Overview

Many FCPS students wish to experience a course on a college campus before completing high school. They find that taking a course on a college campus while in high school (concurrent enrollment) prepares them to transition to college.

Credits

High school students can take a college course for either:

• College credit.
• Both high school and college credit.

Earning High School Credit

To get high school credit you must get permission from your high school before enrolling in the college course.

• Courses will only transfer back to the FCPS transcript if fulfilling a graduation requirement.
• Concurrent courses with a DE designation will have a 1.0 weight consistent with other college level courses.
• To receive DE credit on the FCPS transcript, the course must exist as as DE course. FCPS does not create new course codes for courses not currently approved as DE.
• Use the list of FCPS Courses and Concurrent College Equivalents below to sign up for an approved course to transfer back to the FCPS transcript.
• If a concurrent course does not have a DE designation, the course will not be weighted on the FCPS transcript
• Students should be prepared to send a NOVA transcript with any of their college applications.

College courses taken for high school credit must meet Virginia Department of Education guidelines including:

• The college must accept the student for admission to the course or courses.
• The course or courses must be a degree credit(s) (remedial courses will not be accepted).

Scroll down for a list of reviewed college courses that are aligned to FCPS high school credits.

Students planning to use these courses to meet requirements at  Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) should meet with a NOVA academic advisor before enrolling in the course.

NOVA has transfer agreements  with many four-year colleges and universities. Review these agreements if you are planning on transferring college credits.

Fees

• Tuition and fees are required for concurrent enrollment.
• Individual colleges and universities set the cost for their courses.
• Tuition is paid to the college or university by the student and family.
• FCPS is not responsible for any cost when a student takes classes through concurrent enrollment.

Procedures

Taking a course for college credit only

• Review and follow the steps outlined on NOVA’s Independent Dual Enrollment Procedures Checklist .
• Complete the NOVA Independent Dual Enrollment Registration Form (PDF)
  • This is a NOVA required form.
  • This form requires the principal and school counselor signature.
• Students email the completed and signed NOVA Independent Dual Enrollment Registration Form to [email protected] .
• These courses will not appear on high school transcript. Students will be responsible for providing a NOVA transcript directly to universities and college when applying.

Requesting both college and high school credit

• Courses aligned with FCPS curriculum may qualify for high school credit with prior approval.
  • Before enrolling at NOVA, students should submit the Request to Earn High School Credit from Programs Outside of Fairfax County Public Schools form to their school counselor.
• When enrolling at NOVA, make sure to complete NOVA Independent Dual Enrollment Registration Form (PDF) .
  • This form requires the principal and school counselor signature.
• Once the course(s) is completed, students must submit a NOVA transcript to the high school counselor to be awarded high school credit.

FCPS Courses and Concurrent College Equivalents

College Acronyms

• JMU- James Madison University
• LU- Longwood University
• NOVA- Northern Virginia Community College

Note:Tuition is required for concurrent enrollment.

Looking for information about Dual Enrollment?