Early College Program

You can start earning college credit through Oakton while still in high school. Oakton offers classes online, on-campus, and on-site at partner high schools. 

At Oakton or Online

You can take one Oakton course per semester at our Des Plaines or Skokie campus or online if you:
  • are a high school junior or senior,
  • have a minimum cumulative high school GPA of 2.0 or higher,
  • submit our concurrent enrollment application at least one week before the first day of the course(s) you want to take.

You will automatically earn college credit after successfully completing each Oakton course you take on-campus or online (dual enrollment). However, you must contact your high school counselor for approval to also earn high school credit for those courses.

Apply Online TodayAccess the Oakton Course ScheduleMeet with an Oakton Academic Advisor

At A High School 

If you attend a partner high school, you could take Oakton courses on-site at your school location that:

  • are taught by qualified district instructors,
  • occur during your regular high school schedule,
  • allow you to earn college and high school credit (dual credit)!

Choose your school from the list below to see courses selected by your high school and approved by Oakton. Contact your high school counselor for information about appropriate course options, requirements, and registration specific to your high school.

 

General Education 

Oakton Courses

IAI Category: Life Science
BIO 101: Introduction to Life Science (4 credit hours)
BIO 115: Animals and Society (4 credit hours) 

IAI Category: Mathematics
MAT 125: General Education Mathematics (4 credit hours) 
MAT 252: Calculus III (4 credit hours)

 

Career-Technical Education 

Oakton Courses

ATA 102: Introduction to Automotive Technology (4 credit hours)

BNA 100: Basic Nurse Assistant Training (7 credit hours)
BNA 105: Basic Nurse Assistant Job Training (1 credit hour)

CAD 105: Industrial Design Engineering (4 credit hours)
CAD 210: Industrial Design Techniques (4 credit hours)
CAD 220: Introduction to Building Information Modeling - Revit (4 credit hours)

GRD 101: Introduction to Visual Communication (3 credit hours)

HIT 104: Medical Terminology (3 credit hours)

MFG 111: Introduction to Computer Integrated Manufacturing (4 credit hours)

 

Transfer Electives

Oakton Courses

ART 115: Beginning Photography (3 credit hours)

MAT 140: College Algebra (3 credit hours)

MAT 260: Linear Algebra (3 credit hours)

 

General Education 

Oakton Courses

IAI Category: Communications
ENGL 101: Composition I (3 credit hours)

IAI Category: Mathematics
MAT 252: Calculus III (4 credit hours)

 

Career-Technical Education 

Oakton Courses

CAD 105: Industrial Design Engineering (4 credit hours)
CAD 116: Basic AutoCAD (3 credit hours)
CAD 117: Inetermediate AutoCAD (4 credit hours)
CAD 210: Industrial Design Techniques (4 credit hours)

ECE 102: Child Growth and Development (3 credit hours)

MFG 110: Introduction to Machining (3 credit hours)
MFG 120: Introduction to Welding (3 credit hours)
MFG 125: Advance Welding (3 credit hours)

 

Transfer Electives

Oakton Courses

ACC 153: Principles of Financial Accounting (4 credit hours)

EDN 101: Introduction to Education (3 credit hours)

MAT 260: Linear Algebra (3 credit hours)

 

General Education 

Oakton Courses

IAI Category: Communications
ENGL 101: Composition I (3 credit hours)

IAI Category: Mathematics
MAT 252: Calculus III (4 credit hours)

 

Career-Technical Education 

Oakton Courses

CAD 105: Industrial Design Engineering (4 credit hours)
CAD 116: Basic AutoCAD (3 credit hours)
CAD 117: Inetermediate AutoCAD (4 credit hours)
CAD 210: Industrial Design Techniques (4 credit hours)

CSC 241: Java Data Structures (3 credit hours)

ECE 102: Child Growth and Development (3 credit hours)

ELT 221: Digital Circuit Fundamentals (3 credit hours)

HIT 103: Introduction to the Medical Language (1 credit hour)

LAE 135: Forensics I (3 credit hours)

 

Transfer Electives

Oakton Courses

ACC 153: Principles of Financial Accounting (4 credit hours)

EDN 101: Introduction to Education (3 credit hours)

MAT 260: Linear Algebra (3 credit hours)

 

 

General Education 

Oakton Courses

IAI Category: Mathematics
MAT 252: Calculus III (4 credit hours)

 

Transfer Electives

Oakton Courses

HIS 120: United States History Since 1945 (3 credit hours)

MAT 260: Introduction to Linear Algebra (3 credit hours)

 

To access the Maine Township course catalog and more information on course selection, visit SchooLinks.

