College-Level Coursework

Have you gotten a jumpstart on your college credit? UWRF grants credit for the successful completion of college-level coursework while still in high school. We grant credit for Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB) and College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) exams. Credits earned may be used towards your general education or degree requirements or towards elective credit.

You must have CollegeBoard send an official score report directly to UWRF. The AP college code is 1918. 

CollegeBoard Advanced Placement (AP) Course List 

You must have IB send an official score report directly to UWRF to be awarded IB credit. 

International Baccalaureate Course List

You must have CLEP send an official score transcript directly to UWRF to be considered for credit. The college code for UWRF is 1918. 

CLEP Subject Exam List

UWRF Section Separator

High School Credit Options

Did you know that there are several options for you to earn college credit while still in high school? You can get a leg up on your college education, explore each of our programs and determine your best fit.


Guaranteed First Year Admissions Policy for High School Students

The Guaranteed First Year Admissions Policy invites high school students who have participated in any High School Credit Option at UWRF and who meet the requirements to bypass the essay portion of the first year application and have the peace of mind that they are guaranteed admission to UWRF as a first year student!

Required qualifications for guaranteed admission:

  • Completion of two or more UWRF courses taken while in high school
  • Cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher for UWRF college coursework
  • Cumulative high school GPA of 2.5 or higher
  • Completion of the UWRF admissions application and submission of high school transcripts
    • To save time, simply paste the following statement into the essay: "Guaranteed admission agreement for UWRF courses taken during high school."

Dual Academic Credit Program (DACP)

Are you a River Falls, Hudson, New Richmond, Osceola, Amery, Marshfield, Belleville, Holmen or St. Croix Central student? These high schools now offers dual credit opportunities in partnership with UWRF. You may elect to earn both college credits and required high school credits simultaneously, providing you with an opportunity to earn UWRF credit right at the high school. Upon successful completion of the course, you’ll be awarded credits that count towards both your high school and university requirements.

  • Step 1: Complete the UW System Application as a Dual Academic Credit Program (DACP) applicant online.
    • Submitting an application does not commit you to taking the course with UWRF. Your commitment begins when you begin the course and submit payment.
    • Answer NO when asked, "Are you applying as a degree-seeking student?" 
    • When asked to "Choose Your Program," choose "Dual Academic Credit Program (DACP)."
    • Do NOT submit an essay or your transcript.
  • Step 2: Commit to the course by letting your counselor and your teacher know. You will also commit to the course by submitting your payment to the high school.
  • Step 3: Commit to excellence in your college coursework offered at your high school but college-approved high school teachers. You're generating a permanent college transcript! If things don't go as planned, talk with your teacher or counselor about your options. College courses have very strict withdrawal and billing deadlines so be sure to ask about your options!

Although you take your DACP courses at the high school and on the high school schedule, registration and billing practices follow the UWRF schedule. What does this mean for you? Courses taught at the high school over the full year, quarter one or two, semester one or trimester one are considered fall UWRF courses. Courses taught at the high school in quarter three or four, semester two or trimester one or two are considered spring UWRF courses.

Plan your teacher/counselor conversations ahead so that you don’t miss deadlines! We require DACP applications at least one week prior to the start of UWRF terms. However, your school may have even earlier deadlines. Check with your school on payment deadlines too! Schools require full payments - or in some cases commitment to full payments - before you can register for DACP courses. You should be fully admitted and committed to register for courses before the UWRF term starts.

You are responsible for payment of course tuition at $105 per credit paid to your high school. If you are on free or reduced lunch, the tuition payment is $55 per credit. Check with your school for payment options and deadlines. 

  • If you had a semester gap (fall or spring) between enrolling in classes at UWRF, you need to reapply for DACP admission. For instance, if you enrolled in courses in fall 2022 but did not enroll in courses in spring 2023, then you will need to reapply before you can enroll in courses in the fall 2023 term.
  • If you earned a grade below 'C-' in any UWRF courses during your time as a DACP, ECCP and/or High School Special student, you will need to appeal for readmittance to UWRF for future high school credit options. 
    • If a student earns a grade below 'C-' in any UWRF courses during their time as a DACP, ECCP and/or High School Special student, admission to the university will be withdrawn. Without admission status, students will not be able to take courses at UWRF as a high school student. Students with below 'C-' grades will need to meet with their school counselors to appeal for readmittance to UWRF as an ECCP, DACP and/or high school special student.

      If the counselor approves the appeal, a case will then be presented to the UWRF College of Arts and Sciences assistant dean for high school outreach initiatives. If the appeal is approved by both the high school counselor and the assistant dean, the student will be allowed to once again take UWRF courses as a high school student. This policy is strictly applied to DACP, ECCP and/or High School Special students. First-year students at UWRF have separate academic suspension policies. If a student is already admitted as a first-year student or plans to apply as a first-year student, this appeal process will not affect their admission decision, though their final grades will be considered.

