High School Dual Enrollment Courses and Programs

Take Dual Enrollment Classes in High School to Help Save Time and Money

Grand Canyon University (GCU) offers on-campus and online dual enrollment classes as an affordable and efficient way for high school and home-schooled students to gain a head start on earning their college degree. With our ease of credit transferability into GCU, earning college credit provides students with college-level academic knowledge and skills while still in high school and an accelerated college pathway that reduces time to graduation.

Save money on tuition and increase future earning potential while taking general education requirements or electives and exploring potential majors.

Whether your dream is to be a software engineer or a teacher, GCU will tailor your dual enrollment journey to you. By the time you step onto our college campus, you may be able to jump into core classes right away based on your transferable credits.

To register for an on-campus or online dual enrollment course or learn more, fill out the form on this page.

High School Dual Enrollment Program Overview

Dual enrollment courses at GCU set you up to experience college studies in a convenient and cost-affordable format that fits your schedule. With custom cohorts and online class options, taking dual enrollment courses in high school is easier than ever.

Earn College Credits on Your Time With Online Dual Enrollment Courses

Online dual enrollment classes are seven or 15 weeks and offer high school students the flexibility and convenience to earn college credits toward their degree, among many other benefits.

Through the Learning Management System, GCU’s online classroom, interactive forums allow online dual enrollment students to network, interact and participate with their peers and professors when collaborating on projects and assignments.

Experience College Life With Dual Enrollment Courses at GCU

Dual enrollment courses may be available during traditional semesters. Students attend lectures and labs in person on GCU's main campus where they can experience and understand student life on campus.

Custom Cohorts for High School and Homeschool Co-Ops

High schools and homeschool co-ops can create a custom 15-week online cohort modality program to give students a head start on earning their college degree, as opposed to our standard seven-week online courses. This allows students to get used to the academic rigor of college coursework while still in the comfort of their current semester-based system.

Students can choose from any of our seven-week courses and build their own dual enrollment program based on their school’s needs and schedule, as well as their individual interests. Students will work directly with GCU’s dual enrollment team to create a custom cohort program based on their desired courses, start dates and any school-specific breaks needed during the course (for example, spring break or a mission trip).

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High School Dual Enrollment Benefits

Faster Graduation Times

Students who take advantage of dual enrollment courses offered by GCU get into their area of study faster once they reach college and have the opportunity to complete their degree in less time.

Tuition Savings on College Credits

GCU’s dual enrollment courses provide the opportunity for significant cost savings by providing discounted tuition rates for dual enrollment courses. All courses are $52.50 per credit and students can take dual enrollment classes in high school to earn up to 60 college credits.¹

Easy and Individualized Registration Process

Complete registration for GCU’s dual enrollment program typically takes 10 days. Guided by a counselor who specializes in dual enrollment, students can create an individualized pathway toward their intended area of study. Students must contact their counselor directly to go through the early registration process.

Equal Academic Instruction and Experiences

Students can earn college credit by taking dual enrollment classes in high school to experience equal levels of instruction and academic rigor as traditional college students. This prepares students for success when they enter college and reach the next academic level of study.

Dual Enrollment Program Qualifications at GCU

GCU dual enrollment courses are available to high school juniors and seniors with an unweighted GPA of 3.0 or above. Sophomores with an unweighted GPA of 3.25 or above can also take dual enrollment classes in high school. Please see the University Policy Handbook for more information.

All students are subject to GCU course prerequisites and course policies, which may include online placement tests.

About GCU’s Dual Enrollment Program Instructors

Dual enrollment program instructors deliver content that incorporates best practices in teaching, technology, classroom engagement, ethics and more in a specific area. GCU and instructors collaborate to provide academic support, curriculum approval and monitoring of the course effectiveness for all high school and home-schooled students.

Dual enrollment faculty are all college faculty. All instructors are required to have a master’s degree or higher in the content area, or a master’s degree with 18 graduate hours (500+) in the content area.

Faculty qualifications for each course are set and approved by the GCU colleges, and instructors receive ongoing training, support and professional development.

Dual Enrollment Courses at High Schools

Students who attend participating Arizona high schools can take a variety of dual enrollment courses in high school. Please consult your school for information on if they are offering GCU credits.

High School Dual Enrollment Program FAQs

Read through our frequently asked questions to learn more about dual enrollment and how to set yourself up for success at the college level.

Is dual enrollment better than AP?

It depends on what your aspirations for college and beyond may be. Advanced placement (AP) courses are designed for more rigorous coursework, which is something you may find in an honors program or degrees with advanced topics. AP is an alternative credit that requires you to take a test in order to get the credit for college. Dual enrollment courses are already at the college level and great for students who wish to get a feel for college work while still in high school and receive college credit. Both AP and dual enrollment courses are designed to meet college credit requirements. It is recommended you check with your college of choice to see how AP or dual enrollment courses are applied to their respective degrees.

Does dual enrollment affect your GPA?

This is something that also depends on how your high school views dual enrollment courses and external credits. Some high schools and their respective districts may apply dual enrollment credits to your high school GPA as evenly as they would any other course and may consider these toward a weighted GPA, while some may not apply these credits at all.

Do dual enrollment courses look good on college applications?

Yes. Dual enrollment courses can make your college application stand out. Dual enrollment courses provide college-level work that is not available at the high school level. This additional work may show the college that you are willing to further and strengthen your education. As well, online dual enrollment courses help you earn college credit that you may use to get ahead in your desired degree.

Do you need to take the SAT for dual enrollment?

All colleges will have different requirements, but here at GCU, we do not require the SAT exam to take dual enrollment courses. In order to be accepted for dual enrollment courses at GCU, you must be a junior or senior in high school with an unweighted GPA of at least 3.0, or a sophomore with an unweighted GPA of 3.25 or higher. Dual enrollment students must still meet all course prerequisites. Visit our Undergraduate Admissions Requirements page for more information.

How many classes do you need to graduate college?

For a four-year undergraduate bachelor’s degree, you need 120 total credits. This equates to about 40 classes, however that number may vary. The number of credits you need may vary depending on prior education, or if you have dual enrollment credits, for example.

Can you take online dual enrollment courses?

Yes. Online dual enrollment classes are available to provide you with flexibility, network opportunities and convenience. They also provide a valuable opportunity to experience an online Learning Management Systems and online forums — tools that you will most likely run into while attending college full time.

How do I apply for an online dual enrollment program?

It is first important to verify eligibility for dual enrollment programs — review our Dual Enrollment Program Qualifications at GCU section above for more information. The next step is to get in contact with an enrollment advisor by clicking on the Request Info button at the top of your screen.

How do I prepare for taking dual enrollment classes in high school?

Dual enrollment programs help prove that you are ready to handle demanding college coursework. When taking dual enrollment classes in high school, it’s important to prepare yourself to have a strict study regimen, consistent schedule and to put in the work needed to be successful. Balancing outside obligations while taking college courses in high school can be tough, so make sure to dedicate time to your high school and dual enrollment studies along with your personal life.

¹ Additional books/fees may apply