Guidance for UConn Early College Experience (ECE) Partner High Schools

Program Representation and Branding Best Practices

As a UConn Early College Experience (ECE) partner high school, you are part of the nation’s longest-running concurrent enrollment program, now celebrating its 70th year. UConn ECE is a leader in dual credit, offering high school students access to real University of Connecticut courses taught by certified instructors within their high school. To maintain alignment with national and state standards—and to ensure clarity for students, parents, and future receiving colleges—it is essential that UConn ECE is represented clearly, accurately, and consistently in all high school materials.

The value of UConn credit earned through UConn ECE reflects the quality and academic integrity of a UConn education. Properly identifying UConn courses in your high school materials helps ensure that students receive the recognition they deserve for their achievement and makes credit transfer more seamless at colleges and universities across the country.

Program Representation in the High School Curriculum

UConn ECE must be described as a distinct and branded academic offering in your high school’s Program of Studies. This distinction is not only essential for program integrity, but also for credit recognition by colleges and universities.

National and State Context

The National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships (NACEP) and the Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) both emphasize the importance of clear and accurate representation of college credit opportunities offered in high schools. While terms like dual credit, dual enrollment, and concurrent enrollment are commonly used, it is critical to note that “Early College Experience” is a trademarked program name specific to UConn. Other higher education institutions may have partnerships with your school, but their programs are not “Early College Experience.”

Recommended Catalog Section Header

If your high school partners with multiple colleges or universities, we strongly recommend titling your catalog section:
“College Credit Opportunities” or “College & University Credit Programs”
Then, list each partnership by program name and institution—for example:

• University of Connecticut – UConn Early College Experience (UConn ECE)
• [Other Institution] – [Program Name]

This format avoids confusion and helps families and colleges distinguish between differing expectations, structures, and credit policies.

Required Catalog Practices:

• UConn ECE must appear as its own section under its full name:
  • University of Connecticut Early College Experience
  • UConn Early College Experience
  • UConn ECE
• Use official UConn course department codes, titles, and credit values, available at ece.uconn.edu/courses and in UConn’s Undergraduate Catalog.
• Insert this required description verbatim in your catalog:

UConn Early College Experience (UConn ECE) provides academically motivated students with the opportunity to take university courses while in high school. These challenging courses allow students to preview college work, build confidence in their readiness for college, and earn college credits that provide both an academic and a financial head-start on a college degree and other postsecondary opportunities. UConn ECE Instructors are high school teachers certified as UConn ECE Instructors by the University. UConn ECE faculty foster independent learning, creativity and critical thinking – all important for success in college and careers. [School name] offers UConn ECE courses in [discipline(s)]. To support rigorous learning, University of Connecticut academic resources, including library and online classroom access, are available to all UConn ECE Students. For access to academic resources and to earn UConn credit, students must register through the UConn.DualEnroll.com online registration system. Registration information, information on transferability to other colleges and universities, and additional information can be found at ece.uconn.edu.

• If course costs are included in the catalog, update them annually.
• Do not generalize or combine different university credit programs under one umbrella term. Each program should be identified by its specific institution and official name.

Branding and Course Naming Standards

To protect the integrity of UConn coursework and assist with transfer credit recognition, consistent and accurate branding is essential across your school’s materials: course catalog, syllabi, high school transcripts, and communication with students and families.

Program Name Standards (Always Use One of the Following):

• University of Connecticut Early College Experience
• UConn Early College Experience
• UConn ECE
• UConn courses

❌ Avoid shorthand or ambiguous labels such as “ECE,” “college in the high school,” or “UConn dual enrollment.” These do not reflect the rigor or structure of the UConn ECE model.

Course Naming Best Practices:

• All UConn ECE courses should be labeled using their official UConn department and course number (e.g., UConn HIST 1400 – Modern Western Traditions).
• On the high school transcript, include:
  • The full course name as it appears in the UConn catalog,
  • “UConn” as the course prefix,
  • Only for those students who registered for credit via UConn.DualEnroll.com.
• If a high school course encompasses two sequential UConn courses, both must be listed on transcripts and syllabi (e.g., UConn CHEM 1127Q and CHEM 1128Q).

Syllabus Requirements:

• Provide each registered student with a UConn syllabus at the start of the course, including:
  • UConn department and course number,
  • UConn course title,
  • UConn credit value,
  • Official UConn course description.

Templates and resources for syllabus formatting are available through the UConn ECE Program Office and on ece.uconn.edu/high-schools-site-reps.

For questions or a review of your school’s course catalog, transcript formatting, or other materials, please contact the UConn ECE Program Office at ece@uconn.edu.