Welcome to Early College
Overview
The Early College programs encompasses Advanced Placement (AP), Concurrent Enrollment (CE), International Baccalaureate (IB) and the First Credential Program.
Advanced Placement (AP)
AP offers high school students worldwide the opportunity to take college-level courses while attending secondary school. AP courses are invariably more rigorous than other high school offerings. To participate in an AP class is to enter a world of intense discussion and thought. Students are given the intellectual responsibility to think critically, rationally and analytically to gain a more profound understand of course content. Such intellectual training inevitably helps students succeed in college where these skills are essential. In fact, a recent United States Department of Education study shows that participation in AP and other challenging high school courses is one of the strongest predictors of college success.
Administrative Rules
R277-701: Early College Programs
Utah State Board of Education Administrative Rules
Student Resources
CollegeBoard
AP Central: Supporting Students from Day One to Exam Day
A not-for-profit membership association whose mission is to connect students to college success and opportunity. Founded in 1900, the association is composed of more than 4,500 schools, colleges, universities, and other educational organizations. Each year, The College Board serves over three million students and their parents, 23,000 high schools, and 3,500 colleges through major programs and services in college admissions, guidance, assessment, financial aid, enrollment, and teaching and learning. Among its best-known programs are the SAT, the PSAT/NMSQT, and the Advanced Placement (AP) Program. The College Board is committed to the principles of excellence and equity, and that commitment is embodied in all of its programs, services, activities, and concerns.
AP Students: AP Courses and Exams
Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) Accommodations on College Board Exams
Teacher and Counselor Resources
CollegeBoard
AP Central: Supporting Students from Day One to Exam Day
The official online home for anyone interested in or involved with the Pre-AP or AP programs. General information about the AP program is also available from this website. You will need to register to access the most up-to-date and comprehensive information on AP courses and exams, as well as unique resources and tools.
AP Central: AP Course and Exam Pages
There is a lot more to an AP exam than meets the eye. In this section we provide a glimpse behind the scenes of the two-year development process of one of the largest exam administrations in the world.
AP Central: Exam Dates and Fees
The AP coordinator notifies AP students of where and exactly when the exams they are taking will be given. Exam proctors should allow about an hour for various pre- and post-administration activities and from two to three hours for each AP exam.
Concurrent Enrollment (CE)
The purpose of Concurrent Enrollment is to provide a challenging college-level experience Utah high school students. Course offerings in Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Language Arts, Fine Arts, Humanities, World Languages, Career and Technical programs, and Education have been implemented in high schools throughout the state. Tens of thousands of students in our state earn hundreds of thousands of college-level credit annually.
To register for concurrent enrollment courses, students should meet with a high school counselor. Registration for concurrent enrollment is a two-part process. First, students need parental permission to register for a CE course. That will be completed through an online form. Secondly, students will be required to register with the institution of higher learning that is offering the course.
For information on how to access the online permission form and additional assistance with the CE application process, students should speak to their high school counselor or CE course instructor.
Handbook
Revised Utah Concurrent Enrollment Handbook
Utah System of Higher Education
Master List
Concurrent Enrollment Master List
Utah System of Higher Education
Rules and Codes
R765-165: Concurrent Enrollment
Utah Office of Administrative Rules
R277-701: Early College Programs
Utah State Board of Education Administrative Rules
International Baccalaureate (IB)
The International Baccalaureate consists of four programmes that encompass ages 3-19:
- Primary Years Programme (Ages 3-12)
- Middle Years Programme (Ages 12-16)
- Diploma Programme (Ages 16-19)
- Career-related Programme (Ages 16-19)
All four programmes require study in a broad range of subjects including content in cultural education. Special emphasis in language acquisition and language development, the development in the skills of learning, opportunities for individual and collaborative planning as well as a community service component requiring action and reflection, complement the course of study in the IB programmes.
If you have questions, please contact Christy Schreck at (801) 538-7935 or via e-mail at christy.schreck@schools.utah.gov.
Primary Years Programme | Middle Years Programme | Diploma Programme | Career-related Programme
International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO)
Utah Students Share Their Experiences in the IB Program
- High School Students - I am IB (YouTube)
- Previous IB Student now at U of U (YouTube)
- West High Student now at U of U (YouTube)
- Former IB Student now at U of U (YouTube)
Early College High School (ECHS)
Early College High School provide rigorous, supportive learning environments that blend high school and the first two years of college. They incorporate effective instruction and structural practices common to many small schools. The unique mission of the ECHS is to raise the high school graduation and postsecondary success rates of underserved youth.
