Welcome to Opportunity: Earn College Credits in High School - For Free

What is Dual Enrollment?

Dual Enrollment allows students to take college courses while still in high school—earning transferable college credits at little to no cost. Credits are recorded on a Saddleback College transcript and, depending on the high school, may also count toward graduation requirements.

Saddleback College offers three dual enrollment options for grades 9–12:

  • General Dual Enrollment - The General Dual Enrollment program offers high school students in grades 9-12 the opportunity to earn college credits by taking courses taught by college professors, available either on college campus or online.
     
  • College and Career Access Pathway (CCAP) - The CCAP partners with local high schools to offer college courses for 9th-to 12th-grade students, often taught at the high school with full academic rigor, allowing students to earn up to 15 units per semester and providing waived fees, as well as supplying textbooks.
     
  • High School Articulation - Articulated Career Technical Education (CTE) courses allow high school students to earn college credit for aligned CTE classes taken during the regular school day on their high school campus, taught by high school instructors with no additional fees. These credits are recorded as Credit by Exam on the college transcript but may not be transferable to other institutions.

Ready to Learn More?

Download the Parent Fact Sheet or speak directly with the Saddleback Dual Enrollment Team. Call (949) 582-4500 or email admissions@saddleback.edu.

Important Information

College and Career Access Pathways is an exciting initiative that gives high school students a head start on college. Through strong partnerships with local K-12 districts, we’ve continued to expand opportunities for students to experience college-level learning before graduation. 

  • Courses: College courses taken by high school students, typically offered on the high school campus during the regular school day, and serve high school students exclusively.
  • Instructors: Courses are taught by college faculty or high school faculty who meet community college minimum qualifications for teaching.
  • Fees: FREE – All tuition, textbooks, and other fees for these courses are waived for high school students (excluding nonimmigrant visa holders).
  • Credits: Students may earn high school and college credit. College credits are recorded on your permanent college transcript.

 

Learn More About the Benefits of Dual Enrollment

Partnerships

Available through partnerships with: California Online Public Schools, Capistrano Unified School District, Irvine Unified School District, Laguna Beach Unified School District, Orange Unified School District, and Saddleback Valley Unified School District.

There are multiple pathways that lead to an Associates Degree or Certificate of Achievement.

How to Get Started

  1. Contact your High School Academic Advisor
  2. Ask about available pathways through your district partnership
  3. Confirm your pathway of interest

General Dual Enrollment is when high school students take college courses in-person at Saddleback College, online, or at Saddleback@ATEP. These courses allow college-bound students to get a head start on their post-secondary education. Having college credits may provide students a competitive advantage in four-year university admissions. Check with your high school counselor to see if credits count toward high school graduation requirements.

  • Courses: A wide variety of college courses available on campus, online, or at Saddleback@ATEP. Courses are open to the public.
  • Instructors: Saddleback College faculty teach all courses.
  • Fees: Enrollment fees are waived. Students are required to pay for parking, course materials, and health fees.
  • Credits: Students may earn high school and college credit. College credits are recorded on your permanent college transcript.

How to Get Started

  1. Contact your High School Academic Advisor
  2. Visit our How to Apply to Dual Enrollment page for instructions to register

Earn college credit for Career Technical Education (CTE) courses taken at your high school. These courses provide students with valuable hands-on experience and knowledge in various technical fields. Key aspects of articulated courses:

  • Courses: High school CTE courses taken by high school students during the regular school day are aligned with a community college CTE course in the same discipline and have a college approved agreement.
  • Instructors: Articulated courses are taught by high school teachers on the high school campus and serve high school students exclusively.
  • Fees: No additional fees beyond your regular high school costs.
  • Credits: Articulated courses from the high school are transcribed as Credit by Exam on the college transcript and may or may not be recognized by a transfer institution.

How to Get Started

  1. Talk to your High School Academic Advisor about which CTE courses are articulated


For additional information, view this video and contact your high school counselor.

We are excited your student is interested in earning college credit while in high school.

Saddleback College students are expected to act on their own behalf in all parts of the enrollment process. Please visit our Information for Parents page and review the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) information and frequently asked questions found there.

Our college Counseling team is here to help your student navigate the process. Feel free to reach out to your high school counselor with any additional questions.