In education, dual enrollment is where a student is enrolled in two separate, academically related institutions. It may also refer to any individual who is participating in any two related programs, but such a general form of usage is uncommon.

In secondary school

Students enrolled in secondary school (called high school in some countries) may be dual enrolled at a local institution of higher learning, such as a community college or university. These students take classes at either institution for credit that is honored at both. Many state governments within the United States have recognized the benefit of dual enrollment and have consequently instructed their public universities to begin collaborating with local schools. Some private schools also participate. Secondary school may refer to Secondary school in the United Kingdom, is the general term for the schools for children between the ages of eleven and eighteen in most areas (a few areas have schools for 13-18 year olds instead, and these are called upper schools). ... In Canada and the United States, a community college, sometimes called a junior college, is an educational institution providing post-secondary education and lower-level tertiary education, granting certificates, diplomas, and associates degrees. ... A professor giving a lecture at the Helsinki University of Technology A university is an institution of higher education and of research, which grants academic degrees. ...

Dual enrollment in both secondary school and college is advantageous to students because it allows them to get a head start on their college careers. Furthermore, it may ease the frequently traumatizing transition that typically occurs during the high school to college transition.

In college

Colleges may join together in leagues to allow their students to take courses at all of the member universities. These leagues, such as Five Colleges (Massachusetts), Seven Sisters (colleges), or Five Colleges of Ohio, allow students to benefit from the collective knowledge of all of the participating institutions. In general, there is no increase in tuition to participate in collegiate dual enrollment programs. The Five Colleges are affiliated colleges in the Connecticut River valley of western Massachusetts, belonging to a consortium called Five Colleges, Incorporated. ... The Seven Sisters are a historic group of American womens colleges. ... The Five Colleges of Ohio is a consortium of selective private liberal arts colleges in the U.S. state of Ohio. ...

Within colleges, programs that coordinate the cirricula of dual major students are sometimes called dual enrollment programs. These programs allow the student to reap the benefits from both departments without having to take overlapping and unnecessary courses. Most universities have some degree of interdepartmental dual enrollment coordination.