General Education 

Oakton Courses

IAI Category: Life
BIO 114: Basic Human Anatomy and Physiology (3 credit hours)

IAI Category: Physical Science
EAS 101: Physical Geology (4 credit hours)

IAI Category: Communications
EGL 101: Composition I (3 credit hours)
EGL102: Composition II (3 credit hours)
SPE 103: Effective Speech (3 credit hours)

 

Career-Technical Education 

Oakton Courses
ATA 102: Intorduction to Automotive Technology (4 credit hours)

BNA 100: Basic Nurse Assistant Training (7 credit hours)
BNA 105: Basic Nurse Assistant Job Training (1 credit hour)

CAD 105: Industrial Design Engineering (4 credit hours)
CAD 210: Industrial Design Techniques (4 credit hours)
CAD 220: Introduction to Building Information Modeling - Revit (4 credit hours)

CNS 105: Networking Essentials (3 credit hours)
CNS 170: Principles of Information Security (3 credit hours)

HIT 104: Medical Terminology (3 credit hours)

MFG 110: Introduction to Machining (3 credit hours)
MFG 111: Introduction to COmputer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM) (3 credit hours)

 

Transfer Electives

Oakton Courses

ACC 153: Principles of Financial Accounting (4 credit hours)

ART 115: Beginning Photography (3 credit hours)
ART 218: Advance Black and White Photography (3 credit hours)

MAT 140: College Algebra (4 credit hours)

MGT 160: Small Business Management (3 credit hours)

To access the Maine Township course catalog and more information on course selection, visit SchooLinks.

General Education 

Oakton Courses

IAI Category: Life
BIO 114: Basic Human Anatomy and Physiology (3 credit hours)

IAI Category: Physical Science
EAS 101: Physical Geology (4 credit hours)

IAI Category: Communications
EGL 101: Composition I (3 credit hours)
EGL102: Composition II (3 credit hours)
SPE 103: Effective Speech (3 credit hours)

IAI Category: Mathematics
MAT 125: General Education Mathematics (4 credit hours)
MAT 252: Calculus III (4 credit hours)

 

Career-Technical Education 

Oakton Courses
ATA 102: Intorduction to Automotive Technology (4 credit hours)

BNA 100: Basic Nurse Assistant Training (7 credit hours)
BNA 105: Basic Nurse Assistant Job Training (1 credit hour)

CAD 105: Industrial Design Engineering (4 credit hours)
CAD 116: Basic AutoCAD (3 credit hours)
CAD 210: Industrial Design Techniques (4 credit hours)
CAD 220: Introduction to Building Information Modeling - Revit (4 credit hours)

CNS 105: Networking Essentials (3 credit hours)
CNS 170: Principles of Information Security (3 credit hours)

HIT 104: Medical Terminology (3 credit hours)


MFG 111: Introduction to COmputer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM) (3 credit hours)

 

Transfer Electives

Oakton Courses

ACC 153: Principles of Financial Accounting (4 credit hours)

ART 115: Beginning Photography (3 credit hours)
ART 218: Advance Black and White Photography (3 credit hours)

MAT 140: College Algebra (4 credit hours)
MAT 262: Ordinary Differential Equations (3 credit hours)

MGT 160: Small Business Management (3 credit hours)

To access the Maine Township course catalog and more information on course selection, visit SchooLinks.

