Get a Head Start on College with the Associate in High School Program
Looking for a smart way to jumpstart your college education—and save time and money along the way? Grace College’s Associate in High School Program allows motivated high school students to begin college as early as their sophomore year and graduate with both a high school diploma and an associate degree.
Whether you’re attending public, private, or homeschool, the Associate in High School Program is a flexible and affordable pathway designed to fit your unique educational journey. It’s especially ideal for students who are academically ready for college-level work and want to make the most of their high school years.
You were created for more, and your college journey can start with purpose. Our Associate Degree in High School now includes 15 credit concentrations in Business, Education, Biblical Studies, and Interdisciplinary Studies, giving you the opportunity to explore your calling while earning meaningful college credit. View the class list below to see course pathways and how each concentration is structured.
Benefits of the Associate in High School Program through Grace College:
Note: Grace College does not issue high school diplomas. Your diploma will be granted by your high school according to state requirements.
Director of Online Admissions
Dual Enrollment Program Coordinator
An associate degree is a two-year undergraduate credential (60 credit hours) that sits between a high school diploma and a bachelor’s degree. The Associate Degree while in High School is a two-year degree designed for high school students who want to earn college credit through dual enrollment. Students can complete general education requirements early and even graduate with an associate of science degree by the time they finish high school.
With a foundational liberal arts education, associate degree jobs include many entry-level positions in business, human services, health care, administration, or technical departments. It gives further credentials to improve your job opportunities compared to only having a high school diploma.
Dual enrollment allows students to take Grace College courses for both high school and college credit. Courses are taught by Grace professors and integrate biblical truth into every subject. It’s a great way to challenge yourself academically while earning affordable college credits that can often transfer to other institutions (transfer policies vary by school).
You’ll have two great options: continue at Grace College to complete your bachelor’s degree online or hybrid on campus, or use your earned credits toward a degree at another institution (transfer policies vary by school). Either way, you’ll be well prepared academically and spiritually for the next step.
Yes. The following are Grace College’s eligibility requirements:
Yes! Grace College is regionally accredited, so credits typically transfer easily to other accredited institutions. Students who stay at Grace can apply all 60 credits directly toward a bachelor’s degree program.
Many homeschool students are successful in completing the Associate in High School program! There aren’t any extra or special requirements for homeschooled students to be eligible for the program. Parents will act as the school counselor and send in a copy of the student’s high school transcript and provide a recommendation on the student’s behalf. Grace is a very homeschool-friendly college!
High school juniors and seniors (and in some cases second-semester sophomores) may apply if they meet academic requirements and have the maturity to handle college-level work. Students should be ready to take ownership of their learning and engage from a Christian perspective.
The program is designed to be completed in two years, but some students complete the program in 2 ½ years if they start the second semester of their sophomore year. A student may start the Associate in High School program after the fall of their junior year, but they risk not being able to complete the entire associate degree program while in high school.
Grace offers significantly discounted tuition rates for dual enrollment students, making it one of the most affordable ways to earn college credit. The current cost of the entire program is $8,750, which is then split into semester payments for students participating in the Associate in High School program.
Students may choose to take classes fully online or in-person with some online classes on our beautiful Winona Lake, IN campus. All online courses are offered in a flexible, asynchronous format.
In order to be considered for admission for the Associate Degree while in High School Program at Grace, students must be a sophomore in high school, have a 3.0 or higher GPA, and be in good academic standing. Once you are ready to apply, you can submit your free application and send in your transcripts to admissions@grace.edu.
We recommend that you apply for admission at least one month before the next entry term. Students applying after the deadline are considered on a space-available basis. It is best to apply early!
Apply1. Free Online Application
2. Transcript Request (Official high school transcripts should be sent to admissions@grace.edu)
3. Guidance Counselor reference form
4. Admission Decision
5. Submit a credit agreement form
“I knew if I participated in the program, I would graduate high school with an associate’s degree, but even more than that, I’d have a sense of accomplishment and an understanding that I can do hard things. Now that I have completed the program and seen the benefits and growth it has brought me, I would say this program is absolutely worth it.”
Laura Beth Vanderbur
Associate Degree in High School
