More than 20 high schools stretching across the state of Illinois will offer dual-credit courses from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign this fall.
The 2026-2027 academic year is the second year of the Dual Credit @ Illinois initiative and the official debut of the Learning Accelerator, with an additional three courses offered. The university’s dual-credit catalogue includes four popular 100-level courses, representing the colleges of Agricultural Consumer and Environmental Sciences, Liberal Arts & Sciences, Media, and Education.
“We are thrilled to partner with these Illinois high schools through Dual Credit @ Illinois this fall, reflecting our university’s commitment to expanding educational opportunity across the state,” said Provost John Coleman. “By reaching more students and families in communities throughout Illinois, the dual-credit initiative is helping young people access college-level learning earlier, gain confidence in their abilities and prepare for success in higher education and their future careers.”
One of the first four classes offered in this new program is ASTR 150: Killer Skies: Astro-Disaster. The class is led by Professor Leslie Looney and he spoke about what this program means to both Illinois and Illinois residents:
What is Dual Credit @ Illinois?
The Dual Credit @ Illinois pilot opportunity heralds a new approach for the university in providing high school students statewide access to some of its most in-demand general education courses— at minimal to no cost to those students.