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Louisiana’s dual enrollment program is exceptionally generous for homeschoolers. Beginning at age 16 (and sometimes younger for advanced students), you can enroll in community college or university courses. Credits count simultaneously on your high school transcript and college transcript, effectively earning college credit for free while still in high school. This strategy compresses your total education timeline, saves tuition, and demonstrates college readiness to selective universities.
Key Takeaways:
- Louisiana allows dual enrollment starting age 16+ at community colleges and universities
- Credits cost little to nothing for tuition (some material/tech fees apply)
- Credits count on both high school and college transcripts simultaneously
- Placement testing or transcript-based admission required
- BRCC, Delgado, and other LCTCS institutions actively accept homeschoolers
- Dual enrollment courses boost college applications for selective universities
- Strategic course selection maximizes benefit (take courses required for your major)
How Dual Enrollment Works in Louisiana
Dual enrollment allows your homeschooler to attend college courses while maintaining their high school standing. Depending on your institution, this might look like:
In-person attendance: Your student attends a community college or university campus 2-4 times per week, takes exams, completes projects, and earns college credit.
Hybrid or online: Some courses are online or meet once weekly, fitting more easily into a homeschool schedule.
Eligibility Requirements
Age: Typically 16+ (some institutions allow younger advanced students; check with your college)
Academic readiness: Placement tests (ACCUPLACER, COMPASS) or transcript review determines course eligibility. Your high school transcript (showing strong GPA in relevant subjects) can waive placement tests for some courses.
Parental consent: Parent/guardian signature required on enrollment forms.
GPA consideration: Most community colleges are open enrollment, but transcript-based placement still applies.
Getting Started: Step-by-Step
Step 1: Identify Your Target College
Louisiana’s colleges accepting homeschool dual enrollment:
- Louisiana Community & Technical College System (LCTCS): Baton Rouge Community College, Delgado Community College, South Louisiana Community College, and others
- Universities: LSU, UL Lafayette, Tulane, Xavier, and other UL System schools
Start with your nearest community college. They’re most flexible with homeschoolers and typically free/low-cost.
Step 2: Contact Admissions & Placement
Call or email the college’s admissions office. Say: “I’m a homeschooled high school student interested in dual enrollment. What’s the process?”
They’ll direct you to:
- Required placement testing or transcript submission
- Enrollment deadlines (typically 6-8 weeks before semester start)
- Cost (usually minimal for tuition; books and materials vary)
- Degree audit (if pursuing full degree; skip this for a-la-carte course enrollment)
Step 3: Complete Placement/Admission
Option A: Placement Testing
- Take ACCUPLACER (free, proctored at the college)
- Testing takes 1-2 hours
- Scores determine which courses you’re eligible for
- Results immediate; enrollment can begin quickly
Option B: Transcript-Based Placement
- Submit your high school transcript showing strong performance in related subjects
- College places you based on grades
- Often faster than testing
Step 4: Enroll in Courses
Select courses strategically (see strategy section below). Register for your first semester. Plan for 12-15 credits maximum if combining with other high school work; 6-9 credits if taking full-time high school curriculum elsewhere.
Step 5: Attend & Excel
Treat college courses seriously. You’re taking real college classes; expectations match standard college rigor. Professors won’t adjust for your age.
Strategic Course Selection
Not all dual enrollment courses benefit equally. Choose strategically:
Best Courses to Take
Core requirements for your intended major:
- If aiming for engineering: take pre-calculus, calculus, chemistry, physics through dual enrollment
- If aiming for business: take introductory accounting, economics, business writing
- If aiming for biology/health: take general biology, chemistry, anatomy
General education requirements:
- English composition (all colleges require this; get it done early)
- Math (calculus or pre-calc, depending on your transcript)
- Science (biology, chemistry, physics)
- Social science (history, psychology, economics)
Disadvantageous courses to avoid:
- Remedial/developmental courses (below college level; don’t count toward degree)
- Electives without transferability (some courses don’t transfer to 4-year universities)
- Courses that overlap with your planned high school AP courses (redundant)
Timing Strategy
Sophomore/Junior year: Take courses filling general education and core requirements. 6-12 credits total.
Senior year: Continue as needed, or focus primarily on high school curriculum and senior-level courses if sufficient credits earned.
Many high school homeschoolers take 2-3 dual enrollment courses per semester during high school, graduating with 24-36 college credits completed. This shaves 1-1.5 years off a 4-year degree.
