Our Vision

In alignment with the Chancellor’s Office Vision 2030, Palomar’s Office of Dual Enrollment focuses on equity in access, success, and support. 

• To expand access to underserved rural areas and to marginalized students who may not already be college bound or are underrepresented in higher education. 
• To increase high school graduation rates, college attendance rates, and college and career readiness for students who are historically underrepresented in higher education, low-income, or first generation through implementation of dual enrollment pathways. 
• To support dual enrollment students in a caring environment that fosters students’ sense of belonging and strengthens their academic self-concept.  

Our Mission

The Office of Dual Enrollment’s mission is to establish high-quality, innovative pathways designed to expand access to college credit for historically underserved populations in order to equitably increase college attendance and graduation rates so that students can have a strengthened sense of belonging and academic self-concept.  

Our Values 

The Office of Dual Enrollment’s values are aligned with the college’s values. Through creating dual enrollment and middle college partnerships, Palomar College strengthens its commitment to transforming lives for a better future. 

• Access – Expand access to college for historically underserved, first generation, low-income students by making participation easy and free with a robust support system to successfully navigate higher education.   
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion – Connect with a diverse student body and pursue underserved and historically underrepresented students who have historically not attended college by including cross-culturally responsive curriculum in the dual enrollment pathways. 
• Academic Excellence – Increase college readiness and strengthen students’ academic self-concepts while holding students to high standards of academic excellence in a caring environment. 
• Student Focused – Build students’ confidence in taking college courses and increasing their sense of belonging in higher education through positive experiences at Palomar College.  
• Community – Develop relationships and identify social capital and agency in our communities to recognize the unique needs and strengths across the district in order to make connections between high schools, colleges, and employment. 

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Dual Enrollment vs. Concurrent Enrollment

Dual Enrollment involves college courses offered directly at participating public high schools, taught by Palomar instructors. These courses are part of a College and Career Access Pathway (CCAP) partnership and allow students to earn both high school and college credits at no cost. This program includes structured pathways, effective instruction, and comprehensive student support, including academic counseling and access to Palomar resources.

Concurrent Enrollment allows high school students to take college courses at Palomar’s campus or online at their own discretion. Students must submit a K12 Special Admit form to Admissions and register for courses on MyPalomar. While textbooks and some fees are the student’s responsibility, tuition is waived. For more information on Concurrent Enrollment, contact admissions@palomar.edu or view the Steps for Concurrent Enrollment web page.

Dual Enrollment Provides Opportunity

Intentional Pathways

• Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) and/or California State University General Education (CSUGE) pathways
• Palomar Associate degree and certificate pathways
• Career technical pathways related to high school Career and Technical Education (CTE)

Guided Student Support

• Simplified onboarding process to Palomar College
• Access to instructional resources
• Career, academic, and personal counseling from Palomar College counselors
• Support for achieving college and career readiness

Student Benefits Students who participate in dual enrollment typically experience:

• Higher high school graduation rates
• Improved high school GPAs
• Enhanced study skills for college
• Increased likelihood of attending college
• Greater chances of completing college