a guide to
DUAL ENROLLMENT
Three Avenues for Earning College Credit in High School
You care about your student’s education — and we want to help! As you and your student are planning for college, consider dual enrollment courses! Dual enrollment allows high school students to get a jump-start on college. There are many ways to save time and money by earning college credit while still in high school. Compare some of the most common options and see why dual enrollment may be the best option for you.
#1 Advanced Placement (AP): •
If your student takes an AP high school class, they must pass the AP exam to receive credit.
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College credit is awarded based on the exam score only.
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Homeschoolers will need to locate a local school willing to administer exams. The cost varies per school.
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Some institutions do not award college credits for AP exam results.
#2 College Level Examination Program (CLEP): •
CLEP exams allow your student to earn college credit for knowledge and skills learned outside the classroom.
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CLEP exams cover material taught in courses that your student would generally take in their first two years of college.
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By passing a CLEP exam, your student can earn between three to 12 college credits. Each exam costs approximately $90 (through CollegeBoard.org).
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CLEP results do not earn any high school credit.
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The cost of exams can add up.
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Some institutions do not award college credits for CLEP exam results.
#3 DUAL ENROLLMENT Dual enrollment courses allow your student to earn high school and college credit at the same time. Although it varies by school, generally, each course taken through a college counts as a half-credit course in high school.
+ Pros:
Dual enrollment significantly decreases the cost of college tuition and fees by allowing your student to begin earning college credit while still in high school.
Your student earns both high school and college credit based on the final grade received in the course — not just on one exam. Your student can earn up to 60 credits designed to transfer to colleges.
Most courses are general studies classes (ENGL 101, HIUS 221, etc.) that will apply to any major.
Unlike CLEP exams and AP classes, dual enrollment courses allow students to experience a college class, setting them up for success as they continue their education.
- Cons:
Up-front investment can be more than CLEP or AP.
If courses are taken at a local college campus, your student is responsible for transportation to and from classes.
How Do They Compare?
CLEP
Advanced Placement (AP)
Dual Enrollment
Saves time and money Offers high school and college credit
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Provides instructional support through the learning process
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Credit is based solely on passing an exam
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Does not require a testing center or local school
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X
Credit is based on course grade
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X
Prepares students for the demands of college coursework
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X
Can help student explore areas of interest for future major
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Gives the opportunity to earn an associate degree immediately following high school graduation
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X
Our Dual Enrollment Program and FAQ
LIBERTY UNIVERSITY ONLINE ACADEMY’S DUAL ENROLLMENT PROGRAM Through a partnership with Liberty University, high school juniors and seniors enrolled in LUOA can take online college courses and begin earning college credit while satisfying their high school requirements. The dual enrollment program launches your student into college early, offering most courses in eight-week sub-terms throughout the year at a discounted tuition rate — approximately 75 percent less than Liberty University’s residential part-time tuition rate. We recommend that your student take two courses, such as ENGL 101 and 102, through Liberty University’s online program to equal one full credit for their high school class. This schedule would provide your student with six college credits and one high school credit. However, some courses will transfer as elective credits at the high school level and can stand alone as half-credit classes, without the need for another course.
WHAT IF MY STUDENT HASN’T DECIDED ON THEIR MAJOR OR UNIVERSITY? At this point in their education, declaring a major is unnecessary because most courses will be first- or second-year classes and are applicable to most degrees. Attending Liberty University will ensure that all courses transfer. Most universities will accept these credits as well, although some courses, such as Bible classes, will transfer as elective credits.
WHERE DO I GO FROM HERE? Are you interested in enrolling your student in LUOA’s dual enrollment program? To be eligible for dual enrollment, your student must be either a junior or senior in high school and have at least a 2.7 GPA. We encourage your student to ease into dual enrollment and add more courses as they become comfortable with the program.
HOW DOES A DUAL ENROLLMENT SCHEDULE WORK? After enrolling in this program, you should work with our admissions team to plan the rest of your student’s high school schedule. Call an advisor at (866) 418-8741.
WHAT IS THE ASSOCIATE DEGREE PROGRAM? Do you want to maximize the benefits of LUOA’s dual enrollment program? Upon completing all requirements, your student can graduate with both their high school diploma and will have earned college credits that align with an associate degree awarded by Liberty University. As a result of taking college courses during their junior and senior years, your student will save time and money on their bachelor’s degree, regardless of which university they decide to attend.
TAKE IT FROM ONE OF OUR LUOA STUDENTS: “Using the dual enrollment program through LUOA made my college transition much easier because not only did I become used to the format of college classes, but I was also able to progress toward my degree before I was even officially a college student.”
– Katie
ASSOCIATE DEGREE PROGRAM TRACKS*
BUSINESS
CRIMINAL JUSTICE
EDUCATION
INFORMATION SYSTEMS
INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES
PARALEGAL STUDIES
PSYCHOLOGY
RELIGION
*Associate degrees are awarded by Liberty University upon completion of high school requirements.
(866) 418-8741 | LibertyOnlineAcademy.com/Dual-Enrollment LUOAinfo@liberty.edu |