About Concurrent Enrollment
Student Eligibility
- Students are in 9, 10, 11, or 12 grade
- A high school grade point average (GPA) which predicts success (generally considered to be a "B" grade point average (3.0) or higher)
- Approval of high school counselors is required if the student's current high school GPA is below 3.0
- Appropriate placement assessments for courses such as mathematics and English
- Completion of Secondary Math I, II, and III with a "C" average or better course grade in all three classes to enroll in a CE mathematics course
- Completion of institutionally established prerequisites for a course
- Home schooled students are not eligible to enroll in CE courses. These students may enroll part-time in the local high school they would attend and enroll in CE courses provided they meet the LEA rules and requirements that apply to full-time students who participate in CE. They must have a parent affidavit (Utah Code section 53G-6-703) on file to participate in concurrent enrollment.
CE or AP: What’s the Difference?
| Difference | Concurrent Enrollment (CE) | Advanced Placement (AP) | Undergraduate (USU) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | $5 per credit ($15-20) Additional textbook and course fees may be required. | $99 per test | Approximately $1,630 tuition and student fees (3 credit course). Additional textbook and course fees may be required. |
| Pass Rate | 97% earn a passing grade. Students earn college credit by passing the course | 70% earn a passing score of 3 or higher. Students earn college credit by passing the AP test. | 94% earn a passing grade |
| Time Commitment | For most CE course, one semester or trimester is required | For most AP course, one full school year is required | Varies, usually one semester is required |
| Rigor | Both AP and CE are designed to award college credit for similar classes | College course | |
| Teacher Qualifications | CE instructors must possess the academic and industry credentials required by USU academic departments for adjunct faculty | AP instructors must meet requirements established by the College Board | USU instructors must possess the academic and industry credentials required by USU academic departments for faculty |
| Transfer | Accepted at all Utah public schools and most public out-of-state schools. Check with specific institutions for course transferability and applicability. | Accepted at most out-of-state public and private schools. Check with specific institutions for course transferability and applicability. | Accepted at all Utah public schools and most public out-of-state schools. Check with specific institutions for course transferability and applicability. |
USHE/USBE Concurrent Enrollment Summary Data 2024-2025 Year
How does it work?
Students are admitted at both the high school and at USU.Students register each semester or trimester at both the high school and at USU. Each course costs $5/credit and this amount is paid directly to USU; textbooks and course materials are extra.
In person courses are taught at the high school by high school paid instructors who are qualified to teach the course for both high school and Utah State University credit.
Broadcast (Connect) Courses
Broadcast (Connect) courses are taught by USU-paid instructors teaching from a USU location and broadcast to high schools across the state. Because of this, these broadcast courses do not follow any particular high school's bell schedule. High school administrators who have students taking broadcast courses must understand that students may need to leave their other courses early or arrive late in order to participate in USU's broadcast courses. Only high schools who can help accommodate their students in doing this should participate in broadcast courses. With the exception of STAT 1040, USU's statewide broadcast courses are taught 4 days a week for 12 weeks (a trimester schedule).After the course is completed, the broadcast instructor enters the final grade in the university database (Banner). This grade is then reflected on the Utah State University transcript. The high school registrar must enter the same grade on the high school transcript. All Utah public universities and colleges accept the concurrent enrollment credit.
Who can teach a CE course?
Either a high school or USU paid instructor who meets USU's qualifications - generally a Master's degree in the subject matter.
When are CE courses offered?
CE courses are offered during the regular high school day.
Where are CE courses offered?
CE courses are most often offered either face to face at the high school or via Interactive Video Conferencing (IVC) received at the high school.
What are General Education Credits?
General Education (or Gen Ed for short) is required curriculum that makes up the foundation of an undergraduate degree. The courses teach students how to communicate effectively, utilize quantitative methods, make appropriate use of technology, function effectively in groups, and introduce students to the nature, history, and methods of different disciplines. The designations used for General Education courses are indicated in the course title and description. Concurrent Enrollment students are encouraged to take as many Gen Ed courses as possible while in high school, so they can focus on courses in their major when they begin college.General Education requirements consist of 27 credits from the following course categories:
Breadth Courses
- American Institutions, BAI
- Creative Arts, BCA
- Humanities, BHU
- Life Sciences, BLS
- Physical Sciences, BPS
- Social Sciences, BSS
Core Courses
- Communications Literacy, CL1 and CL2
- Quantitative Literacy, QL
The complete list of General Education requirements are available in the university Catalog.