OCCC Early Start 

What Is the OCCC Early Start Program?

The OCCC-OKCPS Early Start Program is designed to facilitate completion of an Associate’s Degree while enrolled in high school. Students will take high school courses while concurrently enrolled in college courses that will count for dual credit towards completing high school graduation requirements. The program is geared towards students who want to get ahead in their college degree programs; however, students who do not intend to attend a four-year institute but have the aptitude and desire the rigor of a college program may also participate in the program.

How long does it take?

On average, an OCCC Associate’s degree takes 61 -  62 hours.This equates to approximately 15 hours/year over the course of a high school student’s experience. Please note that one college course typically equates to 3 hours of credit. For HS scheduling purposes, one HS course is like a 3-hour college course so a student’s schedule for 6 periods is like an 18-hour college load. Concurrent students can only take 18 hours per year unless approved by the institution.

What degree programs are offered through the OCCC Early Start program?

The two initial programs OKC will outline through OCCC are selected from programs of study in which most OCCC concurrent students participate. Please see links below for more information on these programs and the OCCC Course Catalog that outlines all degree programs.

• Diversified Studies

• Liberal Studies

• OCCC Course Catalog

How many courses will a student have to take each semester/year to complete the Associate’s Degree?

To facilitate completion of the Associates in four years and completion of HS requirements, students will take a schedule similar to the following:

• 9th grade - 1 classes per semester (6 hours)

• 10th grade - 2 classes per semester (12 hours)

• 11th grade - 3 classes per semester (18  hours)

• 12th grade - 3 classes per semester (18 hours)

• Students may have to take summer courses to complete the degree if HS schedules won’t allow for completion in 4 years.

What specific courses will students need to take or will they be able to choose any course they want?

OKCPS is creating a course crosswalk that outlines which concurrent courses a student will need to take at each grade level. The college courses will be selected to meet high school courses for dual credit to keep the student on track for graduation. Example courses may include but are not limited to:

• OK History 

• English Comp I 

• English Comp II

• American Federal Government

• US History Since 1877

• Intro to Computer Applications

OKCPS has already created and approved courses for dual elective credit. These courses can be found on the OKCPS Concurrent/Dual Elective Credit Form and is also available in the OKCPS Academic Planning Guide.

What courses cannot be taken through the OCCC Early Start program?

Students in the OCCC Early Start program cannot take remedial (or zero-level) courses or physical education. Students should not enroll in courses through the OCCC Early Start program without consulting with their HS Counselor.

How do OKCPS students qualify for the OCCC Early Start program?

OKCPS students participating in the initial pilot of OCCC Early Start program were selected on the basis of the following criteria:

• 8th Grade Students - Must have earned high school credit and received an A/B in each course obtaining a 3.0 GPA on their high school transcript.

• 9th Grade Students - Must have earned equal to or greater than a 3.0 GPA by the end of the first semester of 9th grade. This may include 8th grade courses already taken for high school credit.

How many students are required to offer a concurrent enrollment section on the high school campus?

Typically, the minimum course enrollment for an instructor to teach an off-site college course is 18. However, through the OCCC Early Start Program, 10 to 12 students will suffice to have an instructor teach a course on the high school campus. The goal for OKCPS is to enroll at least 12 to 15 students per section.

How much will participation in the OCCC Early Start program cost? 

Under the MOU between OCCC and OKCPS, the following costs have been outlined:

• OCCC - paying for tuition and fees for up to 6 hours for freshman; OKCPS will cover cost of books

• OCCC - paying for tuition and fees for up to 12 hours for sophomores; OKCPS will cover the cost of books

• Currently juniors and seniors receive tuition waivers from the Oklahoma State Regents for HIgher Education (OSRHE) up to 18 hours annually. OCCC will cover costs of fees for students in the program.

What high schools will participate in the OCCC Early Start  program?

The high schools that have the most number of students already qualified for the program will serve as initial pilot sites. These sites are:

• Southeast High School

• NW Classen HIgh School

• U.S. Grant High School

• Capitol Hill High School