Dual Credit Courses at PHS

Parkland students can earn college credits for taking certain courses while also fulfilling Parkland's graduation requirements. Credits earned can be applied to a degree from the colleges/universities with whom we have partnered and may also be considered for transfer to other institutions of higher learning. Most courses are taught at the high school by a Parkland teacher, though some are taught by a college professor on or off campus. Tuition fees vary by institution, and students and their families are responsible for all costs and any travel (for off campus offerings) associated with these courses. In addition, if a student is interested in transferring these credits to another institution of study, students and their families are responsible for contacting their schools of interest to determine if credits will be accepted at these schools.

Parkland High School students have several options for taking dual credit courses. A variety of courses can be taken through Lehigh Carbon Community College (LCCC), including classes in visual arts, math, world language, basic aviation, and criminal justice. In addition, students can take dual credit courses in Spanish, French, German, and Latin through Seton Hall University. Some of our Project Lead the Way (PLTW) courses afford students the chance to earn college credits at select post-secondary institutions; please check with your child's PLTW instructor(s) for more information.

Please note that dual enrollment is optional. Students are not required to do this and can still take the course offered at PHS.

Dual Credit Course Options

• Lehigh Carbon Community College (LCCC): LCCC Dual Credit Information
• Seton Hall University: Seton Hall Dual Credit Information
• Penn State Lehigh Valley: Penn State Dual Credit Information
• Kutztown University: KU Early College Academy Information
• Cedar Crest College: Cedar Crest Early College and Dual Credit Information
• Project Lead the Way (PLTW): Some PLTW courses allow students to earn college credits at select post-secondary institutions; please check with your child's PLTW instructor(s) for more information.
• To see some course offerings, please visit this page in our digital coursebook: PHS Early College Opportunities

Early College Opportunity at LCCC

Waive Junior and/or Senior Years to Attend LCCC Full Time

In partnership with Lehigh Carbon Community College (LCCC), Parkland High School juniors and seniors may participate in Early College at LCCC. The options available include:

• Option 1: Attending LCCC in lieu of Parkland High School for BOTH junior and senior years.
• Option 2: Attending LCCC in lieu of Parkland High School for senior year only.

Students who are accepted will complete their studies at LCCC’s Main Campus in Schnecksville. For students attending both junior and senior years, they will have the opportunity to earn an Associate's Degree. Seniors will get a head start on earning college credits while still in high school. These credits are often transferable to four-year colleges affiliated with Pennsylvania’s Schools of Higher Education.

For more information about the LCCC Early College program, visit: Early College at LCCC.

Enrollment Process

To enroll in the Early College program, students must:

1. Complete an application with Parkland High School. This application will be available at the beginning of the course registration process.
2. Apply to LCCC: How to become a student at LCCC.

Responsibilities

• Costs: Parents are responsible for their child’s travel to and from LCCC and for covering all costs associated with participation, including tuition and textbooks. For more information on tuition costs, visit: LCCC Tuition Fees.
• Technology: Students accepted into the program are responsible for any and all technology requirements as per LCCC. Parkland School District-issued Chromebooks will not be provided to students participating in this program.

Academic Requirements

• Students must maintain a 2.5 GPA to remain in the program.
• For students attending both junior and senior years, they will follow LCCC’s prescribed program of studies, which will align with an Associate’s Degree Program.
• For students attending senior year only, they will work with their Parkland Guidance Counselor to ensure that Parkland High School’s graduation requirements are fulfilled through LCCC course selection, including English Literature, English Composition, Economics, Government, and PE.
• Students must provide their PHS Guidance Counselor with their LCCC final grades upon completion of each semester.

Students interested in this program may access the application on Parkland High School’s website when the course selection process begins in January. Completion of this application will be used to determine eligibility for the program.

Additional Information

• Contact Information: To learn more about the Early College options at LCCC, students should contact Mr. Brandon Kwiatek, LCCC’s Executive Director of High School Connections & Early College Enrollment Management.
  • Email: bkwiatek@lccc.edu
  • Phone: 610-799-1120
• Eligibility: Student eligibility will be determined based on academic, attendance, and discipline history while at Parkland High School.
• Approval & Acceptance: Students must receive approval from Parkland High School and must be accepted for enrollment into LCCC to participate in this program.

The Kutztown Early College Academy is a dual enrollment program designed for high school students, typically seniors, who want to gain a head start on their college education. The academy offers a unique opportunity for students to experience college life firsthand by taking classes on the Kutztown University campus.

Students in the program attend classes for a portion of the school week, allowing them to earn up to 12 college credits in one academic year—equivalent to a full-time college semester. These credits count towards a degree at Kutztown University or can be transferred to another institution.

The program offers multiple tracks, including an Education Track and an Exploratory Studies Track, allowing students to align their coursework with their interests. Students in the academy receive a reduced tuition rate, a waived application fee, and access to campus resources such as the library and makerspace. The goal of the program is to increase student confidence in college-level coursework and provide a smooth transition from high school to university life.

Early College Academy 2026 - 2027 Information

KU Early College Academy Timeline for the 2026 - 2027 Academic Year

Early College Academy for Education Course Descriptions

Dreaming of Being a Teacher - Explore KU's Early College Academy for Education

Early College Academy for Exploratory Studies Course Descriptions

Begin your Career Here - Explore KU's Early College Academy for Exploratory Studies

For complete details, please visit:   https://www.kutztown.edu/admissions/apply/first-year-students/early-college-academy.html   

Part-Time College Courses 

Several local colleges and universities offer high achieving juniors and/or seniors the opportunity to enroll on a part-time basis, allowing them to take college courses independent of their high school transcript. These courses will not impact the student’s eligibility for graduation from Parkland High School and provide an excellent chance for juniors and/or seniors to acclimate to college-level work while transitioning from high school to college. Eligible juniors and/or seniors can take one or more college courses during their junior and/or senior year while still attending Parkland High School.

Options for Part-Time Enrollment:

• Juniors and/or seniors may split their day between the college/university campus and the high school, either in the morning or afternoon.
• Students may also take college courses after school hours (e.g., after school, on weekends), if available.

Steps to Enroll in Part-Time College Courses:

1. Discuss with Guidance Counselor: Students interested in this option should talk to their guidance counselor during the course registration process in the spring of their junior year.
2. Complete the PHS Dual Credit/Early College Application. Once you have been accepted into Parkland High School Dual Credit Early College Opportunity Program, you will receive a confirmation email to continue to the next step. This letter should be submitted at least six months prior to the start of the fall semester of their senior year.
3. Provide Proof of Acceptance: Along with the letter, students must provide proof of acceptance for early admission to the college or university they wish to attend.

Additional Information:

• All requests will be closely reviewed, and final approval is at the discretion of Mrs. Plattner.
• Students are responsible for providing their guidance counselor with their college transcripts to attend college on a part-time basis.
• Costs: Transportation costs, tuition, and other fees are the responsibility of the student and their family.

Lehigh University: 

Lehigh University High School Honors Program

Program Overview

The High School Scholars program provides the opportunity for high school seniors in public schools in Northampton and Lehigh counties* to apply for the opportunity to take one course, up to 4 credit hours, at Lehigh without any tuition responsibility during the fall or spring semesters. Students are still responsible for any corresponding costs to participation (books, parking, course fees, etc.) Students are able to enroll in a second course, but are responsible for the full tuition cost of that course. 

High school students seeking to take a summer course at Lehigh will need to follow the process outlined by the Registrar's Office. The High School Scholars program is not available for summer courses.