If you’re a high school student with your sights set on college, did you know that you can get an early start by earning college credits before you graduate? College credits in high school means you can earn credits for advanced courses that are recognized by colleges and universities, giving you a jump on your credit requirements for your degree before you even enroll.
Wondering how the process works? Here’s what you need to know about earning college credits in high school, some options to consider, and how to prepare for your future.
Can You Take College Classes in High School?
Yes, high school students can take college-level courses through different programs. This gives you an opportunity to not only earn college credits but experience the rigors of college-level coursework early on.
College Credit Hours in High School
College credit hours reflect the amount of coursework that a student needs to complete to earn a credit in the course. Credit hours can vary by school, course, discipline, and the format of the course, such as semester, quarter, or trimester.
Typically, the credit hours are equal to the amount of time a class meets per week. So, a 3-credit class meets for about 3 hours each week, often divided into 3 one-hour lectures. However, you can expect to do more work outside of those hour-long sessions.
Can High School Students Take College Classes During the Summer?
Yes, many colleges offer summer programs that allow high school students to earn college credits. These summer courses may be available on campus or online, giving you flexibility in how you fit courses into your schedule.
How to Take College Classes in High School
There are several ways to take college classes and earn college credits in high school, including:
AP Credits
Advanced Placement (AP) courses are advanced classes offered in high school. Do AP classes give college credit? Yes, you can earn college credit by passing the AP exam with a qualifying score, which is usually 3 or higher, depending on the college’s policies.
What is an advanced placement credit? You earn an AP credit when you successfully pass the AP exam. Many colleges and universities accept AP credits. How do AP credits work? After passing the AP exam, you submit your scores to colleges to apply them for course credit toward your degree requirements.
Dual Enrollment
Dual enrollment allows high school students to enroll in college courses through a partnership between the high school and a local college or university. You attend real college classes, on your high school or local college campus or online, and receive credit for both your high school curriculum requirements and college credit if you complete them successfully, giving you a head start on your degree.
Many dual enrollment programs are subsidized or free, reducing your future college tuition costs. You’re also getting a taste of college-level coursework early, building skills that will help with your transition into college learning.
Credit by Exam
Credit by exam allows students to earn college credit by passing standardized tests like the College Level Examination Program (CLEP). These exams assess knowledge across multiple subjects, allowing you to earn credit for college courses based on your current knowledge. If you pass, you may be able to get credit for general education courses.
Though there is a fee for CLEP exams, it’s often lower than tuition for a full course at a college or university. You have an opportunity to prepare for the exam independently and complete it when you’re ready, maximizing your chances of success.
Benefits of Taking College Courses While in High School
There are several key advantages to taking college courses in high school, including:
- Save time: You can complete college courses early, getting some of your general education courses out of the way and getting ahead on your degree.
- Prepare for college-level courses: The rigors of college can be overwhelming. If you take college-level courses in high school, you can develop skills and experience with advanced coursework early.
- Try out new subjects: Taking college courses in high school expands the subjects available to you and allows you to explore different interests to help you choose a major and career path.
- Save money: Starting college with some credits under your belt may reduce your overall college tuition costs.
How to Prepare for College in High School
If you want to take college courses in high school, here’s how you can get ready:
- Choose the right courses for your college plans. Consult with your school’s guidance counselors to ensure you’re putting your efforts toward the best options.
- Stay organized with calendars, planners, or apps and keep up with your assignments and deadlines. Make sure you build time into your schedule for unexpected challenges.
- Learn crucial skills for college learning, such as time management, active reading, and effective studying. The earlier you start, the better prepared you’ll be for college coursework.
- Don’t fall behind on your high school workload. Make sure you can balance your college coursework with your high school classes and extracurricular activities. All of these factor into your college applications.
Accelerate Your Education
Earning college credit in high school can introduce you to challenging coursework, give you an opportunity to explore different subjects, and save time and money on your degree. If you want to get started with college-level courses, Sophia offers 60+ gen ed courses that are open to high school students – completely online, transferable, and self-paced. Start a free trial today!
