Connecticut State Community College (CT State) is expanding access to its dual enrollment program, enabling high school students to earn college credits while still in high school. This initiative aims to give students a head start on their college education, saving both time and money, while setting them up for future academic and career success.
Currently, CT State serves 30% of all dual enrollment students across Connecticut, with 181 high schools participating in the program. Over the past two years, nearly 10,000 students have earned a total of 42,814 college credit hours through CT State’s dual enrollment efforts.
Two Pathways to College Credit
CT State’s dual enrollment program offers two primary pathways:
• Concurrent Enrollment: College courses taught at the high school by qualified high school teachers.
• Dual Enrollment: High school students take college-level courses taught by CT State faculty, either on campus or online.
These pathways allow students to earn college credits and access CT State resources, helping them build a strong foundation for success in higher education and beyond.
Expanding to Ninth Graders
In an effort to further increase access, CT State is working to expand the program to include ninth-grade students, offering even more opportunities for students to begin their college education early. Under current policies, juniors and seniors who meet academic eligibility requirements can take courses free of charge.
Commitment to Student Success
CT State President O. John Maduko, M.D., emphasized the importance of dual enrollment in preparing students for future success. “Dual enrollment offers high school students a remarkable opportunity to start their college journey while also connecting them directly to CT State’s free tuition program,” said Maduko. “These partnerships are invaluable, helping students save time and money while ensuring they are better prepared for higher education.”
Strengthening Partnerships with High Schools
CT State has worked to strengthen its connections with high schools, holding summits last fall to discuss strategies for increasing student participation. Discussions also focused on building partnerships in key fields such as health care, manufacturing, information technology/computer science, education, and business.
Proven Benefits for Students
Research consistently shows that students who participate in dual enrollment are more likely to attend college immediately after high school, graduate on time, and complete their degrees with less debt. By earning college credits early, students can shorten the time it takes to earn their degree, reducing both cost and financial burden.
For more information on CT State’s dual enrollment program, visit ctstate.edu/earlycollege.
About CT State
Following the merger of the 12 Connecticut community colleges on July 1, 2023, CT State Community College has become the largest community college in the Northeast and sixth largest in the nation, serving close to 70,000 students annually. As Connecticut’s largest and most affordable college, CT State is committed to providing accessible, high-quality education in a supportive and inclusive learning environment. Students benefit from a streamlined financial aid process, applying once to take classes at any of the CT State campuses, which include Asnuntuck (Enfield), Capital (Hartford), Gateway (New Haven and North Haven), Housatonic (Bridgeport), Manchester, Middlesex (Middletown and Meriden), Naugatuck Valley (Waterbury and Danbury), Northwestern (Winsted), Norwalk, Quinebaug Valley (Danielson and Willimantic), Three Rivers (Norwich), and Tunxis (Farmington and Bristol). CT State’s college office is located in New Britain. Visit ctstate.edu for more information.
