College in High School
Students enrolled at Greenville High School will have the opportunity to earn college credits during the regular school day through the University of Pittsburgh and Seton Hill University "College in High School" programs. CHS courses are taught by Greenville High School teachers who have been approved as adjunct faculty members at these respective institutions. Ultimately, students will have the opportunity to earn college credits at a fraction of the cost, experience university-level coursework, and graduate from Greenville HS with a jumpstart into higher education. Below you will find information organized in Question and Answer format about CHS.
CHS Q&A
Q.
Why would I want to take college classes as a high school student?
A.
Taking college classes in high school has many positive aspects.
1. You can earn credits that are usually transferrable to many colleges and universities across the country.
2. You will gain academic confidence taking university-level coursework.
3. You will save money - CHS courses cost substantially less than courses taken on campus as a traditionally enrolled student.
Q.
How long has College in High School been around?
A.
CHS is new to Northern Mercer County; however, it has been a staple in the greater Allegheny County area for 30 years. During this time, thousands of students have benefited from this unique educational advancement opportunity.
Q.
How much do CHS courses cost?
A.
Seton Hill University courses (3 and 4 credits) are $225
University of Pittsburgh courses (3 and 4 credits) are $245 (except for Chemistry which is $320)
Thiel College courses (3 credits) are $280
· These are the cost per course, not per credit.
· Tuition is not due until the September deadline.
· Tuition is not required, nor is it accepted, during any point other than the early fall after your teacher has reviewed the parameters of the CHS program.
Q.
What is my status as a student if I take a college in high school course?
A.
Your status as a full-time student at Greenville High School will not change. Upon enrolling in a CHS course, you will become a part-time, non-matriculated student at the University of Pittsburgh and/or Seton Hill University. All university policies, such as course withdrawals, will be handled according to the institution's guidelines.
Q.
Do I have to enroll for college credit if I want to take a course that offers CHS credit?
A.
No. You are permitted to take any CHS accredited course for Greenville High School credit regardless of your intentions of taking advantage of the credit bearing opportunities of CHS.
Q.
Do I need to take other classes before I can take CHS courses?
A.
You must fulfill all expressed prerequisite courses in order to participate in a CHS course. Prerequisites are listed in the Course of Study (posted on the Greenville High School website and available for review in the guidance office).
Q.
How do I sign up for CHS courses?
A.
First you enroll for CHS courses during the spring registration window, just like you do for your other courses. Then in the first few weeks of school, your high school teacher will give you the application materials to register for CHS. You must submit your application by your teacher's deadline sometime in mid-September.
Q.
How are CHS courses graded?
A.
CHS courses are graded according to university expectations, which will include university approved and/or university mandated assignments and exams. With few exceptions, CHS courses include a comprehensive final examination that is approved by the university. Check with specific CHS teachers for specific details.
Q.
Will I have to travel to campus if I take a CHS course?
For most CHS courses, you will not have to travel to campus. The only glaring exception is CHS Chemistry II, where you will travel three or four times per year to Pitt's campus in Oakland for laboratory experiments and a comprehensive final exam. There may be several courses that elect to travel to campus for a special lecture, symposium, or seminar. In all cases related to CHS, travel arrangements will be made through Greenville High School and will not be the responsibility of the student.
Q.
Will College in High School credits transfer to the college or university of my choice?
A.
There is a very good chance that your college or university of choice will transfer the courses that you take through CHS; however, please understand that each institution of higher education has the ability to accept or deny transfer courses from other institutions. Greenville High School has extended this opportunity to students, but it is up to you to check with prospective colleges and universities related to transfer credit. Another component related to successful transfer is your performance in the CHS course, so it is imperative that you do your best!
Q.
How do I get my CHS courses to transfer to my institution of choice?
A.
As a CHS student, you will receive (upon request) a transcript from the University of Pittsburgh or Seton Hill University just like you were a full-time student at these institutions. Once you graduate from Greenville High School, you will submit a request through the registrar at Pitt or Seton Hill (or both) for an official university transcript to be sent to the institution where you will be attending. Your academic records are permanent, so you can request a transcript at any time. Your teachers will review the process for requesting a transcript towards the end of your CHS course.
Q.
What if I want to take a CHS course for credit, but don't have the means to pay tuition?
A.
Please be reminded that you can take any course that offers CHS credit regardless of your interest or ability to pay for the credit-bearing option. This creates a level playing field for all Greenville High School students in terms of access to advanced phasing courses. These courses are found desirable by students who want to increase their class standing and QPA.
There are possible provisions that allow students who have demonstrated financial need to take courses for CHS credit. These provisions are considered on a case-by-case basis and are subject to change by the accrediting university. Specific information regarding financial need can be addressed by the cooperating teacher, school counselors, or principals.
Q.
Are there any additional considerations that I should make?
A.
Yes. There are several...
1. There is no guarantee on how CHS courses may transfer due to your major and/or minor. For example, the majority of students will find that CHS Statistics (STAT 0200) through the University of Pittsburgh has an extremely high rate of transfer as a core mathematics competency for many majors. However, STAT 0200 is not usually transferred as a degree fulfilling competency for students majoring in subject areas like mathematics, physics, and engineering (in these cases, the course is usually transferred as an elective class). Again, there is a tremendous amount of value taking CHS classes as a high school student in terms of their educational impact, but it is imperative that you are aware that there is inherent variability in how these courses will work for all students.
2. If you have any ideas related to where you may attend and/or have an idea of what field you may potentially major in, it is advisable to speak to the institution directly related to matters of transfer credit. If you do attend Pitt or Seton Hill, CHS courses will count towards your GPA as a university student.
