going to be useful for your future college degree requirements. Of course, it’s important to push yourself, even in subjects that aren’t your strongest, but when it comes to choosing a dual enrollment class, it’s best to play to your strengths.

How Dual Enrollment Works

As mentioned above, if you’re interested in dual enrollment courses, your high school counselor is your first stop on the road to understanding how dual enrollment works. They can give you an overview of any existing dual credit programs, both at your school, online, and in the area that is best suited to your interests and needs. They’ll have a better idea of the community college classes that could count towards your high school diploma and your eventual college diploma.

They can also advise, based on your previous academic performance, whether or not they think a dual enrollment class is a good idea for you and inform you of any prerequisites you might need to enroll. It’s important to note that, oftentimes, dual credit courses are only open to juniors and seniors, but you can still plan to take dual enrollment credits in the future by mapping out your potential high school trajectory as a freshman or sophomore.

If your high school doesn’t offer dual enrollment, you can consider these options:

• Check out nearby colleges or universities. Some schools may allow you to take college courses even if there’s no official dual enrollment partnership with your high school.
• Take online dual enrollment courses. Many colleges and universities offer online dual enrollment classes, which could be the ideal choice for eligible students. Below are a few online and remote options for dual enrollment students, but note that it’s best to research potential local options for dual credit classes in your area first. Once you’ve done that, you can consider options like the ones below.
  • ASU Prep Academy: ASU Prep Digital, offered by Arizona State University, is a highly flexible dual enrollment program that allows students to earn college credits online. Students can choose to participate part-time by taking individual college courses or enroll in a full-time, diploma-granting program. The program also provides additional opportunities, such as summer internships, camps, personalized instructor feedback, and guidance with college planning.
  • Grand Canyon University: Grand Canyon University offers a flexible and affordable dual enrollment program tailored for high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors with a qualifying GPA. Students can take online dual credit courses in either seven- or 15-week formats, allowing them to create a personalized schedule that fits their needs. GCU’s online platform features interactive forums, enabling students to engage with professors and classmates and collaborate on assignments and projects. According to GCU’s dual enrollment page, the program can be customized to fit each student’s career goals, whether they aspire to be a software engineer, teacher, or other professional. Participants can earn up to 60 credits through this program. The tuition for Grand Canyon University’s dual enrollment program is $157.50 per three-credit course, with a total of 48 dual-credit classes available for students to choose from.
  • Northampton Community College: Northampton Community College offers an online dual enrollment program for high school juniors and seniors, providing a selection of over 240 courses that students can tailor to their individual needs and schedules. Enrolled students have access to free tutoring and academic success resources to support their learning. The program has three entry points throughout the year, and the registration process is straightforward. Each semester, NCC welcomes over 600 dual-enrollment students. Tuition for the program is $375 per three-credit course, with over 100 courses available for students to choose from.

Benefits of Dual Enrollment

As discussed above, dual enrollment and college-level coursework can greatly benefit high school students if done correctly. These unique benefits can include:

• College Savings: Dual enrollment can mean saving money on college. By earning these college credits while in high school, students are likely to reduce the total time and cost required to earn a degree. This can be especially beneficial in lowering tuition expenses in the future and even help students graduate from college earlier than expected.
• Academic Challenge: Dual enrollment courses often provide a more rigorous academic environment than your traditional high school class, which helps students develop skills that are crucial for college success, such as time management, critical thinking, and self-discipline. These abilities will benefit students long beyond their high school graduation. 
• Advantage on College Applications: This level of academic prowess can also be impressive to college admissions counselors, especially at competitive institutions, as taking college-level courses as a high schooler shows initiative and drive.
• Improved College Readiness: Students who participate in dual enrollment programs are typically better prepared for college-level work. They gain firsthand experience with the expectations of college courses, which eventually makes the transition to full-time college study smoother and their college experience ultimately more enjoyable. It can also ensure students can graduate on time, pursue a double major, and/or take more electives than they would otherwise be able to. 
• Exploring Interests Early: Dual enrollment allows students to explore different academic fields or career paths before fully committing to a college major. This exploration can help them make more informed decisions about their future, including which colleges and scholarships they’ll apply to during the college application process. And they’ll have experience in those areas, which improves their chances.

Challenges and Considerations of Dual Enrollment

Despite all the benefits of dual enrollment college coursework, it does have its downsides in some cases. While every student’s situation is different, here are some key considerations for every student and parent considering this as an option, some of which we’ve already addressed in some capacity above:

• Increased Workload: Balancing high school and college courses can be more demanding than even the most intense high school classes. Students need strong time management and organizational skills to handle the additional workload, possibly limiting time for extracurriculars and other after-school activities. 
• Financial Costs: Although many dual enrollment programs are subsidized or discounted, there may still be dual enrollment expenses associated with tuition, textbooks, and other fees that families need to consider. There is a high likelihood that these fees will not be covered or subsidized by the school, but you should also note that these costs are likely comparable to those associated with Advanced Placement courses.
• Credit Transfer Issues: There is no guarantee that these classes will actually count for college credit. Not all colleges accept dual enrollment credits, or they may only accept them as elective credits rather than fulfilling specific degree requirements, especially at top colleges. It’s crucial to research how credits will transfer to potential future colleges, so students would be wise to already have an idea of the kind of college they’re eventually going to apply to in the future before participating in a dual enrollment program.
• Emotional and Social Adjustment: College courses often involve a different social and academic environment compared to that of high school. Even though students won’t be fully immersed in the college social environment, younger students may still find the transition challenging and need support to navigate these new dynamics.

Conclusion

In conclusion, students considering dual enrollment programs should thoroughly think through their options and consider these important factors before committing to any dual enrollment programs. From the potential for significant college savings and enhanced academic rigor to the opportunity to explore career interests and potential college majors, dual enrollment can provide a valuable head start on higher education.

However, it is essential to also consider the challenges that come with this path, including increased workload, increased financial costs (at least in the short term), credit transfer concerns, and more. Each student’s situation is unique; therefore, conducting thorough research and having open discussions with counselors and teachers will help ensure that students make informed decisions that align with their educational goals and personal circumstances. Ultimately, if approached thoughtfully and strategically, dual enrollment classes can be an advantageous stepping stone for a high school student. 

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