High School Enrollment Programs
Earn college credit that counts towards a degree while still in high school.
UNC’s is committed to growing and expanding our High-School Enrollment Programs (including Dual/Concurrent Enrollment) offerings and pathways to provide current high school students the opportunity to take college-level coursework prior to HS graduation.
Students who complete High School Enrollment Program (HSEP) coursework will earn full credit from UNC towards a degree. Additionally, while there is no guarantee, it is not uncommon for HSEP courses earned at UNC to transfer to another institutions dependent upon their policies.
Goals of UNC’s High School Enrollment Programs:
- To increase student knowledge and skill levels
- To help students earn college level credit(s) at an affordable cost
- To motivate students to consider and attend college
- To expose prepared students to college-level academic rigor
- To support timely graduation from college by supporting earned credit prior to HS graduation
High School Enrollment Programs
Dual Enrollment
Students earn dual credit (both high school and college credit) via completion of one or more courses taught on-site at their high school. Participating in dual credit options can be extremely rewarding.
The UNC Dual Enrollment program provides students attending participating high schools to take college-level coursework. Students enroll via a course taught on-site at their high school and upon completion earn dual credit (both high school and college credit).
Students interested in or planning to enroll in dual or concurrent enrollment coursework should consult with their school officials and teachers to access the required application.
Concurrent Enrollment
UNC also offers Concurrent Enrollment for local high school students. Concurrent enrollment allows eligible students to take courses taught by UNC faculty on the UNC campus while still in high school. These courses provide you with academic challenges, give you access to courses your high school may not offer, and give you a chance to experience a college classroom.
You may be eligible for On-Campus Concurrent Enrollment coursework if you:
- Are currently in ninth through 12th grade
- Have applied for and received concurrent enrollment approval from your high school prior to the deadline set by your high school
- Meet the minimum college prerequisites for the desired course(s)
ASCENT
ASCENT (Accelerating Students through Concurrent Enrollment) is a workplace readiness program funded by the Colorado Department of Education. This program is actively being reevaluated by the state with anticipation that students currently enrolled in 2025-2026 will be the last cohort. For the most up-to-date information regarding future availability of ASCENT visit the state’s Office of Postsecondary and Workplace Readiness website.
Students currently enrolled in an ASCENT program who are NOT attending UNC should apply for admissions as a first-year student.
If you are an ASCENT student currently enrolled at UNC, please contact admissions@unco.edu for additional information about your next steps.
TREP
TREP (Teacher Recruitment Education and Preparation) is a workplace readiness program funded by the Colorado Department of Education. This program is actively being revaluated by the state with anticipation that students currently enrolled in 2025-2026 may be the last cohort. For the most up-to-date information regarding future availability for these programs visit the state’s Office of Postsecondary and Workplace Readiness website.
If you are a current high school student with interest in participating in TREP beginning with the 2026-2027 academic year, your first step is to apply for admission as a degree-seeking undergraduate student to UNC. For questions about these programs, please contact your school counseling or guidance office.
Students currently enrolled in TREP who are NOT attending UNC should apply for admissions as a first-year student.
FAQs and Additional Information
To begin your Dual Enrollment adventure, download the Dual Enrollment Activation & Registration Instructions
Access the Dual Enrollment Application
Course Registration:
We understand circumstances may arise which warrant adjustments to your course schedule. If you seek to add, drop or withdraw from a college course, you must meet with your high school counselor and/or instructor and complete the Dual Enrollment Course Drop/Withdraw Form (PDF)
Drop and withdrawal dates for the courses at your school can be found on your school’s course offering document. Submit any materials or send any inquiries to dual.enrollment@unco.edu
- Per Credit Hour Rates
- Dual/Concurrent Enrollment Tuition Rate (2025-2026): $77/credit hour
- TREP/ASCENT Tuition Rate (2025-2026): $115/credit hour
Student Billing:
All student bills will be issued from the UNC Bursar’s Office. To avoid finance charges, please pay your bill by the end of the month in which it’s due.
For any questions regarding your billing including assistance viewing your bill, making a payment or adding an authorized billing user, please contact the Bursar’s Office at 970-351-4862. Or, access your eBill within your Student Ursa Account.
Know your Financial Commitment:
As a dual enrollment student at the University of Northern Colorado, you and your family will be responsible for any tuition charges not covered by the school. Once you register for classes, you incur a financial commitment to UNC and if you decide not to continue your dual enrollment, you must take action to drop your classes in accordance with the UNC drop/add policies to avoid being responsible for a portion of your tuition and fees.
Students with Disabilities: Any student requesting disability accommodation for this class must inform the instructor, giving appropriate notice. Students are encouraged to contact Disability Resource Center at 970-351-2289 to certify documentation of disability and to ensure appropriate accommodations are implemented in a timely manner.
All members of the University of Northern Colorado community are entrusted with the responsibility to uphold and promote five fundamental values: Honesty, Trust, Respect, Fairness, and Responsibility. These core elements foster an atmosphere, inside and outside of the classroom, which serves as a foundation and guides the UNC community‘s academic, professional, and personal growth. Endorsement of these core elements by students, faculty, staff, administration, and trustees strengthens the integrity and value of our academic climate.
UNC’s policies and recommendations for academic misconduct will be followed. For additional information, please see the Student Code of Conduct
Earn credit while exploring the UNC Campus during the summer as a high school student. Visit the program website to learn more about dates and application processes.