Online learning technology has proven to be a game-changer for colleges and universities. They hope to attract high schoolers to their programs before graduation. Now that schools can offer online access to their classes, high school students’ enrollment in online college courses has skyrocketed. As the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) points out, distance learning has elevated the opportunity for high school students to take college courses even if they don’t live near a college or university that offers these courses. With the right requirements, any high school student can enroll in these classes, no matter where they live. This article highlights 30 of the best online learning options for those who want to take online college classes in high school.
Featured Programs
#30—Shakespeare’s Life and Work
Platform: edX
College: Harvard University
One of the top online university courses for high schoolers in English language arts, Shakespeare’s Life and Work, is offered through Harvard University and hosted by edX. As a beginning-level humanities option, the class is entirely self-paced and requires just four weeks of study. Harvard Professor of Humanities Stephen Greenblatt teaches, and topics include:
- Biographical Information about Shakespeare
- Techniques for Analyzing Shakespearian Works
- Shakespeare in Historical Context
- Presentist Interpretation of Shakespeare
Cost: $0/99 per month
#29—Astronomy: Exploring Time and Space
Platform: Coursera
College: The University of Arizona
Astronomy: Exploring Time and Space is offered by the University of Arizona. It is one of the online courses for high school students on Coursera. You can take this class entirely online. It takes approximately 43 hours to complete. University of Arizona Professor Chris Impey and covers astronomical topics such as:
- Ancient Astronomy
- Annual Motion
- Hubble Space Telescope
- Matter and Radiation
This beginner-level course is free to audit, but students who wish to take college classes in high school online for possible credit may consider paying the $49 fee for the certificate track.
Cost: $0/49 per month
#28—How to Write an Essay
Platform: edX
College: University of California-Berkeley
To survive college, students must know how to write at the right academic level. This class prepares students to do just that. Offered via edX, the University of California-Berkeley’s How to Write an Essay makes the list because of its subject matter. Topics addressed by Berkeley Director of College Writing Programs Maggie Sokolik include:
- Grammar Terminology
- Writing Effective Sentences
- Self-Editing Strategies
- Thesis Statements
One of the required classes for high school students, How to Write an Essay, takes just five weeks of self-paced study to finish. Students who want to audit the course can do so at no cost.
Cost: $0/169
#27—Chemistry
Platform: Coursera
College: University of Kentucky
The University of Kentucky’s class in Chemistry is one of the completely free classes for high school students available on Coursera. Ideal for students whose high schools don’t offer a traditional advanced chemistry class, this fully online offering covers subjects such as:
- Subatomic Particles: Protons, Neutrons, Electrons, and the Nucleus
- Navigating the Periodic Table
- Types of Chemical Bonds
- Oxidation-Reduction Reactions
Students can expect to devote a total of approximately 22 hours to this course for completion. This is one of the more popular online courses for high schoolers on Coursera with nearly 130,000 enrolled students to date.
Cost: $0
#26—Precalculus
Platform: edX
College: Arizona StateUniversity
One of the university courses for high school students in our ranking, Arizona State University’s Precalculus is a credit-eligible class offered via edX. Intended to provide a foundation for more advanced studies in calculus, this 15-week, beginner-level course addresses precalculus fundamentals such as:
- Linear Functions
- Exponential Functions
- Trigonometric Functions
- Polynomial Functions
The course is part of ASU’s Global Freshman Academy and is therefore transferable towards a degree program from the university. Students can expect to devote between nine and ten hours of study per week to this course.
Cost: $0/49
#25—Computer Science: Programming with a Purpose
Platform: Coursera
College: PrincetonUniversity
Computer Science: Programming with a Purpose is one of the few online classes that are truly free for high school students currently available. It’s a must for students interested in pursuing a STEM degree. Offered by Princeton University, the course introduces students to the basics of computing, including topics such as:
- Basic Programming Concepts
- Recursion
- Mathematical Models
- Programming Languages
This is one of the more comprehensive online courses for high school students featured here, requiring roughly 88 hours of study to complete. It is offered entirely through online education and students enjoy flexible deadlines.
