There are a lot of great reasons to consider taking college classes while you’re still in high school. Taking college classes while in high school can save you both time and money! Thinking about heading into the workforce after high school? Taking college classes now could prepare you for the job market and may help you decide if more education is right for you.
If you’re interested in a head start on your college degree, Blackhawk has options for you.
High School Dual Credit
High school students have the opportunity to earn college credit while enrolled in high school, saving students time and money while giving students a head start on their college degree. Dual Credit provides a smooth transition from high school to postsecondary education without the duplication of coursework.
Blackhawk Technical College and local high schools provide opportunities for high school students to earn college credit through advanced standing, transcripted credit, Start College Now, and contract agreements.
Students are advised to check with their high school counselor or the Blackhawk Early College Specialist at (608) 757-6983 for articulation opportunities in their high school.
Advanced Standing
High school students receive transfer credit for high school courses with an advanced standing agreement when they enroll at Blackhawk after high school graduation. A student will receive transfer credit if the student’s final high school transcript shows the student received a final grade of B or better on a course designated with an AS for Advanced Standing. This credit is entered in as non-graded transfer credit, meaning the student will not receive a grade but will receive credits and not have to repeat the class at Blackhawk except students pursuing an Associate of Arts or Associate of Science program. Advanced standing classes may be accepted at other institutions. Whether or not students receive credit is determined by each receiving institution. Advanced Standing courses will not count toward credits within the Associate of Arts and Associate of Science University Transfer programs.
Transcripted Credit
High school students receive Blackhawk Technical College credit for transcripted credit courses taken at their high school. These courses are taught by high school instructors who are also adjunct faculty for Blackhawk.
High school students earn Blackhawk Technical College credit for high school courses with a transcripted credit agreement and will have a Blackhawk Technical College transcript with college credits and grades before they graduate from high school.
38.14 Contract
This is a contract between the high school and Blackhawk to provide a Blackhawk course as a ‘closed section’. A closed-section course is offered only to the high school(s) students as outlined in the contract. Students who participate in a 38.14 contract course will be dually enrolled at Blackhawk and their District High School, earning both high school and college credit.
Collegiate Academy
The Collegiate Academy is an opportunity for high school students to take Blackhawk classes through the MyEdChoice modality. This option allows high school students to Zoom into the course from their high school classroom, join the course in person on Blackhawk’s campus, and/or complete coursework asynchronously online. The current offerings in the Collegiate Academy model are within the General Education Division.
Start College Now - College Credit for HS Students
Take college courses at Blackhawk while still in high school! This is a good way to get a head start on earning college credit and still earn credits for your high school diploma.
Start College Now eligibility requirements:
- You must be enrolled at a public high school and have completed 10th grade.
- You do not have a history of disciplinary problems.
- You are in good academic standing and meet course entry requirements.
- You have the written approval of your parent or guardian.
- You must apply to your school district by March 1 for fall enrollment and October 1 for spring enrollment.
For more information about available options at your high school, please contact your high school counselor. You may also visit https://blackhawk.edu/Programs-Classes/Start-College-in-High-School.