General Education 

Oakton Courses

IAI Category: Life
BIO 114: Basic Human Anatomy and Physiology (3 credit hours)

IAI Category: Physical Science
EAS 101: Physical Geology (4 credit hours)

IAI Category: Communications
EGL 101: Composition I (3 credit hours)
EGL102: Composition II (3 credit hours)
SPE 103: Effective Speech (3 credit hours)

 

Career-Technical Education 

Oakton Courses
ATA 102: Intorduction to Automotive Technology (4 credit hours)

BNA 100: Basic Nurse Assistant Training (7 credit hours)
BNA 105: Basic Nurse Assistant Job Training (1 credit hour)

CAD 105: Industrial Design Engineering (4 credit hours)
CAD 116: Basic AutoCAD (3 credit hours)
CAD 220: Introduction to Building Information Modeling - Revit (4 credit hours)

CNS 105: Networking Essentials (3 credit hours)
CNS 170: Principles of Information Security (3 credit hours)

HIT 104: Medical Terminology (3 credit hours)


MFG 102: Industrial Drafting and Design (3 credit hours)
MFG 110: Introduction to Machining (3 credit hours)
MFG 111: Introduction to COmputer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM) (3 credit hours)

 

Transfer Electives

Oakton Courses

ACC 153: Principles of Financial Accounting (4 credit hours)

ART 115: Beginning Photography (3 credit hours)
ART 218: Advance Black and White Photography (3 credit hours)

MAT 140: College Algebra (4 credit hours)

MGT 160: Small Business Management (3 credit hours)

 

Career-Technical Education 

Oakton Courses
ATA 102: Intorduction to Automotive Technology (4 credit hours)
ATA 111: Automotive Electrical Systems I (4 credit hours)

CAD 105: Industrial Design Engineering (4 credit hours)
CAD 107: Introduction 3D Printing (4 credit hours)
CAD 116: Basic AutoCAD (3 credit hours)
CAD 117: intrermediate AutoCAD (4 credit hours)
CAD 118: Advance AutoCAD (4 credit hours)
CAD 134: Basic AutoCAD for Interior Design (4 credit hours)
CAD 210: Industrial Design Techniques (4 credit hours)
CAD 220: Introduction to Building Information Modeling - Revit (4 credit hours)
CAD 224: Advance Building Information Modeling - Revit (4 credit hours)

ELT 114: Residential Wiring (3 credit hours)
ELT 221: Digital Circuit Fundamentals (3 credit hours)


MFG 102: Industrial Drafting and Design (3 credit hours)
MFG 110: Introduction to Machining (3 credit hours)

 

Transfer Electives

Oakton Courses

ART 115: Beginning Photography (3 credit hours)

 

Career-Technical Education 

Oakton Courses
ATA 102: Intorduction to Automotive Technology (4 credit hours)

BNA 100: Basic Nurse Assistant Training (7 credit hours)
BNA 105: Basic Nurse Assistant Job Training (1 credit hour)

CAD 105: Industrial Design Engineering (4 credit hours)
CAD 107: Introduction 3D Printing (4 credit hours)
CAD 210: Industrial Design Techniques (4 credit hours)
CAD 220: Introduction to Building Information Modeling - Revit (4 credit hours)

CIS 106: Foundational AI (3 credit hours)

CNS 105: Networking Essentials (3 credit hours)
CNS 170: Principles of Information Security (3 credit hours)

ECE 102: Child Growth and Development (3 credit hours)


ELT 221: Digital Circuit Fundamentals (3 credit hours)

HIT 104: Medical Terminology (3 credit hours)


MFG 101: Occupational Safety (2 credit hours)
MFG 102: Industrial Drafting and Design (3 credit hours)
MFG 110: Introduction to Machining (3 credit hours)
MFG 111: Introduction to Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM) (3 credit hours)
MFG 120: Introduction to Welding (3 credit hours)
MFG 125: Advance Welding (3 credit hours)

 

 

Career-Technical Education 

Oakton Courses
ATA 102: Intorduction to Automotive Technology (4 credit hours)

BNA 100: Basic Nurse Assistant Training (7 credit hours)
BNA 105: Basic Nurse Assistant Job Training (1 credit hour)