Cost: $0
#24—College Algebra and Problem Solving
Platform: edX
College: Arizona State University
Those looking for early college credit courses for high school students online should consider College Algebra and Problem Solving on edX. Offered by Arizona State University, this class is part of the university’s Global Freshman Academy and is credit-eligible. No prerequisites are required for this introductory-level course, which covers topics such as:
- Linear and Quadratic Functions
- Systems of Linear Equations
- Basic Algebraic Operations
- Problem-Solving Techniques
The estimated completion time for the course is 15 weeks, but students are encouraged to progress through course content at their own pace.
Cost: $0/49
#23—Getting Started With Music Theory
Platform: Coursera
College: Michigan State University
Students interested in studying music at the college level can get a head-start on their studies with an online class for high school students like Coursera’s Getting Started With Music Theory. Offered by Michigan State University, this online class is taught by MSU College of Music Associate Professor Bruce Taggart. It is not meant to be a comprehensive introduction to the complex topic of music theory and requires just 13 hours of study. Still, it addresses fundamentals such as:
- Tonality and Atonality
- Major and Minor Scales
- Accents and Meter Beats
- Roman Numeral Notations
The course is accessible entirely via distance learning, and a certificate of completion is available for a small fee.
Cost: $0/49
#22—Global Shakespeares: Re-Creating the Merchant of Venice
Platform: edX
College: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
MIT’s Global Shakespeares: Re-Creating the Merchant of Venice is one of several online classes for high school students that focuses on The Bard. This specific class emphasizes one of his plays in particular, however, and engages students in high-level analysis of The Merchant of Venice. Specific topics comprising the curriculum for the course include:
- Close Reading Techniques for Drama and Poetry
- The Merchant of Venice Production Choices
- Historical Versus Contemporary Context of Shakespeare
- Shakespearian Performance Techniques
The estimated completion time for this self-paced course is just 8 weeks, making it one of the best choices for online summer college courses for high school students.
Cost: $0/49
#21—How Things Work: An Introduction to Physics
Platform: Coursera
College: University of Virginia
One of the more popular online college courses for high school students, How Things Work: An Introduction to Physics, is offered by the University of Virginia. The class is taught by UVA Professor of Physics Louis A. Bloomfield and covers topics such as:
- Newton’s First and Second Laws
- Rotational Versus Translational Motion
- Frictional Forces
- Momentum
The unique appeal of this course is that it teaches intermediate physics concepts using simple, everyday objects such as wheels, ramps, and balls. Students can access the course content completely online and finish the class within just 14 hours.
Cost: $0/49
#20—How to Apply to College
Platform: Coursera
College: University of Pennsylvania
In terms of college classes that are free online for high school students, the University of Pennsylvania’s How to Apply to College is one that any college-bound student can benefit from. This 19-hour class provides a unique insight into the college admissions and selection process, covering subjects like:
- How the U.S. College System Works
- Common College Terms
- Writing the Personal Statement
- Financial Aid
The class is taught by leading higher education experts, including UPenn’s Dean of Admissions, Eric J. Furda. It is self-paced and can be accessed entirely online.
Cost: $0
#19—Introduction to Chemistry: Reactions and Ratios
Platform: Coursera
College: DukeUniversity
One of several online college courses for high school students offered by Duke University, Introduction to Chemistry: Reactions and Ratios provides a foundation for further study not only in chemistry but in health, science, and public policy. Taught by Associate Professor of Chemistry Dorian A. Canelas, the class covers beginner chemistry concepts like:
- The Scientific Method
- Atoms and Elements
- Covalent Bond Formation
- Chemical Composition and Reactions
This fully online course is self-paced and takes about 18 hours to complete. Over 85,000 students have taken this class on Coursera, and it enjoys a 95% content approval rating.
