Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU) continues to pave the way for innovative and accessible higher education through its expanding Concurrent Education Program. Through this program, high school students (grades 9–12) have the opportunity to earn college credit while completing their high school diploma, creating a powerful bridge between high school and higher education.
With continued growth, IWU’s Concurrent Education Program is shaping the future of college readiness and preparing the next generation of teacher candidates, students, and leaders across Indiana.
A Program on the Rise
IWU’s Concurrent Education Program has seen steady growth in both reach and impact. Over the past academic year, the program partnered with seven high schools and welcomed students enrolled across 14 unique courses. For the upcoming year, enrollment is expected to grow with new partner schools and expanded offerings, further demonstrating the demand for early college-level learning.
This growth reflects not only increasing demand but also recognition of the program’s value among families, educators, and communities. By aligning with Indiana’s state requirements for offering dual credit options, IWU is helping schools deliver high-quality academic pathways while ensuring students are better prepared for college-level study.
Meeting State Expectations
Indiana public schools are now required to provide students with at least two dual credit course options. IWU’s Concurrent Education Program helps schools meet this mandate by offering flexible partnership models. Whether through Dual Enrollment, Dual Credit, or the Correspondence Model, IWU equips high schools with the resources to deliver college-level classes while maintaining academic integrity.
Understanding the Three Pathways
A hallmark of the Concurrent Education Program is its flexibility. IWU offers three distinct models for earning college credit, each tailored to meet the needs of different schools, instructors, and students.
1. Dual Enrollment
Through the Dual Enrollment model, high school students enroll directly in IWU college courses while continuing their high school studies. These courses are taught by IWU faculty and follow the same structure and rigor as any other IWU course. Students complete coursework independently, usually in an online format, and earn both high school and college credit upon successful completion. This pathway is ideal for students who are self-motivated and seeking a more autonomous college experience while still in high school.
2. Dual Credit
In the Dual Credit model, high schools collaborate with IWU to offer college-level courses taught by qualified high school instructors who meet the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) credentialing requirements. These instructors deliver the course content, grade assignments, and assign the final grade. This model allows students to remain in their familiar high school environment while receiving college credit, bridging the gap between secondary and higher education in a seamless and supportive way.
3. Correspondence Model
For schools that wish to offer IWU courses but whose instructors do not meet HLC requirements, the Correspondence Model offers a practical alternative. In this model, the high school teacher facilitates day-to-day instruction and supports student learning, but students submit major assignments and assessments to IWU’s learning management system. An IWU faculty member oversees the course, evaluates the work and issues the final grade, ensuring academic quality and compliance with college-level expectations.
Each of these models has been carefully designed to promote accessibility, academic rigor, and alignment with both high school and university standards.
Benefits for Students
Participating in IWU’s Concurrent Education Program offers a wide range of benefits for high school students—academic, financial, and personal.
1. Earn College Credit Early
Students can earn credits that count toward both their high school diploma and a future college degree. This accelerates their educational journey, provides early exposure to college-level material and expectations, and allows them to transfer earned credits into Indiana Wesleyan University programs, including the new 90-credit-hour education degree options.
2. Build College-Ready Skills
By engaging in rigorous coursework, students develop essential academic skills such as critical thinking, time management, and problem-solving. These skills not only help them succeed in concurrent courses but also prepare them for the demands of full-time college study.
3. Lower College Costs
Concurrent education allows students to earn college credits at a significantly reduced cost. Many students complete general education courses while still in high school, which can shorten their time to degree completion and reduce future tuition expenses.
4. Stand Out in College Applications
Colleges and universities look favorably on students who challenge themselves with advanced coursework. Participation in IWU’s program demonstrates initiative, academic readiness, and the maturity needed to succeed in a higher education setting.
5. Smooth Transition to College Life
By participating in a concurrent program, students interact with university systems, expectations, and faculty. This familiarity can ease the transition to full-time college and reduce the uncertainty that many students feel when entering higher education for the first time.
6. Access to IWU Resources
IWU extends many of its university resources to concurrent education students, including access to academic advising, online library services, and tutoring. These tools help students thrive both during the program and as they move forward into college.
7. Develop Responsibility and Independence
Concurrent education encourages students to take ownership of their academic progress. They learn how to manage deadlines, communicate with instructors, and navigate complex tasks—experiences that foster personal growth and independence.
A Vision for the Future
Indiana Wesleyan University remains committed to expanding opportunities for students, families, and schools. By strengthening ties between high schools and the higher education community, IWU is not only opening the doors for all students to earn college credits but also supporting social justice and educational access for diverse communities, including those pursuing teacher education, a second language, or an engineering pathway. The program also supports those pursuing early childhood, elementary, or secondary education pathways.
The program is updated annually, meets state standards, and reflects best practices in higher education. With each academic year, IWU forges new partnerships, welcomes more applicants, and ensures that every student has the opportunity to participate, enroll, and succeed in their early college experience while preparing for the next stage of their education journey.
For students ready to begin their application process or schools seeking to offer dual enrollment programs, IWU’s Concurrent Education Program provides a proven and flexible solution that transforms lives—one course at a time.
