Early College Credit Program

The Early College Credit program statute Wisconsin public and private high school students to take one or more courses at an institution of higher education for high school and/or college credit. Under this section, “institution of higher education” means an institution within the University of Wisconsin System, a tribally controlled college, or a private, nonprofit institution of higher education located in the state. Click here for more information.

Start College Now Program

The Start College Now Program will allow public and private high school students the opportunity to take college courses at Wisconsin Technical Colleges. Click here for more information.

Application Procedures

Application Deadlines

All students must submit application materials by the following dates.

• October 1 for spring semester request

• March 1 for fall semester request

Application Materials

All students must submit the following items to their School Counselor.

• Application Cover Sheet

• Early College Credit Program Application or Start College Now Program Application

• Copy of unofficial transcript

Notification

All students will be notified in writing of their approval or denial.

• No later than November 15 for spring semester request

• No later than May 15 for fall semester request

Contact your High School Counselor with any questions.

Work-based learning allows 12th grade students to earn credit for a paid work position. Students apply their communication and employability skills on the job and receive feedback from employers and teachers on their skill development. Students enrolled in this course will be eligible to receive an Employability Skills Certificate and possibly a Youth Apprenticeship Certificate.

• Employability Skills Certificate: The intent of the Wisconsin Employability Skills Certificate Program is to recognize a student’s mastery of employability skills valued by employers, to help students explore career interests, and to provide a state credential of student mastery. Employers assess student skills expected from quality employees. Students receive a certificate based on a minimum score on the employer rating rubric, as well as being required to complete 90 on-the-job paid work hours.

• Youth Apprenticeship Certificate: Wisconsin’s Youth Apprenticeship Certification Program is designed for high school students who want hands on learning in an occupational area at a worksite along with classroom instruction in their home high school. The Wisconsin Youth Apprenticeship program is a one or two-year program requiring paid work experience and related classroom instruction based on statewide, industry-developed skill standards. Each year of the program, students are required to complete two classes of technical-related to their position and 450 paid hours of job placement experience. Upon completion of each year in the program, students earn a Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development Certificate of Occupational Proficiency.

Students receive a grade based on the completion of weekly assignments, which include documenting hours worked. Students earn elective credits for paid work hours earned while enrolled in work-based learning:

• 0.5 credit: 5-9 hours per week or a minimum of 90 hours per semester

• 1.0 credit: 10-14 hours per week or a minimum of 180 hours per semester

1.50 credits: minimum of 270 hours per semester for students enrolled in the Department of Workforce Development Youth Apprenticeship Program listed on the DWD website:https://dwd.wisconsin.gov/apprenticeship/ya/ 

 Contact your school counselor with any questions and for application materials.