What is the EARLY COLLEGE CREDIT PROGRAM?

The Early College Credit Program at UW-Parkside is a flexible and affordable opportunity that helps public and private Wisconsin High School students get a head start on college. Students enrolled in this program can get a head start by earning up to 18 college credits, or a semesters worth while they are still enrolled in high school. UW-Parkside offers online, hybrid, and in-person classes during the Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters to be flexible with students high school schedule. The cost of this program is split between the school district and the local high school, leaving little to no cost for the student. 

 

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Enrolling in ECCP and other dual enrollment programs increases your access to higher education, shortens the time to achieve a degree, lowers the cost of college for you, and improves high school college relationships. Students who enroll in dual credit courses will accelerate their progress towards a degree, certificate, or specialized training. We understand that college may not be everyone's first pathway after high school graduation, however, ECCP students are able to get a taste of what college is like while earning credits to use towards any type of post-secondary education (degrees, certificates, specialized training) that is at little to no cost.  

UW-Parkside's flexible and affordable class options make it possible to build into students' high school schedules. Due to the University offering online, summer, and evening classes, students involved in extracurricular activities at their high school like student government, sports, or working part-time jobs, are still able to be successful in earning college credits at a low to free rate. 

Students that take two or more classes at UW-Parkside and earn a 2.33 GPA or higher in the courses, are guaranteed admissions to the University. Ranger Guaranteed eliminates students from needing to reapply. In addition, due to students already taking courses and having credits from UW-Parkside they will be ahead of the game with a high probability of graduating or graduating early, saving time and money. Students that earn college credits in high school are more likely to continue their education to earn a degree, certificate, or specialized training to begin their career sooner.  

Any full or part time high school students enrolled in a Wisconsin public, private, or charter school in grades 9-12 and:

  • In good academic standing with a recommended GPA of 2.5 (but we encourage all to apply!)
  • On track to graduate high school in four years
  • Hasn't already earned 18 credits and is not enrolled in Start College Now

In the ECCP Program, students can expect UW-Parkside to deliver on its mission of committing "to high-quality educational programs, creative and scholarly activities, and services responsive to its diverse student population, and its local, national, and global communities." Students will grow not only as students but as people, better preparing them for future life and college endeavors.

step 1

Complete the UW System ECCP Participation Form and submit to your school counselor for approval. You must complete this form every time you plan to participate in the program.

You can view a list of our recommended courses here.

Classes are not guaranteed. 
It is recommended to select 3-4 class option as some might be full.

Spring Enrollment: October 1st   

Summer Enrollment: February 1st  

Fall Enrollment: March 1st  

step 2

Apply online each semester at apply.wisconsin.edu

  • Create an account and select UW-Parkside
  • Select no for degree seeking
  • Select Undergraduate Special as reason for applying
  • Select Early College Credit Program (ECCP) as applying
  • Complete the application and submit

Spring Enrollment: January 15th  

Summer Enrollment: April 15th  

Fall Enrollment: August 15th  

step 3

Submit an Unofficial or Official High School Transcript as well as any AP Scores if they are related to your approved courses.

Students with a 2.5 GPA should apply but we encourage all students interested to submit an application!

step 4

Account Activation & Orientation Registration

After applying refer to your account activation email to login and activate your account with your PIN number. Once your account is set up and you've finished the steps above, all first-time ECCP students must attend a mandatory Early College Credit Program Orientation and Registration session. Returning ECCP students will be able to register virtually with an Advisor.

  • Sign up for orientation. There is only one orientation session - you register for classes at this session. Date and time information is to you sent by email.

 

UW-Parkside offers all of our undergraduate courses to ECCP students, but there may be pre-requisites or additioanl requirements needed to enroll in certain courses. We recommend putting down a back-up course or two in case one of your courses fills up to max capacity. If you're not sure of what classes to take, we would highly encourage taking a look at our Recommended Courses list here.

Have you finished submitting your ECCP documents and been admitted for the semester? Congratulations on joining the UW-Parkside community! You can learn how to register for your ECCP Orientation here, which is also where you will register for your ECCP classes.

ECCP Orientation

Experience Parkside Day provides prospective students (primarily high school seniors) and their family/guests the opportunity to learn more about UW-Parkside and all that we have to offer. Learn more about many aspects of campus including student services, academic majors, and campus life. Throughout the day, you'll participate in various workshops and sessions following a “choose your own adventure” style agenda.

Check-in begins at 9 am. Visit concludes by 2 pm.

View Sample Schedule Here

We really think that you are going to love Parkside!

Attending a Ranger Saturday is the perfect way for prospective students and their families to get an introductory look at Parkside. The visit features a presentation on our admissions process, academic offerings, tour of campus, and student panel.

Check-in begins at 8:30 am and program starts at 9 am. Visit concludes by 12 pm. View a sample schedule.

Go to the Visit and Admissions Events page to see when the next Ranger Saturday is scheduled and register.

Visiting in person can be one of the best ways to make your college decision and our goal is to provide you with the best visit experience possible!

SIGN UP NOW

 

Questions?

General Program, Application Process, Admissions Info, Orientation, and Course Registration
eccp@uwp.edu  |  262-595-2355

 

The ECCP program at UW-Parkside is flexible due to the university offering online, evening, and summer classes. You can create your own schedule that works best for your high school classes, sports, and extra curriculars.   

We understand that taking college credits ontop of your high school schedule can be a lot to balance. As long as you drop the course(s) before the last day to drop (typically 3rd week of classes), you will not be responsible for the course(s). We ask that if you drop a course, you let your professor know and send an email to eccp@uwp.edu. 

At UW-Parkside, we partner with various high schools in the Wisconsin area that participate in the Parkside Access to College Credit (PACC). PACC is an equitable concurrent enrollment program. Concurrent enrollment refers to programs that enable you to enroll in courses that earn both high school and college credit, taught by university-authorized high school teachers at the high school during the regular school day. High school juniors and seniors, (sophomores by exception) in good academic standing, and on track to graduate in four years are eligible to participate in PACC. 

The High School Special Program at UW-Parkside is a flexible and affordable opportunity that helps any high school student earn college credit. Students that have already earned the 18 credit limit through the Early College Credit Program or are home schooled, are highly encouraged to continue to earn college credits through the High School Special Program. The cost of this program is the responsibility of the student and their family. 

Under ECCP, the costs of the courses are shared among the university you choose, the school district or private school, the state, and in some cases the student’s family. The district, typically, covers the cost of books and required class materials (i.e. lab googles). 

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