Current high school students may be allowed to enroll in and receive credit for Viterbo University classes. A few different programs exist to pursue Viterbo credit either at Viterbo or in a high school classroom. Note that admission into one of these dual credit programs to pursue Viterbo credit does not convey admission to one of our degree programs (e.g., bachelor of arts, etc.)—that would require a separate application and review.

Dual Credit Opportunities at Viterbo

Wisconsin’s Early College Credit Program

Wisconsin high school students (grades 9-12) may be able to take coursework at Viterbo with the tuition being covered by their school district.

• Pre-approval from your school district: Students must first seek approval from their school district to take college coursework in the fall, spring, or summer. This should be done by Feb. 1 (for summer courses), March 1 (for fall courses), and Oct. 1 (for spring courses). Students should use the WAICU participation form for this first step. (More information on the form and program is available at www.waicu.org.)
• Applying for ECCP at Viterbo: If approved by their district for a given term, students can then complete Viterbo’s free online application for that term. When completing the application, students should select “undergraduate” for academic area and “Undergraduate non-degree: Early College Credit Program” for academic program. Students will also have an opportunity to list their approved coursework. Viterbo requires at least a 3.0 high school GPA for consideration for all grade levels. Sophomores and freshmen in high school should also submit a strong counselor recommendation for consideration. Please make sure this online application is completed and any other necessary supplemental items (high school transcript for all; recommendations for sophomores/freshmen) are submitted by Aug. 15 for fall. Any new spring approvals should have this step completed prior to Jan. 5. Any new summer approvals (intending to take classes during summer session II at Viterbo) should have this step completed prior to June 15.
• Registration: If approved by Viterbo to enroll in coursework (i.e., accepted into the ECCP), students will be notified by academic advisors regarding registration. New ECCP students register after our Viterbo students and any continuing dual credit students on a space available basis. As a result, registration may occur in late July-August for fall and in December-early January for spring. After registration, we have traditionally offered a short half-day orientation close to the start of the fall term (ex. around Aug. 23) where students can find classrooms, get books, receive their student IDs, learn about technology/resources available to them related to their coursework, take an optional campus tour, etc.
• Questions about this program at Viterbo? Contact advising and career development (608-796-3829 and acd@viterbo.edu) about registration, determining coursework available, etc. Questions about the Viterbo application itself or whether we’ve received transcripts, letters of recommendation, or the participation forms for ECCP student files? Contact Grace Marco (608-796-3013 and ghmarco@viterbo.edu) in admissions.

Aquinas High School

Students attending Aquinas High School in La Crosse, Wis., may also come to Viterbo’s campus for coursework under special agreements.

• As of a new Sept. 2021 partnership, Aquinas students may take traditional undergraduate coursework on campus at Viterbo as part of their regular school day. There would be no cost for tuition, but any fees or books would need to be paid for by the student. (Summer and evening coursework would not be included in this special rate.) If used to its full potential, this new partnership creates clear pathways to graduate with a degree from Viterbo in only three years.
• Alternatively, Aquinas students may also take coursework not already offered at their high school at a reduced price of $100 per credit. Part-time or full-time student activity and technology fees, cost of books, and any course fees are additional. The student is responsible for tuition, books, and all fees. Please refer to the tuition fees schedule on the Business Office website for current fees.
• Application (for either option above): Students should complete Viterbo’s free online application. When completing the application, students should select “Undergraduate” for academic area and “Undergraduate Non-Degree: Aquinas Pathways” for academic program. Viterbo requires at least a 3.0 high school GPA for consideration for all grade levels. Sophomores and freshmen in high school should also submit a strong recommendation for consideration. Please make sure this online application is completed and any other necessary supplemental items (high school transcript for all; recommendations for sophomores/freshmen) are submitted by Aug. 15 for fall. Any new spring approvals should have this step completed prior to Jan. 5. Any new summer approvals (intending to take classes during summer session II at Viterbo) should have this step completed prior to June 15. Additional restrictions may apply.
• Registration: If approved by Viterbo to enroll in non-degree coursework, students will be notified by advising and career development acd@viterbo.edu) regarding registration. New students register after our Viterbo students and any continuing dual credit/non-degree students on a space available basis. As a result, registration may occur in late June for summer session II, in July-August for fall, and in December-early January for spring.

