Fall 2026 . School Year . Online
Early College Credit Courses
A different approach to college credit
Your student is ready for more. Most programs make them wait.
Your student doesn’t have to wait until college to begin earning college credit. DigiPen Academy’s Early College Credit Courses give motivated high school students the opportunity to earn real, transcripted college credit now through engaging online courses built around how they actually learn.
Why this matters
Most early college programs expect students to fit the system. We believe the system should fit the student.
Many early college and dual enrollment programs take a one-size-fits-all approach to learning. Students are placed into college-level courses and expected to keep pace with a single teaching style, a single path, and a single definition of success. For some students, that means waiting to be challenged. For others, it means struggling through concepts without the support they need to master them.
When students learn differently, teaching should too.
The DigiPen Academy difference
We teach to the student in front of us.
Our instructors use differentiated instruction, meaning how content is presented, how students engage with it, and how they demonstrate what they know is adapted to their individual readiness, interests, strengths, and pace. Because students learn differently, teaching should too.
This isn’t enrichment. This isn’t a simplified track.
Students complete authentic college-level coursework, meet the same academic standards, and earn the same transcripted college credit as DigiPen college students.
The difference is not the credit earned. It’s how we help students get there.
Instruction that adapts
Depth, support, and approach shift based on where each student is, not where the calendar says they should be. Students who are ready for more can move deeper into the material, while those who need additional guidance receive the support to build confidence and mastery.
Skills you can show
Students explore how academic concepts connect to real careers, industries, and creative pursuits. Whether studying math, English, technology, or design, they gain a deeper understanding of why their learning matters. Students leave with portfolio work, not just a grade on a transcript.
Credit that counts
Successful completion earns official DigiPen Institute of Technology transcript credit, helping students get a head start on their academic journey while building confidence and experience in college-level coursework.
is this a good fit?
Built for students who don’t want to wait.
DigiPen Academy’s Early College Credit Courses are designed for motivated high school students who want to challenge themselves, earn real college credit, and begin building skills for the future.
These courses are especially well suited for students who:
COMING SOON
Fall 2026 Course Offerings to be announced.
Application window will open Summer 2026. Spots are limited.
Questions? Call us at (425) 629-5007 or email us at academy@digipen.edu.
Getting started
Three steps to your first college credit.
Choose your course
Browse the Fall 2026 offerings above. Not sure where to start? Our team can help you find the right fit for your student’s interests and goals.
Apply online
Open to qualified high school students. Submit your application through DigiPen Academy’s online portal. Our admissions team will review and contact you with next steps.
Start Fall 2026
Attend class online, complete real coursework, and earn official DigiPen Institute of Technology transcript credit, the same transcripted credit earned by DigiPen college students.
Why DigiPen Academy
Built on 30+ years of college-level education. Designed for high school students ready for more.
DigiPen Academy is the pre-college division of DigiPen Institute of Technology, bringing the institution’s academic expertise to motivated high school students. DigiPen Institute of Technology has been ranked a Top Video Game Design School by The Princeton Review for the past 17 years. DigiPen Academy courses are developed in consultation with DigiPen faculty and built on the same academic foundations, standards, and pathways that support DigiPen’s degree programs.