To make college and post-secondary career job training opportunities more affordable, Michigan high school students can earn college credits at their high school or even on a college campus at little or no cost.

College Credit and Career Training School Opportunities for Michigan Students Include:

Career Technical Education programs provide students with more than teens advice, they provide a great way to explore a variety of careers and potentially earn college credit while in high school. Students usually begin a two-year program in their junior year however the length of the program can vary. Most CTE students split their time between high school and either a career in a technical education center or a community college.

  • Qualifications: Approval of high school counselor.
  • Course Costs: Most or all costs are covered by district.
  • Course Location: Split time between high school, career center, or community college.
  • Transportation: May be provided by the district.

Advanced Placement (AP) courses provide students with the opportunity to take college level courses right at high school that are taught by high school teachers.

  • Qualifications: All students are eligible to take AP courses, however, schools may require students to complete a lower level course in the same subject.
  • Credit: Courses can count as high school credit and college credit. To earn college credit in an AP course, students will need to earn a minimum score of three (out of 5) on an AP college credit test.
  • Course Costs: Costs for these programs may vary from district to district. AP tuition costs are generally covered by districts. However, if students wish to take the AP test for college credit, there usually is a cost, except for students who qualify for free and reduced lunch.
  • Course Location: High School.

Dual Enrollment Courses allow juniors and seniors to take classes in high school and one or more college level classes at a college campus or online. These generally are courses not offered at high school or that can not fit into a student’s schedule.

  • Qualifications: To be eligible to take a dual enrollment course, students must have a qualifying score on the ACT Plan,PSAT, ACT or Michigan Merit Exam to show the student is ready for college level work.
  • Credit: Courses can count for high school credit, college credit, or both — it’s up to each student.
  • Course Costs: Most or all costs are covered by district.
  • Course Location: Usually on a college campus or online. However, some schools have, or are beginning to explore, the possibility of colleges having a satellite campus at the high school.
  • Transportation: Provided by student.

Direct College Credit courses provide students with the opportunity to take college level courses at high school and generally are taught by college faculty.

  • Qualifications: Most Michigan high schools may require students to apply for, and test into, college level courses.
  • Credit: Courses can count for high school credit and college credit.
  • Course Costs: Direct College Credit courses are really college courses offered at the high school. Therefore, students may need to pay either a full or reduced credit fee.
  • Course Location: High School.

The International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma program is offered to students aged 16 to 19 who attend an IB-designated school. IB programs offer students a demanding two year curriculum measured by international assessments and widely accepted as college credit by colleges and universities.

  • Qualifications: All students in an IB school qualify.
  • Course Costs: While course costs are generally covered by the school district, the costs associated with required assessments may or may not be covered. However, if students wish to take the AP test for college credit, there usually is a cost, except for students who qualify for
  • free and reduced lunch.
  • Course Location: High School. For a list of IB schools in Michigan, visit ibo.org.

Middle or Early College High Schools are designed for students who may do better in a non-traditional high school setting OR are interested in being challenged. These programs provide students with both a high school diploma and up to 60 college credits, which are transferable to most state colleges and universities.

Enrollment in these schools can begin as early as ninth grade with college classes beginning
as early as tenth grade. Early/Middle College High Schools have several locations in Michigan.

Because early college credit opportunities differ from district to district, check with the high school guidance counselor to see which options your school offers.