What dual enrollment means
For a high school student, dual enrollment means taking college coursework while still enrolled in high school. Whether it also meets a high school requirement needs its own confirmation.
California Community Colleges: dual enrollment ↗What about concurrent enrollment?
Is that the term on your college’s website? Find out which process it refers to before comparing programs.
Read the concurrent enrollment guide →Find the process that applies to you
A school’s College and Career Access Pathways (CCAP) partnership is one route. California also provides other special-admission opportunities. Start with your school and the college you want to attend; do not assume another district’s instructions apply.
California Department of Education: dual enrollment structures ↗Ask this first
“Does our school have a dual enrollment partnership, and what is the process if I want a course outside that partnership?”
Before submitting an application
Talk about the reason
Is the student curious about a subject, looking for a challenge, or hoping to meet a particular requirement? Write down the goal before comparing classes.
Find the college’s current instructions
Ask about eligibility, required signatures, prerequisites, application steps, and registration dates. Save the page and the name of someone who can answer questions.
Check the full cost
The California Community Colleges student resource says dual enrollment is free for most students. Ask the college about your student’s fees, books, supplies, and any other expenses before enrolling.
California Community Colleges: student questions ↗Look at an ordinary week
Include class time, independent work, transportation, other schoolwork, and activities. Ask how the student will get help if the course becomes difficult.
Questions families often start with
Does everyone have to start in the same grade?
Use the receiving college’s eligibility rules and your school’s approval process. This guide does not set a statewide starting grade.
Does a college class automatically replace a high school class?
Ask the school what it will award and where that credit will appear. Record the answer before relying on the course in a graduation plan.
What if we are homeschooling?
Start by identifying who maintains the student’s school records and who can sign the college’s forms. Preview the upcoming homeschooling chapter →.
Four credit questions to keep separate
Before choosing a course for a requirement, identify which answer you need.
- High school graduation: Will your school award credit, and for which requirement?
- University admission: Does the course meet the UC or CSU rule for the A–G subject you need?
- College units: Will the receiving university accept it for unit credit?
- Your degree: Will it satisfy a specific general education or major requirement?
Record an answer for each goal. Approval for one purpose does not answer the other questions.
Go to the source
Source pages checked September 17, 2026. Rules can change. Use the current official guidance and confirm how it applies to your student.
Continue with the free guides
Next: Dual or concurrent enrollment? →