Dual Credit
Dual credit provides students with the potential to earn high school and college credit at the same time. Taking dual credit courses is connected to higher high school graduation rates, college enrollment, and degree completion.
Franklin Pierce schools provide four dual credit options as listed below:
- Advanced Placement (AP)
- College in High School (CiHS)
- Career and Technical Education (CTE) Dual Credit
- Running Start
Advanced Placement (AP)
Students earn regular high school credit upon successful completion of the course and may gain college credit if they earn a qualifying score on the corresponding AP exam. University credit is generally granted for test scores of 3 and above on a five-point scale, however, each university has their own standards for accepting credit for AP exams. For more information on the AP program, go to www.collegeboard.com/ap.
Students enrolling in three or more concurrent AP classes must have prior approval from their counselor. Students who enroll in year-long AP courses are expected to remain in those courses for the entire year.
AP course offerings are noted in the Course Catalog.
College in High School (CiHS)
In association with Washington universities, high school students may earn college credit for completing these classes on the high school campus where trained and approved Franklin Pierce Schools teachers serve as adjunct faculty for our partner universities. Students successfully completing a CiHS course may earn both high school and college credit.
Credit is determined through students' work throughout the class and not a single test score. In some CiHS courses, each semester is equivalent to a college course, while in others students have the extended opportunity of the entire school year to complete one college course. Courses typically run five credits. College credit earned may count as elective or academic credit depending on the receiving college's transfer credit policies.
Students should note that pursuing the college credit automatically starts an official college transcript with the institution offering the course that will include the student's grade.
Course offerings, university affiliations, and credit options are noted in the Course Catalog.
Career and Technical Education (CTE) Dual Credit
Dual credit courses offer students an opportunity to earn Community/Technical College credit while attending high school classes. CTE Dual Credit classes are taught at the high school or Puget Sound Skills Center and integrate academics with technical skills to help prepare students for advanced education and careers related to professional-technical occupations. High school students who complete selected high school courses with a grade of ‘C’ (2.0) or better can earn Community/Technical College credit. After June 30th of the summer after completing required high school courses, students may contact the PC3 office at 253-583-8803 for transcription of CTE Dual credits. More information about CTE Dual Credit can be found online at Pierce County Careers Connection at www.pc3connect.com or Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges at www.sbctc.edu/colleges-staff/programs-services/cte-dual-credit.
CTE course offerings that provide dual credit or an Industry Recognized Credential are noted in the Course Catalog.
Running Start
Running Start is a state-wide program enacted by the State Legislature in 1990 to allow 11th and/or 12th graders to earn dual high school and college credit, tuition-free at local community or technical colleges. Students in the Franklin Pierce School District generally access Running Start at Pierce College, Tacoma Community College, Bates Technical College or Clover Park Technical College. Students must provide their own transportation for Running Start. FPSD does not provide school transportation (school bus) but students do have access to a free Orca Card to ride public transportation at no-cost.
Running Start is tuition-free, however, students and families should expect to pay mandatory each quarter of enrollment. This out-of-pocket cost may include course fees, books, technology, parking and other fees. Franklin Pierce School District is part of the Community Eligibility Provision Program through the National School Lunch Program, which allows all students to eat breakfast and lunch at no cost, however, this does not mean all students are eligible for financial assistance from their selected college for fees. Please see your school counselor for additional information and possible application for fee reduction or waivers at Running Start.
To be eligible for Running Start, students must be in 11th or 12th grade and able to qualify to take English at the 100-level or above (e.g. ENGL& 101). To take math at Running Start, students need to PASS/COMPLETE through Algebra II at their home high school.
Running Start students have the same responsibilities as other college students, including:
- attending class regularly,
- completing homework outside of class time,
- taking tests and exams, and,
- being graded with the same expectations as other non-Running Start college classmates.
It is very important to note that the credit and grades earned through Running Start are put on the permanent college transcript AND the high school transcript.
FPSD school counselors coordinate a district-wide virtual information session every spring for students and families who are interested in doing Running Start.
- Recording of Spring 2026 FPSD Running Start Info Session
- Running Start Overview Spring 2026 Slide Deck
STEPS TO APPLY BELOW:
Pierce College
Pierce College
Running Start Admissions Steps
Step 1: Admissions
Complete a Pierce College Application
Be sure to select "I will be enrolling as a Running Start student"
and that you are pursuing an Academic program.
IMPORTANT: After your application is processed by Admissions, you will receive a "Welcome to Pierce" email that includes your Pierce College ctcLink ID.
