MUHSD is committed to building student skills, expanding career pathways, and offering college credit access for all.

MUHSD students can take college courses at no cost (up to 11 units per semester) through Merced College.  Students are expected to be in good academic standing to participate in college courses.  Previous performance in college courses may be considered when requesting future enrollment.

Ways to Earn College Credit

CCAP - College Career Access Pathway Classes for All High School Students

• College course designed specifically for high school students.
  • Offered online
  • Most accessible option
  • Textbook fees are waived

Concurrent Enrollment

• Take college courses directly through Merced College
  • Outside the high school day (evenings, weekends, summer, online)
  • Open to all students who meet Merced Community College eligibility requirements
  • Textbook feed apply

Embedded College Credit Courses*

• College courses offered inside select MUHSD classes during the regular school day
  • Embedded in specific pathways
  • Availability varies by semester & site
  • No fees

How to Get Started with College Courses in High School

Apply to Merced College

• Apply here Merced College Application Information and complete the following forms:
  • Admission Process
  • Parent/Consent Form
  • High School Permit

All students taking college classes - CCAP, Concurrent, or Embedded- must complete the Merced College application once in high school.  If a student takes a break from college classes, they may need to re-apply.

Pathway Counselors

Students interested in earning college credit should connect with their school’s Pathway Counselor for support and course information.

Important Information About College Courses in High School

• Course Eligibility & Credit
  • Classes taken before the summer before 9th grade do not appear on the MUHSD transcript, except math and language other than English.
  • Courses only appear on the Merced College transcript and the high school transcript if they are on the approved MUHSD/MCC Equivalency List.
  • If the course is not on the list, students still earn college credit.

Equivalency Lists

Class of 2028 & Earlier

Class of 2029 & Beyond

College Student Responsibilities

When enrolled in Merced College courses, students are considered college students.

• College privacy laws apply (FERPA)

• Parents/guardians do not receive progress updates from MC.

• Students are responsible for the following:
  • Communicating with college instructors
  • Checking college email regularly
  • Completing assignments and deadlines
  • MUHSD cannot override Merced College policies or academic decisions.

Grades, Withdrawal, & Academic Standing

• Dropping a course late may result in a W (Withdrawal) on the college transcript.
• A college GPS below 2.0 may affect the following:
  • Future college eligibility
  • Access to financial aid
  • “Two Free Years of Community College” benefits

Transcripts & Credit Posting

• College grades are automatically sent to MUHSD after the course ends.
• Students should check their college transcript and notify their Pathway Counselor if there are errors.
• When a college course is equivalent to a high school class both may appear on the transcript but credit is only awarded once.
• Students may request to remove a college course from their MUHSD transcript.  The grade will still remain on the college transcript.