Overview
Sacred Heart University (SHU) offers two options for high school students to earn college credits, Early College Experience (ECE) and Taste of College. In SHU’s Early College Experience, students who attend one of SHU’s partner high schools have the opportunity to enroll in SHU-approved college-level courses which are taught on their school campus during the school day. The Taste of College program provides opportunities for high school students to enroll in SHU courses that are taught on the SHU campus by SHU faculty. In both programs, students benefit from a reduced tuition rate. In addition, high school students in the Early College Experience program, who are eligible for free or reduced-priced meals, are eligible for a tuition waiver. Students who successfully complete courses in the ECE or Taste of College programs will receive SHU college credit. These credits may also be transferred to other higher education institutions at their discretion, based on their transfer credit policies.
Programming and Partnerships
Courses offered by SHU’s Early College Experience partners vary by high school but are generally 100-level or 200-level introductory courses, such as Introduction to Psychology, Introduction to Management, Digital Film & Video Production, Modern European History, and Introduction to World Religions.
For the Taste of College program, students may take any SHU 100- or 200-level course, subject to availability and as approved by their guidance counselor.
SHU’s Early College Experience partners include:
- Amity Regional High School
- Coventry High School
- Fairfield Public School District high schools
- Henry Abbott Technical High School
- Newington High School
- Newtown High School
- Notre Dame Prep in Fairfield
- Portland High School
- St. Joseph’s High School in Trumbull
- Stratford Public Schools high schools
- Weston High School
Student Eligibility
For ECE courses, students must fulfill the basic prerequisites for the course, but overall eligibility is decided by the partner school. Students should consult with their high school guidance counselor. For a Taste of College, students must apply and submit a high school transcript and letter of recommendation.
Instructor Credentials for Concurrent Enrollment Courses
DFor ECE courses, students must fulfill the basic prerequisites for the course, but overall eligibility is decided by the partner school. Students should consult with their high school guidance counselor. For a Taste of College, students must apply and submit a high school transcript and letter of recommendation.
Registration and Fees
ECE instructors in the partner schools distribute instructions for the students to register using SHU’s online application portal. There are two registration periods for each academic year: one beginning in September for year-long and Fall term courses, and one beginning in January for Spring term courses. Taste of College students receive registration instructions from SHU and register upon acceptance into the program. Grades are reported to the SHU Registrar by instructors. All information on registered students is entered into SHU’s Student Information System, which is the source system used by SHU to generate official transcripts.
ECE tuition is $45 per credit. Students who are eligible for free or reduced-price meals are eligible for fee waivers, which are confirmed by the partner school/district. For Taste of College, tuition is $100 per credit.
Students receive SHU credit for all successfully completed courses through the Early College Experience and Taste of College programs. These credits are documented on an official SHU transcript and may be submitted to other higher education institutions for transfer credits at their discretion, based on their transfer credit policies.
Supports for Multilingual Families
SHU offers Spanish-speaking tours and can assist families whose primary language is not English through our Office of Global Initiatives, which is the home of internationalization at SHU.
Contact Information
Early College Experience Program
Lisa Cullington, Ph.D.
Associate Provost for Academic Programs
ECE@sacredheart.edu
203-396-8408
Taste of College
Learn more about Sacred Heart University’s Taste of College.
Ally Russo
Transfer Admissions Counselor
Phone: 475-988-5664
russoa7@sacredheart.edu