Understanding College "Basics" - Dual Credit at Home

College basics are the core courses required of every student regardless of their major.

They typically include English, math, science, history, humanities, social science, etc. The purpose of having basics – both in high school and college – is to ensure that all students receive a well-rounded and balanced education.

I like to think of the basics as a wide, but not deep, spectrum of courses. Later, when you choose a major, you’ll choose a particular area and go deep in that discipline. But for now, let’s just talk about the basics – requirements everyone has to fulfill in some way.

Every college or university has their own set of “general education requirements,” or “basics,” that must be fulfilled. Each requirement is given a name - some are easy to understand (like “mathematics” and “humanities”), while others aren’t so easy (like “global understanding” or “intellectual & practical skills”).

What each degree-seeking student must do is fulfill each requirement with a course or an exam acceptable to their college.

It can be a daunting task to understand the requirements and choose a course/exam to fulfill each one. However, for students who want to accelerate earning their accredited degree a typical list of basics can be compiled and an exam chosen to fulfill each requirement.

While it could differ from one student to the next, it doesn’t have to - when a student chooses a major, they can then take courses or exams to meet the requirements of their specific major.

Dual Credit at Home has compiled a plan that includes exams, with easy-to-follow Study Plans, that fulfill the typical basics of both college and high school. Simply having the decisions made and a plan to follow relieves the anxiety that many parents and students feel about venturing into the dual-credit-earning process.

Want to learn more about the Dual Credit at Home program? Attend our free online workshop, How to Earn a Bachelor's Degree during High School.