Experience what it's like to take a college course. Earn both college and high school credits. Explore classes that interest you and discover the many places it can lead.
The Dual Enrollment program allows students to take Harford Community College courses while completing their high school diploma. Depending on the classes chosen, the program prepares them for college or for entering a career immediately following high school. What does that mean for students? Listen to their perspective in the short video below.
Eligibility
Dual Enrollment is open to high school students who meet high school eligibility requirements and/or College prerequisites. Students do not have to attend a Harford County Public School to participate. Many students who take advantage of this program are home-based learning (homeschool) students or those who attend private schools.
Choosing the best option for a student’s academic path is important and should be discussed with a school counselor and/or parents before applying to the College.
Benefits of Dual Enrollment
- prepare for college and workforce careers through exposure to college-level and trade certification courses
- ease the transition from high school to college
- offset the cost of a college education
- earn transferable credits, shortening the road to degree or certification.
- gain access to College resources and campus life
- explore programs of study and career pathways to help choose the direction you want to pursue.
- experience college atmosphere
- engage with faculty on a more individual level
- increase the probability of earning a degree and/or technical certificate (as evidenced by studies of students who participated in similar programs)
- stand out to potential employers and transfer colleges as a student who is serious about pursuing their eduction.
How to Enroll
Find out the steps you need to take based on where you attend high school.
STEP ONE:
Meet with your school counselor, share your plans for Dual Enrollment and discuss
whether placement testing is needed. (See CCR requirements.)
Complete the HCPS Application for Approval* (SEO)• https://studentplanner.hcps.org/
- Login with your student.hcps.org account.
- Select Enrollment Options.
- Select Dual Enrollment.
Monitor your HCPS email to receive your approval from HCPS, allowing you to continue the registration process.[approx. 2 weeks]
STEP TWO:
Wait for your acceptance email from Harford Community College’s Admissions team.
- Your acceptance will arrive via the email you provided on your HCPS Application for Approval (SEO).
Even though you still have not secured your classes, the acceptance email confirms you are officially a Harford Community College student. Carefully read and follow the instructions to set up your OwlNet* and OwlMail account.[approx. 3–5 bus. days]
*OwlNet is Harford Community College’s online portal where students receive email (OwlMail) and all important communications from the College.
STEP THREE:
Set up your OwlNet* and OwlMail account using instructions found in your acceptance email. [less than 1 hour]
NOTE: After this point, all communication with the College will be sent to your OwlMail account, NOT the email account provided on your HCPS Application for Approval (SEO).
Continue to monitor your Harford Community College email (OwlMail) for a choose your class(es) email from dualenrollment@harford.edu. [beginning in April for fall classes*]
IMPORTANT! Respond to this email by the indicated deadline and provide the CRN of the class(es) you choose to take. Those taking multiple classes must respond to EACH email they receive. If you do not complete this step, you will NOT be registered for your class(es)!
Once you have provided the College with the CRN(s), a registration confirmation email will follow to confirm your registration, class(es) and schedule. [within 1 week]
DON’T FORGET!
Visit The College Store (lower level, Student Center) to get your books. bookstore@harford.edu
Visit the College Library Circulation Desk (2nd fl.) to get your Student ID. go.harford.edu/library [approx. 1 hour]
Students may take classes with Harford at any point in their high school career. If under the age of 16, see the below tab for additional information. Always begin the process by speaking with your high school counselor and/or college counselor.
Steps to Dual Enrollment:
- After speaking with your high school counselor and/or college counselor, complete Harford’s Admissions Application selecting “selecting ”High School or Homeschool Student”. You will receive your acceptance email within 1-2 business days. This email will contain your next steps including your Harford Student ID number and your Owlnet, Harford’s student portal, information.
- After receiving your acceptance email, contact your Harford Admissions Representative to learn about next steps to registration.
Certain classes, like English 101 and Psychology 101, require that students prove
College and Career Readiness with Harford. This can be done by submitting a high school
transcript and/or certain test scores. Your admissions representative will discuss
this with you, if needed. More Information.
- If you would like a parent/guardian to have access to your Harford course information (including grades), you should complete the FERPA Disclosure of Information Release form. This can also be found in Owlnet.
- Once registration is confirmed, learn more about course books through the Harford College Store.
- Bill payment information, including due dates, is found on the Registration and Payment Quick Links | STU card of Owlnet.
- Visit the Dual Enrollment section of Owlnet for helpful resources geared specifically to you!
For dual enrolled students starting in the Fall semester, Dual Enrollment Orientation occurs in August. It is imperative that students attend – students will receive more information regarding orientation via email and text.
Students who will be under the age of 16 while taking Harford classes must prove college readiness* in order to be admitted as a Dual Enrollment student. This is for all students under 16, no matter where they attend high school.
Students identified as under 16 will be contacted directly by an Admissions Specialist to explain requirements and next steps. This will occur either after the student completes the HCPS approval process or for private school and homeschool students after the Harford application is submitted.
* College readiness is determined by taking the Accuplacer® and testing at a college level in reading, writing, and math. Unless you are planning to enroll in a PE class only, this step must be taken prior to meeting with an Academic Advisor. COMAR (state) regulations on college admission for students under the age of 16 state that, "Students under 16 years of age are not to be admitted to an institution of higher education, unless they are deemed 'gifted and talented'." Harford Community College defines gifted and talented as any student under the age of 16 who take the Accuplacer® and assess at college level reading, writing and math."