This informational sheet has been provided to you in an attempt to offer as much information and answer as many questions as possible. If you have additional questions related to CHS, please contact the Greenville High School principals or guidance counselors.
Q.
Why would I want to take college classes as a high school student?
A.
Taking college classes in high school has many positive aspects.
1. You can earn credits that are usually transferrable to many colleges and universities across the country.
2. You will gain academic confidence taking university-level coursework.
3. You will save money - CHS courses cost substantially less than courses taken on campus as a traditionally enrolled student.
Q.
How long has College in High School been around?
A.
CHS is new to Northern Mercer County; however, it has been a staple in the greater Allegheny County area for 30 years. During this time, thousands of students have benefited from this unique educational advancement opportunity.
Q.
How much do CHS courses cost?
A.
Seton Hill University courses (3 and 4 credits) are $225
University of Pittsburgh courses (3 and 4 credits) are $245 (except for Chemistry which is $320)
Thiel College courses (3 credits) are $280
· These are the cost per course, not per credit.
· Tuition is not due until the September deadline.
· Tuition is not required, nor is it accepted, during any point other than the early fall after your teacher has reviewed the parameters of the CHS program.
Q.
What is my status as a student if I take a college in high school course?
A.
Your status as a full-time student at Greenville High School will not change. Upon enrolling in a CHS course, you will become a part-time, non-matriculated student at the University of Pittsburgh and/or Seton Hill University. All university policies, such as course withdrawals, will be handled according to the institution's guidelines.
Q.
Do I have to enroll for college credit if I want to take a course that offers CHS credit?
A.
No. You are permitted to take any CHS accredited course for Greenville High School credit regardless of your intentions of taking advantage of the credit bearing opportunities of CHS.
Q.
Do I need to take other classes before I can take CHS courses?
A.
You must fulfill all expressed prerequisite courses in order to participate in a CHS course. Prerequisites are listed in the Course of Study (posted on the Greenville High School website and available for review in the guidance office).
Q.
How do I sign up for CHS courses?
A.
First you enroll for CHS courses during the spring registration window, just like you do for your other courses. Then in the first few weeks of school, your high school teacher will give you the application materials to register for CHS. You must submit your application by your teacher's deadline sometime in mid-September.
Q.
How are CHS courses graded?
A.
CHS courses are graded according to university expectations, which will include university approved and/or university mandated assignments and exams. With few exceptions, CHS courses include a comprehensive final examination that is approved by the university. Check with specific CHS teachers for specific details.
Q.
Will I have to travel to campus if I take a CHS course?
For most CHS courses, you will not have to travel to campus. The only glaring exception is CHS Chemistry II, where you will travel three or four times per year to Pitt's campus in Oakland for laboratory experiments and a comprehensive final exam. There may be several courses that elect to travel to campus for a special lecture, symposium, or seminar. In all cases related to CHS, travel arrangements will be made through Greenville High School and will not be the responsibility of the student.
Q.
Will College in High School credits transfer to the college or university of my choice?
A.
There is a very good chance that your college or university of choice will transfer the courses that you take through CHS; however, please understand that each institution of higher education has the ability to accept or deny transfer courses from other institutions. Greenville High School has extended this opportunity to students, but it is up to you to check with prospective colleges and universities related to transfer credit. Another component related to successful transfer is your performance in the CHS course, so it is imperative that you do your best!
Q.
How do I get my CHS courses to transfer to my institution of choice?
A.
As a CHS student, you will receive (upon request) a transcript from the University of Pittsburgh or Seton Hill University just like you were a full-time student at these institutions. Once you graduate from Greenville High School, you will submit a request through the registrar at Pitt or Seton Hill (or both) for an official university transcript to be sent to the institution where you will be attending. Your academic records are permanent, so you can request a transcript at any time. Your teachers will review the process for requesting a transcript towards the end of your CHS course.
Q.
What if I want to take a CHS course for credit, but don't have the means to pay tuition?
A.
Please be reminded that you can take any course that offers CHS credit regardless of your interest or ability to pay for the credit-bearing option. This creates a level playing field for all Greenville High School students in terms of access to advanced phasing courses. These courses are found desirable by students who want to increase their class standing and QPA.
There are possible provisions that allow students who have demonstrated financial need to take courses for CHS credit. These provisions are considered on a case-by-case basis and are subject to change by the accrediting university. Specific information regarding financial need can be addressed by the cooperating teacher, school counselors, or principals.
Q.
Are there any additional considerations that I should make?
A.
Yes. There are several...
1. There is no guarantee on how CHS courses may transfer due to your major and/or minor. For example, the majority of students will find that CHS Statistics (STAT 0200) through the University of Pittsburgh has an extremely high rate of transfer as a core mathematics competency for many majors. However, STAT 0200 is not usually transferred as a degree fulfilling competency for students majoring in subject areas like mathematics, physics, and engineering (in these cases, the course is usually transferred as an elective class). Again, there is a tremendous amount of value taking CHS classes as a high school student in terms of their educational impact, but it is imperative that you are aware that there is inherent variability in how these courses will work for all students.
2. If you have any ideas related to where you may attend and/or have an idea of what field you may potentially major in, it is advisable to speak to the institution directly related to matters of transfer credit. If you do attend Pitt or Seton Hill, CHS courses will count towards your GPA as a university student.
This informational sheet has been provided to you in an attempt to offer as much information and answer as many questions as possible. If you have additional questions related to CHS, please contact the Greenville High School principals or guidance counselors.