Cost: $0/49
#18—Introductory Human Physiology
Platform: Coursera
College: DukeUniversity
If a career in medicine or healthcare is on your horizon, then Introductory Human Physiology is definitely one of the free online college courses for high school students that you should consider. Offered on Coursera through Duke University, this introductory course covers topics in physiology such as:
- Organ Systems
- Metabolic Pathways
- The Nervous System
- The Cardiovascular System
Students should expect to devote 33 hours of study to the coursework required for this class. Since it’s one of the shorter courses available, it’s a top contender for the best online summer courses for high school students. The course is also quite popular amongst distance learners, with nearly 380,000 enrolled students to date.
Cost: $0/49
#17—The Science of Success: What Researchers Know that You Should Know
Platform: Coursera
College: University of Michigan
Though not specifically geared toward high schoolers, Coursera’s The Science of Success: What Researchers Know That You Should Know makes our list of top online college courses for high school students due to its length and the transformational nature of its content. This impactful course delves into the science behind achievement, addressing topics such as:
- Predictors of Success
- The Growth Mindset
- The Power of Self-Motivation
- Building a Network and Social Capital
Students should expect to devote eleven hours to the course, and its brevity makes it one of the best options for online summer college courses. The course is taught by the University of Michigan’s Lecturer of Management and Organizations, Paula Caproni.
Cost: $0/49
#16—The Science of the Solar System
Platform: Coursera
College: California Institute of Technology
Offered by CalTech, The Science of the Solar System is perhaps one of the most comprehensive free online college courses for high school students. This 30-hour distance learning offering is taught by Professor of Planetary Astronomy Mike Brown and covers captivating topics such as:
- Early Views of Mars
- Saturn and the Ice Giants
- The Formation of Terrestrial Planets
- Properties of Dwarf Planets
The course can be accessed entirely online, and students can set their own pace as they progress through the nine modules. A final exam is required.
Cost: $0/49
#15—AP Microeconomics
Platform: edX
College: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
AP Microeconomics from MIT is one of the Advanced Placement online college courses for high school students in our ranking. In this course, students are given the opportunity to master content covered on the AP Microeconomics exam administered by The College Board and earn college credit before university enrollment. Some of this introductory college-level content includes:
- Basic Economic Concepts
- Supply and Demand
- Market Failure
- Consumer Theory
The estimated completion time for this course is 12 weeks, and students should plan to devote 3-4 hours per week to their studies.
Cost: $0/49
#14—CS50’s Computer Science Principles
Platform: edX
College: Harvard University
Among the very best online college courses for high school students is Harvard University’s CS50’s Computer Science Principles. Available on edX, the course satisfies The College Board’s AP Computer Science Principles curriculum guidelines, making students eligible for the AP exam upon completion of all course requirements. Topics addressed over the duration of this entry-level course include:
- Software Engineering
- Resource Management
- Data Structures
- Mobile App Development
The course is self-paced but requires a 5-month time commitment. All course requirements can be fulfilled online.
Cost: $313.20
#13—AP English Literature & Composition—Part 1: Stories
Platform: edX
College: University of California-Berkeley
The first of a three-part series offered by the University of California- Berkeley, AP English Literature & Composition—Part 1: Stories is one of the best college credit courses for high school students available online. The course is hosted by edX and explores great works of literature around the theme “Monsters and Ghosts.” In it, UC-Berkeley Director of College Writing Programs Maggie Sokolik instructs on topics such as:
- Writing About Literature
- Gothic Literature: Culture and History
- Creative Writing
- AP Test-Taking Strategies
The class takes roughly 7 weeks to complete and is self-paced. The AP exam is not a requirement of the course.
Cost: $0/169
#12—AP English Literature & Composition—Part 2: Poems
Platform: edX
College: University of California- Berkeley
Another of the top online college credit courses for high school students, AP English Literature & Composition—Part 2: Poems, is also taught by UC-Berkeley Director of College Writing Programs Maggie Sokolik. This second part of the series focuses on classic and modern poetry with specific emphasis on the following:
- Chinese Poetry: The Six Dynasties and the Tang Dynasty
- England: Romantics and Victorian
- American Modernism: Poems for a New Country
- Analyzing Poems: Themes and Verses
While the course is self-paced, students are advised to reserve four to five hours per week for online coursework. The time to completion is an estimated seven weeks.
