Early College Credit
Students, Parents and Counselors: Are you interested in learning more about early college credit programs at local community colleges?
Early College Credit Opportunities
Early college credit opportunities provide students with a way to earn college credit and get a head start on their education and career goals. Orange County students can take college courses and earn credits towards a degree (Certificate or Associate’s) or the credits can be transferred to other colleges/universities. Students can accomplish this by taking courses through dual enrollment or articulation.
- Dual enrollment provides avenues for students to take college courses at community college for FREE or at a very low cost. Students can take these course through structured programs at their high school or on their own at a community college (aka concurrent enrollment). Dual enrollment programs allow students to save time, money and jump-start their college transcript. Students register for these courses through the “special admit” process. Talk to your counselor to learn more about dual enrollment.
- Articulation provides avenues for high school students to earn college units through their high school Career Technical Education (CTE) course that has been determined to be equivalent to a college course. Units are typically awarded after the student enrolls in one or more courses at the partnering college. Units are posted to their college transcript through “Credit by Exam”. Talk to your CTE teacher or counselor to learn about articulated courses at your high school.