Dual Credit Enrollment

Rising Scholars

ACU's Dual Credit Enrollment is a premium online dual enrollment experience that allows high school students to take ACU courses designed specifically for them and earn real college credit while still in high school. Through Rising Scholars Dual Credit, students can get a head start on college, explore academic interests and experience the expectations of college-level coursework in a flexible online format.

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Who Is Dual Credit Enrollment For?

Rising Scholars Dual Credit is designed for motivated high school students who are ready for college-level learning.

Eligible students typically include:

  • High school students in grades 10-12
  • Incoming college freshmen
  • Students seeking dual credit (college credit that may also count toward high school graduation, with school approval)

Incoming college freshmen are welcome to take dual enrollment courses during the summer before their first semester of college. Once enrolled full-time in the fall, students transition out of the program.

Students earn official ACU college credit that appears on an ACU transcript and is typically transferable to other colleges and universities.

All courses are offered 100% online, allowing students to balance high school responsibilities, extracurriculars and personal commitments.

ACU’s dual credit courses are offered at a significantly reduced tuition rate of $495 per 3-credit-hour course, making it a cost-effective way to begin earning college credit.

View How Dual Credit Enrollment Works for the full breakdown.

Why Enroll in Rising Scholars Online?

Not all dual enrollment programs are created equal. ACU Rising Scholars Dual Credit is intentionally designed for high school learners and delivered with the care, quality and engagement you expect from Abilene Christian University.

Courses Designed for High School Students

Our online courses are built specifically for high school learners. Each course is:

  • Highly interactive and media-rich
  • Designed using Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles
  • Grounded in challenge-based learning that promotes deep thinking, engagement and real-world application

This approach helps students stay motivated, supported and successful in a college-level environment.

Taught by Credentialed ACU Faculty

Every dual credit course is taught by a credentialed ACU instructor, not a graduate assistant or third-party provider.

  • Faculty are hand-selected to teach high school students
  • Instructors are experts in their fields and passionate educators
  • Students experience what it’s like to learn directly from institutional faculty

This means students are getting a real ACU college experience, not just earning credit.

Exceptional Care & Personalized Support

Unlike “set-it-and-forget-it” dual enrollment programs, ACU takes a hands-on, student-centered approach. We offer personalized support for:

  • Getting started in the learning management system
  • Understanding course expectations
  • Requesting transcripts or navigating academic processes
  • Exploring majors, college pathways and future goals

ACU Admission Advantage

Students who take at least 9 credit hours online through Rising Scholars Dual Enrollment and earn a minimum 3.0 GPA receive guaranteed admission and priority scholarship consideration when they apply to ACU as a new incoming student.

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Rising Scholars Online Courses

Below are the class offerings for the 2026-27 school year. All courses are 3 credit hours. We encourage you to consult your high school counselor to determine whether these early college courses may also count as dual credit toward your high school record.

Fall 2026

August 25 – December 14, 2026

PSYO 120 Introduction to Psychology
COMO 120 Introduction to Public Speaking
EXSO 201 Foundations of Exercise Science
ENGO 111 Composition and Rhetoric
HISO 221 American History I

 

Important Dates

August 18, 2026 Registration closes
August 25, 2026 First day of class
September 1, 2026 Add/drop period closes
December 14, 2026 Course end date

Spring 2027

January 12 – April 26, 2027

PSYO 120 Introduction to Psychology
COMO 120 Introduction to Public Speaking
ENGO 111 Composition and Rhetoric
ENGO 112 Composition and Researched Writing
GVTO 225 National Government
SPLD 201 Introduction to Sports Leadership

 

Important Dates

January 5, 2027 Registration closes
January 12, 2027 First day of class
January 19, 2027 Add/drop period closes
April 26, 2027 Course end date
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Ready to Get Started?

Complete the Rising Scholars Dual Credit Enrollment application at the button below.

For more information about the dual enrollment process, see our guide to How Rising Scholars Dual Credit Enrollment Works.

If you have questions, review our frequently asked questions, or contact risingscholars@acu.edu for additional guidance and support.

Apply to Rising Scholars Dual Credit