College Credits in High School - Go Wisconsin

College Credits in High School

One of the best ways to save time and money is to take advantage of available high school opportunities. Learn more about the available high school opportunities to earn credit and/or experience to put towards your college education.

College Credits in High School

Advanced Placement Exams and Courses

The College Board designs Advanced Placement (AP) courses in more than 30 subjects, from Spanish to calculus to United States history. Specially trained teachers lead these courses at many high schools. Near the end of an AP course, students may take an exam in their subject. All UW campuses grant credit for AP exam scores of 3 or higher.

The amount and type of credit students will receive depend on their scores and the campus they plan to attend. Use the search tool to see how AP exam scores translate into credits at different UW universities. You can sort the results by campus or academic subject.

Use the AP and IB Search Engine to see how credits will transfer into UW universities.

International Baccalaureate Exams and Courses

More than 2,500 secondary schools in 150 countries offer college-level courses that prepare students for International Baccalaureate (IB) exams. Students can take these exams–and earn college credit–if they’re enrolled in a school authorized to offer them.

The IB Program is made up of standard level and higher-level courses. Students can choose to take the full IB Diploma Programme in which they take a specific number of HL and SL courses. Students can also choose to take several IB courses for college credit and not earn a full diploma. All UW universities grant credit for HL exam scores of 4 or higher. If you complete IB’s Full Diploma Programme, you’ll earn additional credit.

The amount and type of credit students receive depends on their scores and the campus they plan to attend. Use the search tool to see how IB exam scores translate into credits at different UW universities. You can sort the results by campus or academic subject.

Use the AP and IB Search Engine to see how credits will transfer into the Universities of Wisconsin.

Wisconsin’s Early College Credit Program (ECCP)

 

Overview

High school students at public and private high schools in Wisconsin can earn college credit through the Early College Credit Program (ECCP). A student selected for the program may be permitted to enroll in a UW university, or an alternative private, non-profit institution of higher education (IHE) to take one or more courses for which the student may earn high school credit, post-secondary credit, or both. Under ECCP, the costs of the courses are shared among the IHE, the school district or private school, the state, and in some cases the student’s family.

Your school district will pay for student’s tuition, fees, and books if it does not offer a course comparable to the one students would like to take on a college campus. Your school board determines what constitutes a comparable course and whether high school credit can be granted for the college course that interests a student.
Admissions offices may consider the following:

  • Rank in class
  • Grade point average
  • The rigor of your high school courses
  • Letters of recommendation

Note: If a student does not meet deadlines for submission of the required ECCP form (see above), he or she may still be able to take college courses through a UW university but the full costs of the credit will be carried by the student/family.

How to Apply for the Early College Credit Program

  1. Have your students talk to you or another high school guidance counselor to see if ECCP classes are a good fit. Consider how the classes align with academic plans and whether the students meets the pre-requisite for taking a college-level class.
  2. Explain when, and to whom, your students must submit the materials to your high school.
  3. Have your students request information from UW university where they would like to take classes.
  4. Share the ECCP participation form with your students.
  5. Have you students submit their completed forms to your school officials by the designated due date.
  6. Have your students follow the application or registration requirements at the campus or program where they would like to take classes.
  7. Ensure your students submit any required documentation (i.e.high school transcripts along with any prerequisite documentation like AP scores).
  8. Your students are ready to enroll in class!

Other Programs

Enrolling in College Courses as a Special/Non-Degree Student

Do you have students interested in taking courses on a college campus while in high school? They should consider applying for Special Student status at a UW university. Being a Special/Non-Degree Student means students are approved to take college courses and earn college credits, but they’re not currently seeking a degree.
To be considered for Special Student status, students must meet the admission criteria of the UW university they’d like to attend. An application for admission typically includes:

  • Admission forms
  • High school transcripts
  • Letters of recommendation

Help your students get in contact with the campus that interests them for specifics on Special/Non-Degree Student admission and enrollment.

 

Independent Learning

Students start courses anytime and work at their own pace with this opportunity offered by the University of Wisconsin Extended Campus. Students can learn online, or through printed materials mailed or emailed to their homes.

High school partnerships with the Universities of Wisconsin

The Universities of Wisconsin offers opportunities for high school students to take college credits while still in high school. This may be through a variety of different programs. Check out what each UW offers: