Benefits of Earning College Credit
- Research clearly indicates that students who take college-level courses while in high school rarely drop out of school, require fewer remedial and entry-level college courses, and have a greater chance of graduating.
- Earn college credit or test out of prerequisite classes for college
- Try out college courses for potential career paths
- The cost is minimal and often times FREE!
- You stand out to college admissions
How to Earn College Credit
1. Advanced Placement
AP classes provide an opportunity for you to experience college-level studies while remaining in the supportive environment of your high school. Teachers at your school teach AP classes to help you learn skills and knowledge needed for success during college. Colleges recognize AP classes during the admission process as good predictors of success. AP courses on your transcript show colleges that you are intellectually curious, unafraid of hard work, and capable of learning the knowledge and skills expected of college students.
AP exams evaluate a students ability to perform at a college level. They represent college-level work in a number of academic areas (34 to be exact). You do NOT need to take an AP class to take an AP test. If you perform well on the test (usually a score of 3 or higher on a 5 point scale), you can receive college credit and be placed into a higher level class upon arriving at college. AP exams might even help you graduate college early. Think about the kind of time and money this could save you! In addition, 31% of colleges consider AP experiences when giving out scholarships. To learn more about the AP tests, visit the Standardized Tests section or click here.
Note: It is important that you check your college's AP Credit Policy to identify specific scores needed and the kind of credit awarded.
To learn more about AP exams including specifics about each exam, scoring procedures, how to get your scores, what to do the day of the test, study tips, etc., visit www.collegeboard.org/apstudents for
If your school offers AP courses, contact your AP Coordinator to register for the exams. Your AP Coordinator will order the necessary materials, collect fees, and let you know exactly when and where to report for the exams.
AP exams evaluate a students ability to perform at a college level. They represent college-level work in a number of academic areas (34 to be exact). You do NOT need to take an AP class to take an AP test. If you perform well on the test (usually a score of 3 or higher on a 5 point scale), you can receive college credit and be placed into a higher level class upon arriving at college. AP exams might even help you graduate college early. Think about the kind of time and money this could save you! In addition, 31% of colleges consider AP experiences when giving out scholarships. To learn more about the AP tests, visit the Standardized Tests section or click here.
Note: It is important that you check your college's AP Credit Policy to identify specific scores needed and the kind of credit awarded.
To learn more about AP exams including specifics about each exam, scoring procedures, how to get your scores, what to do the day of the test, study tips, etc., visit www.collegeboard.org/apstudents for
If your school offers AP courses, contact your AP Coordinator to register for the exams. Your AP Coordinator will order the necessary materials, collect fees, and let you know exactly when and where to report for the exams.
2. Dual Enrollment
Dual enrollment allows you to take college level courses, at a college campus, while you're still in high school. Starting in the ninth grade, you can earn college credit at a local college campus (usually a community college) by taking up to 10 total classes during high school. The number of courses you can take each year depends on the grade when you first dual enroll:
Wondering what classes you're eligible to take at the local college?
Wondering if you are eligible for dual enrollment? Students must...
For more information, including FAQs, visit the Michigan Department of Education website.
- Grade 9 – not more than two each year for the first three years they participate and four in their fourth year of participation.
- Grade 10 – not more than two courses the first year, and not more than four courses during the second and third academic years.
- Grade 11 or 12 – not more than six courses during either of those academic years (though for a maximum of 10 courses between both years).
Wondering what classes you're eligible to take at the local college?
- Courses not offered by the school
- Scheduling conflicts at the HS
- Courses that are taken for credit (high school credit, college credit, or both) and applicable toward a post-secondary degree
Wondering if you are eligible for dual enrollment? Students must...
- Pass the MME or PLAN, PSAT, or ACT in the subject area being taken OR be taking a computer science, foreign language, or fine arts course.
- Be in highschool not more than 4 years
- Not be a foreign exchange student
For more information, including FAQs, visit the Michigan Department of Education website.
3. Early/Middle College
Early or Middle Colleges are designed to help students of all kinds (minorities, at-risk students, or academically prepared students) obtain a large amount of college credit at the same time they earn their high school diploma. Early college programs can be experienced in three ways:
If you're considering this option but are worried that you'll miss out on your high school experiences, do not fret. You will have full access to activities, clubs, sports, and events at your high school (and at the college too!).
To learn more about Early/Middle Colleges, visit the Michigan Department of Education website or click here.
- Direct credit courses are college classes offered at local high schools during the regular school day and taught by high school teachers who have been credentialed as college instructors.
- Dual enrollment is when students spend part of their day at high school and part of their day attending college classes on campus.
- You take all your colleges on the college campus for an immersion experience
If you're considering this option but are worried that you'll miss out on your high school experiences, do not fret. You will have full access to activities, clubs, sports, and events at your high school (and at the college too!).
To learn more about Early/Middle Colleges, visit the Michigan Department of Education website or click here.
4. International Baccalaureate Degree Programs (IB)
IB is a two-year curriculum program available in IB approved schools. Students who attend an IB school and are age 16-19 can participate. The program is very rigorous and accepted as college credit by most colleges.
IB classes follow a predetermined curriculum with exams taking place at the end of the two years. The program is free to participate in, but the student is responsible for paying exam fees. Students who pass the exams and all curriculum earn an IB diploma (24 total points).
Another option is for students to earn a certificate of completion for each individual IB class they take. This is similar to AP classes. However, unlike AP exams, a student must take an IB class in order to take the IB exam.
To learn more about the IB program visit www.ibo.org/diploma/index.cfm.
IB classes follow a predetermined curriculum with exams taking place at the end of the two years. The program is free to participate in, but the student is responsible for paying exam fees. Students who pass the exams and all curriculum earn an IB diploma (24 total points).
Another option is for students to earn a certificate of completion for each individual IB class they take. This is similar to AP classes. However, unlike AP exams, a student must take an IB class in order to take the IB exam.
To learn more about the IB program visit www.ibo.org/diploma/index.cfm.
For more information on all these options, view this chart.
Chapter 5 Middle and Early COllege
Leading Change Issue
https://apstudent.collegeboard.org/home?navid=gh-aps
Dual Enrollment: Analysis of SB 622-623 and 709-710
AP Bulletin
BCC School Website
Leading Change Issue
https://apstudent.collegeboard.org/home?navid=gh-aps
Dual Enrollment: Analysis of SB 622-623 and 709-710
AP Bulletin
BCC School Website