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Did you know that you may be able to earn college credit while still in high school? 

The Early College and Dual Enrollment program allows high school students to take classes online, at one of our campuses or even at their own high school! Credits earned may count towards both your high school diploma and college degree, giving you a head start on your higher education journey.

For more information, please contact CTState-DualConcurrent@ctstate.edu.

Video Transcript
Time Code Visuals Audio Transcript
00:00-00:06 CT State logo transitions to title "Dual Enrollment Upbeat music
00:07-00:20 Tunxis campus drone footage transitions to Alex Boylan walking on campus with CT State Provost, Karen Hynick. [Alex] When it comes to helping students get a jump on their education, Provost Karen Hynick knows the best way to meet students where they’re at and offer opportunities to start even before they graduate high school.
00:21-00:35 Boylan speaks directly to the camera, video transitions back to campus and then down to Alex and Karen walking. [Alex] While I was on campus this week, I caught up with Provost Hynick to discuss her plans to expand early access across the state of Connecticut. Check it out.
00:35-02:10 Shots of Alex and Karen walking through Tunxis campus transition back and forth with videos of CT State students on campus, in classes, studying etc.

[Alex] You know what I find fascinating is how many high school students are on these campuses.

[Karen] I know, it’s amazing. We have about 10% of our student body are dually enrolled. That means there are high school students taking college classes, usually on the college campus, getting earlier exposure to college experiences and saving time and saving money.

[Alex] Wow, how does a high school student qualify for the program?

[Karen] We’re very fortunate at CT State, eligibility starts as early as ninth grade.

[Alex] Wow.

[Karen] As long as the student meets the same prerequisite as any other student taking the class, they can take it.

[Alex] I wish I took college classes when I was in high school.

[Karen] Me too.

[Alex] So is it intimidating for the high school students?

[Karen] I mean, I think in some ways it may be, but really think about the demographic that’s first generation, right?

[Alex] Yeah.

[Karen] Students who didn’t grow up knowing how to navigate higher ed physically getting the chance to be on our campus, actually experiencing college classes, experiencing our services. It’s a game changer. They know they belong after coming through dual enrollment and that’s what the data says.

[Alex] It is a powerful program.

[Karen] It really is, and I could talk with you all day long about dual enrollment.

[Alex] Are you kicking me out?

[Karen] I’m kicking you out because I got a meeting I gotta go to, but I want you to hear from a student because they tell the story best.

[Alex] Okay.

[Karen] They’re inside our beautiful library.

[Alex] Okay.

[Karen] Her name is Ashmeet, and you can hear what her experience has been like.

[Alex] Thank you so much.

[Karen] Thank you so much for being here.

[Alex] All right. We’ll see you soon.

[Karen] See you soon.

[Alex] Thank you.

[Karen] Thank you.

02:11-03:31 Alex walks into Tunxis library and introduces himself to student, Ashmeet Kaur and then sits down next to her. She closes her laptop and they talk. The interview is interspersed with video footage of CT State student life and classrooms.

[Alex] Ashmeet?

[Ashmeet] Hi, Alex.

[Alex] Oh my gosh, it’s so nice to meet you.

[Ashmeet] So nice to meet you too.

[Alex] Oh, well, I’m so excited about this. What is it like being a high school student on college campus here?

[Ashmeet] Alex, it’s awesome. Being a high school student and being able to use all the resources that college provides such as this amazing library that we’re in, it’s really nice being able to talk to college professors and getting the whole college experience while I’m still in high school.

[Alex] It’s so incredible. So you’re in dual enrollment, where are you hoping that this program takes you in the future personally?

[Ashmeet] So in the future, first of all, I wanna say I’m really appreciative of CT State for providing sort of the foundation for my career. When I graduate, I’ll be walking out of here with nine credits, which is really beneficial because I’m applying to universities like University of Connecticut, Boston University, and Ivy League such as Princeton University and University of Pennsylvania. I feel like being here doing the dual enrollment program, it will give me a leg up in the college admissions process.

[Alex] Wow, you are so impressive. There are like millions of high school students that I bet are jealous you right now and if you’re one of those institutions, you have to accept Ashmeet. You are so impressive.

