In most cases, yes, but not always in the way you expect.
Here’s how to determine if your preferred program accepts them and what you can do to turn those hard-earned credits into progress toward your degree.
What is Dual Enrollment?
Dual enrollment allows students to take college courses and earn credit while in high school.
Your district typically offers it in partnership with a local institution.
About 2.8 million students participated in dual enrollment during the 2023-24 academic year – a 12.7 percent increase from 2022-23, according to the U.S. Department of Education.
Research indicates these programs improve academic outcomes including:
- Completing high school
- Attending college
- Earning a bachelor’s degree
You can also enroll on your own through accredited online institutions such as Portage Learning. Its self-directed format lets you complete a variety of courses on your schedule, including:
- General Chemistry I with Lab
- English Composition I
- Introduction to Sociology
- General Psychology
- Essential Biology II with Lab
Students also enjoy a one-to-one relationship with professors, who provide regular feedback and grade exams within 72 hours.
Pros and Cons of Dual Enrollment
Families like dual enrollment because it awards credit based on a student’s overall performance rather than a single test, such as AP courses or CLEP exams. It also:
- Allows you to get used to the college environment before leaving the comfort and support of home.
- Provides access to subjects in the area of your academic interest beyond other common acceleration programs.
- Reduces the time needed to earn a bachelor’s degree. You may be able to shave off nearly two years of your undergraduate education, which also saves money.
For all its benefits, dual enrollment may impact your high school experience with off-campus classes. You should understand:
- Out-of-pocket expense: Besides tuition, students must pay for textbooks and gas. Some states and districts fund dual enrollment programs, making them free or discounted for those eligible. At Portage Learning, tuition remains significantly less than the average four-year public university charges in-state residents and includes all text and video materials needed.
- Perception: The quality of courses depends on the institution and instructor, which admissions officers may weigh when reviewing an application. A student’s grade also appears on both high school and college transcripts, impacting cumulative GPAs.
How Do You Know If Your Dual Enrollment Credits Will Transfer?
If you plan to attend the university you took a course through, or if you go to a college within the same state, your dual enrollment credits should carry over seamlessly.
To be sure, ask your intended institution. Admission teams can answer:
- Whether credits count toward your major or general education requirements
- How to request a course evaluation if the college lacks a similar offering
- What forms you need to fill out to transfer credits
Students may run into issues if they want to attend an out-of-state or private college. Their acceptance policies tend to be more stringent than public institutions but checking before you enroll in a course ensures you strategically earn a degree.
What Determines If Your Dual Enrollment Credits Transfer
If your preferred university welcomes credits earned through dual enrollment, they will consider the following when deciding to accept the course you took:
- Accreditation: Do the credits earned come from a regionally accredited institution?
- Course type: 1000- and 2000-level courses typically transfer more easily than higher-level or major-specific ones.
- Content and grade: Does the curriculum match what you would learn through the receiving college? Did you receive a “C” or higher?
Students who pass Portage Learning courses receive credit through Geneva College and Bushnell University, its accredited partner institutions. You can transfer the credits to more than 2,800 colleges and universities such as:
- University of Minnesota
- Baylor University
- University of Arizona
Additionally, Portage Learning itself maintains full accreditation through the U.S. Department of Education recognized Middle States Association Commission on Secondary Schools. It’s the highest level available for nondegree awarding universities.
How to Transfer Dual Enrollment Credits to College: Step by Step
After checking the receiving college’s acceptance policy, send your credits by following these steps.
- Choose the right course – and excel in it
Take a course that fits your needs. Keep up with your studies so you earn a grade that will be accepted by your preferred institution. - Request official transcripts
Upon completion, ask the college you took the dual enrollment course through to send an official transcript to the new university. - Follow up
Confirm the institution received your transcript and processed it.
Making the Most of Your Dual Enrollment Transfer Credits
Researching colleges and high demand careers.
Crafting a strong application essay.
Participating in extracurriculars.
A lot goes into preparing for your educational goals.
Taking dual enrollment courses can be a smart addition to that plan.
But like everything else in the college planning process, the outcome depends on the choices you make and the research you put in along the way.
When you understand how to transfer dual enrollment credits to college, you can turn those earned credits into real momentum for your future.
(Interested in dual enrollment? Explore flexible, affordable online college courses with Portage Learning and start earning credits that move you closer to your degree on your schedule.)
Still looking for answers?
Check out the FAQs about this article below.
FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions
What is dual enrollment?
Dual enrollment allows students to take college courses and earn credits while still in high school. School districts typically offer dual enrollment in partnership with a local institution or community college, but you can also take courses online through institutions such as Portage Learning.How do I know if my dual enrollment credits will transfer?
If you are attending the university you took a course through, or a college within the same state, your dual enrollment credits should carry over with no problem. But to be sure, ask your intended institution. Checking with your university before enrolling in a course ensures you strategically earn a degree.What determines if dual enrollment credits transfer?
When a university is deciding whether to accept the course or not, they look at accreditation, course type, and the content and grade.- Accreditation: Do the credits come from a regionally accredited institution?
- Course type: Lower-level courses like 2000-level typically transfer more easily than higher-level courses.
- Content and grade: Does the curriculum match what you would learn through the receiving college and did you receive a passing grade?
