Jumpstart Your College Journey

Dual Enrollment at Chesapeake College gives high school juniors and seniors the chance to earn college credits for free* while still in high school. Experience real college courses, explore a wide range of subjects, and get a head start on your future—all without the pressure of a single exam.

Take advantage of this opportunity to save time, save money, and prepare for success.

Free and Discounted Tuition: Maryland’s Blueprint for Education mandates that public high schools cover the tuition of Dual Enrollment courses for juniors and seniors in Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s and Talbot Counties.

Requirements may vary per county, and some restrictions may apply—for example, how many credits the school will pay for per student, and what standards the student may need to meet in order to enroll in Dual Enrollment courses, among other differences between counties.

Even if your school won’t cover all of the courses you’d like to take, Chesapeake College offers discounted tuition rates for all Dual Enrolled students. Visit this page for more information.

  • Guaranteed College Credit: In Dual Enrollment, students earn actual college credits by passing the course. In contrast, AP courses require students to pass a standardized AP exam, and even then, credit is not guaranteed, as it depends on the score and the policies of individual colleges.
  • Real College Experience: DE courses are often taken at a college or through college-level instructors, providing students with a genuine college environment and expectations. AP courses, while challenging, are still high school-based and don’t fully replicate the college experience.
  • Flexible Credit Transfer: DE credits typically transfer more easily between colleges, especially if the courses are taken through an accredited institution like Chesapeake College. AP credit acceptance and the score required for credit can vary widely between colleges and universities.
  • Broader Course Selection: Dual Enrollment offers a wider variety of subjects, including specialized or career-focused courses that may not be available in AP, allowing students to explore different fields of study earlier.
  • Less Pressure on One Exam: DE grades are based on performance throughout the course, while AP relies heavily on the outcome of a single exam. This can reduce stress for students who may not perform well on standardized tests but excel in coursework.

To participate in Dual Enrollment through the high school and Chesapeake College, a high school student:

  • Must be a high school junior or senior and
  • Must possess a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or greater and
  • Must receive approval from the high school counselor or authorizer to participate and parent/guardian approval and
  • Be enrolled in one of the public school systems in the college’s service region (must be a resident of Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s, or Talbot County) or in a non-profit institution offering instruction at the secondary level that is either operating with a Certificate of Approval issued by the Maryland State Department of Education or registered with the Department as a Church Exempt School.

NOTE: Many home-schooled students may be eligible to participate in this program. Please contact the our Dual Enrollment advisors at [email protected] or 410-827-5856 for more information.

Two female students walk outside on campus.

For more information, students should first talk to their high school counselor, then contact Chesapeake College's Dual Enrollment team at [email protected] or 410-827-5856.

Let’s Get Started!

Follow the steps outlined here to get started in Dual Enrollment at Chesapeake. We know the process can feel overwhelming, and we want you to know that we’re here to help! Caregivers and students are invited to reach out with any questions, whatsoever. It’s what we’re here for!

  • 1

    First Things First…

    See if you’re eligible to participate. You must have completed your sophomore year of high school with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5, and be enrolled in an eligible high school in our service region. Please see above section for details.

  • 2

    Meet with your high school counselor 

    or other high school official to discuss your interest in the program. With the assistance of the high school official, complete the Dual Enrollment Certification Form with all of the required signatures.

  • 3

    Apply to Chesapeake College

    Create an account and submit your Chesapeake College online application to complete the process. Be sure to select High School (Dual Enrollment) as your ADMIT TYPE.

you belong HERE

Build your skills outside the classroom—join one of our clubs and organizations, or create your own!

connect to WHAT’S NEXT