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Running Start & dual credit

Running Start

Running Start, a program created by the state legislature, gives academically qualified high school juniors and seniors the opportunity to take college-level courses at Pierce as part of their high school program.

You may enroll simultaneously in classes at your high school and at Pierce College, or solely in college classes. You receive both high school credit toward graduation AND college credit through Pierce College for all college courses successfully completed.

Read more about Running Start

For more information, contact your high school counselor, the Pierce College advising center, or the Pierce College Running Start program.

Dual credit program

High school students who complete selected high school courses with a "B" grade or better can earn credit from Pierce College and other community and technical colleges. The Dual Credit program is administered through the Pierce County Careers Connection, a partnership between all the public K-12 and two-year college districts in Pierce County.

Benefits of the program include:

  • You earn both high school and college credit for completing high school courses.
  • You receive priority registration (you register before other new students) if you attend your selected community or technical college after high school graduation.
  • You can stay on your high school campus and receive college credit.
  • You can save up to $1,000 in college tuition by earning college credits before you graduate from high school.
  • You pay a one-time application fee of only $15.

For more information, visit the Pierce County Careers Connection Web site.

Other under-age students

If you are 16 or 17 and do not meet the minimum admissions standards, you must obtain written permission from your school district before being accepted for admission and/or enrolling in Pierce College courses.

As a policy, Pierce College does not admit students under the age of 16. In extraordinary circumstances, special consideration may be given to students who petition for an under-age admission exception. You should begin the petition process at least three months prior to the start of the quarter you wish to attend by contacting Student Services at either college.