BE SURE TO READ THIS EMAIL VERY CAREFULLY AND FOLLOW ALL OF THE LISTED STEPS.
Step 2: Student Success Orientation and Guided Self-Placement
The Student Success Orientation walks you through the next steps in preparing to become a college student, including how to complete Guided Self-Placement for English.
College level placement in English is required for Running Start participation.
The Pierce College Guided Self-Placement (GSP) process is linked in Module 2 of the Student Success Orientation and can be completed online from home. GSP is not a traditional placement "test." It is a guide to help you in determining which English route is right for you.
To be eligible for Running Start, you must receive a recommendation of
college English (ENGL& 101) either as a standalone class or
combined with a 2 credit co-requisite support class (ENGL& 101 + ENGLC 101).
Contact the testing center at TestingCenter@pierce.ctc.edu for placement questions.
Step 3: Complete & Upload Enrollment Verification Form (EVF). FPSD Counselors use Informed K12 (digital) for all EVFs - you need to complete the InformedK12 EVF in order to upload the completed EVF to the Pierce College Canvas page. Students self-enroll in this course and submit the completed EVF there. Instructions on how to submit here: Pierce EVF Submission Guide
Step 4: Get Connected With a Pierce College Student Success Coach/Advisor If you have not already done so, complete all modules in the Student Success Orientation. This is the final step to schedule a New Student Advising Session to schedule your first advising appointment. Visit the Advising webpage to schedule your new student advising appointment
Step 5: Register and Pay (if needed)
After meeting with a Pierce College Student Success Coach/Advisor, you are ready to register for classes when registration opens. Running Start students pay student and course fees each quarter after registering. See the Fees page for more information on quarterly fees and other expenses not covered by Running Start.
After your EVF is processed and tuition has been adjusted, payment can be made; be sure to pay by the quarterly deadline to avoid being dropped for non-payment. If tuition has not been adjusted several days before the payment deadline, please contact RunningStart@pierce.ctc.edu). Pay online by logging in to your ctcLink account.
Students MAY be eligible for the Pierce College Running Start Fee Waiver and Book Loan program. The Running Start Fee Waiver and Book Loan Program is available to assist with the cost of required textbooks and quarterly student fees for eligible courses. Once approved for the fee waiver, it is valid for the duration the student is eligible for Running Start. Other eligibility criteria includes Apple Health or Provider One card. Please contact your school counselor for additional information.
Source: https://www.pierce.ctc.edu/programs/running-start/get-started.html
Tacoma CC
Tacoma Community College
Running Start Admissions Steps
Admission to TCC Running Start is a multi-step process and must be started at least one week before the Running Start Application deadline. Please be sure to complete each step before continuing to the next one.
Fall 2026 deadline to submit TCC Admissions Application:
August 21, 2026
1. Apply to Tacoma Community College
All prospective students must apply to the college before they can apply to the Running Start program. Watch THIS VIDEO to see step-by-step how to complete the application to TCC.
To begin your Admissions Application
CLICK HERE
In the application, you must select Running Start in the
“I will be enrolling as a…” section, or you will not receive the appropriate next step.
Within 3 business days of submitting your Admissions Application, you will receive an official TCC Welcome Email from Admissions with your ctcLink ID and next steps.
2. Submit Proof of English Qualification
Fall 2025 deadline to submit English Qualifying Measures:
August 28, 2026
The TCC Welcome email will include a link to upload your English qualifying measures (i.e. high school transcript) through OnBase. See Eligibility for English qualifying measures.
TCC will verify your qualification once your submission is received. Review of the Qualifying Measures can take up to 3 business days.
3. Complete Running Start Application
Fall 2026 deadline to submit your Running Start Application:
September 4, 2026
Once your qualification is verified, you will receive an email from runstart@tacomacc.edu with a link to the digital Running Start Application. If you do not see an email in your inbox, please check your spam/junk folder. DO NOT USE THE Enrollment Verification Form (EVF) THAT IS IN THE EMAIL. FPSD Counselors use Informed K12 (digital) for all EVFs - you need to complete the InformedK12 EVF in order to upload to your application. Once completed, upload the EVF to the Running Start Application and fill out the remaining sections of the application with your parent/guardian, then Submit.
The Running Start application is ready for submission when the following sections are completed:
- Student information + upload EVF
- Student Financial Responsibility
- Class and Campus Fees
- Financial Aid Assistance Program
- Policy Agreement
- Release of Information
You will receive an auto-generated email to confirm your application has been successfully submitted. Review and processing of the Running Start Application can take up to 3 business days.
