Pre-College Credits

A great way to get a head start on your college education is to take college courses while you’re still in high school. Academic credits can also be earned for non-collegiate learning experiences.

College Credit in High School

North Dakota high school students in grades 10, 11, or 12 have the opportunity to take college-level courses through the North Dakota University System (NDUS). These courses provide students with a head start on earning college credit, and in many cases, high school credit as well. Courses are available in multiple formats, either face-to-face in the classroom, online, or via Interactive Video Network.

 

Early Entry Course vs. Dual Credit Course

      • Early Entry Courses are college-level courses available to high school students in grades 10–12. Students receive college credit upon successful completion. Students may arrange with their high school to also earn high school credit for these courses.
      • Dual Credit Courses are college-level courses offered to high school students in grades 10–12, where students receive both college and high school credit. The high school superintendent or designee must have a formal agreement with a post-secondary institution to ensure the student is granted high school credit.

 

Enrollment Requirements

Students are encouraged to visit with their high school counselor and teachers to determine their academic readiness. Students will need to obtain permission from the school district superintendent. Students must meet the same academic criteria as those enrolled in college-level courses, including taking appropriate placement testing.

 

Cost

Students are responsible for all tuition, fees, books, and other associated costs.

      • Dual Credit Tuition Rate: North Dakota high school students enrolled in approved dual credit courses are eligible for a reduced tuition rate.
      • Early Entry Tuition Rate: Early entry students pay the standard undergraduate tuition rate charged by the NDUS institution offering the course. Rates vary by institution and delivery method.

 

Course Information

A wide range of dual credit courses are available for high school students in Fall 2025. These courses are approved for both college and high school credit and are offered in collaboration with institutions across the NDUS.

 

View the full list of approved Fall 2025 dual credit courses here.

 

Course availability may vary depending on your high school’s agreements with NDUS institutions. Please visit your high school counselor to confirm which courses are available to you and to discuss enrollment procedures. NDUS institution contact information is listed on the right side of this website.

 

After a student has completed a college-level course with an NDUS institution, it is simple to enroll as a full-time student with that institution. If you decide to transfer, most general education courses are transferrable.

 

Annually, early college coursework participating rates are publicly available online at Insights.nd.gov

Non-Collegiate Learning Experiences

You can receive academic credit for non-collegiate learning experiences – including military and other work experience – by participating in these credit-by-exam programs: 

  • Advanced Placement (AP)
  • College Level Examination Program (CLEP)
  • International Baccalaureate (IB)
  • DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST)
  • Cambridge International (CI)

 

To view NDUS minimum scores, credits granted and equivalent courses, click below.

Credit-By-Exam Chart