Video Transcript
[Samantha Sharp, Boise State undergraduate]: Did you know that there are many ways to earn college credit while still in high school? Understanding the options is the first step in to getting a head start on your college degree! The most common methods of earning college credit in high school are Concurrent Enrollment courses, or Dual Credit Courses, and Advanced Placement courses, AP. Dual Credit or Concurrent Enrollment courses mean the same thing, and they allow students to take college-level classes at their high school or on a college campus and earn both high school and college credit. There is no extra cumulative test to pass to earn credits on a transcript. Grades earned in the class are recorded on an official college transcript as soon as the course is completed. Advanced Placement courses consist of high school courses that are also equivalent to undergraduate college courses. However, AP courses end with a college-level exam. Students who perform well on the exam are given a passing grade, and credit for the class is transcripted once the student is enrolled in college. Course equivalency for AP classes varies by college. Another option for early college credit is the International Baccalaureate program. This option is only offered at specific high schools that use the IB curriculum. IB programs encourage both personal and academic achievement. Student work is measured through instructor assessment and exams. Like AP courses, passing of a college-level exam is required to receive credit. Find out more about IB at Boise State by visiting the link below. And perhaps the fastest way to earn college credit is through the College-Level Examination Program, or CLEP. This method helps students receive college credit for information they already know. Students can take college-level exams to prove their knowledge and advance their college standing. If you already know the material you can get credit for it immediately. To learn more visit the web address below. Why wait? Find out which method for earning college credit is right for you. Maybe it’s one of these options or a combination of a few. Whatever your route, get a head start on college and your future today!