The Early College Credit Program (ECCP)

Students at Wisconsin public and private schools can earn college credit via ECCP. If you are selected for the program, you may enroll at UWRF. You are allowed to take one or more courses for high school and/or college credit. Under ECCP, the costs of the courses are shared among UWRF, the school district, the state, and in some cases, the student's family. The ECCP option is the most affordable credit option and you can earn up to 18 total credits via ECCP.

Note: Students participating in this program should understand that these are real college courses for real college credit. The course grades will go on an official college transcript (permanent record). Students should be confident they are ready to take on the challenging work of a college course before enrolling. 

Wisconsin DPI resources:

Interested in taking the next step at UWRF? Contact us at admissions@uwrf.edu!

Deadlines are important to note as you prepare for this program.

  1. First Deadline: Students will need to complete an ECCP form and submit it to their high school counselor. High school counselors will then follow procedure to have that form reviewed for approval by the appropriate officials. The approved form is then sent to the Admissions Office of the institution seeking enrollment.
     
  2. Second Deadline: All application materials must be submitted to the Admissions Office (attention: ECCP Coordinator) for processing. This includes the ECCP form, high school transcript and completion of the UW System Application (online).
Items DueSummer SemesterFall SemesterSpring Semester
Due to high school counselor: ECCP formFebruary 1March 1October 1
Due to UWRF Admissions: UW System Application, transcripts and ECCP formStart of termStart of termStart of term

 

A complete application file includes: a completed/approved ECCP form, high school transcript and UW System Application. Please pay close attention to the instructions and resources for each item: 

Step 1: ECCP form. You must complete and submit this form to your high school counselor. Once the form has been approved, the form should then be sent to UWRF Admissions. 

  • The ECCP form is available here.
  • Where possible, please type on this document. It is super important that we are able to clearly read this form. 
  • Approved forms should be emailed to admissions@uwrf.edu and directed towards the ECCP Coordinator. The form should contain all necessary information, signatures and approval markings. 
  • Students MUST complete a new form for each term they are interested in participating. 
  • Resources to help complete form:
    • See what others have taken: Common ECCP Courses taken at UWRF
    • Make the most of your time by taking general education courses: UWRF General Education
    • See what courses are available by subject and delivery mode by using the Class Schedule Lookup for UWRF or the Department Listings. UWRF offers a variety of in person and online course options to choose from!
    • Looking for strictly online and asynchronous courses? We encourage you to look at UW-Extended (UWX) Associate of Arts and Sciences (AAS) program courses listed in the Class Schedule Lookup.
    • When completing your ECCP form, please be sure to accurately record course catalog number and title for proper processing.  
      • Example: UWX AN100 – Introduction to Anthropology.
    • Students interested in UWX courses will be connected with our Director of Associate Degrees during the registration process.
    • Textbooks are not included with these courses. 
    • For more information about our associate degree offerings, visit https://uwex.wisconsin.edu/aas/.

Step 2: High School Transcripts: You must submit a high school transcript. 

  • Transcripts should be emailed admissions@uwrf.edu and directed to the ECCP Coordinator, Katrina Rosik
  • An updated transcript is needed at each term you're interested in participating in the program.  

Step 3: UW System Application

  • First time ECCP students must complete a UW System Application for UW-River Falls
    • ECCP students will only need to submit the UW System Application once, as long as you stay active at UWRF. Staying active means taking a course each fall and spring term, whether it is an ECCP, DACP or High School Special course. If you take a break between semesters then you'll need to reapply when you want to continue taking courses.
  • High School Special - Early College Credit Program (ECCP) should be the type/program
  • Click here to apply!
  • Need help with your application? Click here!

Eligible students for ECCP:

  • are enrolled at a Wisconsin public or private school in grades 9-12 (DPI)
  • have (and maintain) a 3.0 GPA or above in high school 
  • and are Wisconsin residents (must reside in Wisconsin for 12 consecutive months). 

If you don't meet the above criteria, you may be considered for ECCP on a case-by-case basis by submitting significant and convincing letters of recommendation. An essay may also be requested. 

  • Approval by the high school does not guarantee admission to the university.
  • ECCP students will register on a space-available basis. Course registration is not guaranteed.
  • If a student receives a failing grade or they drop a course for which the school district has made payment, the school district may request reimbursement from the student or from the student's parent or guardian for all costs related to the course.
  • The UWRF ECCP Coordinator will be in contact with students as they are admitted into the university to communicate next steps and prepare for registration. Registration typically takes place for
    • Fall semester in late June
    • Spring semester in early through mid December 
    • Summer session in late March
  • ECCP Special Course Fee Form
    • Click here to download the form.   
      • If you register for a course that has an additional course fee, you may need to submit a Special Course Fee Form for payment approval from your high school. Check with your school for the proper requirements.