Cost: $0/139
#11—AP English Literature & Composition—Part 3: Plays
Platform: edX
College: University of California- Berkeley
The final installment of the online college courses for high school students planning to take the Advanced Placement English Literature & Composition exam, AP English Literature & Composition—Part 3: Plays addresses the genre of drama, focusing on the playwrights Shakespeare, Rostand, and Albee. Students enrolled in the course will study the following topics:
- Cyrano de Bergerac: The Man Behind the Nose
- Shakespeare: Moonlight Magic
- Albee: Introduction to George and Martha
- Defending a Thesis with Evidence
This seven-week course requires approximately four to five hours of study per week. All course materials can be accessed online.
Cost: $0/139
#10—AP Physics
Platform: edX
College: Rice University
One of the online college courses offered via Rice University is the AP Physics course hosted by edX. Although the class is categorized as an introductory course, it does assume some prerequisite knowledge of basic math and algebraic concepts. The goal of the course is to prepare students for the official AP Physics 1 exam administered by The College Board. Topics covered by the curriculum include:
- Waves and Sound
- Newton’s Laws and Motion
- Electric Forces and Fields
- Conservation of Energy and Momentum
The course is self-paced, but students can expect to devote between three and four hours per week to their coursework for 18 weeks.
Cost: $0/49
#9—Applying to U.S. Universities
Platform: Coursera
College: University of Pennsylvania
Designed for international students with intentions to attend college in the United States, Applying to U.S. Universities makes our list of the top free online college courses for high school students. This fully online course requires a total of 25 hours to complete and includes topics such as:
- The Realities of Admission: Understanding Timing
- English Language Testing Information
- Cost of a U.S. Education
- Early Admission/Decision Statistics
Nearly 90,000 students have enrolled in the course to date, and it maintains a 98% content approval rating. It is taught by UPenn University Connection Counseling Specialist Erick Hyde.
Cost: $0
#8—Dog Emotion and Cognition
Platform: Coursera
College: Duke University
One of the online college courses for high school students that can be taken for fun or for credit is Duke University’s Dog Emotion and Cognition. Taught by Associate Professor of Evolutionary Anthropology Brian Hare, the class features engaging content surrounding topics such as:
- The Paradoxical Canine
- Ecological Approach to Cognition
- Communicative Intentions
- Origins of Dog Social Cognition
This unique course is available fully online and requires roughly 22 hours of study to complete. It is a popular offering on Coursera, with nearly 185,000 enrolled students to date.
Cost: $0/49
#7—Introduction to Chemistry: Structures and Solutions
Platform: Coursera
College: Duke University
Students who require remediation in chemistry before enrolling in university-level coursework might consider taking Introduction to Chemistry: Structures and Solutions on Coursera. One of the online college courses for high school students offered by Duke University, the class features coursework on topics like:
- Light Wave Particle Duality
- Introduction to Quantum Numbers
- Simple Structure, Formal Charge, and Resonance
- Phases of Matter
This beginner-level course requires approximately 17 hours to complete and is available entirely online. Nearly 43,000 students have taken the course thus far, and it enjoys a 96% approval rating.
Cost: $0/49
#6—Tricky American English Pronunciation
Platform: Coursera
College: University of California- Irvine
Tricky American English Pronunciation on Coursera is one of the online college courses for high school students intended for students for whom English is their second language. Offered by the University of California- Irvine, the class addresses topics in English pronunciation, such as:
- Tricky Consonant Sounds
- Unstressed Vowels
- The Music of American English Pronunciation
- Common Linked Expressions
This 100% online course is completely self-paced and takes an estimated 21 hours to complete. Over 190,000 students have enrolled in the class to date, and it boasts a 98% content approval rating.