[Ashmeet] Thank you.

[Alex] Thank you so much for meeting up in this.

[Ashmeet] Thank you.

[Alex] It is really cool what you’re doing.

[Ashmeet] Thank you.

03:32-END Alex speaks directly to the camera with Tunxis campus behind him. [Alex] Gaining college credits even before graduating high school is what many students today are seeking to accomplish. You can really get a sense of the impact both on students’ lives and in the local region by incorporating these opportunities early in the educational journey. Thank you for sharing that with us, Dr. Hynick, and you too, Ashmeet, thanks again.

Upcoming Events and Deadlines

Concurrent Enrollment Teacher Orientation
June 18, 2025
More details to follow

FIND INFORMATION FOR:

INFORMATION FOR

High School Students and Families

What are the benefits of being a dual-enrolled student through CT State?

  • Early exposure to college-level courses and college expectations
  • Flexibility to take classes on campus, online and/or at your high school
  • Access to over 1,000 high-interest general education and technical courses that are geared toward career and transfer pathways
  • Courses taught by highly qualified faculty experts
  • Small class sizes
  • Classes may count for both high school credit and towards a college degree
  • Save time on earning a college degree by not having to repeat learning
  • Substantial cost-saving potential*
  • Free access to CT State libraries, tutoring centers, disability and accessibility services, student clubs, college events, advising, mental health and wellness counseling, and financial aid offices

* Save on your college degree by leveraging cost-effective dual enrollment courses and matriculating to CT State when you graduate high school and use CT State's free college program, to complete one of 300 college degrees or certificates when you graduate.

National research studies show that students who participate in dual enrollment are more likely to:
  • Graduate high school on time
  • Earn college credit and take college credit-bearing courses
  • Go on to post-secondary education directly after high school
  • Graduate college with a certificate or degree
  • Occur less or no student debt
CT State offers the following opportunities for students to earn college credit and be exposed to college-level learning while in high school:

Dual Enrollment

High School Partnership

A former Board of Trustee policy in which juniors and seniors in the top 20th percentile of their class can take up to two courses tuition-free taught by CT State faculty in the fall and spring semester. (The student is a singleton taking a college course with CT State's traditional population on any of our campuses, online or through a hybrid approach. To be considered eligible, you must meet the same requirements as any other college student. These courses are tuition and fee-free but students are responsible for covering the cost of books.) Students apply using the dual enrollment student application.  

Cohort Courses​

A course taught by CT State faculty to a cohort of high school students on campus or at the high school. (A flat rate of $10,000 is charged per 3-credit lecture course.) Students apply using the dual enrollment student application.

Traditional Tuition

This is an opportunity for students to pay tuition for courses taught by CT State faculty where they are singletons. High school students wishing to self-pay and who meet the enrollment criteria for the course may enroll in CT State courses beyond those available in the programs listed. Students taking this route are traditionally non-degree-seeking.

Concurrent Enrollment

Concurrent Courses​

A qualified high school teacher (recommended by the school and CT State) teaches a college course at their high school (no cost). Students apply using the dual enrollment student application and meet the same eligibility requirements as any other college student taking the same courses.

College Career Pathways (CCP)

The College Career Pathways program (CCP) in Connecticut gives high school students the opportunity to experience college-credit-bearing courses taught by college-approved high school teachers.

CT State Model Programs that Leverage Dual Enrollment

Middle College High Schools

Middle college high schools are a national model, which co-locates a high school on a college campus and leverages a combination of high school partnership courses and concurrent enrollment courses to customize pathways for you to earn college credit while completing your high school diploma. Courses are offered at no cost to you or your family. You will benefit from being physically on the college campus with access to all of the college amenities and services once you are dual-enrolled. These partnerships are currently offered at Manchester (Great Path Academy), Three Rivers (Three Rivers Middle College Magnet High School), and Quinebaug Valley (Quinebaug Middle College High School).

