COLLEGE CREDIT IN HIGH SCHOOL

Questions? Contact dual@uww.edu.

High schools teaching college courses enter into a contractual agreement with the university, allowing them to offer university courses by hiring teachers who have master’s degrees and at least 18 graduate credits in the content area related to each college-level class. These teachers must be approved by the university’s academic department and work closely with a university liaison professor.

UW-Whitewater provides support for teachers with a master’s degree not specifically related to the content area by providing online graduate courses at no charge for participating instructors. Teachers will need at least 18 graduate credits in the subject area. For example, teachers with a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction could be accepted as instructors for computer science provided that they enroll and complete graduate courses in computer science.

School Districts interested in offering college courses in their high schools should review their high school’s current course offerings and determine which UW-Whitewater classes they would be interested in offering. They should refer to UW-Whitewater’s online course catalog to identify potential courses based on the qualifications of the high school instructor.

Responsibilities and timeline

• 6 months prior to course
  • Assist teacher(s) in applying for instructor status
  • Work with UW-Whitewater Dual Enrollment team and High School teachers on course selection
  • Obtain school board approval (if necessary)
  • Facilitate new course approval
  • Complete UW-Whitewater’s school application/intent to provide a course
• 3 months prior to course
  • Market course(s) to students and families
  • Assist students in completing their online admission form
  • Submit anticipated student roster for dual enrollment section to the Dual Enrollment team
  • Read, sign, and return Memorandum of Understanding
• 1-2 months prior to course
  • Ensure that families are well informed on both transcripts and email
• During the semester
  • Facilitate surveys of course offerings among high school students, teachers, administrators, and families
• End of semester
  • Communicate with dual enrollment coordinator at UW-Whitewater to elaborate issues or concerns
• Once per year
  • Attend dual enrollment professional development meetings, as scheduled

In order to teach a college course in high school, a teacher needs to meet one of the following requirements of our regional accreditor, the Higher Learning Commission:

• A master’s degree in the content area (e.g. biology, computer science, accounting)
• A master’s degree in another area (e.g. curriculum and instruction, education leadership) with 18 graduate credits in the content area
• A master’s degree in another area together with a professional development plan created in consultation with UW-Whitewater. The plan must lead to 18 graduate credits earned in the selected content area. (In most cases, UWW will cover the cost of these credits for approved teachers who take the courses through UW-W.)

Teachers interested in becoming a dual enrollment teacher at their school should complete the Dual Enrollment Instructor application and return the completed application to the dual enrollment coordinator at dual@uww.edu. Including a copy of their transcripts and resume will expedite the process.

UW-Whitewater offers many different dual enrollment classes. All courses need to be approved by UWW faculty and will be offered based on the availability of faculty liaisons. Please contact dual@uww.edu to explore options for your district.

Responsibilities and timeline

• 6 months prior to course
  • Contact the dual enrollment coordinator with interested courses, transcripts, and resume
• 3 months prior to course
  • Work with UW-Whitewater liaison to align course work with UW-Whitewater standards. Develop syllabus, student learning objectives, assignments, rubrics, etc.
  • Work with UW-Whitewater liaison to select course materials, including suggested readings and approved textbooks
• 1-2 months prior to course
  • Submit syllabus and assignments, tests, etc. for UW-Whitewater liaison approval
  • Work with UW-Whitewater liaison to develop Canvas course site if appropriate
  • Develop timeline of course visits and review of student work with UW-Whitewater liaison
  • Assist students in completing their online admission form
• During the semester
  • Provide examples of student work as agreed upon with UW-Whitewater liaison (including Canvas for student feedback and/or grades if appropriate)
  • Coordinate class visits to course with UW-Whitewater liaison
  • Visit UW-Whitewater campus to attend course
  • Assist students in accessing and using UW-Whitewater website
• End of semester
  • Have students complete the Course Evaluation form (will be sent as a link)
  • Submit grades in WINS
  • Email dual enrollment coordinator at dual@uww.edu when grades are submitted
  • Complete textbook inventory and submit to dual enrollment coordinator
• Once per year
  • Participate in dual enrollment professional development as requested

All concurrent and dual credit instructors are required to have 18 graduate credits in the content area in which they are teaching. UW-Whitewater offers a selection of online graduate courses for our instructors to meet this requirement. These courses are provided at no cost to approved UW-Whitewater dual enrollment instructors.

In accordance with Federal, State, and UW-System laws, regulations and policies, no otherwise qualified student with a disability shall be denied equal access to UW-Whitewater programs. This includes high school students in dual enrollment programs. Students enrolled in dual enrollment courses at their high school can participate with approved Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) or 504 Plans from their high school. 

To apply for College Credit in High School or Warhawk Dual Enrollment Academy:

1. Visit the Universities of Wisconsin website
2. Select the orange Create an Account button, complete the online form, and click Create Account at the bottom
3. Verify your email by using the code sent to the email address associated with your account.
4. Under the Traditional Applications tab, click on Start Application (orange button), then click Continue.
5. For the question Are you applying as a degree-seeking student?, click on No (red X).
6. Continue through the questions until you get to Have you graduated from high school/secondary school or earned your GED/HSED yet?, then click on No (red X).
7. The next screen should say You are a high school non-degree applicant. Click on Continue, select either UW-Whitewater or UW-Whitewater Rock County (Janesville) from the UW-Whitewater drop down menu, and select your program.
8. Enter your personal information as requested to complete your application.

Instructions are also available with a PDF download »