Earning College Credit in High School
Information for Students & Families
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Student & Family Messaging
Get a Head Start on College by Earning Dual Credit
Want to get a head start on college? You can earn high school and college credit at the same time with dual credit programs. Students who earn college credit are more likely to graduate high school, enroll in college, and complete college degrees.
Each dual credit program is a little different, but there are three main ways you can earn college credit while in high school:
• Credit by passing a college course:
o College in the High School provides college courses that are taught at the high school, by high school teachers, with college curriculum, college textbooks, and oversight by college faculty and staff.
o Running Start students enroll in courses taught on-campus at Washington’s community and technical colleges and at select four-year colleges.
• Credit by exam: Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, and Cambridge International offer rigorous courses, taught in the high school by high school teachers. Upon completion of a course, students can take a standardized exam. Depending on how they score, they may earn college credit.
• Credit by articulation: Students can earn credit through some career and technical education (CTE) courses with CTE Dual Credit.
Not all dual credit programs are available at all high schools. Talk to your counselor for more information. And visit the WSAC website for more resources to plan your future college or career pathway.
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Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC) sends regular messages to our partners and stakeholders with resources and information about college planning, financial aid, and more. Feel free to use this content—as-is or edited for your audience—in emails, newsletters, social media, or other materials. No attribution is necessary.