CTE Articulation

What is Articulation Credit by Exam?

Course alignment between high school and community college courses
Requires a written agreement between high school and community college
Courses are evaluated by college faculty annually
Credit by examination process - students need to pass both the course and the final assessment in order to receive credit
Students can earn college credit by successfully completing aligned high school course
Courses are taught by high school teachers on high school campuses
No cost to student

Why Consider Articulation?

Everything can be done on high school campus
No additional cost to student
Most courses are transferable to 4-year colleges and universities. Please check the Palomar Course Catalog for transferability for your specific course. Note: Private universities vary, check with the specific institution.
Easy way to earn free college credit for courses student is taking in high school
There is no penalty for an attempted course on college transcripts

How Do I Receive Articulated Credit?

Enroll in a SMHS articulated course in SMUSD
See your teacher or Mrs. Simpson for specific instructions on how to receive credit
Complete the community college application
Register in your teacher's class through CATEMA (Career and Technical Education Management Application)
Receive a grade of B or better in the course AND on the final assessment in order to receive credit
Request to have your transcript sent to the college or university you attend.

Articulation and College Application reporting

The guidance regarding how to list articulated credit on college applications comes from the CSU Chancellor's Office and UC Office of the President. Please note: students should not list both the high school and MiraCosta course, as this artificially inflates A-G completion and GPA.

ONLY LIST THE HIGH SCHOOL COURSE. Do not list the MiraCosta course as "In Progress" or "Planned," as you don't know if you will earn the credit if you are currently enrolled in the course. Listing a course and then not earning the credit can be grounds for a university to revoke their offer of admission. If an application has space for you to provide any additional information, you can state that the courses are articulated, and you might earn college credit by exam. Reminder: MiraCosta transcripts the exam grade, not the grade you earned in the course.