Cost Considerations
Tuition: Most Louisiana community colleges charge little to nothing for tuition for dual enrollment students. Some charge per credit; others charge flat rates. Budget $0-100 per course.
Materials: Textbooks ($50-150 per course), materials, online platform fees ($0-50). Total per course: $50-200.
Transportation: In-person attendance may require gas or parking ($5-20 per class).
Total realistic cost: $100-300 per course taken. Compared to $1,000+ per course at 4-year universities, this is exceptional value.
College Credit Transfer & Transcripts
Recording on Your High School Transcript
Your high school transcript should include dual enrollment courses as part of your transcript. List them as:
- Course title
- College name
- Credits earned
- Grade
- Note: “(Dual Enrollment)”
Example: “English Composition I (BRCC), 3 credits, A, Dual Enrollment”
This strengthens your transcript. Colleges see you took college-level work and succeeded.
College Transcript
Simultaneously, you’re earning an official college transcript. When you eventually attend university full-time, that transcript transfers with you. Credits count toward your degree.
Transfer Agreements
Louisiana has articulation agreements between community colleges and universities, ensuring course transfer. BRCC → LSU, Delgado → Tulane, etc. Check your college’s transfer agreements with your target 4-year institution.
Some courses may transfer as electives rather than major-specific credits, but they still reduce your total credit hours needed to graduate.
Dual Enrollment & College Admissions
Selective colleges (Tulane, LSU Honors, etc.) view dual enrollment favorably:
- Evidence of college readiness: You took real college courses and succeeded
- Rigor: College courses are harder than high school; success shows capability
- Maturity: You balanced high school and college responsibilities
- Initiative: Dual enrollment is self-directed; colleges like that
However, dual enrollment alone doesn’t guarantee admission. It’s one positive factor among many (GPA, standardized tests, extracurriculars, essays).
Advanced Strategies
Degree-Track vs. A-la-carte
A-la-carte enrollment (recommended for most homeschoolers): Take individual courses without pursuing a degree. Most flexible, shortest time commitment.
Degree-track enrollment: Pursue an associate degree while completing high school. More intensive but results in an AA degree by high school graduation. Few homeschoolers pursue this, but it’s possible.
Combining AP & Dual Enrollment
If your student is advanced, combine:
- AP courses (self-study or online; $130 per exam; 1 college credit if scoring 3+)
- Dual enrollment (actual college courses; full credits)
Example: Take AP Calculus + dual enrollment physics. Both count toward college, saving thousands in tuition.
Online Dual Enrollment
Some colleges offer online dual enrollment courses. These fit homeschool schedules better than in-person, though they require self-discipline. Treat online college courses like any college course—this isn’t high school online.
Potential Challenges & Solutions
Challenge: Time Management
Solution: Limit dual enrollment to 1-2 courses first semester. If manageable, add more later. College professors don’t slow down for age; you’re competing with adult students.
Challenge: Distance to Campus
Solution: Look for online courses, or consider community colleges farther away if they offer better online options.
Challenge: Placement Testing Anxiety
Solution: Review sample ACCUPLACER tests online. Most homeschoolers place into college-level courses (not remedial); the test usually confirms what you already know.
Challenge: Deciding Which College
Solution: Start with your nearest community college (lowest barrier, most flexible). After success there, you can explore university courses.
When Dual Enrollment Makes Most Sense
Dual enrollment is ideal if your homeschooler:
- Is advanced academically and bored with high school curriculum
- Knows their intended college major and wants to get a head start
- Wants to save tuition and compress time to degree
- Needs additional rigor for selective college admissions
- Has the maturity and discipline for college-level work
It’s less necessary if your student:
- Is younger and not academically advanced (wait until junior year)
- Thrives on a high school structure and pacing
- Is developing at a different pace
There’s no penalty for not doing dual enrollment; it’s an opportunity, not a requirement.
Next Steps
- Research local options: Visit or call your nearest community college and ask about homeschool dual enrollment
- Take placement tests: If interested, schedule and complete them
- Enroll in first course: Start small (1 course) to test the fit
- Adjust and scale: Add more courses as your student gains confidence
See for how dual enrollment fits into your full high school plan.
Dual enrollment is free/cheap college credit earned during high school. If your student is academically ready and interested, it’s one of the highest-ROI educational decisions you can make.