Three Paths to College Credit
You can get a head start on college by earning credits through college-level courses. There are three ways to enroll in a UW course while you are still a high school student.
In Your High School
Take select college-level courses right at your high school—taught by UW-approved instructors or offered in partnership with a UW university. Courses are offered at reduced tuition compared to on-campus undergraduate students.
At a UW University
Qualified students may be able to enroll in pre-approved university courses through the Early College Credit Program (ECCP), which allows students enrolled at Wisconsin public, charter, and private high schools to take up to 18 credits of college courses at a UW, private, or Tribal college located in Wisconsin (for high school and college credit or college credit only). As long as a course fulfills a graduation requirement, there is no cost to the student—costs are shared between the state and the school district.
High School Specials
The High School Special program allows qualified public and private high school students to enroll in UW university courses provided they meet course prerequisites and space is available. The family is responsible for the full cost of tuition and fees.
Making Your Credits Count
Before you register to take UW courses during high school, it is important to understand if and how your courses will transfer. To learn more about how UW courses might transfer to colleges and universities, use Transferology. If you still have questions about how your college credits taken in high school may transfer, reach out to a Transfer Coordinator at the UW university at which you plan to enroll.
How Do I Learn More and Get Started?
Get your conversation started with your high school counselor and family members. Then learn more about specific dual enrollment and early college credit program opportunities, eligibility requirements, and application procedures.