Jumpstart Your College Education: Enroll In A Concurrent Enrollment Program

Lounging around the house playing video games and watching television may not be the most productive way for an ambitious high school student to spend his/her summer break. Outdoor activities may not be the best answer in the desert heat and at nearly $1,000 a week, summer camps have become way too expensive for many families. Parents looking for a creative and cost effective way to entertain their ambitious teen this summer may want to consider enrolling their son or daughter in a concurrent enrollment program at the local community college.

A three credit hour course can last anywhere from eight to 16 weeks and commonly costs around $200. In many cases concurrent enrollment credits count toward both high school and college requirements and a majority can be transferred to a university.

Ambitious high school students have the option of learning a new language to get a jumpstart on their peers but to truly take advantage of the concurrent enrollment program, it may be better for a student to pick a topic that really resonates. Some community colleges offer their entire course catalog while others offer only a portion. As long as students meet the required prerequisites, they can usually enroll in any course that sparks their interest.

Concurrent enrollment programs allow high school students to accumulate college credits and at times even skip their entire freshmen year of college. Additionally, concurrent enrollment classes are an incredible bargain because students are often able to receive high school and college credits simultaneously. Concurrent enrollment classes save students time and money, and high school student's benefit from rigorous courses taught by college certified teachers.

Students not only get a jumpstart on their college education, they are also well prepared to succeed at a university once they arrive. Additionally, concurrent enrollment programs save tax dollars because it is considerably cheaper to educate a student at a local community college as opposed to a university and concurrent enrollment students are ready to contribute to the economy sooner.

Concurrent enrollment classes meet at local community colleges and are taught by college certified instructors using a college text and curriculum. Registration information can be found online, or students can go directly to their local community college's concurrent enrollment program page.

Still, many parents and high school students are unaware that concurrent enrollment programs are available and are advised to contact their local community college for more information about participating high schools and the concurrent enrollment courses available in their area.

Students are advised to only take concurrent enrollment courses at a community college that is National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnership (NACEP) certified. NACEP certification ensures that credits will not only transfer to in state universities but to universities in other states as well. Contact your local community college to find out if they are nationally accredited and for more information about their concurrent enrollment programs.