Early College Credit Program

What is ECCP?

The Early College Credit Program (ECCP) allows Wisconsin high school students to take UWM courses for college credit at little or no cost. Public high schools are required to participate, while private and charter schools may choose to. If you’re interested, contact your school counselor to learn about your school’s process.

Get Started

Who is Eligible?
  • Sophomore or higher with 3.0 GPA
  • On track to graduate high school in four years
Applying for the Early College Credit Program

Students must first be approved by their high school or school district. Complete and turn in the enclosed form to your high school for approval.

  • ECCP Form Deadlines
    • February 1 for Summer Courses
    • March 1 for Fall Courses
    • October 1 for Spring Courses
    • Winter Courses are not available
Complete the Universities of Wisconsin ECCP Participation Form
Selecting the UWM Courses

Students should use the Schedule of Classes to find courses. Fall courses are posted in late March, spring courses in late October, and summer courses in late January. If current offerings are not yet available, students should reference prior fall or spring schedules when selecting courses.

Students must meet all course prerequisites through prior coursework or placement testing. Courses marked “not open to university special students” are not available to ECCP students. Because ECCP students enroll after other UWM students, courses may be full; students should identify multiple backup options.

Recommended ECCP Courses at UWM

Apply to ECCP at UWM

  1. Complete ECCP Participation Form

  2. Apply to UWM

  3. High School Transcript and AP Scores

    • A copy of the high school transcript.
    • A copy of relevant AP scores to prove you meet the prerequisites for the course(s)

  4. Application Timeline & Next Steps

    After all application materials are received, students will receive an admissions decision in their student admission portal within about one week. Once admitted to the Early College Credit Program, students will be invited to an orientation session in July or December, depending on the semester. Students should monitor their email for details.

    Submit your Early College Credit Program (ECCP) Supporting Materials
ECCP Application Submission Deadlines
UWM must receive ECCP Participation Form, High School Transcript and AP Scores by August 1st for the Fall and December 15th for the Spring.
Submit your documents online or email then to dual-enrollment@uwm.edu.

Points of Pride & What Do Students Say

3,000students have participated in the program
180+High School Partnerships
82%of students earn a B or higher in their UWM course

 The professors I had at UWM were the best teachers I’ve ever had in my life. Professor Jiang and Professor Lackey are both so knowledgeable and both know how to really convey an idea and get messages across in an understandable way. And they both always motivated the class and helped us when we needed help, while not holding our hands doing so. Even though I never needed to come in any time out of class to ask for help, I always felt like I had that option

Early College Credit (ECC) Student

Frequently Asked Questions

What if all my classes are full or not offered? 

If all the classes your high school approved are full or not offered, talk with your high school counselor about possible course substitutions. UWM will honor the course selections and approvals made by your high school as long as students meet the prerequisites of the course.

Does UWM register me for my class(es)? 

No, students must enroll themselves in classes using our student system PAWS. ECCP students cannot enroll until about a month before classes begin. Your UWM advisor will email you detailed instructions on how to enroll.  

I enrolled in my class on PAWS, but don’t see it on Canvas. 

It’s very common for courses not to appear in Canvas right away. Instructors often don’t publish their Canvas sites until just a few days before the semester starts (or sometimes even on the first day of class). As long as you see your class on PAWS, that means you are officially enrolled.  

I see tuition on my account; do I need to pay that? 

No, UWM will bill your high school directly. Before classes begin, you will see tuition removed from your account. 

I want to take a course that my high school won’t approve but am willing to pay for it. Can I do that?

Yes, we offer another option called High School Special Program. Students will enroll in classes similar to ECCP; however, the student is responsible for the full financial bill associated with the class. 

How does my high school get my grade(s)?

UWM will send grades to your high school after the semester ends, so you do not need to initiate this process. 

What happens if I drop my class after it starts?

Once classes begin, you will reach out to your UWM advisor to withdraw from the course. Each semester will have two drop dates:
1. Where there will be no reflection on your UWM transcript
2. Dropping with a “W” on your transcript meaning with withdrawal and a potential drop fee from your high school.
Refer to the Drop Dates webpage and in email sent from Dual Enrollment advisor. 

How do I contact my instructor? 

You can find your instructor’s name on PAWS; then you can search for them on the UWM Directory. Reach out to instructors using your UWM email. 

How do I access my course syllabus?

Instructors will post their course syllabi to Canvas. This often happens the week before the semester begins. 

I took a course that grants retroactive credit; how do I get those credits awarded? 

If you took a language course that places you beyond the first semester, you may be eligible for retroactive credits, but you’ll need to formally apply for retroactive credits through the World Languages & Cultures webpage.

Contact Us

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Vacant
Outreach Program Coordinator

  • Mitchell Hall 173