Cost: $0/79
#5—AP Italian Language and Culture (2021-2022)
Platform: edX
College: Wellesley College
AP Italian Language and Culture are one of the online college courses for high school students designed to prepare students for success on The College Board’s AP exam. This particular course is offered by Wellesley College and is taught by the school’s Department of Italian Studies Senior Lecturer Daniela Bartalesi-Graf. The curriculum for the course addresses topics covered on the Italian Language and Culture AP exam, such as:
- Contemporary Italian Culture
- Italian Grammar
- AP Test Strategies
This course requires two or three years of high school Italian courses as a prerequisite. Enrolled students are asked to devote between three and eight hours of study per week to the course for 12 weeks.
Cost: $0/49
#4—E-Sports: Leveling Up
Platform: Future Learn
College: University of Michigan
Students with dreams of working in the e-sports industry can benefit from the University of Michigan’s E-Sports: Leveling Up course. Offered by Future Learn, this brief class is just two weeks long, making it a good choice for high school students looking for online summer college courses. Topics addressed by the course curriculum include:
- History of E-Sports
- Collegiate E-Sports
- Diversity in E-Sports
- E-Sports Jobs and Careers
Currently, the University of Michigan is offering enrolled students free digital upgrades, making this one of the few entirely free online college courses for high school students.
Cost: $0
#3—Big Ideas in Programming: Expressing Yourself with Python
Platform: Future Learn
College: University of Michigan
Those individuals interested in learning to code may consider adding Big Ideas in Programming: Expressing Yourself with Python to their shortlist of online college courses for high school students. One of the newer online courses offered by the University of Michigan, the class covers topics such as:
- Basics of Python Programming
- Using Code Visualizers
- Functions and Strings
- Lists, Tuples, and Dictionaries
This course lasts just four weeks, making it ideal for high school students looking for online summer college courses. The suggested amount of study time per week is approximately four hours.
Cost: $0/59
#2—Web Application Technologies and Django
Platform: Future Learn
College: University of Michigan
Aspiring app developers may consider Future Learn’s Web Application Technologies and Django as one of the best online university courses for high school students. Offered through the University of Michigan, this five-week course introduces students to basic app and web page development. Topics covered over the duration of the course include:
- Fundamentals of HTML
- Basic Operations in SQL
- Django App Installation and Deployment
- The Request-Response Cycle
Students are asked to devote two hours per week to the required coursework. All course content is accessible entirely online, and the class is self-paced.
Cost: $0/49
#1—Mindware: Critical Thinking for the Information Age
Platform: Future Learn
College: University of Michigan
Offered through the University of Michigan, Mindware: Critical Thinking for the Information Age is one of the shorter online college courses for high school students on our list. This beginner-level class takes just four weeks to complete and includes subject matter such as:
- Basic Concepts of Probability and Statistics
- Avoiding False Correlations
- Cost-Benefit Analyses
- Logical and Dialectical Reasoning
Students should expect to devote approximately four hours per week to this course. Learning is self-paced and takes place entirely online.
Cost: $0/59
About College Courses for High School Students
It’s generally assumed that students need a high school diploma before enrolling in college courses, but this isn’t always the case. With online college courses for high school students, college-bound students can get a head start on their undergraduate coursework while saving money on tuition. For years, colleges and universities have been offering ways for high school students to access their courses. For example, dual enrollment programs provide ways for students to enroll in college while still maintaining their status as high school students. In addition, early college programs allow students to take classes over the summer before their official enrollment as college freshmen.
Why Take College Classes in High School Online?
Although there may be numerous factors that contribute to the decision to take online college courses for high school students, it usually comes down to the usual suspects—time and money. It is well-documented that a college education represents a huge investment of both, and college courses for high school students represent one of the best ways to cut down on costs and completion times. Dual enrollment, in particular, enables students to kill two birds with one stone, so to speak, earning credit for high school and college in a single course. Similarly, Advanced Placement classes give students the opportunity to earn credit by exam, saving months of study time and the cost of tuition.