CAD 105: Industrial Design Engineering (4 credit hours)
CAD 107: Introduction 3D Printing (4 credit hours)
CAD 210: Industrial Design Techniques (4 credit hours)
CAD 220: Introduction to Building Information Modeling - Revit (4 credit hours)

CIS 106: Foundational AI (3 credit hours)

CNS 105: Networking Essentials (3 credit hours)
CNS 170: Principles of Information Security (3 credit hours)

ECE 102: Child Growth and Development (3 credit hours)


ELT 221: Digital Circuit Fundamentals (3 credit hours)

HIT 104: Medical Terminology (3 credit hours)


MFG 101: Occupational Safety (2 credit hours)
MFG 102: Industrial Drafting and Design (3 credit hours)
MFG 110: Introduction to Machining (3 credit hours)
MFG 111: Introduction to Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM) (3 credit hours)
MFG 120: Introduction to Welding (3 credit hours)
MFG 125: Advance Welding (3 credit hours)

 

Elizabeth Perez
"If you are passionate about something, take action. You don't have to wait. I realized I could really help people if I became a nurse. My counselor told me I could enroll in Oakton's Basic Nurse Assistant Training (BNAT) program while I was still in high school."

Elizabeth Perez

Additional Details

  • Download and browse our early college catalog (PDF) (909 KB).
  • Review the policies and procedures in the Oakton Student Handbook (PDF) (891 KB).
  • Learn about the Family Educational Rights & Privacy Act (FERPA), a federal law that lets you control access to your college student records. During the dual credit application process, you can give others (e.g., parents or guardians) permission to discuss details about your progress or performance in Oakton courses with instructors or other college personnel.

Asked and Answered

  • First-hand experience with college course content.
  • Opportunities to earn high school and college credit.
  • Early exploration of different college and career pathways.
  • A chance to earn a college certificate or degree faster and at a lower cost.
  • Take tuition-free Oakton courses at your high school location, if applicable.
  • Take Oakton courses on-campus or online at a fraction of the cost of other colleges/universities.
  • Since early college students are Oakton students, you gain access to the following:

  • Oakton courses offered at high school locations through our early college partnerships are tuition-free to high school students. However, a one-time $25 application fee is added to student accounts but billed to the high school for payment.
  • Students taking Oakton courses on-campus or online are responsible for paying Oakton tuition and fees through the myOakton portal by semester deadlines to remain enrolled in courses.

  • Dual credit opportunities allow high school students to take college courses to simultaneously earn high school and college credit before graduating high school. Grades and credits appear on students’ high school and college transcripts after completing dual credit courses. Oakton partners with every in-district public school and two private schools to offer dual credit courses at high schools during the regular school day, taught by qualified district instructors.
  • Dual enrollment opportunities allow students to take college courses for college credit but not high school credit upon completion. Most often, students take these courses on-campus or online, outside of Oakton early college partnerships, in addition to their regular high school courses or over the summer. Grades and credits for courses taken under these arrangements appear only on the college transcript upon completion. We encourage students to work through their high school counselor before registering for classes not offered through our early college partnerships if they desire dual credit - high school and college credit.
  • AP courses are advanced placement high school courses developed by the College Board, offered at your high school, and taught by high school instructors. Students earn college credit for these courses by taking an exam at the end of the semester and checking with colleges/universities to see what scores are acceptable. Oakton accepts scores for many AP exams and will award credit for equivalent Oakton courses according to the Advanced Placement equivalency chart. 

For Oakton courses offered through one of our early college partnerships, students can find a list of approved courses above. Then, they must contact their high school counselor or dual credit liaison for admission and registration details.

  • If you wish to drop/withdraw from an Oakton course offered through an early college partner, you must inform your instructor and advisor by the designated deadline; then, a high school representative will inform Oakton.

After Early College...

We have great news! If you have taken dual credit/dual enrollment courses while in high school, you have already made progress toward earning a college certificate or degree. So, you can easily continue with us before transferring to another college or entering the workforce.

Apply Online Today Explore Academic Options Visit Our Campuses