Take the next step to your future with Patriots Pathways. University of the Cumberlands is making it easy for high school students to get access to college. Become part of the Cumberlands family early and transitioning to campus after high school will be super easy. Students can participate in our early college program and earn an associate's degree or take dual-credit classes to earn college credit. 

Dual-Credit Coursework

Dual credit is credit received on your high school transcript as well as your college transcript.  Think of it as a “two for one”.  One class counts as 2 separate institution credits.  

Students wishing to take dual credit courses on-site, at their high school campus, or online with UC must meet the following admission criteria: A GPA of 2.0 or higher, a minimum ACT composite score of 18,  or a 3.0 GPA with a counselor recommendation is required without qualifying ACT scores.  Students must also be enrolled in our participating high schools. 

Home school students within state in the following counties, Whitley, Knox, Laurel, Pulaski, Clay, McCreary, Bell, as well as Jellico, TN area are also eligible to apply.  We are not accepting out of state students (or out of area home school) at this time. 

Additional Resources & Information

  • Williamsburg High School
  • Whitley County High School
  • Jellico High School
  • Clay County High School
  • McCreary Central High School
  • Barbourville High School
  • Lynn Camp High School
  • Knox Central High School
  • Logan County High School
  • Somerset Christian Academy
  • Bell County High School
  • Oneida Baptist Institute

Course Format

Tuition and Fees

In-Seat (High School)

$51

In-Seat (Cumberlands)

$51

Online (Fall & Spring)

$147

Summer

$220 per credit hour

Payments for dual-credit courses will be due in mid-October, spring, mid-March. Paper bills are no longer sent. Payments can be made on the UC One Portal.     

Kentucky Students

Junior and senior, Kentucky students, have the opportunity to have two (2) classes covered over their high school career.  Each high school will submit information to KHEAA identifying students enrolled in dual credit. KHEAA will then contact the students to determine their preferred term, spring or fall. Home school students must complete the application on the KHEAA website. 

KHEAA award determinations are made on a first-come, first-served basis to students who have completed the KHEAA scholarship web preference. Seniors receive priority consideration in the award order.

University of the Cumberlands is a participating postsecondary institution in the Kentucky Dual Credit Scholarship Program.  As such, we abide by their scholarship regulations and requirements.  Students will not be responsible for payment for courses designated under the scholarship.  For more information on the scholarship requirements and application, please visit KHEAA

Early College Program

Earn a high school diploma and associate degree with University of the Cumberlands. Our innovative Early College Program provides local high school students an opportunity to experience college-level courses, accelerate the path to degree completion and entrance into the workforce, and save money on college tuition. 

The program is offered online and on-campus and there are several degree pathways students can choose.  Participating students will complete their 11th and 12th grade years of high school while simultaneously completing their first two years of college and graduate with an associate's degree from University of the Cumberlands as well as a Kentucky high school diploma.

Additional Resources & Information

These local high school partners have developed approved pathway programs that can help a student earn an associate degree by the time they finish high school: 

Corbin High School 

McCreary Central High School

Whitley County High School 

Williamsburg High School 

Jellico High School 

Course Format

Tuition and Fees

In-Seat (High School)

$51

In-Seat (Cumberlands)

$51

Online (Fall & Spring)

$147

Summer

$220 per credit hour

Payments will be due in mid-October, spring, mid-March. Paper bills are no longer sent. Payments can be made on the UC One Portal.     

Kentucky Students

Junior and senior, Kentucky students, have the opportunity to have two (2) classes covered over their high school career.  Each high school will submit information to KHEAA identifying students enrolled in dual credit. KHEAA will then contact the students to determine their preferred term, spring or fall. Home school students must complete the application on the KHEAA website. 

KHEAA award determinations are made on a first-come, first-served basis to students who have completed the KHEAA scholarship web preference. Seniors receive priority consideration in the award order.

University of the Cumberlands is a participating postsecondary institution in the Kentucky Dual Credit Scholarship Program.  As such, we abide by their scholarship regulations and requirements.  Students will not be responsible for payment for courses designated under the scholarship.  For more information on the scholarship requirements and application, please visit KHEAA