Types of Online College Courses for High School Students
All online college courses for high school students represent convenient opportunities for students to earn valuable postsecondary credit before graduation. Still, not all of these opportunities are alike. When looking for these kinds of classes, it’s important to know the different varieties available so you can make the best choice. Below, our editors will discuss some of the popular types of online college courses for high school students:
Free Online College Courses for High School Students (MOOC)
When searching for any distance learning opportunity, it’s wise to keep cost in mind. If you’re looking to save money on the price of higher education, you’ll want to consider free online college courses for high school students. These offerings are a result of the Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC) movement. This development in distance learning made it possible for anyone to access coursework from top universities across the country at no cost. While it’s possible to access MOOC courses directly, you can also subscribe to a third-party platform like Coursera, edX, or Future Learn, for example. These platforms typically allow students to audit the course for free or pay a nominal fee in exchange for a certificate of completion.
Online AP Classes
In addition to MOOC (or free online college courses for high school students), online Advanced Placement (AP) courses provide another opportunity for distance learners to take college classes in high school online. These types of courses prepare high school students to take subject-area exams administered by The College Board. Success on these exams is rewarded with real college credit from thousands of colleges and universities across the United States. The AP program is not just a distance learning opportunity. In fact, The College Board has been administering these exams for decades. The traditional way for students to prepare for these exams is by taking an in-person course offered by their individual high school. Distance education has increased access to this test preparation, though. High school students can enroll in an AP class online despite barriers like time constraints or, more commonly, a lack of face-to-face AP courses offered at their high schools.
Dual Enrollment Online
Like online AP courses, dual enrollment programs powered by distance education offer yet another way for students to take college classes in high school online. The only real difference is the lack of an exam. With AP, students only receive college credit when they pass the AP exam for the specific subject they studied in their online AP class. On the other hand, dual enrollment offers college credit for the successful completion of a course. Another similarity between the Advanced Placement (AP) program and dual enrollment courses is that both can be accessed via either the traditional in-person route or online. With traditional dual enrollment programs, high school students would access their dual enrollment courses either at their high schools or on the campuses of nearby colleges and universities. Today, however, an increasing number of these postsecondary schools are offering dual enrollment courses to high school students online. This makes this pathway to college credit in high school much more convenient for busy students (and their parents).
Online Early College Programs
If you’re looking to take college classes in high school online, another option is online early college. Online early college programs are offered through colleges and universities across the country as a way of attracting promising students to their campuses while also offering them valuable credit-earning opportunities. Early college programs online are often combined with dual enrollment offerings to enhance a student’s ability to earn college credit. When considering such programs, keep in mind that each individual college or university will set its own eligibility criteria for students, and some are more competitive than others. Still, if you’re accepted, early college is a great way to access numerous college credit courses for high school students at once.
Online Summer Courses for High School Students
There are a number of things to consider when looking for online college courses for high school students, and one of these is timing. After all, it’s difficult to even think about taking college-level classes when your regular school schedule is already demanding. Enter online summer college courses. These distance learning opportunities provide students with the same opportunity to earn college credit, just on a timeline that makes more sense for them. Summer college programs are ideal for students who already have a high school schedule packed with advanced placement or other challenging courses and don’t have the time to devote to early college enrollment during the regular school year. Likewise, students who work part-time or participate in a demanding extracurricular activity like band or sports, for instance, may prefer taking online college classes over summer break. Online summer courses for high school students make earning college credit a possibility for students whose schedules wouldn’t allow it otherwise.
Frequently Searched Online College Courses for High School Students
In this section, our editors will address some of the more popular subject-area courses for those who want to take college classes in high school online. Here, popularity is judged by the frequency of online searches for these particular types of classes.
