ASU breaks barriers for homeschool families seeking college credit

High school junior Saige often completes her schoolwork in the car. Currently being recruited by Division 1 women’s ice hockey programs, Saige chooses to maximize her time during the long drives home from the ice rink. 

For over a year, Saige has been taking Universal Learner Courses (ULCs) through Arizona State University to earn college credit while still in high school. With her demanding athletic schedule, Saige, who is homeschooled, was drawn to the flexibility of ULCs, which are self-paced and offered online.

Accelerate ASU, Arizona State University’s dual-enrollment program, offers more than 75 ULCs covering STEM, the humanities and more. The program is open to all learners regardless of age, GPA or standardized test scores, removing traditional barriers that limit universal access to university courses while in high school.

Saige’s mother, Patty, first learned about Accelerate ASU through Homeschooling for College Credit (HS4CC), a 501c3 nonprofit group founded by Jennifer Cook-DeRosa, M.S. A long time partner with Accelerate ASU, HS4CC is a regular advocate for its dual enrollment courses.

Cook-DeRosa, a seasoned homeschooling mom herself, created the support organization for families seeking information about college credit options for their homeschooled teens.

“We have about 75,000 families in our organization total,” says Cook-DeRosa, “but with almost 10,000 families using ASU’s [dual enrollment program], it is by far the most popular program in our organization.”

A low-risk path, wherever you’re headed

Homeschool students tend to be highly motivated and independent learners, says Cook-DeRosa. For teens trying college-level work for the first time, ASU’s low-risk model can be appealing. 

“Probably the number one reason that parents say they want to use [ASU’s] courses is to have grade point protection,” she says. 

After enrolling in ASU’s ULCs, students only pay for the course to be added to their ASU transcript if they are satisfied with their final grade, with students who earn a C or higher eligible for their grade to be transcribed. This contrasts with most dual-enrollment programs, which negatively affect a learner’s college transcript if they do poorly in a class or withdraw from a course, leaving a paper trail that follows them as they begin college.

“We have families [where] their student might finish with a nice high ‘B,’ but they want to repeat it again and get that ‘A,” says Cook-DeRosa, a feature uniquely available through ASU.

The average family in the HS4CC community that takes a ULC through ASU goes on to take 5 ASU courses total, which amounts to one full semester of credit earned. Many students use these credits to transfer to a target university or to earn a degree at ASU. 

But HS4CC families also find college credit useful when working towards associates degrees, apprenticeships and military pathways.

Ice hockey goalie Saige first became interested in ASU’s program when she learned she would not have to take entrance exams to enroll, which differed from her local community college’s admission policies. 

Like many homeschoolers, Saige also appreciated the low-risk model of ULCs. 

“With the added bonus of grade protection, we could ‘try’ college level courses and gauge where she was in her academic journey without compromising her college record,” says her mother Patty. “Turns out she was more than ready for it, and has been extremely motivated to use dual enrollment classes to help bring down the cost of a future college degree.”

Quality and convenience for all learners

So far, Saige has taken 21 ULCs through ASU, maintaining a GPA of 4.0. In addition to playing hockey, she hopes to one day work in the field of environmental science. 

Patty has been helping Saige craft an educational pathway that she hopes can satisfy her future career goals along with NCAA eligibility requirements. Saige is currently working towards ASU’s online certificates in STEM Foundations, Behavioral Science and Energy and Sustainability.

With transferability of credits a priority for Saige, who is undecided on her future school, Patty says she feels “confident about ASU’s reputation as a top-ranked program.” As ASU’s ULCs are well-known among other four-year colleges and universities around the world, many homeschool families find ease in transferring ASU credits towards their future goals.

Saige has appreciated the rigor and flexibility of her courses while she balances her athletic and scholastic commitments.

“Throughout my time using ASU’s [ULCs], I have enjoyed its level of quality and convenience,” she says. “ASU’s in-class platform is well organized and easily accessible, whether you are checking your grades or looking on your calendar for upcoming deadlines. The classes themselves are well paced and taught by some of the best professors in their fields. I have yet to be disappointed by one of these classes, and I highly suggest them to anyone looking to expand their knowledge while earning college credits.” 

Partnering with ASU to remove barriers

Homeschooling for College Credit is one of Accelerate ASU’s 550+ partners around the world. 

This November, HS4CC partnered with Accelerate ASU to create a new program, which Cook-DeRosa calls a “game changer” for homeschooling families.

The partnership gives families in the HS4CC community access to ASU ULCs through Accelerate ASU at a discounted price, as well as additional support through HS4CC that is not available through the public Facebook page.

“It makes it super price competitive, so even for families in our community who have access to reduced tuition in their state or even sometimes free options, parents really like it,” says Cook-DeRosa. 

Dr. Audrey Moreno,* Senior Director of Accelerate ASU, emphasizes that removing barriers to college education is integral to Accelerate ASU’s mission.

“Homeschooling for College Credit is a true innovator in the early college landscape,” she says. “Their community-driven approach and exceptional human capital have created one of the most powerful networks supporting college credit–earning in the country. They consistently go above and beyond to expand opportunities for the families they serve, and our partnership with HS4CC enables Accelerate ASU to amplify that mission by offering flexible, accessible dual enrollment options that meet learners exactly where they are.”

For homeschool families hoping to learn how to  bring college credit into their homeschools, visit: homeschoolingforcollegecredit.org.

For homeschool co-ops interested in a dual enrollment partnership, visit:accelerate.asu.edu/partner-with-us/homeschool.

*Conflict of interest disclosure: Dr. Moreno currently serves on the Homeschooling for College Credit board.