Start earning college credits
Jump-start your college career with Penn State’s Dual Enrollment program. High school students can enroll as a college student to take on-campus classes taught by world-class faculty.
Credits earned can be applied towards a Penn State degree and are part of one transcript recognized at all Penn State campuses, or your Penn State Dual Enrollment credits may be transferred to another college or university.
What to expect as a Dual Enrollment student
- Complete college-required general education courses before high school graduation.
- Earn credits that can be applied to a Penn State degree at any Penn State campus.
- Receive a $65 Penn State application fee waiver for your campus of choice, including University Park.
- Experience college courses instructed by Penn State faculty.
- Use Penn State Shenango’s on-campus resources like tutoring, career services and academic advising, Penn State’s library system and flex study and technology spaces.
Apply for Penn State's Dual Enrollment program
Download the application and daytime suggested schedule for high school students. Once your application is complete, return the form to an admissions counselor on campus or by emailing it to [email protected].
Application submission checklist
- Completed Dual Enrollment Terms and Conditions sheet
- Completed Undergraduate Nondegree Enrollment Form (attached in Dual Enrollment application download)
- An official high school academic transcript sent from the school's guidance office
- Review the Dual Enrollment Suggested Schedule
Submit your completed Dual Enrollment application to Penn State Shenango's Admissions office in-person, by mail, or by email at [email protected].
Once your application has been approved, Penn State Shenango's Academic and Career Planning Services office will schedule an appointment with you to review your high school plans, college and career goals, help you schedule your classes, and invite you to orientation before classes begin.
PACPSL Compliance Statement
Annually, over 600 high school students schedule college courses from a multitude of disciplines at Penn State campuses. Per recent changes to the Pennsylvania Child Protective Services Law (PACPSL), Penn State Shenango will continue to provide courses for qualified dual enrolled students, fully compliant with the required background checking requirements listed below:
Faculty who teach classes in which dual enrolled students under the age of 18 are registered, as well as staff who provide professional or support services, such as advising, counseling, or tutoring and students who serve in peer roles such as advising, mentoring, or tutoring to these students, are required by State law to have the following three clearances: Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Background Check (SP4-164), Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance Form (CY-113) and Federal (FBI) Fingerprint Criminal Background Check (Criminal History Report). Effective January 1, 2016, all individuals (current employees and new hires) interacting with dual enrolled students under the age of 18 are required to have valid clearances in place.
In order to ensure compliance in all future semesters, Penn State Shenango will identify sections of courses that typically enroll the most high school students and can confirm that faculty teaching these courses have completed the required background checks. This course list will be shared with current and future dual enrolled students through their guidance counselors and academic advisers and through print and web information. In addition, staff and students who provide services such as academic advising, tutoring and mentoring will be required to complete the three required background checks. Questions regarding Penn State Shenango compliance with PACPSL can be directed to Elaine Andrews, Assistant Director of Academic Affairs, 724-983-2827.