4. New Student Orientation
Once your application is processed, we will email you a Running Start New Student Orientation date.
*Do not sign up for the orientation hosted by the college.
In orientation, students will:
- Learn important program information
- Learn about resources available at TCC
- Learn how to register for classes
- Meet their assigned Running Start advisor
An orientation packet will be emailed a day prior to the scheduled orientation date.
5. Register for Classes
After completing the Running Start New Student Orientation, you will be able to register for classes.
6. Pay Class and Campus Fees
Tuition is covered by the Running Start program, but students are still responsible for quarterly fees. Financial assistance is available for eligible students. See FAQs for information about our Fee Waiver program.
Source: https://www.tacomacc.edu/academics-programs/college-high-school/runningstart-admission
Clover Park Tech
Clover Park Technical College
Running Start Admissions Steps
Step 1: Attend an Information SessionRunning Start Q&A Information Sessions are offered select Wednesdays virtually on Zoom from 4:00-4:30pm. Please see the "Join our Q&A Session" section of the CPTC Running Start website for current dates.
- Running Start Q&A Zoom link: https://cptc-edu.zoom.us/j/8918207872
Upcoming Dates (as of March 2026):- Wednesday, March 25 @ 4pm
- Wednesday, April 1 @ 4pm
- Wednesday, April 29 @ 4pm
- Join the zoom Q&A Sessions to get general questions answered (both students & parents encouraged to attend).
- Also consider attending a Program Information Session with Instructors that highlight specifics about a particular program you may be interested in.
*Attendance at a Program Information Session is mandatory for the following programs: Cosmetology, Esthetic Sciences, Professional Pilot and Human Services.
Step 2: Complete a Running Start Interest SurveyEven if you haven’t decided if Running Start at CPTC is right for you, Complete Running Start Interest Survey to let them know of your interest so they can send you more information about what is offered (also - see eligible program list below).
Step 3: Complete the CPTC Admissions Application
Click here to apply to CPTC
Look for a welcome email admitting you to the college within 3-5 business days of applying.
Step 4: Complete & Submit Required PaperworkYou must submit all paperwork before the Enrollment Hold can be removed from your account.
- Running Start Dual Enrollment Disclaimer Form (PDF)
- Running Start Enrollment Verification Form (completed through FPSD InformedK12 digital form)
- Activate your ctcLink account and
- Watch the Registration Video
- Review a Program Map online for your program of interest to see possible classes.
Step 5: Attend a Mandatory Virtual Running Start Onboarding Session*Students MUST attend one Onboarding Session before bein allowed to register for classes.
- Onboarding Zoom Link: https://cptc-edu.zoom.us/j/8918207872
- Upcoming Running Start Onboarding Sessions (as of March 2026):
- Tuesday, April 7 @ 5:00pm
- Monday, April 13 @ 5:00pm
- Wednesday, June 3 @ 5:00pm
- Tuesday, September 1 @ 5:00pm
Step 6: Prepare to start classes
- Confirm Registration date & time.
- Add classes to Cart and register.
- Make a plan to pay for fees & books (Running Start only covers the cost of tuition)
- Register for New Student Orientation
- Set up CPTC Email account (48 hours after registering)
- Set up Canvas account (requires CPTC email)
- Know your first day of classes
Eligible Programs:
- Accounting
- Architectural Engineering Design
- Associate of Pre-Nursing
- Automotive Technician
- Automotive Collision Technician
- Aviation Maintenance Technician
- Central Service/Sterile Processing (must be at least 17 ½ to enroll)
- Construction Technology
- Computer Programming
- Cosmetology
- Culinary Arts
- Digital Entertainment and Design
- Early Care & Education (evening availability)
- Electrician Low Voltage Fire/Security
- Environmental Science
- Esthetic Sciences
- Graphic Design Technology
- Health Unit Coordinator (must be at least 17 ½ to begin)
- Heating & Air Conditioning Refrigeration/Service Technician
- Interior Design
- Manufacturing Technologies
- Massage Studies (must be at least 17 ½ to begin)
- Mechatronics
- Network Operations & Systems Security
- Non-Destructive Testing
- Nursing Assistant Certificate
- Pastry Arts
- Pharmacy Technician
- Professional Pilot (must be at least 16 ½ to begin)
- Retail Business Management (online only)
- Welding (evening availability)