Dual Enrollment
Earn college credit while in high school
Downey Unified’s Dual Enrollment Program is designed for students who want to earn college credits before graduation. Each semester, students from all grade levels can enroll in this program. Students can choose from the available courses that will count towards their high school diploma while allowing students to get a head start on their higher education goals. These classes are free and most transferable to the UCs and CSUs, saving you time and money in college!
Program Requirements
- Minimum GPA of 2.6 (3.0 preferred)
- Must have great attendance
- Must be prepared for college-level workload
Classes Available Fall 2024
The following courses are available for dual enrollment in partnership with Cerritos College. These courses are eligible for Plan C which is designed for a students who intend to transfer to a UC school after completing an AA degree.
Download this flyer to learn more about Plan C AA degree requirements for 2023 to 2024.
AFRS 100: Introduction to Africana Studies
ANTH 100: Cultural Anthropology
ASL 210: American Sign Language
COMM 100: Introduction to Communication Studies
COUN 200: Success in College and Career
ENGL 100: English Composition
ENGL 103: English Composition, Critical Thinking
FILM 159: World Film
LAW 101: Introduction to Law
LAW 110: Business Law
MUSIC 104B: History of Rock Music
READ 101: Literature and Learning Strategies
SOC 210: American Minority Relations
SPAN 101: Elementary Spanish
SPAN 102: Elementary Spanish
How to Sign Up
Step 1
Complete the
Dual Enrollment Interest Survey
Step 2
Create an account at
CCCApply & complete the Cerritos College Application
Step 3
Print, fill out, and sign the Dual Enrollment form. It must include the student’s Cerritos ID number. Both the student and parent/guardian needs to sign it.
Step 4
Bring the signed dual enrollment form to the guidance office or email it to vfonseca@dusd.net.
Student Benefits
- Save time and money when a student attends college
- Opportunity to earn a bachelor’s degree in a shorter time
- Students more likely to graduate and attend aa four-year college
By earning college credits in high school, students could save two years’ worth of the cost to go to college. This is a savings of approximately $28,000 (UC) and $11,600 (CSU) by completing general education classes prior to college.
Program Comparison
EARLY COLLEGE PROGRAM
- Application-based
- ONLY incoming 9th graders are eligible
- Requires a 4-year commitment
- Graduate HS with 46.5 CSU / UC-approved credits
- Only offered at Downey and Warren High Schools
- No cost to the family
DUAL ENROLLMENT
- Available to ALL grade levels
- Commit to one semester at a time
- More self-paced, a la carte offerings
- Graduate HS with some college credits- CSU and/or UC-approved credits
- Depending on the classes available may be offered to Columbus, Downey, and Warren High School students
- No cost to the family
ADVANCED PLACEMENT (AP)
- AP Course offerings vary per grade level & school site
- Offered at Downey & Warren High Schools
- Year-long courses taught by Downey Unified high school teachers
- Implements college-level curriculum provided by College Board
- At a cost to the family, an optional AP Exam specific to the AP course is offered in the spring
- Can receive college credit if the student earns a score of 3, 4, or 5 on the designated AP Exam
- Issuance of college credit for a passed AP Exam is at the discretion of the university
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there limits to how many classes I want to take in a semester?
Yes. Students may only enroll in 11 units for the Fall and Spring semesters and 7 units for the summer. The amount of units varies by class, therefore the specific number of classes students can take vary.
Is dual enrollment free?
If you take a course we offer on one of our campuses, Cerritos waives tuition and fees, and Downey Unified covers the cost of books and any additional fees.
What is the difference between the Dual Enrollment and AP Courses?
Advanced Placement (AP) courses are high school courses taught by Downey Unified high school teachers that tackle the college-level curriculum provided by College Board.
In the spring, students have the option to take the AP Exam designated for that specific AP course (at a cost to the family). AP course offerings vary per grade level and per high school.
Unlike dual enrollment classes where students earn credit based on their completion of the course, students who participate in AP classes must earns a score of 3, 4, or 5 on the AP Exam to determine if they receive college credit. Issuance of college credit for a passed AP Exam is at the discretion of the university.
See the Program Comparison table below for additional details.
What if I want to take a class not offered on my high school campus?
We ask that you fill out a Community College Course Approval Form, even if you take a course at Cerritos College. We would like to make sure your counselor is aware of any courses you take that may modify your 4-year plan.
Can my child still participate in sports while being part of the Dual Enrollment?
We highly recommend that students interested in an athletic program and the Dual Enrollment reach out to their high school’s Assistant Principal. Each school is making its best effort to minimize schedule conflicts to encourage participation.
Can my student take Advanced Placement (AP) courses while participating in Dual Enrollment?
Yes. However, it is important to have a conversation that includes parents, students, and the academic counselor to develop an appropriate academic plan that considers the impact of possible stressors for each student. School-life balance is optimal and we are here to find the best fit for each student and family.