Concurrent Enrollment / Dual Enrollment

What is Concurrent Enrollment / Dual Enrollment? 

Known as concurrent enrollment in some states, dual enrollment in others, this is a partnership program that extends university courses to high schools, whereby highly qualified high school instructors are certified by the university/college department, and teach the college course at the high school. High school students earn the credit on your non-degree university/college transcript. This sustainable model of education is at the cutting edge of academic outreach and benefits all parties. 

Olive Shade is a member of the National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships (NACEP) and will support your growth and development of concurrent enrollment partnerships that utilize the NACEP standards.

Olive Shade will also help you prepare your NACEP accreditation package, at any stage you want the help.

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Why offer Dual Enrollment / Concurrent Enrollment?

Universities and colleges that offer concurrent / dual enrollment opportunities are taking deliberate steps in building their academic outreach, improving academic opportunities for high school students, and investing in their community. In addition, concurrent enrollment supports specialized goals to include:

  • Departmental Outreach – Extend the reputation of your departments to grow majors.
  • Admissions and Enrollment Efforts – With the move to “test exempt admissions”, concurrent enrollment is one of the best ways to determine student aptitude and academic excellence.
  • Improve Retention and Graduation – Concurrent enrollment students improve the rate of retention and on-time graduation in college, which improves the culture, climate, reputation, and ranking of the college and university.
  • Support your Research Scholars – Major research grants, like from the National Science Foundation (NSF), require “broader impacts” as part of a successful application. Broader impacts are the outreach and education dissemination plans connected to your team’s research. Concurrent enrollment is a highway for training-the-trainer, who then teaches their students.

Concurrent enrollment programs are often revenue-generating from student fees or state financing, leaving little financial burden on institutions. There are many financial supports for low-income families too, making the opportunity available to all.

High school students and instructors benefit from concurrent / dual enrollment too. Not only does this partnership foster an important bridge between institutions, it also:

  • Combat Senioritis – Utilize the senior year in high school by exposing students to college courses. Students can take both core courses, as well as interesting specialty courses.
  • Grow the number of college-going students – Students who participate in concurrent enrollment tend to attend college. Concurrent enrollment is a great tool for growing the number of college-going students.
  • Take one course, not one test – Concurrent enrollment students do better in their concurrent college course than on a standardized test. They are being assessed differently, over the semester, like a college student. Give your students the opportunity to shine!
  • Improve the High School Ranking – Most states rank high schools in a way that includes the number of academic opportunities the school provide their students, as well as student achievement in those opportunities. Offering concurrent enrollment helps develop that ranking.
  • High School Instructor Professional Development – University departments offer discipline-specific professional development, which increases the knowledge-base at the high school. Universities and college get a clearer sense of the complex high school environment. The end results – you build collegial partnerships that last.

Change the Community in which you work and live!

Universities and colleges have a responsibility to their community that is different from any other organization. Higher education is about transforming lives by offering opportunities, broadening horizons, and investing in the community. Concurrent / Dual enrollment is the ultimate investment in the community. Concurrent enrollment / dual enrollment changes lives forever, and for the better. 
See resources on this page for research and data.

Leaders need to lead – show your investment in the community and reap the rewards.