Early College & Dual Enrollment

For students who want to go on to post-secondary education, early college enrollment programs offer an advantage in getting through college and also may save on college costs in the process.

The term “dual enrollment" refers to an arrangement where students are enrolled in courses at the high school that allow them to earn both high school and college credits. Students can also choose to take college courses on the actual college campus (see below for additional information about this option). These programs are often called “early college” or “early enrollment.”

According to the U.S. Department of Education, students who complete college credits while in high school require less remediation, have higher grade point averages (GPA), and earn more credits in college.

The "Delaware Schools Early College Credit Chart" on the right provides additional, general information about the various types of early college credit opportunities. *SHS does not have an IB Program. 

Smyrna High School offers several "dual enrollment" courses - students can earn both high school and college credits:

Dual Enrollment Courses at Smyrna High School

(2025-2026 School Year)

English

Wilmington University - Composition I (121) & Composition II (122)

Math

Wilmington University - Calculus I

Wilmington University - Inferential Statistics

Wilmington University - Introductory Survey of Mathematics

Offered through the Allied Health Pathway

Delaware Tech. Community College - Anatomy & Physiology I

University of Delaware Early College Credit Program:

University of Delaware - Changing the World & Public Policy

University of Delaware - Disabilities Studies: A Multidisciplinary Introduction

University of Delaware - Introduction to African American Studies

University of Delaware - Leadership, Integrity & Change

University of Delaware - Media/Design/Culture

University of Delaware - Media & Society

University of Delaware - Studies in Popular Fiction: Horror/Sci-fi/Crime

University of Delaware - The History of Now

Offered through the K-12 Teacher Academy Pathway

Wilmington University - Instructional Technology

Wilmington University - Learner Development & Early Literacy

Offered through the Early Childhood Education Teacher Academy Pathway

Wilmington University - Families as Partners in Education

Wilmington University - Nutrition, Health, and Safety for Young Children

Offered through the Business, Finance, Marketing Pathways

Wilmington University - Principles of Management

Wilmington University - Marketing

Offered through the Legal Studies Pathway

Wilmington University - Survey of Criminal Justice

Several colleges and universities in Delaware offer the opportunity for high school students to enroll in college courses for FREE or at a reduced cost.

Below is information about early enrollment opportunities at colleges/universities in Delaware:

Wilmington University: Early College Programs

Delaware State University: Early Bird Program

Delaware Technical Community College: Dual/Early College Enrollment

University of Delaware: Pre-College Programs

For more information about dual/early enrollment options, please speak with your school counselor.