Rasmussen University Early Honors Program

The Early Honors Program through Rasmussen University part of American Public University System ("Rasmussen") allows high school students to experience college-level courses while enrolled in high school. Through this opportunity, students can have access to courses not offered at their high school and explore potential career areas. Eligibility is limited to high school juniors and seniors who are at least 16 years old at the time of enrollment. All Early Honors Program coursework is fully online and there is no course instruction at a local campus.

Early Honors Program Terms and Conditions

Students must meet the following criteria and expectations to participate in the Early Honors Program:

• Applicants must complete an Early Honors Program application, which includes a high school attestation indicating expected graduation date.
• Applicants must have prior approval from a parent/guardian to be admitted into the program (requires a signed Early Honors Parent/Guardian Approval form).
• Applicants must have prior approval from a high school guidance counselor or administrator to be admitted into the program (requires a signed Early Honors High School Approval Form)
• Applicants must be high school juniors or seniors and have a minimum cumulative high school grade point average of 2.25 out of a possible 4.00. Proof of GPA must be validated by a High School Counselor or Administrator on the Early Honors High School Approval form.
• Applicants must score at least a 26 on the English portion of the entrance placement exam to be accepted to the Early Honors Program.
• The Early Honors Program application deadline is four weeks prior to the start of the intended quarter of enrollment.
• Enrollment in the program is limited to 20 students per quarter, per campus.
• Early Honors Program students may enter the Early Honors Program no earlier than the Rasmussen's Fall Quarter aligning with their high school junior year.
• Early Honors Program students may not remain enrolled in the Early Honors Program any later than the Rasmussen's Spring Quarter aligning with their high school senior year.
• A maximum of 24 credits per student can be taken in the Early Honors Program.
• To continue enrollment in the Early Honors Program, students must maintain a minimum Rasmussen cumulative grade point average of 2.0.
• The applicant must meet with the Director of Admissions or the Campus Executive Director before being accepted to ensure the student meets all criteria and requirements, and to approve the schedule.
• Early Honors students will be accepted on a space available basis for each course selected.
• Early Honors Program students must meet all course prerequisites as listed in the catalog.
• Courses designated with a CJK, HIM, MEA, MLT, NUR, PHT, PRN, PTN, RTE or STS prefix, or with a course level of 5000 and above, are not available to Early Honors students.
• Early Honors students may take up to 8 credits per quarter without a tuition charge.
• Most technology courses require access to specialized hardware and software. Early Honors students will need to secure access to required hardware and software. The University will provide specific technology requirements information for each course.
• Early Honors Program students will receive college credit twords a degree, diploma or certificate through the Rasmussen academic unit of American Public University System for all successfully competed courses
• Early Honors Program students will be issued an official transcript from American Public University System. These credits may be transferable at the discretion of the receiving institution or academic unit.
• Early Honors Program students will receive high school dual enrollment credit for passed Early Honors courses at the discretion of the student’s high school. Approval for dual enrollment credit must be confirmed on the High School Approval Form.
• Early Honors Program students may apply to a full program offered by Rasmussen through the regular admissions process.
• Credits earned through the Rasmussen Early Honors Program are not eligible for dual enrollment credit at Florida high schools or through secondary home education programs pursuant to Section 1007.271, Florida Statutes.
• The Illinois Dual Credit Quality Act (110 ILCS 27) requires high school districts to enter into a contract with institutions of higher education to provide dual credit coursework. For the purpose of the Illinois Dual Credit Quality Act, American Public University System is classified as an out-of-state institution. A school district may not enter into a new contract with an out-of-state institution to provide a dual credit course without first following the procedural requirements of the Dual Credit Quality Act. If a school district does not have a contract with American Public University System meeting the requirements of the Dual Credit Quality Act, then the credits earned through the Rasmussen Early Honors Program are not eligible for dual enrollment credit.
• The Early Honors Program is not a state-approved Postsecondary Enrollment Option (PSEO) program pursuant to the Postsecondary Enrollment Options Act (Minn. Stat. 124D.09). Therefore, Minnesota high school students are not eligible to earn dual high school and college credit through the Early Honors Program.
• American Public University System makes no guarantee that its Early Honors Program will meet any state’s dual credit enrollment requirements. It is the responsibility of the High School Official to determine whether postsecondary credits earned through Rasmussen’s Early Honors Program can be accepted and applied to secondary education requirements in the high school’s state.
• Students in the Early Honors Program are not eligible to apply for Title IV benefits. No additional grants or scholarships will be applied to students in the Early Honors program.