About High School Dual Enrollment
The CCAC Dual Enrollment program is open to high schoolers in 11th and 12th grade (or the home-school equivalent).
The CCAC High School Dual Enrollment program enables 11th and 12th grade high school students to take college-level classes while still in high school. Students gain valuable college experience—and earn valuable college credits—before they even finish their high school diploma.
Students who are not in 11th grade may also apply if they provide a written recommendation letter from a school counselor, teacher or principal. These students also need to take all three placement exams, regardless of the course(s) in which they want to enroll, and submit a parent contract. This will be reviewed by a committee of CCAC representatives who will recommend an admission decision. Contact dualenrollment@ccac.edu for additional information and guidance.
Why Start College at CCAC?
- Accessible: As an open enrollment institution, CCAC does not require entrance examinations—and there is no fee to apply.
- Transferrable: CCAC is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, so our credits transfer to hundreds of colleges and universities across the country.
- Affordable: CCAC offers high-quality courses at a fraction of the tuition of other colleges and universities. No matter where students complete their college education, they can save thousands of dollars by starting at CCAC.
- Convenient: CCAC has four campuses and three centers across Allegheny County, plus a Virtual Campus for online learning.
- Meaningful: By completing introductory classes before your freshman year, you can free up your schedule during college. Then you can use the extra time to minor in another subject, pursue extracurricular activities, find a part-time job or graduate early.
What Options Are Available?
This is the most flexible option, suitable for self-directed high schoolers. Students meet one-on-one with one of CCAC's academic advisors to select courses that match their individual interests and goals.
CCAC's University Academy is ideal for high schoolers who are preparing to pursue a degree. The program provides a two-year pathway to complete the college courses that are foundational for most degree programs, enabling students to transfer smoothly to a wide range of colleges and universities.
This program enables high schoolers in Allegheny County to study one of three professional tracks: Accounting, Business or Computer Information Technology. Students may take just a few classes—or complete an entire college certificate. These certificates provide an excellent foundation for students to either continue their education or join the workforce directly.
The BNY Early College program is completely free to eligible students in Allegheny County! All tuition, fees and books are funded by a generous grant from the BNY Foundation of Southwestern Pennsylvania.
Enrollment Steps
This is the application process for standard Dual Enrollment. To learn more about applying to the University Academy or BNY Early College program, please visit their webpages.
Complete Your Admissions Application
As a dual enrollment student to CCAC, the first step to enrolling is easy! Simply complete the admissions application.
Complete the Dual Enrollment Parent/Guardian Authorization Form
The second step is to complete and submit the CCAC Dual Enrollment Parent/Guardian Authorization Form. This is only required the first time you enroll.
Send your transcript to CCAC
Ask your high school office to send your high school transcript to dualenrollment@ccac.edu. This is only required the first time you enroll as a dual enrollment student. If you continue enrollment at CCAC after you graduate from high school, a new final transcript will be required.
Create your CCAC NETID and Password
Once admitted to CCAC, creating your CCAC NetID username and password will allow you to access important college resources—like CCAC Self-Service to plan your courses and view financial aid, the MyCCAC portal, and more!
Need Help?
Prepare for Placement Tests
As a junior or senior in high school taking dual enrollment courses, you may need to take several placement tests before you register for classes, depending on the requirements of course(s) you are planning to take.
These tests are not an entrance exam. They simply help you choose the right classes so you can succeed in college.
The tests are offered in person and online, so you can take them anytime, anywhere.
Our Placement Testing page includes information about exemptions and accommodations, registration links, and additional resources.
Participate in a New Student OnBoarding Session
CCAC provides a three-tiered orientation for new students, New Student Onboarding, Online Orientation, completed before enrollment, complimented by Wild Cat Welcome Week which takes place during the week before classes begin.
All new applicants are invited to attend a virtual New Student Onboarding session, where they’ll learn the key steps to successfully complete the enrollment process, to understand college expectations, resources, and how to navigate CCAC’s student systems.
Online Student Orientation
Before registering for classes, all new students are required to complete the Online Student Orientation. Click here to access the Online Student Orientation.
Registration Welcome Center
Check in with Registration to initiate or reactivate your academic record. Please have your photo ID and proof of permanent residence with you. In some cases, you may be asked for additional documents to confirm your identity or residence.
Visit Registration Welcome Center
Walk-in Service
Please walk in during regular operating hours at any of our locations. In-person appointments for photo IDs are available at Allegheny Campus, Boyce Campus, North Campus, South Campus, Homewood-Brushton Center and West Hills Center. Students will need to present a photo ID in order to complete registrations and schedule changes.
Meet Virtually
Meet with our team from the comforts of home through Zoom. When you join the Zoom session, please have your camera on and working. You will be placed into the waiting room. When a team member becomes available, they will bring you into the meeting. You will need to present a photo ID in order to complete identity verification and residency confirmation. The average wait time for the Virtual Welcome Center is 5–10 minutes. This wait time will increase during peak periods.
Contact dualenrollment@ccac.edu to discuss next steps.
Students are welcome to meet with an Academic Advisor or Transfer Counselor
- Academic Advisors help students who are looking to graduate from CCAC with a career focused degree. Advisors review your goals, help you to plan and schedule your classes, explain CCAC’s academic policy and refer you to other CCAC resources. CCAC provides both in-person and virtual academic advising services to meet your busy schedule. New students in career majors are assigned to work with an advisor who will help them reach their goals.
- Transfer Counselors support students who plan to transfer to four-year colleges and Universities to continue their education. Transfer Counselors help you to identify the college you plan to attend after CCAC, select the major you intend to pursue, and plan and schedule classes that are transferable to four-year colleges and universities. CCAC provides both in-person and virtual academic Transfer Counseling services to meet your busy schedule. New students in transfer majors are assigned to work with a Transfer Counselor who will help them reach their goals.
Pay for Classes
Log in to the Online Student Account Center to pay for your classes. Visit this page to see the payment due dates. You can also click to view the complete listing of tuition and fees.
CCAC Wild Cat Welcome Week
Wild Cat Welcome Week is our in-person student orientation. It is the best time to get familiar with your campus, learn about services available to you, and find out any information you are looking for.
If you have any questions or need help, please contact us for assistance.
Please note: If you choose to take Dual Enrollment courses in future semesters, you do not need to reapply.
Meet the Director of Dual Enrollment