Earn College Credits While in High School
Take the next step to your future with Patriots Pathways. University of the Cumberlands is making it easy for high school students to get access to college. Become part of the Cumberlands family early and transitioning to campus after high school will be super easy.
- Take dual-credit classes
- Earn an associate degree through early college
Take classes on campus or online
Step 1: Choose Your Path to College
Dual Credit Program: The Dual Credit program allows students to take courses that earn credit for both their high school and University of the Cumberlands.
Early College Program: The Early College Program allows high school students to enter an associate degree program while still in high school. Students can then earn a high school diploma and college degree at the same time.
<span id="stepTwo">Step 2: Complete the Application</span>
It's easy and there's no application fee!
Step 3: Connect with an Enrollment Counselor
If you wish to take an online or on campus course as a high school student, email jada.walden@ucumberlands.edu to get into a program that suits you.
Dual Credit Program
Dual credit is credit received on your high school transcript as well as your college transcript. Think of it as a “two for one”. One class counts as 2 separate institution credits.
Students wishing to take dual credit courses on-site, at their high school campus, or online with UC must meet the following admission criteria: A GPA of 2.0 or higher, a minimum ACT composite score of 18, or a 3.0 GPA with a counselor recommendation is required without qualifying ACT scores. Students must also be enrolled in our participating high schools.
Home school students within state in the following counties, Whitley, Knox, Laurel, Pulaski, Clay, McCreary, Bell, as well as Jellico, TN area are also eligible to apply. We are not accepting out of state students (or out of area home school) at this time.
Participating High Schools
Williamsburg High School
Whitley County High School
Jellico High School
Clay County High School
McCreary Central High School
Barbourville High School
Lynn Camp High School
Knox Central High School
Logan County High School
Somerset Christian Academy
Bell County High School
Oneida Baptist Institute.
Tuition & Fees
| Course Format | Tuition and Fees |
| In-Seat (High School) | $51 |
| In-Seat (Cumberlands) | $51 |
| Online (Fall & Spring) | $147 |
| Summer | $220 per credit hour |
Payments will be due in mid-October, spring, mid-March. Paper bills are no longer sent. Payments can be made on the UC One Portal.
Kentucky Students
Junior and senior, Kentucky students, have the opportunity to have two (2) classes covered over their high school career. Each high school will submit information to KHEAA identifying students enrolled in dual credit. KHEAA will then contact the students to determine their preferred term, spring or fall. Home school students must complete the application on the KHEAA website.
KHEAA award determinations are made on a first-come, first-served basis to students who have completed the KHEAA scholarship web preference. Seniors receive priority consideration in the award order.
Dual Credit Scholarship
University of the Cumberlands is a participating postsecondary institution in the Kentucky Dual Credit Scholarship Program. As such, we abide by their scholarship regulations and requirements. Students will not be responsible for payment for courses designated under the scholarship. For more information on the scholarship requirements and application, please visit KHEAA.
Early College Program
Earn a high school diploma and associate degree with University of the Cumberlands. Our innovative Early College Program provides local high school students an opportunity to experience college-level courses, accelerate the path to degree completion and entrance into the workforce, and save money on college tuition.
The program is offered online and on-campus and there are several degree pathways students can choose. Participating students will complete their 11th and 12th grade years of high school while simultaneously completing their first two years of college and graduate with an associate's degree from University of the Cumberlands as well as a Kentucky high school diploma.
Schools with Approved Pathways
These local high school partners have developed approved pathway programs that can help a student earn an associate degree by the time they finish high school:
Tuition & Fees
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| Course Format | Tuition and Fees |
| In-Seat (High School) | $51 |
| In-Seat (Cumberlands) | $51 |
| Online (Fall & Spring) | $147 |
| Summer | $220 per credit hour |
Payments will be due in mid-October, spring, mid-March. Paper bills are no longer sent. Payments can be made on the UC One Portal.
Kentucky Students
Junior and senior, Kentucky students, have the opportunity to have two (2) classes covered over their high school career. Each high school will submit information to KHEAA identifying students enrolled in dual credit. KHEAA will then contact the students to determine their preferred term, spring or fall. Home school students must complete the application on the KHEAA website.
KHEAA award determinations are made on a first-come, first-served basis to students who have completed the KHEAA scholarship web preference. Seniors receive priority consideration in the award order.
Early College Scholarship
University of the Cumberlands is a participating postsecondary institution in the Kentucky Dual Credit Scholarship Program. As such, we abide by their scholarship regulations and requirements. Students will not be responsible for payment for courses designated under the scholarship. For more information on the scholarship requirements and application, please visit KHEAA.
TURN YOUR ASSOCIATE DEGREE INTO A BACHELORS DEGREE
| Hours Earned | ||
|---|---|---|
| Associates | 60-66 | |
 |
UC Bachelors | + 60-68 |
| Hours Required for Bachelors at UC = 120-128 Hours | ||
| * Number of hours taken at UC will depend on courses transferred as part of Associates and Major chosen at UC. If you earned your associate degree as part of the Early College Program, you could earn your Bachelor's degree in only two years with Cumberlands. | ||