High School Students

An application for dual enrollment is required each semester you plan to take courses.

Apply Now

Once you start the process, you can monitor the status of your application materials and requirements on your application status page.

Your application will be “complete” when all of the following items have been submitted:

Student Requirements:

• Application: Submit your dual enrollment application each semester, including your dual enrollment course preferences and academic standing.
  • Please note that you will be asked to provide email addresses for your parent or guardian and your school counselor. Their contact information is necessary so the remaining requirements can be completed on your behalf.
• Official High School Transcript: Request a copy from your high school counselor to be uploaded with your application or sent to admissions@pennwest.edu.

*Returning Dual Enrollment Students: If you previously submitted an official high school transcript, PennWest may use the transcript on file for up to one year from the date it was received. If your transcript is more than one year old, an updated transcript will be required.

Parent and Guardian Requirements:

The parent/guardian contact email listed on the student’s dual enrollment application will be sent an email with a unique link to an approval form required for your application. The form allows your parent/guardian to:

• Review Preferred Course Selections
• Complete the Parent/Guardian Dual Enrollment Approval to participate in Dual Enrollment at PennWest.
• Complete the Financial Terms and Conditions, which acknowledges the associated parent/guardian financial responsibilities.

School Administrator Requirements:

The school official contact email listed on the student’s dual enrollment application will be sent an email with a unique link to an approval form required for your application. The form allows your school to:

• Review Preferred Course Selections
• Complete the Dual Enrollment Academic Approval from your high school counselor or principal to participate in Dual Enrollment at PennWest.

PennWest’s Dual Enrollment is designed for high school juniors and seniors who are ready to challenge themselves with college-level coursework while still in high school.

To participate:

• Grade Level: High school juniors and seniors are eligible to apply. Sophomores may be considered by PennWest Admissions on a conditional basis.
• Academic Eligibility: Students should have a cumulative 3.0 high school GPA to be eligible for dual enrollment. Students below this threshold may still be considered following additional review.
• College Readiness: Students should be prepared to meet college-level academic expectations, including completing assignments, managing deadlines, and communicating with instructors.

Not sure if you're eligible? Our Dual Enrollment team can help you explore your options.

Contact Us

dualenrollment@pennwest.edu
724-938-4404

PennWest offers nearly 100 course options across a variety of academic subjects, with flexible opportunities to learn online in asynchronous classes at your own pace, or on-campus at one of PennWest’s three campus locations: California, Clarion, or Edinboro. Course availability varies by semester and location. Some courses may have prerequisites, placement requirements, or additional approvals.

Explore Available Courses

Dual enrollment courses are available during the fall, spring, and summer sessions.

Spring 2027: Available now. The deadline to submit an application and all requirements is Friday, January 8, 2027, at 4 p.m.

Summer and Fall 2027: The application opens annually in the springtime. Check back for updates.

Seat availability is limited, so we encourage students to apply early to allow time for application review, course selection, and enrollment in your top choices.

Once you've been admitted and receive your PennWest account information, you'll need to set up your university accounts.

Your PennWest email is the university's official communication channel. Important information about your enrollment, course schedule, and next steps will be sent there.

Get Connected:

View Instructions

New Student Email Set Up

First Time Sign-in Steps

Set Up Multifactor Authentication

Log in to myPennWest

Through myPennWest, you can access important student information, including your class schedule, billing, and other university resources.

Important: Check your PennWest email regularly so you don't miss enrollment instructions or important deadlines.

Check your PennWest email with information regarding the math placement (ALEKS). This communication will direct you to a placement tile in the myPennWest portal. You must complete any required placements prior to your schedule being created for you. It is important that you complete this step as soon as possible. Students interested in fulling their English writing courses for their high school or general education requirements should begin in ENGL 1100 and then take ENGL 1200. This two-part sequence will ensure you are on track.

Dual enrollment students have their schedules built for them each semester. An Academic Coordinator will review your completed placements and course choices from your application, consider how it applies to potential future degree completion as well as alignment with your high school scheduling needs and reach out to you with any questions or adjustments. It is very important you respond in a timely manner to ensure we are able to enroll you in the courses that best fit your needs. Please pay close attention to your @pennwest.edu email account for important information regarding scheduling.

We make every effort to place students in their requested courses. However, enrollment is subject to seat availability, placement testing scores, and prerequisite requirements. If a requested course is unavailable or is not the best fit, our Academic Coordinators will work with the student, their school counselor, and PennWest faculty to identify an alternative option that supports the student’s academic goals.

Not sure who to contact? We're here to help! Whether you're applying for dual enrollment, choosing courses, or already taking classes, here's where to go for answers.

Applying & Getting Started

Need help with your application, requirements, or preparing for your first semester?

dualenrollment@pennwest.edu
724-938-4404

Choosing & Scheduling Courses

Have questions about which courses to take or need assistance building your schedule? Reach out to an Academic Coordinator.

myfirstschedule@pennwest.edu
724-938-1523

Academic Support & Student Success

Need guidance or support while taking your courses? Your Success Coach is here to help you succeed.

successcoaching@pennwest.edu

You can also contact your assigned Success Coach directly through Starfish.

Dropping Courses, Withdrawing & Transcripts

Need to drop or withdraw from a course, or request an official PennWest transcript? Reach out to the Office of the Registrar.

registrar@pennwest.edu

Visit the Registrar's Office website.

Tuition & Billing

Have questions about charges, payments, or your student bill? Our Student Accounts office is available to assist you. Visit the Student Accounts website for contact information and billing resources.

Dual Credit Innovation Grant

Have questions about the Dual Credit Innovation Grant?

dualenrollmentgrant@pennwest.edu

Technology & Account Access

Need help with your PennWest account, login, or other technology issues?

techsupport@pennwest.edu

You are now ready for orientation. You will be enrolled in our online orientation shell and should review the materials there to prepare you for your courses. Keep in mind that the university schedule may be different than your high school schedule, so pay close attention to start and end dates, assignment deadlines, and exam dates.

This video will assist you with accessing the online orientation shell. Get in the habit of checking your PennWest email address regularly to ensure you don’t miss any important information. That email address is the university’s official form of communication, and important information will be shared with you there.

How to Access D2L Brightspace

Textbooks are available in two ways: through the bookstore or, if your professor has selected this option, as Inclusive Access built into the D2L shell for your course. You can look up course materials on the PennWest bookstore website. If Inclusive Access is the option it will also list it there.

Important points to remember:

• If a course uses Inclusive Access, your digital textbook is automatically added to your D2L course shell — you don't have to buy it separately. It will be billed to your account.
• You'll usually get an email to your PennWest email address letting you know a course is using Inclusive Access.
• Each Inclusive Access course material may require a different process to download depending on the vendor and type of course material. Please work directly with your professors on understanding this process.
• Want a physical copy instead? If this option is available, you'll need to opt out and purchase the text through the bookstore. Failure to opt out will result in being billed for both versions of the text.

Please note: Some faculty assign enrollment in third party sites or other classroom support tools rather than textbooks. That information will be in the course syllabus and available to you on the first day of class. Each course and professor is different in how they treat course materials so this process may be different by course and by semester.

Questions about texts and inclusive access can be directed to the bookstore at 724-938-4324.