Which community college courses have the most value for the homeschooling high school student? The best courses can accomplish two goals concurrently. The first is to knock off critical general education credits that will be required at a four-year college – preferably the ones that your student is not enthused about. The second is to fulfill necessary high school credits.
MATH AND ENGLISH
Most colleges require students take a college level math and writing course. Plan to take these two courses as soon as possible. They can substitute for high school courses for math and writing. This is called double-dipping credits. Homeschoolers in NC can double-dip credits which means a college course can serve as a high school course too. In NC public schools, students can’t substitute a high school course with a college course. Read my post about Double-Dipping Credits.
A three-credit college course counts as one entire year of high school credit. If your student takes English 111 the first semester and English 112 the second, he or she can receive two years of high school English credit.
Taking these courses during high school can improve ACT/SAT scores too.
ETHICS
Another course to knock off early is ethics. Most colleges require an ethics course. Unless your student plans to major in ethics or he or she is fascinated by ethics, take this one at the community college. Waiting to take an ethics course at a four-year school does however provide the opportunity to take a specialty ethics course that complements a major. For example, a business major would benefit from taking business ethics.
FOREIGN LANGUAGE
It can be helpful to get a head start on college foreign language credits. It seems that most four-year colleges require at least two semesters of college-level foreign language. Even if a four-year college does not require college-level foreign language credits, the credits can help fulfill the global general education credits which some people find challenging to knock off. The credits can strengthen the high school transcript too. Each three-credit course can serve as one year of high school credit.
Consider what foreign languages your community college offers. Our community college offers only Spanish and Chinese. Two of my children studied German previously and preferred not to switch. Spanish did, however, fit one of my daughter’s interests; the early credits helped lighten her three-semester foreign language requirement later on. If you’re wondering when to study a foreign language or if your student should take a foreign language at all in high school, read my post Foreign Language Strategies.
PUBLIC SPEAKING
It seems that colleges require a course in public speaking. This course is a great one to knock off at the community college during high school. For one, public speaking skills are valuable. Learning those skills early gives students an advantage in other classes that require oral presentations. Furthermore, a public speaking course can push young students out of their comfort zones and force personal growth and confidence. The course can be used on the high school transcript as well.
SOCIOLOGY OR PSYCHOLOGY
These two courses can fulfill general education requirements in social sciences. They can pad the high school transcript as well. Consider studying for the Introductory Sociology CLEP exam instead of taking an actual college course. Most four-year schools in our state seem to accept Sociology CLEP credits. A high school student can study for this CLEP exam in one semester. To find out how to manage this exam on your own read Introductory Sociology CLEP Exam. Determine if your target colleges accept the Introductory Sociology CLEP exam: Locating College CLEP Lists.
LAB SCIENCE
If your student is not science oriented and does not plan on a STEM major, a science course with lab could possibly knock off all future science requirements. A college level science course can also serve as a high school science credit.
AMERICAN GOVERNMENT
Government is a high school requirement at traditional schools. It’s hard to find acceptable government courses in the community. Consider taking the course at a community college and earn three college credits. It will also serve as one high school credit instead of the traditional half credit.
US HISTORY I
Since United States history is traditionally required on the high school transcript, a college course might be the perfect way to earn the necessary credit. Alternatively, consider studying for the US History I CLEP exam instead of sitting for a class. That can earn your student 3 college credits without writing papers and driving to school. History CLEP credits seem to be accepted at most colleges in our state. Read how you can manage the US History I CLEP exam on our own: History of the United States I. Determine if your target colleges accept this CLEP: Locating College CLEP Lists.
WESTERN CIVILIZATION I
Western civilization or world history is required in NC public schools. Taking a semester course in western civilization at the community course can fulfill a year of high school history. Alternatively, consider studying for the Western Civilization I CLEP exam on your own at home. Colleges seem to accept history CLEP credits more often than other CLEP credits. Read how to tackle this CLEP exam: Western Civilization I CLEP. Determine if your target colleges accept this CLEP: Locating College CLEP Lists.
ART OR MUSIC
No general education list is complete without the arts. If your student is a STEM student, knocking off the arts credits early can be a blessing. If your student loves the arts, high school is the perfect time to delve into them. The credits can serve as elective credits on the high school transcript too. Consider taking Jazz Studies to fulfill arts and diversity credits concurrently.
CONCLUSION
If your student is able to manage college level courses during high school, there are many benefits: double-dipping credits, knocking off general education credits, improving ACT/SAT scores, strengthening the high school transcript, looking good to college recruiters, earning an associate degree, and gaining important skills. Choose courses that can serve your student’s academic goals most efficiently.