Dual Credit Programs

The full-time two-year Accelerate College program is a structured program designed for high school juniors.  Students graduate with their high school diploma and associate degree.

• Students must qualify to take ECC courses that meet associate degree requirements. Testing may be required.
• School districts accept those courses as also fulfilling high school graduation requirements.
• College advisors and your high school counselors help you create a schedule of courses each term.
• Tuition is not charged to students for courses approved by the districts.
• College credits may be transferable to a four-year university. To learn more, visit the Transferology website. 

Get Started

Start by discussing Accelerate College participation with your parents/guardians and high school counselor.

The full-time one-year Accelerate College program is a structured program between secondary schools and Elgin Community College. Students graduate with their high school diploma and progress towards an associate degree.

Students qualify to take ECC courses that meet associate degree requirements. Testing may be required.
School districts accept those courses as also fulfilling high school graduation requirements.
College advisors and your high school counselors help you create a schedule of courses each term.
Tuition is not charged to students for courses approved by the school districts.
This program helps students complete the first year of an associate degree. College credits may be transferable to a four-year university. To learn more, visit the Transferology website.

Get Started

Start by discussing Accelerate College participation with your parents/guardians and high school counselor.

Students will get a jumpstart on their chosen career through this program.

• School districts have approved Career Technical Education pathways that can be taken at ECC. Many schools also have Career Technical Education pathways offered at the high schools for college credit. Visit your district’s web page below to see which programs your school district supports:
  • District 300 (Dundee-Crown High School, Hampshire High School, and Jacobs High School)
  • District 301 (Burlington Central High School)
  • District 303 (St. Charles East High School and St. Charles North High School)
  • District U-46 (Bartlett High School, Elgin High School, Larkin High School, South Elgin High School, and Streamwood High School)
  • Private Schools (Cambridge Lakes Charter School)
• You may be able to take other career pathway courses at the college not approved by your district for credit, but you will be responsible for tuition. Learn more about independent enrollment.

Get Started

Start by discussing program requirements with your parents/guardians and high school counselor.

Students can take college courses taught by their high school instructors as part of their normal high school schedule.

• General education courses sometimes fulfill requirements in a career pathway, but most often are taken as part of an associate degree. Check Transferology to determine what courses may be accepted for transfer credits at specific universities.
• Different districts offer different courses for credit at the high schools. Visit your district’s web page below to see which programs your school district supports:
  • District 300 (Dundee-Crown High School, Hampshire High School, and Jacobs High School)
  • District 301 (Burlington Central High School)
  • District 303 (St. Charles East High School and St. Charles North High School)
  • District U-46 (Bartlett High School, Elgin High School, Larkin High School, South Elgin High School, and Streamwood High School)
  • Private Schools (Cambridge Lakes Charter School)

Get Started

Start by discussing participation and course requirements with your parents/guardians and high school counselor.

Students can take college courses at ECC on a part-time schedule. Attend your high school classes in the morning, then take one or two classes at ECC in the afternoon or evening.

• General education courses sometimes fulfill requirements in a career pathway, but most often are taken as part of an associate degree. Check Transferology to determine what courses may be accepted for transfer credits at specific universities.
• Different districts offer different courses for credit at the high schools. Visit your district’s web page below to see which programs your school district supports:
  • District 300 (Dundee-Crown High School, Hampshire High School, and Jacobs High School)
  • District 301 (Burlington Central High School)
  • District 303 (St. Charles East High School and St. Charles North High School)
  • District U-46 (Bartlett High School, Elgin High School, Larkin High School, South Elgin High School, and Streamwood High School)
  • Private Schools (Cambridge Lakes Charter School)

Get Started

Start by discussing participation and course requirements with your parents/guardians and high school counselor.

Through a self-determined program, students take courses at ECC, generally in the evening, while attending their normal high school class schedule during the day.

• This option can be valuable for home-schooled students as well as district students.
• Students have flexibility to choose courses of their interest.
• In most cases, students, not districts, will be billed tuition.
• There is no guarantee that districts will count your ECC courses toward fulfilling high school graduation requirements.

Get Started

Start by discussing participation with your parents/guardians and high school counselor. You will also need approval from the ECC Dual Credit office.

Through a self-determined program, students take courses at ECC, generally in the evening, while attending their normal high school class schedule during the day.

• This option can be valuable for home-schooled students as well as district students.
• Students have flexibility to choose courses of their interest.
• In most cases, students, not districts, will be billed tuition.
• There is no guarantee that districts will count your ECC courses toward fulfilling high school graduation requirements.

Get Started

Start by discussing participation with your parents/guardians and high school counselor. You will also need approval from the ECC Dual Credit office.