Making Sense of Dual Credit: Your Guide to Earning College Credit in High School
If you're in high school or the parent of someone who is, and you're hearing terms like Running Start, CTE Dual Credit, College in the High School, or AP classes -- it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.
Dual credit means taking one class that counts for both high school and college credit — at the same time.
There are several ways to do this in Washington, and each one has different rules, benefits, and options. Some are better for students planning to go straight into a career. Others are great for those who want to save money or get ahead on a college degree.
Here, we break it all down in plain talk so you can figure out which path might work best for you or your student.
CTE Dual Credit
What It Is: CTE (Career & Technical Education) Dual Credit lets high school students in grades 9–12 earn college credit in hands-on, career-focused classes -- things like welding, culinary arts, business, health care, woodworking, early childhood education, and more.
Where You Take It: At your high school or skill center
Who Teaches It: Your high school teacher
Cost: Often free or low cost
How You Get Credit: You need to earn a C or better, and register in the state’s Student Enrollment and Reporting (SERS) system with help from your teacher.
These courses are based on agreements between your high school and a local community or technical college. The college agrees that your high school class meets the standards of their course --and if you do well, you can earn college credit for it.
The credits you earn can transfer to any community or technical college in Washington State, which is one of the reasons this option is so powerful for career-focused students. Some classes may even count toward industry certifications along the way.
One important step: Registering in SERS
SERS (Student Enrollment and Reporting System) is a statewide tool that records which college course your high school class is connected to. You’ll need to register in SERS during the term you take the class. This doesn’t put the credit on your college transcript yet — it just saves your spot. Later, if you enroll in that college, you can ask to have the credit “transcripted” which means it is applied to your official college record.
This gives you more control over when and how to use your credits, and helps you avoid surprises with financial aid or graduation planning later on.
Running Start
What It Is: Running Start allows 11th and 12th grade students to take college classes at a Washington community or technical college, and earn both high school and college credit at the same time.
Where You Take It: At the college (in person, online, or hybrid)
Who Teaches It: College professors
Cost: Tuition is free (you may pay for books, fees, or transportation)
How You Get Credit: Your final grade goes on both your high school transcript and college transcript automatically
A five-credit college class typically equals 1.0 high school credit. Some students go full-time and graduate with both their high school diploma and a two-year degree. Others take one or two classes and still spend most of their day at high school.
To be eligible, you’ll need to meet the entrance requirements of the college you want to attend. Most students begin the planning process during the spring of their 10th grade year, so they’re ready to start Running Start in 11th. However, you’re free to participate in Running Start in either – or both – your junior and senior years of high school.
With Running Start, a college transcript is created automatically, which means the grade you earn becomes part of your college record.
Also worth knowing: While most students do Running Start at a community or technical college, a few four-year public universities in Washington also offer it.
College in the High School (CiHS)
What It Is: College in the High School allows students in grades 9–12 to take college-level academic classes (like English, math, or science) at their high school, taught by high school teachers who are approved by a college to offer the course.
Where You Take It: At your high school
Who Teaches It: High school teachers, approved by the college
Cost: Free for public high school students in Washington
How You Get Credit: You choose whether or not to register for the college credit. If you register, your grade goes on a college transcript.
Here’s what makes this option unique: You can take a CiHS class just for high school credit, or choose to register for the college credit too. If you do, the grade goes on your college transcript automatically.
This gives students and families a little more flexibility: you get the rigor and challenge of a college-level class, but you decide whether or not to start your official college transcript.
CiHS is great for students who want college-level work, but prefer to stay at their high school.
Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), and Cambridge International (CI)
What It Is: These programs — AP (Advanced Placement), IB (International Baccalaureate), and Cambridge International (CI), are part of what Washington calls College Preparatory Programs with Exams (CPPE).
They are rigorous high school classes designed to prepare students to take a standardized exam at the end of the course. Depending on your exam score and the college you want to attend, you may earn college credit.
Where You Take It: At your high school
Who Teaches It: High school teachers
Cost: You pay a fee to take the exam (usually in May)
How You Get Credit: It depends on your exam score and how the college chooses to award credit
You don’t automatically earn credit just for completing the class. You have to take the exam, and score high enough for a college to offer credit.
Good news: All public colleges and universities in Washington, and many private schools, post their AP/IB/Cambridge credit policies on their websites. That means you can look up in advance what kind of credit your score might earn at the school you’re interested in.
These classes are a great fit for students who enjoy traditional academic rigor and standardized tests, and who want to challenge themselves in a high school setting.
Quick FAQ: Dual Credit in Washington State
What does “dual credit” mean?
Taking a class that counts for both high school and college credit at the same time.
Do all programs cost the same?
No, it varies by program:
Running Start: Tuition is free, but you may have to pay for books and fees
CTE Dual Credit: Usually free or low cost
College in the High School: Free for public high school students
AP/IB/Cambridge: You pay a fee to take the exam(s)
Do I have to leave my high school?
Only for Running Start. All other programs take place at your high school.
Will my college credit show up automatically?
Depends on the program:
Running Start and CiHS: Once you’re registered, your grade becomes part of your college transcript automatically
CTE Dual Credit: You register in SERS during the course, but you have to ask to have the credit transcripted later if and when you attend the college
AP/IB/Cambridge: You must take the exam, earn a qualifying score, and send it to the college — they decide what credit you get
If I earn college credit in high school, will it transfer anywhere?
Not always. Most Washington public colleges and universities accept credits from other community and technical colleges, especially if they are part of a two-year degree. But every college, especially out-of-state or private schools, has its own policies.
The good news is that most colleges post their credit transfer rules online. It’s one of the smartest things to check when you’re comparing colleges to understand how your college credit may apply to a program at that school.
What Should You Do Next?
If you’re still not sure which option is best, that’s okay! It’s exciting knowing how many options you have to earn college credit while in high school. Here’s where to start:
Talk to your school counselor — they can tell you which programs are offered at your school.
Ask questions — especially about credit transfer, college plans, and what will fit your learning style.
Check college websites — most schools clearly list how they accept dual credit or exam scores.
Think about your goals — whether it’s earning a degree, saving money, or pursuing a specific career interest.
