California Community Colleges Chancellor Eloy Oakley is encouraging high school students to get a jump start this spring on earning college credits through dual enrollment courses. Dual enrollment programs offer high school students an opportunity to take courses, taught by college professors, at their local community college, high school or online before they’ve graduated. The courses are free for most high school students and can better prepare them for college.
“Most high school students enrolled in these courses complete at least nine units before entering college, helping to save them time and money as they work toward a college degree,” said Oakley. “Our colleges are working diligently to ensure students from all backgrounds have the opportunity to succeed. The dual enrollment program is one more way California community colleges are creating a culture of success and working to boost the number of students earning degrees or certificates and transferring to four-year colleges and universities.”
Regardless of a student’s college goals, dual enrollment classes can help set them on a path for higher education success. Popular dual enrollment courses include general education requirements, language studies and classes leading to health and healthcare degrees. In addition, about one-third of all dual enrollment participants take at least one career education course, helping prepare them for the in-demand jobs of today and tomorrow.
Interested high school students and their parents or caregivers are encouraged to speak with a high school or local community college counselor for more information on dual enrollment programs available in their community. They can also visit ICanGoToCollege.com to learn more about dual enrollment and enroll in classes.
California Community Colleges provide the largest system of higher education in the nation, composed of 116 colleges serving 1.8 million students per year with career education and workforce training and guaranteed transfer to four-year universities.
