University Scholars Program
MCCA gives students the opportunity to enroll in dual credit courses (allowing both high school and college credit simultaneously). Students taking dual-credit courses still pay full tuition at MCCA while paying a reduced rate for college credits.
MCCA allows dual enrollment with Cedarville University and Grand Canyon University (GCU) as an affordable and efficient way for high school students to gain a head start on their college degree. These colleges are committed to ensuring that high school students experience the same level of instruction, resources and rigor as the traditional college students.
MCCA sophomores and juniors must be in good standing academically with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 prior to junior year. Applicants must complete an application for the USP program and provide one teacher recommendation from a high school teacher. Teacher recommendation forms may be picked up in the secondary office or requested on your application form. Teachers will return these forms to the USP director not to the student.
Benefits of our USP Program
Save Time
Save time by taking fewer courses at college.
Save Money
Lowest dual enrollment rates—just $300 per course, making college credit more affordable than ever!
In-Person Courses
Taught by dedicated MCCA teachers and a university professor, experiencing the rigor of college-level coursework with the direct support of their MCCA teacher.
Flexible Scheduling
One semester USP course=One year of high school credit.
important things you should know
Questions & Answers
The USP allows high school students to take in-person college-level courses for both high school and college credit simultaneously.
Benefits include earning college credits while still in high school, saving money on tuition, experiencing college-level rigor, and gaining an academic advantage in college admissions.
Junior and senior students with a cumulative GPA of 3.0+ are eligible to apply.
USP courses are taught at a college level with more rigorous standards and expectations than a regular high school class. There is an online component via a learning platform, but material is taught in person and on campus.
The number of credits depends on the course taken. MCCA recommends two-three college courses per semester, which is equal to 6-9 credits. Challenging courses, such as math, should not be taken with more than one other college course.
$300 per college course (no matter if it is a 3 or 4 credit course. This is in addition to the MCCA tuition costs.
USP courses may replace or supplement traditional high school classes, potentially altering a student’s schedule. The MCCA counselor will work with students to ensure a balance between USP and other academic commitments.
USP courses and grades will appear on both high school and college transcripts and can fulfill both graduation requirements. A student should see the MCCA counselor for specific details.
Prerequisites vary by course and subject area. Students should review course descriptions and consult with the MCCA counselor for specific prerequisite requirements.
Yes. Check for specific eligibility requirements for individual courses. Only core courses qualify for NCAA requirements.
Yes, if courses are NOT faith-based. Many courses are instructed through secular means, which allows for reimbursement. MCCA and Cedarville will share curriculum and instructional information with Denali PEAK.
Cedarville and Grand Canyon Universities are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and are widely recognized and respected for transferability. USP course credits are usually transferable, although acceptance policies may vary by institution. Students should check with the college or university they plan to attend for specific transfer credit policies or check www.transferology.com for more details.
Academic advising, counseling, the help of the on-site teacher and the university support professor, as well as access to campus resources such as online libraries and tutoring through the university’s Writing Center.
MCCA does not recommend taking more than 2-3 college courses per semester. Exceptions will be given on a case-by-case basis with permission from the MCCA counselor/academic dean.
USP courses offer college credit with direct transcript evidence, while AP courses culminate in exams for potential college credit.
MCCA does not offer in-person AP courses, but students may opt to take AP courses online and select the Learning Lab as one of their periods to have time in their day to work on their AP and other online courses.
After checking with the MCCA counselor to ensure eligibility and that a student can balance workload effectively, a student may apply at the end of his/her sophomore year.
Courses dropped before the final drop date for each semester will result in a reimbursement of course fees, but not the material fee. Please consult with the MCCA counselor to better understand the academic/financial situation.
A USP course will be taught by a Mountain City Christian Academy teacher, who is supervised by a university professor.
Canvas, Microsoft Office, and HALO are all utilized.
Grades earned will impact high school and college GPAs. If one is not satisfied with his/her progress in a course, he/she should ask for help from the professor or MCCA counselor who will suggest resources to foster success.
Yes. MCCA will continue to offer regular classes as part of our schedule.
A typical semester-long 3-credit hour course will require about 6-10 hours of study time per week, and students should set aside time daily to interact with course material.
In a weighted credit system, each course or component, within a course is assigned a specific weight. For example, a regular MCCA high school course will be worth .5 credit, while the courses through USP will be weighted as 1 credit. Since courses with higher weights have a greater impact on GPA calculations, excelling in these courses can significantly boost a student’s overall GPA. Conversely, struggling in higher-weighted courses can have a more pronounced negative effect on GPA.
Still have questions?
Contact our MCCA guidance counselor, Morgan Marks, at [email protected]