Early College Career Academy
Overview
The Early College Career Academy is a program that allows academically qualified students who are still enrolled in high school to experience college life, earn college credit and possibly earn a post-secondary certificate and industry credential while exploring career pathways on the Triton College campus. Through a high school partnership, students can enroll in the fall and/or spring semester with permission from their high school. After successful completion of the program, Triton College will award you a grade and college credit or certificate of completion.
Which High Schools Participate?
Triton College works with Des Plaines Valley Region high schools to offer over 60 different courses in 14 different programs of study. Participating schools are:
Early College Career Academy Perks and Benefits
Signing up for the Career Academy Dual Enrollment Program has its perks and benefits:
- Transferable college credit earned or certificate of completion from an accredited institution
- Eligibility for State or National Examination
- Reduction of the number of college classes taken after high school graduation
- Utilization of college resources and services, including the library, computer and academic labs and tutoring services
- Participation in college campus activities
*Some programs do not offer college credit.
Early College Career Academy Program Offerings
Academic Year 2026 - 2027
Health Careers
- Nursing Assistant (NAS)
- Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
- Fire Science
- Electrocardiogram (EKG) & Phlebotomy
- Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine Aide
- Dental Assistant
Skilled Trades
- Engineering Technology – Welding
- Engineering Technology – Electrical Vehicle Charger Installation and Maintenance
- Heating and Cooling (HAC)
Personal Services
- Cosmetology
- Barber
Public Services
- Criminal Justice (CJA)
- Education
Fitness and Recreation
- Sports Conditioning
- Sports Management
*Please contact your high school representative for the career academy course schedule.
How do I register for an Early College Career Academy course?
Please contact your high school counselor for more information on your high school’s selection process for Triton’s Early College Career Academies.
Early College Career Academy Enrollment Checklist
- Dual Enrollment Application
- Career Academy students must complete the Dual Enrollment Application Dual Enrollment Application
- *Students should select Dual Credit/Dual Enrollment as their Academic Program and Dual Enrollee when asked what type of student best describes them*
- Placement
- Determine if student meets the placement or course prerequisites for the career academy
program they wish to take.
- Take the ACCUPLACER College Placement Exam if needed to fulfill college course placement prerequisites
- Have qualifying placement measures (SAT, ACT scores) submitted to the College’s Early College Department if course prerequisites already met through other placement measures
- Determine if student meets the placement or course prerequisites for the career academy
program they wish to take.
- Dual Enrollment Authorization form
- Complete the Dual Enrollment Authorization Form. The Dual Enrollment Authorization form requires permission from a high school counselor or principal that states the student is in good standing with their school and approved to participate in the career academy selected at Triton.
- Submit Dual Enrollment Authorization form to earlycollege@triton.edu
- The Early College department will confirm that registration is complete with the high school and send a welcome letter to students.
- Confirm roster with Early College.
- Confirm the payment method for tuition, fees, and course materials with the student.