College Connection FAQs

College Connection classes are taught at your high school by your high school teacher. You learn alongside your high school classmates.

When you enroll as an Early Admissions/Bridge student, you take classes on our campus or online, learning alongside college students.

Colleges in the State University of New York (SUNY) or City of New York (CUNY) systems accept DCC credits. They’ll appear on your permanent record; some courses may not align directly with your specific college major or degree.

Most other colleges accept DCC credits as well, although they may have conditions (e.g., a grade of C or better) or ask you to provide a course syllabus.

We highly recommend maintaining a complete portfolio of your College Connection course materials – the syllabus, all the work you produced during the course and any instructor handouts and notes.

Students enrolled in College Connection pay one third of the regular tuition or less. Those eligible for free or reduced lunch pay a further reduced amount, and some districts offer funding to cover tuition. Students should check with their schools to find out whether there is a cost to participate. 

The College Connection program is open to high school juniors or seniors.

To be eligible, you must:

• Meet the minimum placement requirements to register; AND
• Show a demonstrated readiness to take a college level course; AND
• Successfully complete prerequisite classes.

Dutchess Community College is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools, and our programs are registered by the New York State Education Department.

We’re also seeking additional accreditation from the National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships (NACEP), a professional organization for high schools and colleges that fosters and supports rigorous concurrent enrollment.

Just talk to your high school guidance counselor or favorite teacher – they’ll help you decide which program is best for your learning level and career goals.

START YOUR COLLEGE CONNECTION APPLICATION