Earning College Credit While in High School

Dual Enrollment Opportunities for Students

What is Dual Enrollment?

Dual Enrollment is an enrichment opportunity that allows high school/home instruction students to earn college credits for courses taken through a sponsoring college/university while still being enrolled in high school. As a dual-enrolled student, you are enrolled in both high school (or home instructed) and the sponsoring college/university.

Who Can Take a Dual Enrollment Course?

High school juniors and seniors, who meet all eligibility requirements established by the sponsoring college/university, are eligible to participate in the dual enrollment courses. Freshmen and sophomores may be granted exceptions on a case-by-case basis.

Where Do I Take a Dual Enrollment Course and What is the Cost?

Dual enrollment courses through Northern Virginia Community College are taken in a PWCS school or virtually through the NOVA CCRV pathway. Eligible students earn college credit at no tuition cost; however, some courses may have fees required for textbooks or course materials.   Students should contact their school counselor for more information about courses and fees that may be associated with Dual Enrollment.  Each PWCS high school has a specific CCRV program pathway that aligns with its in person dual enrollment course offerings.  Students must take in person classes at their high school if they are offered.

I am Ready to Take a Dual Enrollment Course! How Do I Get Started?

Indicate your interest in dual enrollment when you meet with your school counselor to discuss course selection prior to the start of your junior year. Your school counselor will guide you through the next steps to include completing a PWCS Dual Enrollment application and the application for the sponsoring college/university.

Methods for Earning College Credit While in High School

As described above, students may take dual enrollment courses as "contract dual enrollment" by attending their community college classes on PWCS high school campuses and receiving instruction from PWCS teachers who are authorized to teach dual enrollment courses by sponsoring college/university.

Students may also take "on campus" courses at a sponsoring college/university for dual enrollment credit for those courses identified in the division's annual list of published dual enrollment offerings.

Students wishing to take courses not included in the division's list of dual enrollment course offerings may take "college credit only" offerings with a sponsoring college/university.

In addition, students can earn college credit through no tuition cost CCRV opportunities available in partnership with NOVA.

In all cases, students must meet all eligibility requirements of the sponsoring college/university.

Students may also earn college credit by taking an Advanced Placement (AP), Cambridge (AICE), or International Baccalaureate (IB) course while in high school. Students receive college credit based on the score they receive on the external exam taken at the conclusion of the course or sequence of courses. Below, a summary of all the ways in which students may earn college credit in a PWCS school is provided.

How Can My High School Course Work Earn Me College Credit?

Learn more about receiving college credit for passing AP, Cambridge, and IB exams at a Virginia four-year college.

Equal Opportunity Schools

Equal Opportunity Schools (EOS) is a PWCS initiative designed to increase all students' access and opportunity to participate in rigorous academic environments such as Advanced Placement, Cambridge, and International Baccalaureate courses. PWCS utilizes EOS to target students in grades 9-12. Once students are enrolled in these courses, the EOS data analysis, outreach, and academic support models are utilized to ensure students realize success. All students have access to Trusted Adults who are familiar with each student’s profile.

College and Career Ready Virginia Dual Enrollment

College and Career Ready Virginia (CCRV) is an initiative that expands access to dual enrollment courses for high school juniors and seniors. Eligible students earn college credits at no tuition cost* through a partnership between Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) and Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA).

Benefits of CCRV