P-Tech

P-TECH is a national model where you may take a combination of high school partnership courses and concurrent enrollment courses, mapped to earning up to an industry-recognized associate degree in information technology. You may take college-credit-bearing classes starting in the 9th grade. This option currently exists through a partnership between Norwalk Public School and the Norwalk campus.

Gateway to College

Gateway to College is a national model, where students complete their high school diploma on the CT State Gateway campus through a partnership between the local school district and the campus, and is tuition and fee-free to participating students. Through this program, you will take college courses mapped to complete your high school graduation requirements while earning college credit toward an associate degree. You must meet the same eligibility requirements as any other college student taking the same courses.

Credit for Prior Learning

CT State offers a number of ways you may leverage competencies earned through additional experience or coursework other than through taking college courses. These include recognition of exam scores from Advanced PlacementCLEPInternational Baccalaureate and Dantes (DSST). It also includes recognition for industry-recognized credentials through ACE.

If you're a high school student interested in one of our programs, inquire with your school counselor on the best route to obtain college credit. You may also contact our recruiting staff for more information CTState-AdmissionsRecruitment@ct.edu. 

INFORMATION FOR

School District Partners

Campus Contacts

Find your campus from the list above for contact information.

Asnuntuck

College Career Pathways (CCP)
Julie Cotnoir, julie.cotnoir@ctstate.edu

High School Partnership
Roland Atkinson, roland.atkinson@ctstate.edu

Advanced Manufacturing Technology Pathway Program
Mary Bidwell, mary.bidwell@ctstate.edu

Capital

College Career Pathways (CCP)
Karen Binkhorst, karen.binkhorst@ctstate.edu

Gateway

High School Partnership
Bernie Shea bernie.shea@ctstate.edu

College Career Pathways (CCP) and Dual Enrollment
Jaime French, jaime.french@ctstate.edu

Gateway to College
Adrien Esdaile, adrien.esdaile@ctstate.edu

Housatonic

Manufacturing Program - College Career Pathways
Adam Scobie, adam.scobie@ctstate.edu

Dual Enrollment and Concurrent Enrollment/College Career Pathways
Debbie Kuchmas, debbie.kuchmas@ctstate.edu

High School Partnership (HSP) program
Earl Graham, earl.graham@ctstate.edu

Manchester

All Programs
Hiram Gandia-Torres, hiram.gandiatorres@ctstate.edu

Middlesex

College Career Pathways (CCP)
Michele Rousseau, michele.rousseau@ctstate.edu

All Others
Monet Carter, monet.carter@ctstate.edu

Naugatuck Valley

Waterbury Campus-All Programs
Blayre Millo, blayre.millo@ctstate.edu
Justin Moore, hjustin.moore@ctstate.edu

Danbury Campus-All Programs
Antonio Santiago, antonio.santiago@ctstate.edu

Northwestern

All Programs
Jen White, jennifer.white@ctstate.edu
Isabella Pinto, isabella.pinto@ctstate.edu

Norwalk

Dual Enrollment
Mathew Baker, mathew.baker@ctstate.edu

Quinebaug Valley

College Career Pathways (CCP)
Elkin Espitia-Loaiza, elkin.espitialoaiza@ctstate.edu

All Others
Amanda Giles, amanda.giles@ctstate.edu

Three Rivers

CCP
Traci Hastings, traci.hastings@ctstate.edu

HS Partnership
Kem Barfield, kem.barfield@ctstate.edu

Tunxis

CCP/Dual Enrollment
Laura D'Angelo-Gohn, laura.dangelogohn@ctstate.edu

CCP/Dual Enrollment
Jessica York McKinney, jessica.york@ctstate.edu

HS Partnership
Loren Pittman, loren.pittman@ctstate.edu
Priscy Ramos, priscy.ramos@ctstate.edu

Concurrent Course Planning

Teacher Credentials and Curriculum Review

High School instructors who operate as the instructor of record need to meet the same requirements as faculty who teach at the college in the discipline (master’s degree in field, master’s in education with 18 graduate credits in field, or for technical pathways have a terminal degree in field with occupational employment recency in the field). 

Please initiate course planning by reaching out to the campus contact listed.

Last updated: March 31, 2025 | 3:27 pm