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CTE High School Courses

High school partners and MiraCosta College have agreements that provide the opportunity for high school students to earn Credit by Exam for select high school CTE courses that have undergone an approval process with MiraCosta College faculty.

Learn More about CTE High School Courses

  • Earn FREE college credit through "Credit by Exam"
  • Students continuing at MiraCosta College in the same field of study will benefit the most from Credit by Exam because they will be closer to earning a certificate or degree in the career education program offered at the college.
  • Credits may apply towards MiraCosta certificates, degrees, or fulfill prerequisites. Each college and university determines if they will accept Credit by Exam units and how they will be applied towards a student’s educational goal. Most Credit by Exam transfers as lower-division elective credit. It’s best to meet with a MiraCosta College counselor to discuss your specific situation and career goals.
  • In Fall 2024, the UC shared at a High School Counselor conference that they will not accept any credit earned via High School articulation, but they will consider Credit by Exam on a student transcript. MiraCosta uses the Credit by Exam notation; increasing the chance of a student’s Credit by Exam units transferring.
  • Students must complete the application and enrollment steps, earn an A or B in the course AND on the final assessment (i.e. final exam/project/portfolio); and receive a recommendation for credit from the course instructor.
  • Students must earn an A or B in the course and on a final assessment, receive a recommendation for credit from course instructor, and submit a Petition for Credit during the term the student is enrolled.
  • Your high school transcript will show the high school course name and your final course grade.
  • Your MiraCosta College transcript will show the college course name, your final assessment grade, and a note of "Credit by Exam".
    • Example: If you earn an "A" in the high school class and a "B" on the final assessment, your MiraCosta transcript will show a "B" grade.
  • MiraCosta faculty will determine the grade and credit recommendation for Media Arts Technologies articulated courses.
  • Grades will appear on your MiraCosta transcript about one month after your high school course ends (if you meet all requirements).
  • Grades of C, D, and F are not eligible for college credit and won’t appear on your MiraCosta College transcript, but will still be listed on your high school transcript.

Application & Enrollment Steps

Step 1
Apply for Admissions

  • Create a CCCApply Account and submit a MiraCosta College application.
  • Processing takes 2-3 business days.
  • Returning Students: If you haven’t taken classes for 2 or more semesters in a row (not counting summer), you need to apply again.
  • If you don't receive a welcome email after 3 business days, email dualenroll@miracosta.edu for help.

Step 2
Activate Your Surf Account

Student Technical Support
If your activation link expired or you’re experiencing issues activating your account, contact the ITS Help Desk for support at 760.795.6850 or itshelpdesk@miracosta.edu.

Step 3
Submit a Petition for Credit

Tutorials
SURF ID Lookup

After you receive your SURF ID, you can submit your Petition for Credit stating that if you meet the requirements, you want MiraCosta to transcript your credit with your final exam/project grade.

District petition links:

Step 4
Submit Portfolio
(Media Arts & Technologies ONLY)

 

MiraCosta Media Arts & Technologies faculty will evaluate students’ portfolios, determine the final assessment grade, and make a credit recommendation for those enrolled in a high school course with an articulation agreement with the following MCC courses:

  • MAT 110: Digital Imaging 1: Photoshop
  • MAT 125: Web Design 1: Fundamentals
  • MAT 160: Video 1: Production

MAT Portfolio Submission Form

Step 5
Receive Credit by Exam

 
  • If you meet all the requirements for college credit, your final assessment grade will be posted to your MiraCosta College transcript about one month after your high school course ends.
  • If you don't meet the requirements, the course won’t appear on your MiraCosta transcript, but it will still be listed on your high school transcript.
  • Questions about your MiraCosta College grade? Contact careered@miracosta.edu for help.

Student Resources

Need to know how the credit by exam applies to your goals?
Schedule an appointment with an Academic Counselor! They can help you pick the right classes, make an Education Plan, choose a career or major, apply to transfer to a 4-year university, and connect you with support services like tutoring and personal counseling.

OUSD Students
If you are interested in pursuing dual enrollment classes, meet with Liz Leguizamo to set up your particular academic pathway. Visit Liz during school hours or schedule an appointment. Make the most of college planning and visit with her today!

Liz Leguizamo, MCC Academic/Career Counselor
eleguizamo@miracosta.edu
At Oceanside HS, El Camino HS, and Surfside Educational Academy every week for academic/ career counseling and support or by appointment!
(Zoom meeting options available)

CalGETC Advisement
Check out the CalGETC Advisement Sheet to see a list of courses you can take at MiraCosta College to fulfill lower-division general education requirements for transfer and admission to a University of California (UC) or California State University (CSU) systems.

  • Official transcript requests are made online at miracosta.edu/transcripts. The first two official transcripts ever requested are free; thereafter, it is $7 per request.
  • Students can access their unofficial transcript in SURF.

Tutorials: How to View My Unofficial Transcript

Important Reminder: Grades will be posted to your MiraCosta Transcript approximately one month AFTER your high school course has ended.

Partner Districts / Schools

View a full list of our current high school CTE articulation agreements or select a District below.

 
 
 

K12 Educators

Prior to submitting an Articulation Request, we want to hear your goals and ensure we are building pathways for students. Please review our Course Outlines to find the course that best aligns with your high school course. Agreements are valid for two years, and renewal requests are required every two years in order to continue articulating the course. The college presidents of the San Diego and Imperial Counties Regional Consortium have agreed that any requests outside of a college’s service area must include a release letter from the college whose service area they are in.

Please follow the steps below:

  1. Review MiraCosta College Public Course Outlines.
  2. Submit the K12 Partner Early College Credit Interest Form. MiraCosta will either schedule a meeting with you or let you know that we are unable to enter into an articulation agreement for your desired course.
  3. Use our Articulation Request Template to ensure you include all the information MiraCosta faculty are looking for.
  4. Submit Articulation request between December 1-March 15 of the school year prior to the year you would like your agreement to start.
  1. Alignment between the high school and college course outlines, supporting materials, and projects.
  2. Rigor demonstrated through assignments, exams, and projects.
  3. Course objectives align and are easily identified in your Articulation Request Ex: Assignment X addresses MiraCosta course objectives 1, 2, 4, and 7.
  4. Enrollment and continuation in the same pathway at MiraCosta College.
  • Inform families of the opportunity for students to earn credit by exam, students’ desire to opt out, and/or students’ step progression.
  • Ensure students complete the required steps.
  • Regularly communicate with students about completing necessary steps.
  • Input grades and credit recommendations for all students by the deadline.
  • Submit an articulation renewal request every two years.

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