Understanding SUPA
Sometimes called “concurrent enrollment,” “dual enrollment,” “college in the high school,” or “early college,” programs such as ours and the terminology associated with them can be inconsistent and confusing.
Please refer to the menu below to better understand how we define SUPA (and our place in this environment), commonly used terminology, and other programs that exist at Syracuse University:
What is Concurrent Enrollment?
At Syracuse University, concurrent enrollment is defined as university courses that are offered off-site at partner high schools and taught by university-approved high school instructors. Students enrolled in these Syracuse University courses earn college credit and may also earn high school credit.
The National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships (NACEP) similarly defines concurrent enrollment as “courses taught by college-approved high school teachers in a secondary environment.”
What is Dual Enrollment?
At Syracuse University, dual enrollment is defined as on-campus or online university courses that allow high school students to enroll for college credit and also earn high school credit potentially. Dual enrollment courses are taught by the college faculty.
What is Early College or Dual Credit?
“Early College” and “Dual Credit” are often used as umbrella terms for programs that enable high school students to start their college education early and earn college credit. These programs include dual enrollment and concurrent enrollment programs.
An “Early College High School” designation, however, typically refers to a more comprehensive and integrated partnership between a high school and local college through which students earn a high school diploma and an associate degree simultaneously.
What is Pre-College?
Pre-college programs generally seek to provide high school students with a taste of college life and academics through credit-bearing and/or non-credit-bearing courses or experiences. These programs are more typically offered during the summer or online.
All credit-bearing courses in Syracuse University’s Office of Pre-College Programs portfolio, including Summer College, are considered Dual Enrollment.
Are SUPA Students Admitted to Syracuse University?
No. Students enroll in individual Syracuse University courses through Project Advance and are not admitted to the university for a degree program (e.g., Associate’s, Bachelor's). Their enrollment status is that of a non-matriculated, i.e., non-degree-seeking student.
However, SUPA students who are interested in formally applying to and matriculating at Syracuse University may be eligible for guaranteed admission to Syracuse University via the Guaranteed Orange pathway. Visit this page for more information regarding eligibility.
Syracuse University’s Office of Pre-College Programs portfolio offer additional paths to qualify for Guaranteed Orange.
How do test-for-credit programs such as AP (Advanced Placement) differ from dual and concurrent enrollment?
AP courses are high school courses for which students can elect to take a standardized exam for a fee to seek to earn college credit. Credit recognition is dependent on the student’s performance on the AP exam, i.e., their test score, and each postsecondary institution’s policy regarding awarding AP credit. AP courses are taught by the high school faculty.
By contrast, students enrolled in SUPA’s concurrent enrollment program are enrolled in actual Syracuse University courses, taught by university-approved and trained instructors, and they earn college credits while successfully completing their courses.