Online Business Programs for High School Students
Job opportunities in business are growing at a steady pace and are associated with a higher-than-average salary, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). It’s no surprise, then, that many high school students are looking to get a head start on a college degree in the business field. Below, you will find a sampling of online college courses for high school students in this professional discipline:
- Machine Learning (Stanford University)
- Python for Everybody (University of Michigan)
- Business Foundations (University of Pennsylvania)
- Entrepreneurship in Emerging Economies (Harvard University)
- Finance for Everyone: Smart Tools for Decision-Making (University of Michigan)
- Communicating and Negotiating in a Dynamic Global
Online Biology Courses for High School Students
Biology courses are common prerequisites for careers in the healthcare field—a field that is currently growing rapidly due to an aging baby boomer population. Thus, it makes sense that online college courses for high school students in the academic discipline of biology would also be in demand. College courses available to high schoolers in this particular area of study include:
- Introduction to Biology: The Secret of Life (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)
- AP Biology—Part 1: The Cell (Rice University)
- Introduction to Genetics and Evolution (Duke University)
- Biology Everywhere (University of Colorado- Boulder)
- Understanding the Brain: The Neurobiology of Everyday Life (The University of Chicago)
- Anatomy (The University of Michigan)
Online Engineering Courses for High School Students
Engineering is another steadily growing occupation associated with high wages, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Students who wish to jumpstart their pursuit toward a college degree in the field should consider these courses for high school students in the discipline of engineering. Some sample classes that fit this criterion include:
- Introduction to Thermodynamics (University of Michigan)
- Engineering Project Management (Rice University)
- A Hands-On Introduction to Engineering Simulations (Cornell University)
- Introduction to Engineering Mechanics (Georgia Institute of Technology)
- Solar Engineering Basics: State University of New York
Online Journalism Courses for High School Students
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that jobs for journalists and news reporters are currently growing about as fast as the average occupation. Since a bachelor’s degree is required for these positions, high school students with an interest in journalism may wish to take college classes before graduation. Some examples of journalism-related online courses for high school students include:
- Become a Journalist: Report the News (Michigan State University)
- English for Journalism (University of Pennsylvania)
- Introduction to Public Relations and the Media (University of Colorado- Boulder)
- Journalism for Social Change (University of California- Berkeley)
- English for Journalists, Part 1 (University of California- Berkeley)
Online College Math Courses for High School Students
Math classes are common general education requirements at the college level, and they can be a springboard for a multitude of different career paths. Students with a desire to take college classes in high school online should consider the following available online courses:
- College Algebra and Problem Solving (Arizona State University)
- Introduction to Discrete Mathematics for Computer Science (University of California- San Diego)
- Introduction to Statistics (Stanford University)
- Data Science Math Skills (Duke University)
- Precalculus: (Arizona State University)
Online Writing Courses for High School Students
Writing effectively is a critical skill for college freshmen. In fact, the ability to express oneself via the written word can make or break a student’s academic performance. Students who want to sharpen their writing skills before enrollment in university courses can do so by taking online classes for high school students in the area of writing. Some examples include:
- Writing and Editing: Word Choice and Word Order (University of Michigan)
- Creative Writing (Wesleyan University)
- Writing in the Sciences (Stanford University)
- English Composition I (Duke University)
- English Composition: Research and Writing (Arizona State University)
- AP English Composition—Part I: Stories
Frequently-Asked Questions About College Classes Online for High School Students
Q: Are there college classes that are free online for a high school student?
A: Yes. While most classes for college credit are associated with a small fee, many online classes can be audited for free.
Q: How long does it take to complete these online courses for a high school student?
A: Each course is different. Consult with the university or distance learning platform for information about the timeline for specific classes.
Q: Are there eligibility requirements for a high school student to take online courses?
A: Sometimes. While it’s possible to find online courses with no eligibility requirements, some courses and programs require that students meet certain criteria such as grade level or GPA, for instance.
Q: How many credits can a high school student earn?
A: With a combination of AP classes, dual enrollment, and/or online summer courses, a high school student, it’s possible to earn up to a semester’s worth of credits or more before official university enrollment.
Sources:
- Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook
- The College Board: AP Students
- National Center for Education Statistics (NCES): Dual Enrollment: Participation and Characteristics
- 15 Best Value College Summer Programs for High School Students
- What Is a Good High School GPA?
- 50 Great Scholarships for High School Seniors
- Free Online College Courses
- Free Ivy League Courses Online
- Free Online College Courses for Adults
- How Do Online Classes Work?
- Best Online Courses for College Credit
- Advantages of Online Courses for College Credit
- College Prep Checklist
- Affordable Colleges for a STEM Degree