This Frequently Asked Questions page is designed to provide information about the WWUHS program to faculty, high school teachers, and administrators interested in learning more about the WWUHS program.
What is College in the High School?
College in the High School is one of the Dual-Credit programs offered to secondary students in Washington State to obtain credit through completion of college-level coursework. Eligible students are given the opportunity to earn high school credit, which is awarded by a district, charter school, or tribal compact school, and college credit awarded by WWU.
What are the Dual-Credit Programs in Washington?
The current dual-credit programs in Washington include Advanced Placement (AP), College in the High School, Running Start, Credit by Exam, CTE Dual Credit, International Baccalaureate (IB), and Cambridge Assessment International Education (CI).
For more information, review the resources on the Washington Student Achievement Council webpage on Dual Credit or the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction webpage on Dual Credit Programs.
What is the Difference Between College in the High School and Running Start?
College in the High School is taught on a high school campus by an eligible high school teacher. Running Start is taught on a college campus by a college faculty member.
What Institutions Currently offer College in the High School?
The Washington Student Achievement Council provides the updated list of state colleges and universities that offer College in the High School. Their current list is provided below:
Washington Reviewed College in the High School Programs
2023-24 School Year
NACEP Accredited
- Central Washington University
- Eastern Washington University
- Edmonds College
- Everett Community College
- Lewis-Clark State College
- University of Washington Seattle
- Wenatchee Valley College
- Whatcom Community College
Washington Reviewed and Approved
- Bellevue College
- Big Bend Community College
- Cascadia College
- Centralia College
- Clark College
- Gonzaga University
- Lower Columbia College
- North Seattle College
- Skagit Valley College
- South Puget Sound Community College
- Tacoma Community College
- Walla Walla Community College
Washington Student Achievement Council. (2023). Dual Credit. Washington Student Achievement Council. https://wsac.wa.gov/college-credit-high-school
How is a College in the High School Course Defined?
A College in the High School course is defined as one course taught by one high school teacher, under the supervision of a Western faculty coordinator.
Which students are eligible for College in the High School?
Per RCW 28A.600.290 and WAC 392-275-130, students must meet any course prerequisites or other requirements established by the college to ensure student readiness and must be considered a high school freshman, sophomore, junior or senior per school district policy.
How are College in the High School Programs Accredited?
College in the High School programs are accredited both through institutional accreditation and through the National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships (NACEP).
For more information, review the Accreditation page on the NACEP website.
Why is Western interested in College in the High School now?
College in the High School aligns with Western’s mission of enhancing inclusive student success. With the passing of SB 5048, which eliminated College in the High School course fees for students, the legislature has made college credit free to all students who successfully complete the course curriculum. Students who may not have seen themselves as having the ability to succeed in college now can complete college credit in the classroom with the support from their high school teachers.
Who Teaches College in the High School (CHS) Courses?
CHS courses must be taught by teachers meeting faculty appointment criteria established by the appropriate university department.
Are All High School Courses Eligible?
Academic departments make determinations about which courses are eligible for their curriculum, what the learning outcomes are, what the content is, and what the assessments and assignments are for each course. Only courses that are aligned with Western’s standards will be eligible for participation in the College in the High School program.
What are the required qualifications for high-school teachers to teach a WWU class?
This is determined by the department. Many will accept a combination of certification and teaching experience. This may be combined with a master’s degree in teaching. Others will require a discipline specific masters degree.
What is the typical workload for College in the High School?
High School teachers are trained and supported by WWU faculty coordinators on course curriculum, assessment criteria, course philosophy and CHS administrative requirements. Workload will depend on several factors such as the existing curricular alignment of the high-school curriculum with the WWU class. Faculty coordinators should expect to visit with the high school teacher during the year, or engage virtually, to see how the curriculum has been implemented. Faculty may also participate in an end of year debriefing or professional development program with the instructors.
How are instructors evaluated?
College in the High School instructors will be evaluated according to regular college faculty evaluation procedures, as established at the respective offering college/university, and may include site visits and on-going interactions that may address course content, course delivery, assessment, evaluation, and professional development in the field of study.
Are College in the High School courses transcribed by the offering college?
Yes. A student’s college transcript is created when the student registers for the WWU course. WWU credit and grades for the CHS course will be included on the student’s permanent college transcript and applied to the student’s grade point average.
What if a student enrolls in a course but wants to stop because they received a poor grade on their midterm?
College in the High School students are expected to follow the “drop” policies and deadlines of WWU as well as their own high school’s drop policy.