UW System Placement Test

  • Once the student has completed the activation process of their Falcon Account, they will gain access to the online Wisconsin Placement Tests. 
  • Complete the registration form here.
    • Your Falcon Account must be activated prior to completing the registration form because you’ll need it to sign in. If you have not activated your account or need to change/update your password, click here.
    • Once you click on the hyperlink to fill out the registration form, you will indicate UW-River Falls and then sign in with your W# and password.
    • Once you complete the registration form, you will receive emails from regionaltesting@exams.wisc.edu to complete the registration process with a confirmation code. 
    • Another email will then come from candidatesupport@scantron.com with all the links and instructions. 
    • These emails often end up in a spam, junk or clutter folder, so please conduct a thorough search shortly after completing the registration form.
  • Registrar's Office Schedule Timetable (High School Counselor Resource)
  • Prerequisites are things that are required as a prior condition for something else to happen. (I.e. Completion of a previous sequential course or test result (AP, IB, CLEP, ACT or placement test. Example: You must take Biology 101 before taking Biology 200.)  
  • Appropriate prior level math coursework with grades of 'B' or better, along with math placement exams will be used to determine math course eligibility up through Calculus I. Successful AP exam scores and/or transcripted college credit can be used to establish prerequisite requirements for courses above Calculus I.
  • Modern language courses require a placement test.
  • English placement test required for ENGL 100 and 200

School districts pay for ECCP courses, not the students. If a course is failed, the school district may charge the student for the course. Click here to see the current ECCP rates and all the details about ECCP billing.

  • If you had a semester gap (fall or spring) between enrolling in classes at UWRF, you need to reapply for ECCP admission. For instance, if you enrolled in courses in fall 2022 but did not enroll in courses in spring 2023, then you will need to reapply before you can enroll in courses in the fall 2023 term.
  • If you earned a grade below 'C-' in any UWRF courses during your time as a DACP, ECCP and/or High School Special student, you will need to appeal for readmittance to UWRF for future high school credit options. 
    • If a student earns a grade below 'C-' in any UWRF courses during their time as a DACP, ECCP and/or High School Special student, admission to the university will be withdrawn. Without admission status, students will not be able to take courses at UWRF as a high school student. Students with below 'C-' grades will need to meet with their school counselors to appeal for readmittance to UWRF as an ECCP, DACP and/or high school special student.

      If the counselor approves the appeal, a case will then be presented to the UWRF College of Arts and Sciences assistant dean for high school outreach initiatives. If the appeal is approved by both the high school counselor and the assistant dean, the student will be allowed to once again take UWRF courses as a high school student. This policy is strictly applied to DACP, ECCP and/or High School Special students. First-year students at UWRF have separate academic suspension policies. If a student is already admitted as a first-year student or plans to apply as a first-year student, this appeal process will not affect their admission decision, though their final grades will be considered.

High School Special

You may also take college courses as High School Special student. It is a great opportunity to earn college credits, however, you and your family are responsible for the full cost of tuition. High School Special students may enroll in any course in which prerequisites have been met. Typically, you will enroll as a High School Special if a course is not approved via ECCP. Enrolling as a High School Special is the most flexible option since students can enroll in any course available at UWRF.

  • Complete the high school special student online UW System Application for UWRF.
  • Request an official high school transcript be sent to UW-River Falls Admissions.
  • Submit a letter of recommendation from your high school counselor or principal.
  • Submit your ACT or SAT test scores if completed.

Eligible students:

  • have (and maintain) a 3.0 GPA or above in high school
  • and are in grades 9-12 (or equivalent, i.e. homeschooled students).

High School Special students are responsible for payment of course tuition and required fees, which are determined by the student's residency. Click here to view current tuition and fees.


Distance Learning through CESA

Through partnerships with Wisconsin Cooperative Educational Service Agencies
(CESAs), UWRF offers distance learning options for students in CESAs 10 and 11. Common classes are in computer programming, special education, environmental
studies and physics.

Participating Schools

  • Barron
  • Birchwood
  • Clayton
  • Clear Lake
  • Frederic
  • Grantsburg
  • Luck
  • Northwood
  • Pepin
  • Plum City
  • Prairie Farm
  • Prescott
  • Shell Lake
  • Siren
  • Spring Valley
  • Turtle Lake
  • Unity
  • Webster
  • Westfield
  • GPA of 3.0 or above
  • Top 40% of class (exceptions may be made for students with special talents)
  • Open to 9-12th grade students
  • Notify your high school counselor of your interest to participate in the program.
  • Complete the high school special student online UW System Application for UWRF and have your counselor submit your high school transcripts.
  • You’ll receive a decision letter from our admissions team with more information.
  • No application fee will be charged to students or their schools.
  • If you wish to enroll at UWRF following high school graduation, you will need to re-apply during your senior year in high school as a degree-seeking student and pay an application fee.
  • Placement tests may be required for specific courses including math, English or foreign language.
  • Questions? Contact Angela Whitaker at angela.whitaker@uwrf.edu or 715-425-3261.

Transfer in Credits

See how your PSEO, CIS, ECCP, or dual enrollment credits transfer to UWRF with our Credit Transfer Tools.