High School Articulation

About High School Articulation/Credit by Exam

MiraCosta College faculty and local high school instructors enter into Articulation Agreements that provide the opportunity for students to earn college credit through a credit by exam process if students meet all the requirements (see Student & Parent Information). Because the Articulation Agreements are a Title 5 Credit By Exam process, the college transcripts the final exam grade with the notation of Credit By Exam. Depending on the course, the credit can fulfill prerequisites or requirements applicable towards certificates, Associate Degrees, and/or transfer. Each college and university decides how to apply transfer credit, including credit by exam. Currently, most of the transferable articulated classes transfer as lower division elective credits.

Educators looking for information on how to articulate their class can visit our Educator Information section.

Students and Families looking for information on completing the required steps, listing articulated credit on the college application, and requesting transcripts can visit our Student & Parent Information section.

Differences of Articulation, Dual Enrollment, & Concurrent Enrollment

Please note the differences of the early college credit opportunities available. Articulation agreements are not dual enrollment.

Articulation Agreements: This is a high school class taught by a high school teacher. The high school transcript shows the high school name. College faculty have reviewed the course information for equivalence and determined that students can petition for credit under CREDIT BY EXAM. If the student meets the requirements, the college will enroll the student in the MiraCosta class and transcript the grade simultaneously over the summer following the school year. It's a lengthy process due to the volume of classes and students. The college transcripts the final exam grade; while the high school transcripts the final course grade. There is no cost to the student.

Dual Enrollment: This is a college course taught by college faculty (or HS teacher who meets qualifications to teach college courses). Students receive both high school and college credit. The college course name is listed on the high school and college transcript. The grade earned in the course is transcripted. Students are enrolled at the beginning of the term and must adhere to the college enrollment and withdrawal deadlines. The grade is transcripted at the same time as all college students' grades at the end of a term. There is no cost for tuition or books to the student.

Concurrent Enrollment: High school students can enroll in college courses taught by college faculty. The class will consist of mostly college students. The student enrolls at the beginning of the term, and the grade earned is on the college transcript at the end of the term when all grades are posted for the college. There is no tuition cost, but students are responsible for the cost of books and other materials.