Dual Enrollment

How to Take College Classes While in High School

ECC's Dual Enrollment program is an excellent option for high school and home-schooled students. It allows them to take one or two college classes alongside their regular school schedules. In dual enrollment, you'll attend high school or homeschool classes during the day and take ECC college classes later. You'll get college credit for your ECC courses; high school credit is not guaranteed. 

Course Options

You complete college courses independently, allowing for flexible class selection. Choose any college class you are ready for, with approval from your high school counselor and ECC Admissions Office.

College Life

As a dual enrollment student at ECC, you can immerse yourself in campus life. Join a club, write for the newspaper, or audition for a play—it's a great way to experience the whole college life.

Who Qualifies

Dual enrollment courses are available to high school and home-schooled students. These students must demonstrate college readiness through ACT, SAT, or ECC placement test scores. Sixteen- and 17-year-old students who have been separated from their high school are eligible to attend ECC full—time or part-time. This eligibility is based on meeting the ability-to-benefit criteria outlined by ICCB regulations.

How to Apply for Dual Enrollment at ECC

Are you interested in dual enrollment? Students seeking Dual Enrollment must plan to complete the enrollment process before classes begin. Here’s how to start:

• Discuss your interest in attending ECC with your high school counselor and parent(s). You will need their approval to take ECC courses because we want to ensure they meet your needs.
• Apply for admission. Remember to indicate you are still enrolled in high school and include a personal email address.
• Download the secondary/home-school student admission process and permission form - PDF.
• Questions? Contact us at admissions@elgin.edu.

The secondary or home-schooled student admission process at Elgin Community College is designed to provide college-ready students with early access to higher education. These students must follow special admission procedures to enroll in college-level classes at Elgin Community College. Admissions decisions for students are made on a case-by-case basis. Students under 16 must obtain approval from the academic dean and the Dean of Student Services or designee. Once courses are identified, the admissions office will facilitate obtaining the appropriate dean's approval. The decision will be made based on the demonstration of college readiness and the student's maturity. Secondary and home-schooled students can register for six credit hours per semester during their New Student Orientation (NSO). Students seeking Dual Enrollment need to plan to ensure the enrollment process is completed before the class starts.

This process does not apply to the following student groups, as these admissions are handled separately:

• Students who are enrolling in only dual credit courses organized by partnership agreements between school districts and Elgin Community College,
• Students enrolling in performing arts courses, ensembles, or grant-funded programs such as Upward Bound.
• Sixteen- and 17-year-old students are separated from their high school.
• Eligible by ICCB regulations to attend ECC full or part-time due to meeting the ability to benefit criteria.