Early College Academy

The University of New Orleans Early College Academy is a new program for Fall 2024, welcoming current high school students who wish to enroll in courses outside of the dual enrollment courses offered through their high school. Students will still need to meet the criteria for admission listed here, as well as prerequisites for any courses in which they wish to enroll. For any questions please contact the Privateer Enrollment Center at admissions@uno.edu or 504-280-6595.

UNO’s Early College Academy is a great way to take classes for dual credit (high school and college credit). High school students in good academic standing can enroll in college courses at UNO, provided they meet the minimum admission requirements. Early College Academy participants are not eligible to receive financial aid and are not eligible to enroll as dual enrollment students.

Please apply with a personal email address and not an email address linked to a school.

1. Save time and money by earning transferable college credits in high school.
2. Learn about professor expectations and the responsibilities associated with college coursework.
3. Gain college credit and experience that will put you ahead of your peers when you enter college full-time.
4. Take advantage of our Follett ACCESS textbook program and save money on textbooks.

Application Process & Requirements

Application/Continuation form deadlines:

Fall Term: August 8

Spring Term: November 15

All UNO Early College Academy participants must complete an ECA application. 

After submitting an online application, submit high school transcripts, test scores (if available), or a counselor recommendation to transcripts@uno.edu. 

Admits will receive a welcome email with instructions on the next steps in the registration process. 

If students wish to continue as ECA students for the next academic term, they'll need to submit a continuation form. 

Louisiana Board of Regents Dual Enrollment Admissions Requirements:

• Enrolled in regents' academic (TOPS-University) core
• Minimum High School GPA of 2.50

AND

• Minimum 18 English ACT or minimum 500 SAT ERW. Students who meet other readiness indicators but have <18 ACT English may be allowed to enroll in mathematics courses for Dual Enrollment if they concurrently address their reading/writing deficiencies.
• Minimum 19 Math ACT or minimum 510 SAT Math. Students who meet other readiness indicators but have <19 ACT Math may be allowed to enroll in English, foreign languages, or introductory social science, humanities or arts survey courses for Dual Enrollment, if they concurrently address their math deficiencies. 
• Before enrolling in any courses in the Spring semester/term of the senior year, a student must be able to demonstrate college readiness in both English and mathematics.

OR

• Counselor recommendation based on overall student performance and grade trends in the subject.  Please see the Board of Regents Emergency Policy: Dual Enrollment, Placement and Admissions Criteria Response to COVID-19 Pandemic for more details.

Additionally, in order for students to enroll in courses, the following conditions apply:

• Must be at least a junior in high school
• Admitted to UNO prior to the posted deadline
• High school provides proof that all published prerequisites are met
• Students must maintain a 2.50 High School GPA and a 2.00 UNO GPA in order to enroll in subsequent dual enrollment courses.

Find your advisor:

After your admission, you'll receive an email with the admissions decision and next steps. 

• Create your Workday student account and UNO email.
• Submit all official transcripts for prerequisites to transcripts@uno.edu.
• Submit immunizations or immunization waivers here.
• Contact your advisor to schedule classes.

Important Policies and Procedures

• Please review the academic calendar on when tuition and fees are due.
• Early College Academy course grades are posted to the student's permanent UNO transcript.  ECA students cannot audit a course.
• The student is responsible for officially withdrawing prior to the posted deadline from any course he/she cannot complete.  A course dropped through the 14th class day is not entered on a student's record.  A grade of W (withdrawn) is entered for each course dropped after the 14th class day.  After the 53rd class day, courses may not be dropped.  See the current Academic Calendar for exact dates for each semester and click here for the withdrawal form.
• Dropping all classes for a semester is considered resigning from the University.  Students are responsible for initiating action to resign from the University (withdraw from all UNO classes) on or before the last day to resign as indicated on the current Academic Calendar.  After that date, a student may not resign from the University. A student may drop individual courses in their Workday account.
• Students who fail to resign by the published final date for such action will be retained on the class rolls even though they may be absent for the remainder of the semester and be graded as if they were in attendance.  Failure to attend class does not constitute a resignation.
• Non-returning/Complete Withdrawal form

Tuition and fees:

$100 per credit hour plus mandatory fees of $130.13 per credit hour. TOTAL: $230.13 for the first credit hour and $115 per credit hour after the first credit hour.

Please note the following per credit hour fees for ECA (except where indicated)

1. General Fee $54.39 (per course)
2. Facility use and Maintenance Fee $23.74 (per course)
3. Operational Fee $22.00  (per course)

Example for a 3-credit hour class:

$230.13 1^st credit hour $115 2^nd credit hour $115 3^rd credit hour

Total: $460.13 for a 3 credit hour course, a savings of $889 per course.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What's the difference between dual enrollment and Early College Academy?
A: Early College Academy was created separate from UNO dual enrollment for high school students who wish to enroll in coursework not offered through an agreement with your high school and UNO. Any courses not offered in partnership with UNO and your high school will need to be taken through the ECA.

Q: If I receive accommodations for a disability in high school, can I get these for Early College Academy courses through UNO?
A: You will need to set up a meeting to provide documentation to Student Disability Services by calling (504) 280-7284. Accommodations such as testing in a quiet room, longer time periods for testing, and recording lectures are common. 

Q: Can I take online courses?
A: Yes, some courses can be taken online at UNO.  Online classes may require a proctored test and the student is responsible for fees associated with that test.  Reference your course syllabus the first week of class to see any additional fees. 

Q: I am afraid I am not doing well in one of my classes. Should I withdraw from it?
A: If you need the class to meet high school graduation requirements, you will need to contact your high school counselor immediately to discuss your options for fulfilling the graduation requirement. If you do not need the course OR the credits for graduation, you may wish to withdraw prior to the “Final date for dropping courses or resigning from the University and receiving a “W”,” as published on the UNO Academic Calendar. You must notify your counselor and drop the course through Workday. 

Q: What happens if I fail a class?
A: If the course is a graduation requirement, you must return to your high school to complete all or a portion of the class not fulfilled through your coursework at The University of New Orleans. If you pre-register for a UNO class that requires the course you failed as a pre-requisite, the UNO registrar will notify you that you have been dropped from the class. 

Q: I know I will have to miss class at UNO for a high school event. What should I do?
A: When you know you have a conflict email all of your instructors to notify them and inquire about the impact of the absence on your grade. Policies for attendance, missed exams, and make-up work should be listed on every instructor’s syllabus. 

Q: How do I order a transcript to be sent to another college?
A: UNO transcripts are available from Transcript Ordering Services.

Q: After participating in ECA, should I apply to other colleges as a freshman or as a transfer student?
A: Since your courses were taken prior to high school graduation, most colleges prefer that you apply as a freshman. This also ensures that you will be considered for scholarships earmarked for freshmen. If you have earned more than 30 credit hours, you should inquire with your school of choice as to how they would prefer you apply.

Q: Will ECA reduce my TOPS funding?
A: No. Eligible Dual Enrollment students receive Dual Enrollment credits prior to high school graduation, and full TOPS benefits after high school graduation. 

Q: Will all colleges accept my dual enrollment credits?
A: As a fully accredited university, UNO’s credits will be accepted by virtually all public colleges and universities in the United States, and by most private colleges and universities.  Students considering private colleges should inquire with them about their policy for accepting dual enrollment credits. 

Contact Us                   Apply Today

504-280-6595  admissions@uno.edu