Dual Credit FAQs

Running Start is a dual credit program through which students enroll in college courses at a community or technical college or public, four-year university. The course is taught by college faculty. Students earn college and high school credit when they complete the course. The credit and grades students earn will be transcribed on their permanent college transcript. All of Washington’s public four-year colleges and universities accept Running Start credit.

The Running Start program is offered at

• Washington State University (Pullman and Tri-Cities Campuses)
• Central Washington University
• Eastern Washington University

It is also offered through dozens of other community, technical, and Tribal public colleges throughout the state.

Where the course is offered. Running Start is taught on a college campus in-person or online. CiHS is taught or delivered (if online) on a high school campus or through an approved online school.

Who teaches the course(s). Running Start courses are taught by college faculty. CiHS courses are taught by a college-approved high school teacher.

Who is eligible to enroll in the course. Students in the 9th, 10th, 11th or 12th grades are eligible to enroll in CiHS while only students who have successfully completed the 10th grade are eligible to enroll in Running Start.

Credit transcription: Students may take CiHS courses for high school credit without enrolling in the corresponding college class to earn the college credit. They may choose whether or not they wish to establish a college transcript through CiHS. On the other hand, enrollment in Running Start requires students to take courses for both high school and college credit and automatically establishes a college transcript.

Running Start is dual credit. Students enroll in college courses at a community or technical college or public, four-year university. Students earn college and high school credit when they complete the course. The credit and grades students earn will be transcribed on their permanent college transcript.

Dual enrollment, in Washington, is generally defined as a student enrolled concurrently in two different institutions of higher education.

Maybe. Running Start courses are taught on a college campus but may also be offered online or in formats that require a mix of on-campus and online learning. Travel may be required of students to attend the course on the college campus.

The entire college catalog is available to Running Start students if they have met any enrollment requirements or specific course prerequisites that the college requires of all students. Students should work closely with high school and college counselors/advisors, however, to ensure that their chosen courses align with their graduation requirements, High School and Beyond Plans, or education and career goals, as appropriate. Running Start courses may include both academic and professional-technical courses.

Running Start students may enroll tuition-free for a maximum of 21 college credits per college term but are limited to a combined 1.40 FTE when enrolled in both high school and Running Start courses. When a Running Start student seeks more credits, colleges should charge appropriate per-credit rates for any credits beyond the 21-credit maximum or beyond 1.40 FTE, up to the maximum credits allowed for all enrolled students by institutional policy

CiHS is a program in which an eligible, college-approved high school teacher offers a college course on a high school campus or in a high school environment, and in which eligible high school students are given the opportunity to earn high school credit to be awarded by a district, charter school, or Tribal compact school and college credit awarded by the participating college.

The following map lists the more than 260 high schools across the state that offer CiHS programs.

View map

Students must meet any course prerequisites or other requirements established by the college to ensure student readiness and must be considered a 9th, 10th, 11th, or 12th grade student per school district grade placement policy. Students wishing to earn the available college credit associated with a CiHS course must also officially enroll in the college course within stated deadlines.

Yes. Eligible students can enroll in as many CiHS courses as they choose, within institutional credit limit policies. Most colleges have credit limit policies that apply to all students, whether they are attending the college or not. Students should take into consideration their overall course load and available time to complete challenging, college-level coursework when they consider enrollment in CiHS. Students are strongly encouraged to connect with the colleges to learn more.

Yes. Students are not required to register for college credit in a CiHS course. Registering for college credit is optional, so a student could take a CiHS course for high school credit only.

Public high school students enrolled for CiHS college credit at eligible institutions of higher education are enrolled at no cost to the student. There may be fees associated for students who are enrolled in a private high school or who enroll in a CiHS course offered by an out-of-state or private institution.

Students do not have to pay fees or claim college credit to meet this pathway, but they must meet the state or local program criteria requirements.

No. College in the High School courses are taught on a high school campus.

College preparatory programs with exams, in Washington, are defined as high school courses for which students may earn college credit with qualifying scores on recognized standardized exams, such as Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, and Cambridge International exams.

Yes. With the exception of AP world language and culture courses, which may be offered in 8th grade, students enrolled in grades 9-12 are eligible to participate in Cambridge International and Advanced Placement. Students in grades 11-12 are eligible to participate in the International Baccalaureate’s Diploma Programme.

Yes. Students can participate in more than one CPPE program if offered by a high school. High schools and districts determine what programs to offer and are responsible for student placement in courses and programs. It should be noted that taking more courses does not mean a student is performing “better.”

When a student completes an assessment from a CPPE provider, the national or international organization offering the program creates an official transcript. The transcript is an official copy of a student’s assessment results. The student then requests that the organization send the transcript directly to an institution of higher education.

Credit awarded for exam scores varies by institution of higher education. The type and amount of credit awarded is based on the learning outcomes of the course or program and the exam score and is determined by faculty in the relevant discipline.

In Washington, all public higher education institutions are to establish a coordinated, evidence-based policy for granting as many undergraduate college credits as possible and appropriate to students who have earned the following minimum exam scores:

• 3 or higher on AP exams
• 4 or higher on standard level and higher-level IB exams
• E(e) or higher on A- and AS-level Cambridge International exams

Yes. Dual credit is an opportunity for growth and exploration. Dual credit programs provide students with an introduction to college including coursework, study habits, college culture, course content and expectations. College requires preparation, commitment and organization. Dual credit programs offer a bridge between K-12 and higher education that gives students a strong start in their first year of college. Participating in dual credit also provides students with an opportunity to explore their educational and career options.

The primary value is exposure, experience, exploration and preparation for college. Advanced courses are a way students can explore the intersection of their academic and personal interests, begin to prepare for life after high school, and develop a sense of self.

The student costs associated with CPPE differ by each program as well as by school and/or district. Advanced Placement students do not pay any costs associated with completing AP coursework. Students may be required to pay for the cost of each AP exam. Fees may be reduced and subsidized for eligible students from low-income families.

Cambridge International students, similar to AP, do not pay any costs associated with taking a Cambridge International class. If a student chooses to take an exam or earn an Advanced Certificate of International Education, fees are incurred.

International Baccalaureate students pay an exam fee.