Utah has six ECHS operating in partnership with seven of the state's higher education colleges and universities. These public charter high schools combine traditional high school classes, Concurrent Enrollment classes, and Early College on-campus classes to accelerate their student's progress. A large percentage of ECHS students graduate from high school with an associates degree. The high school pays the participating student's college tuition as part of their public education.
Students are selected by a lottery system. Students enter the schools in grades 9, 10, or 11, depending on the school. Students must meet the requirements for Concurrent Enrollment and Early College classes established by the colleges and universities. To be successful in ECHS, students must be focused, willing to devote their time to academic pursuits, and have a strong work ethic.
The program allows ECHS students to move into the college experience gradually over two or three years. Throughout their school experience, there are academic and social supports available that help students succeed. The small size of ECHS and the opportunity for students to participate in a collaborative learning environment becomes a powerful motivator for students. If you are interested in an ECHS experience, contact any one of the ECHS.
Resources
Academy for Math, Engineering and Science (AMES)
Itineris Early College High School
Northern Utah Academy for Math, Engineering and Science (NUAMES)
First Credential Program (Formerly Prime)
Overview
During the 2025 legislative session, H.B. 260 (Utah State Legislature) transformed the Prime Program into the First Credential Program. The First Credential Program offers several pathway opportunities for students to explore post-secondary options while still in high school. The First Credential Program is still being designed. More details will be forthcoming.
For the 2025-26 school year, students who earn the Transform Certificate are eligible to apply for a Utah Systems of Higher Education (USHE) First Credential Scholarship (previously the USHE Prime Scholarship). For Spring 2026, this scholarship will be limited to the three Transform Certificate options listed below.
The Transform Certificate
For the 2025-26 school year, students can earn the Transform Certificate in several different ways: Concurrent Enrollment (CE), General Education, Career and Technical Education (CTE), and Youth Apprenticeship. To qualify for the Transform Certificate, students need to complete the requirements in one of the areas of focus listed below.
1. CE General Education Courses
For the CE portion of the Transform Certificate, students need to complete a minimum of five (5) General Education courses, each from a different General Education category (as designated for Concurrent Enrollment by the Utah Board of Higher Education). These categories are: Written Communication, Quantitative Literacy, American Institutions, Fine Arts, Humanities, Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, and Social and Behavioral Sciences.
The First Credential - CE Approved Course List by Category (Google doc) document has tabs for each of the eight (8) categories, which lists the approved courses for each category. For example, you will see ENG 1010 and 2010 listed under "Written Communication," either of which is a CE-approved course that will be recognized for the Transform Certificate.
Be sure the courses taken are from five (5) different categories. For example, if a student takes ENG 1010 and 2010, only one of those courses will count towards the “Written Communication” category. Students will still need four (4) more courses from four (4) other categories.
2. Career and Technical Education
For the CTE portion of the Transform Certificate, students need to complete a minimum of 300 hours or 5-6 courses of a CTE program at one of the eight technical colleges in the state. Courses currently completed at district tech centers, unfortunately, do not qualify for the scholarship. More details will be forthcoming regarding the First Credential program.
3. Youth Apprenticeship
For the Youth Apprenticeship portion of the Transform Certificate, students need to “participate” in a state-approved Youth Apprenticeship program, while enrolled in a public high school and registered in the CTE Youth Apprenticeship course/program (and using the apprenticeship core code for the course/program).
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- It must be an approved apprenticeship that would provide about 300 hours in the program.
- The school needs to use a specific code for the apprenticeship (to verify it is an approved apprenticeship program), which needs to be identified on the student’s transcript.
The First Credential Scholarship
Students need to apply for the First Credential Scholarship on the USHE website. The application consists of two parts; be sure students complete both parts to qualify for the scholarship. Once students have completed part one of the application, USHE will email students in the spring with more information on the next steps of the scholarship. (Please be sure to follow the instructions in the email).
If a student receives a denial email from USHE, they need to meet with their school counselor to confirm they meet the requirements to earn a Transform Certificate. Once confirmed, students need to follow the instructions in the USHE email. The email outlines the next steps in the USHE Appeal Process. Please keep in mind that there is only a 30-day window for the USHE Appeal Process (30 days from the date the denial email is sent to the students).
Contact Information
USHE Scholarship
Email
Transform Certificate
Career and Technical Education (CTE), Jonathan Frey | Email
Concurrent Enrollment (CE), Christy Schreck | Email
Youth Apprenticeship, Breckon Heywood | Email