Homeschooled Students

Homeschooled students, by statute, do not qualify for the ECCP option, but they may still seek to take courses at Viterbo at a reduced rate.

• Tuition in 2024-25 is a reduced price of $340 per credit. Part-time or full-time student activity and technology fees, cost of books and any course fees are additional. Please refer to the tuition fees schedule on the Business Office website for current fees. The student is responsible for tuition, books, and all fees.
• Application: Students should complete Viterbo’s free online application. When completing the application, students should select “undergraduate” for academic area and “Undergraduate non-degree: regular non-degree” for academic program. Viterbo requires at least a 3.0 high school GPA for consideration for all grade levels. Sophomores and freshmen in high school should also submit a strong recommendation for consideration. Please make sure this online application is completed and any other necessary supplemental items (high school transcript for all; recommendations for sophomores/freshmen) are submitted by Aug. 15 for fall. Any new spring approvals should have this step completed prior to Jan. 5. Any new summer approvals (intending to take classes during summer session II at Viterbo) should have this step completed prior to June 15. Additional restrictions may apply.
• Registration: If approved by Viterbo to enroll in non-degree coursework, students will be notified by advising and career development acd@viterbo.edu regarding registration. New students register after our Viterbo students and any continuing dual credit/non-degree students on a space available basis. As a result, registration may occur in late June for summer session II, in July-August for fall, and in December-early January for spring.

Regular Non-degree Students

Other high school students not mentioned above (e.g., students from Minnesota, students not seeking approval and payment from their WI school district for ECCP, or other scenarios) may still seek to take courses at Viterbo as non-degree-seeking students.

• Our regular non-degree rates and fees apply. Part-time or full-time student activity and technology fees, cost of books and any course fees are additional. Please refer to the regular tuition fees schedule on the Business Office website for current fees. The student is responsible for tuition, books, and all fees.
• Application: Students should complete Viterbo’s free online application. When completing the application, students should select “undergraduate” for academic area and “Undergraduate non-degree: regular non-degree” for academic program. Viterbo requires at least a 3.0 high school GPA for consideration for all grade levels. Sophomores and freshmen in high school should also submit a strong counselor recommendation for consideration. Please make sure this online application is completed and any other necessary supplemental items (high school transcript for all; recommendations for sophomores/freshmen) are submitted by Aug. 15 for fall. Any new spring approvals should have this step completed prior to Jan. 5. Any new summer approvals (intending to take classes during summer session II at Viterbo) should have this step completed prior to June 15. Additional restrictions may apply.
• Registration: If approved by Viterbo to enroll in non-degree coursework, students will be notified by advising and career development acd@viterbo.edu) regarding registration. New students register after our Viterbo students and any continuing dual credit/non-degree students on a space available basis. As a result, registration may occur in late June for summer session II, in July-August for fall, and in December-early January for spring.

Dual Credit Opportunities at the High Schools

Diocesan High School College Credit Program

Students attending Diocese of La Crosse Catholic High Schools (Aquinas, Regis, McDonell, Newman, Pacelli, Assumption, Columbus) may be able to receive college credit (up to 3 courses) at Viterbo for select coursework taught at the high school.

Student applications, materials, and payment information ($50/credit) is sent directly to the high school. Students should not complete an online application and should instead contact their high school counselor or principal for more information. High school administrators seeking approval to teach Viterbo curriculum via this Diocesan High School College Credit Program should contact Dr. Andrew Hamilton (ajhamilton@viterbo.edu or 608-796-3498) for more information.

High School College Credit Program

Students attending particular high schools may be able to receive college credit (up to 3 courses) at Viterbo for select coursework taught at the high school.

Student applications, materials, and payment information ($110/credit) are sent directly to the high school. Students should not complete an online application and should instead contact their high school counselor or principal for more information. High school administrators seeking approval to teach Viterbo curriculum via this High School College Credit Program should contact Dr. Andrew Hamilton (ajhamilton@viterbo.edu or 608-796-3498) for more information.

Please note that the programs above pertain to awarding Viterbo credit to current high school students. For students pursuing dual credit in high school through other avenues (examples include Advanced Placement exams or coursework awarded by other colleges) and hoping to enroll at Viterbo later as a degree-seeking student, please visit our transfer and alternative credit  page for information as to how those credits may count toward a Viterbo degree.