Concurrent Enrollment

Northeastern's concurrent enrollment program gives high school students a head start earning college credit. Made possible by the Colorado State Legislature in 2009, concurrent enrollment allows students to take college-level courses for both high school and college credit.

Concurrent Enrollment and ASCENT

Northeastern’s concurrent enrollment courses meet the same academic standards and policies as all our courses and are in alignment with the Higher Learning Commission.

Concurrent enrollment courses in our service area high schools use the same syllabus, book, academic outcomes, instructional practices and grading policies as classes on the Northeastern campus. Students should be prepared to meet the expectations for college-level rigor in these classes, whether they are offered at the high school or on Northeastern’s campus.

Advantages to concurrent enrollment

• Lowers the cost of college. Local school districts may help pay the tuition for the college courses.
• Allows students access to college coursework while in high school.
• Prepares students for the transition into college.
• Increases educational options.

Am I eligible for concurrent enrollment?

Check with your high school principal or counselor to determine if you are a candidate for the Concurrent Enrollment program.

How do I get started?

Contact your high school principal or counselor to begin planning a schedule and registering for classes. They can answer any questions you may have and guide you towards your educational goals.

ASCENT

Accelerating Students through Concurrent Enrollment (ASCENT) program permits eligible high school students to participate in a “5th year” of high school while enrolled full time at Northeastern. The student’s school district is responsible for paying tuition. To participate in the program, high school students must meet the following qualifications:

• Have completed or be on schedule to complete at least 12 credit hours of college coursework prior to the completion of your 12th grade year.
• Not in need of basic skills coursework as defined by the Colorado Commission on Higher Education (CCHE) remedial education policy.
• Selected for participation by high school administration.
• Satisfy the prerequisites for courses.
• Have not participated in the ASCENT program in previous years.

Are there other options to earn college credit besides Concurrent Enrollment and ASCENT?

Students can also earn college credits by taking the College-Level-Examination Program (CLEP) at Northeastern. CLEP gives students of any age the opportunity to demonstrate college-level achievement through a program of exams in undergraduate college courses. When students earn qualifying scores on these examinations, they can move past introductory-level course work and on to more advanced and challenging courses. For more information, contact the Northeastern’s Student Success Office.

High schools might also offer Advanced Placement (AP) courses. High school counselors can give students more information about AP courses.