How to Earn College Credit
Earning college credit while in high school can help students prepare for the more academically rigorous classes they will need to take in college and potentially save some money. There are currently three ways to earn college credit in high school or before you have to take the college course.
AP Courses Links to an external site. | Advanced Placement (AP) courses are rigorous, college-level classes that student's can take at their high school. The subjects can vary, so San Marcos High School students should refer to the course catalog to see what is available. After completing the course, students can choose to take the AP exam that can, depending on their score, earn them college credits.
CLEP Links to an external site. | The College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) offers 33 exams that, with a passing score, can earn you college credit. CLEP exams are recommended for college students who have prior knowledge in that subject. For example, if you are a fluent Spanish speaker, you can take a CLEP exam and earn credit for the Spanish Language Levels 1 and 2 courses. Each institution will have their own CLEP policy, so it is recommended to contact your institution's testing center to get more information.
Dual Enrollment is a partnership between a high school and a community college to allow students to enroll into the community college and take courses while attending high school. It is important to note that dual enrollment does mean that the grades that students earn in these classes are officially part of their college transcript and their college GPA. San Marcos High School is currently in partnership with Austin Community College (ACC) and Coastal Bend College. To know if your dual enrollment classes will transfer to your four-year college, use the Texas Common Numbering System Links to an external site. to compare two school's courses. For example, you can compare the courses offered by Coastal Bend College to Sam Houston State University's courses to see which credits would transfer.
Course Hero Links to an external site.| While you are taking these college courses early, you can use Course Hero for studying assistance. Study guides and class notes are available for college courses from institutions across the country, so you are sure to find the best resource to match your learning style.