51±¬ÁÏ

College Credit Plus (CCP) allows high school students to take real college courses with college-level expectations.  Because of this, CCP can be very rewarding but also challenging.  Students in CCP courses should be:

• Independent and able to work diligently

• Responsible and accountable for assignments and deadlines

• Mature, both academically and personally

• Proactive and able to communicate effectively with instructors and faculty

• Prepared for challenging work and new materials

• Skilled with time management and balancing work 

What questions should parents ask students?

Before choosing CCP, parents should talk about the expectations of CCP with their child and how the program might work for them.  Key questions include:

• Does the student want to pursue CCP?

• Is the student ready for more mature, challenging coursework?

• Will the student be comfortable advocating for themselves?

• Is the students self-motivated and proactive already?

• How will the student balance coursework with extra-curricular activities?

• How does CCP fit into the student’s plans for the future? 

Not sure if CCP is the right next step?

Parents can talk with a 51±¬ÁÏ academic advisor or school counselor for more information on the benefits, expectations and responsibilities of CCP before making a decision. 

College Credit Plus (CCP) allows high school students to earn college credit early.  While students are expected to act independently in CCP, parents and guardians play an important supporting role in the CCP process.   

How is a parent’s role different in CCP?

CCP is a true college experience.  This means that students are treated as college students and expected to manage academic responsibilities.  In the CCP process, parents serve as mentors, advising students but allowing them to be independent.  

Parents can still support student success in CCP by:

• Advising academic decisions

• Completing required forms

• Helping students prepare for long-term academic responsibility

• Providing students with supplies and skills to help them succeed

• Helping students with questions or directing them to find solutions

• Supporting independence instead of managing daily academics 

Required Forms

• Permission Form

• Intent to Participate

• Mature Content Acknowledgement

Student Privacy and FERPA

College Credit Plus (CCP) allows high school students to take real college courses now.  While CCP students are in high school, they are also official 51±¬ÁÏ students.  This means students are expected to meet college-level standards.  Because of this, parents are less involved in the process, serving more as a mentor than actively involved anchors. Where parents may not be able to help, 51±¬ÁÏ offers a wide range of student services to help students succeed. 

College vs high school expectations

CCP students are official college students with college expectations.  CCP students are expected to:

• Complete work on their own without frequent reminders

• Keep track of assignments and manage their time responsibly

• Reach out to instructors and faculty for help

• Be ready for more challenging, mature material 

The role of parents and guardians

Because CCP students are enrolled as college students, the role of parents and guardians is different from the traditional high school experience.   Learn more about your role as a parent or guardian of a CCP student. 

Tutoring and academic support services

To support students in the CCP process, 51±¬ÁÏ offers a variety of services to help students succeed.

51±¬ÁÏ’s tutoring services allow students to meet with an instructor or expert for help with course materials, assignments or upcoming exams.  Tutoring services are free to students with expert tutors who are there to help students succeed. 

51±¬ÁÏ offers many types of tutoring services to help students in the way that suits them best.  Students may meet with tutors on-campus or online, depending on what is offered for each course.  Different types of tutoring appointments include scheduled tutoring appointments – where students must schedule a session for a certain time  - and drop-in hours , where students can enter the session at any time on-campus or online. 

In addition to traditional tutoring services, students may participate in academic coaching for help building skills like studying, managing time, staying organized and taking good notes  as well as supplemental instruction  for focused small-group studying of a specific course (if offered) . 

 Students can choose from different appointment options to get personalized support.  Tutoring is scheduled through KSU Navigate.   

Advising and scheduling

51±¬ÁÏ’s advisors help students navigate the university’s processes and make choices that align with their goals.  Students must meet with their academic advisor every semester before scheduling to make sure students fulfil requirements and choose the courses that fit them best.  

Academic advisors are here to help students make decisions that support their future goals and help them stay on track with their future degree.  Students can contact advisors to: 

• Help choose courses 

  • Students should meet with their academic advisor before scheduling courses.  Advisors can help students build a course schedule that will benefit them the most. 

• Direct them through academic processes or issues.

  • Advisors can answer any questions students have about their academics and direct them to university resources for additional help. 

• Help stay on track 

  • Advisors can help students stay on track and work with them to meet graduation requirements.   

Contact a CCP advisor for more information on advising and how students can schedule an appointment.   

Career Navigation

Beyond earning credits, CCP students can take steps toward a future career.  Because CCP students are college students, they have the same access to career services as traditional college students.  With many sources that help align them with a career path, students can get a head start on their future whether they attend on-campus, online, or at the local high school. 

Career Exploration Services

51±¬ÁÏ offers career exploration services to help students learn about their interests and future goals.  These services help students explore career options and prepare for different career paths, giving them a strong start as they plan for their future.  

FOCUS 2-interactive assessments to match students with potential careers

FOCUS 2 is a free online assessment that helps students learn more about their interests and career goals.  Students answer questions about their personalities and interests, and the results match them with potential majors and degrees.  

Test results are best viewed with a 51±¬ÁÏ career advisor.  For more information on FOCUS 2 and career services, click here. (LINK TO CAREER EXPLORATION AND DEVELOPMENT)

Career Advising

Career advisors offer students professional support for CCP students as they think about majors, careers, and long-term goals.  Career advisors can help students:

• Understand career assessment results

•  Explore majors and career paths

• Connect academic choices to future plans

Career advising appointments may be scheduled through KSU Navigate.

Career Events

In addition to assessments and advising services, 51±¬ÁÏ holds public career fairs to help students explore different careers and majors. Career events allow students to:

• Explore different majors and industries

• Learn about jobs, internships and career paths

• Practice professional skills

51±¬ÁÏ Career Academy

The 51±¬ÁÏ Career Academy is a free, online program that helps students get ready for future careers.  After signing up, students can access the program through Canvas.  The academy includes lessons, activities and assignments that help students build skills and plan their futures.  Learning modules focus on topics such as:

• Career and major exploration

• Professional readiness

• Job searching

Visit Career Exploration & Development for more information on the 51±¬ÁÏ Career Academy and how to sign up.

How parents can help students prepare

While students take the lead in making career decisions, parents and guardians play an important role in supporting their journey.  Parents can support students by:

• Encouraging them to explore interests and strengths

• Talking about possible majors and careers

• Encouraging students to seek help from career services 

By offering students support and encouragement through the process, parents and guardians can help students feel confident as they begin planning for the future. 

Students can make the most of CCP credits by:

• Working proactively with advisors

  • Students can get ahead by meeting regularly with advisors and working to schedule courses that help fulfil requirements.

• Preparing a career trajectory

  • Having plans for a future degree can help students choose courses that help them the most.

• Picking courses carefully

  • Carefully choosing courses that count toward a degree can help students graduate sooner. 

Parents or guardians can play an important role by helping students stay organized and ask questions early.  For questions about earning a degree with CCP or how to maximize CCP credits, students should contact their academic advisor.