Marshall University has lowered the price of its College Courses in the High Schools program, which allows students to earn college credits while they are still in high school.
Students enrolled in the program will now pay only $25 per credit hour instead of the previous $84 per credit hour.
Dr. David Pittenger, who serves as interim associate vice president for outreach and continuing studies and as interim dean of the university’s Graduate College, says Marshall’s College Courses in the High Schools is a “dual credit” program that allows high school students to get a head start on their college career by offering classes that count for both high school and college credit. He adds that it is an attractive and effective way for advanced students to make the transition to college more readily and to complete basic undergraduate courses before they graduate from high school.
“We are pleased to offer this option that can help students save a significant amount of time and money as they go on to pursue their college educations,” says Pittenger. “We have hundreds of students already in the program. They are jump-starting their college coursework while still in high school and will realize a tuition savings by completing their college degrees in shorter time frames. It’s even possible for students to come to Marshall from high school as rising sophomores.
“We are committed to making a college education as affordable and convenient as possible for students and their families. By lowering the price of the program, we hope even more high school students will take advantage of this opportunity.”
The program is available to qualified high school students in Cabell, Wayne, Randolph and Webster counties, as well as St. Joseph’s High School and Grace Christian School, both in Huntington.
Rachel Gwilliams, a 2015 graduate of Spring Valley High School in Wayne County, participated in the program.
She says, “Having my high school teachers help me with college classes mentally prepared me for what to expect once I start on campus. When I first began taking the dual credit classes, I did it to try to get a head start. I never would have imagined it would actually put me an entire year ahead! I believe every college-bound student should consider taking any dual credit class during high school to help give him or her a head start in college.”
According to Pittenger, an additional benefit of the program is that it gives high school students the opportunity to enjoy a more full and rigorous curriculum in the last two years of high school, which helps combat academic apathy often referred to as “senior slump.”
College Courses in the High Schools is open to high school juniors and seniors with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher. Some courses also require the ACT/SAT exam. Freshmen and sophomores may be eligible, but additional requirements apply.
Available courses vary by high school and include general education options like English, mathematics, biology, history and communications. Many of the courses will transfer to any college or university.
High school teachers in the dual enrollment program must meet the same standards as Marshall instructors for knowledge in the discipline, advanced training and teaching experience.
Pittenger says Marshall is working to expand the program to high schools in additional counties and that interested students should work with their high school guidance counselors to enroll.
For more information about the College Courses in the High Schools program, visit www.marshall.edu/cchs or call 304-696-6649.
———————
Photo: Rachel Gwilliams (right) receives her high school diploma from Spring Valley High School in Wayne County.