The College Credit Plus dual enrollment program allows students to earn college and high school credits at the same time by taking courses from Ohio colleges or universities. CCP enhances students’ college readiness and postsecondary success, while providing a variety of course options to the college-ready student. Accepted students may take courses at one or a combination of the following locations: at the AU main campus, online, or at their high school (if their school partners with AU for “in-house” courses).
For complete program rules, see the Ohio Department of Higher Education website.
Important Deadlines
Admission Requirements
Admission to the CCP program will be granted to the student who satisfies the requirements of either pathway below.
CCP admission does not guarantee placement in any course. Students must be able to meet all placement and prerequisite guidelines.
Authorized students in grades 7-12 who are enrolled in Ohio public schools, nonpublic high schools, or homeschooled may choose to participate in the CCP program at Ashland University. (Unauthorized students include, but are not limited to, foreign students who are not part of an exchange program, out-of-state students and students coded as unauthorized through EMIS).
Pathway 1: Traditional Admission
Minimum 2.50 unweighted cumulative* high school GPA, plus one of the following assessment scores:
- 18 ACT Composite
- 970 SAT
OR - ONE of the following Accuplacer scores:
- 250 Reading
- 263 Writing
- 263 Quantitative Reasoning, Algebra and Statistics (QAS)
Pathway 2: Test-Optional Admission
- Minimum 3.00 unweighted cumulative* high school GPA
OR - 2.85 – 2.99 GPA unweighted cumulative* high school GPA with grades of “A” or “B” in the relevant coursework areas.
AU defines the relevant coursework areas as math, English, science, and social studies.
*A cumulative high school GPA must include at least one final grade in each of the relevant coursework areas.
Students who have not yet earned a final grade in each of the relevant coursework areas (i.e., students who have not yet completed the 9th grade) must currently have As and Bs only in those areas and take the Accuplacer Reading exam. A copy of the student’s grade card with grades for all the grading periods for the current school year to date should be sent by the school to collegecreditplus@ashland.edu.
CCP Admissions/Accuplacer Example Scenarios
Example: A student completed HS Algebra I in the 8th grade and earned a B-.
Required Action: The student should schedule the Accuplacer (Reading section) and score 250+ to be admitted.
Example: A freshman student applies to the CCP program before final grades have been posted at the end of the school year and has As or Bs in each of the relevant coursework areas on their grade card.
Required Action: The student should schedule the Accuplacer (Reading section) and score 250+ to be admitted.
Example: A student does not yet have a cumulative* HS GPA with final grades in each of the relevant coursework areas. The student takes the Accuplacer Reading section and scores 250+. The student’s grade card demonstrates at least one C or lower in a relevant coursework area.
Decision: The student does not yet qualify for admission due to not having all As and Bs in the relevant areas, regardless of the Accuplacer score.
How to Apply
Students should use their personal email address to create an account, not a high school or parent email address.
IMPORTANT: If a student enters an email address that cannot receive messages (such as a high school account that often blocks outside communications) or uses an account they cannot access (like a parent’s email), they will not receive their admission letter with further instructions.
If the student has not heard back from the university within in 1-2 weeks, they should double-check that their admission letter did not go to their spam folder. If it is not there, they should contact collegecreditplus@ashland.edu, as there may be missing information necessary for their decision.
Students should regularly check their email for their admission decision. AU does not send paper acceptance letters; all notifications are sent to the email address the student supplies during the application process.
IMPORTANT for Returning Students: Student email accounts and activation windows expire after a period. Students must begin classes in the semester indicated as their start term in their application, OR they must register for the following semester before their indicated start term ends. If they do not, they will need to reapply to participate in future semesters. Additionally, if students take a semester off (excluding summer), they must reapply to the program.
Complete and Upload the Permission Slip
Prospective students must upload the completed CCP permission slip to their application's status page before they will be considered for admission.
View directions on how to upload the permission slip.
Please be aware that the subject matter of some courses may include mature topics or materials of a graphic, explicit, violent or sexual nature. Courses will not be modified for CCP students regardless of where course instruction occurs. Parents should contact collegecreditplus@ashland.edu if they would like to request a course materials review.
Accuplacer Testing
Since Ashland University has two pathways to admission—with and without test scores—it is not necessary for every student to schedule the Accuplacer. Sometimes scores are necessary for admission to the program, while at other times, scores are necessary for placement into specific courses. The following guidelines will help you understand whether you need to test.
You may take a free Accuplacer test on our main campus.
Testing deadlines:
- The deadline to test for fall semester is June 30.
- The deadline to test for spring semester is October 31.
- The deadline to test for summer semester is March 15.
AU will accept Accuplacer scores from other colleges for the Reading, Writing, or QAS sections. However, we do not accept WritePlacer or math AAF scores. Please have your school counselor send your score report to collegecreditplus@ashland.edu.
Steps Required for Participation
Already been accepted into AU's College Credit Plus program? Then this section is where you find all the information about setting up your AU accounts, attending orientation, scheduling classes and more.
AU Accounts
Self Service
View the Course Catalog, register for classes, and view your schedule and final grades.
Links and Resources
- CCP Info Hub Folder - a collection of handouts and forms used by the CCP office.
- Academic Catalog
- Accessibility Services
- Archer Library
- Campus Map
- Campus Store
- Campus Shield App
- Counseling Services
- Emotional Wellness Resources
- Engage Ashland - Student Organizations
- ODHE - Info for Students and Family
- Student Conduct
- Student Dining - Meal plans / Adding funds to your Eagle Card
- Technical Support Center
- Transcripts
- Tutoring Services
- University Calendars - Always confirm withdrawal dates with CCP Office
- Writing and Communication Center
Thinking of attending AU after high school?
- Scholarship for AU CCP Students - Up to $4000!
- All high school students (in the Class of 2024 and beyond) who are enrolled in the College Credit Plus program at AU and matriculate directly from high school into an AU bachelor's program will receive a yearly $1000 scholarship ($500 to be awarded in the fall semester and $500 in the spring semester). This scholarship is renewable yearly (for up to four years, or $4000), and is stackable upon other scholarships/aid.
- Explore Majors - Ashland University offers more than 60 majors and programs. Explore our degree programs and find one that is right for you.
- Submit Your Application - To attend AU after your high school graduation, submit an undergraduate application. Log in with the credentials you originally created when you applied to the CCP program and start a new application.
- Admission Questions?
Course Transferability
From the Academic Catalog:
CCP students may transfer credit from an accredited institution of higher learning provided he or she is in good conduct, financial standing, and academically with at least a 2.25/4.0 cumulative GPA at the previous college(s) attended.
Credit earned through a recognized accredited college or university will be accepted at Ashland University as long as the credit earned is "C-" or better. The grade that will appear on student records is a “K” and has no impact on your Ashland University cumulative GPA. Credits will be awarded for specific Ashland University courses when transferable credits are for equivalent courses. When the transferable courses do not have Ashland University equivalents, credits will be awarded as 'elective' credits. A candidate for a degree must take a minimum of 30 semester hours at Ashland University. The last 12 hours of coursework and at least one half of the student's work in his or her major field must be taken at AU.
A student may receive an unofficial evaluation of credit by visiting www.transferology.com or by emailing the Office of Undergraduate Admissions at enrollme@ashland.edu.
While Ashland University does not formally participate in Ohio's "Statewide Articulation and Transfer Policy," the Transfer Module is one basis for evaluating course equivalencies when transferring general education courses to meet Institutional Baccalaureate Requirement.