INDIANA — Indiana high school students now have a new option to earn significant college credit through a partnership with six independent Christian universities. State Secretary of Education Dr. Katie Jenner announced the approval of the Professional Pathway Credential. This faith-based academic track meets the new diploma requirement for the Honors Plus Seal.
The program allows high school students to transfer up to 30 college credits seamlessly to any of the six participating faith-based institutions: Anderson University, Bethel University, Grace College, Huntington University, Indiana Wesleyan University, and Taylor University.
Secretary Jenner emphasized that the program is designed to make a student’s high school years “as valuable as possible,” stating it will help students “shift and rather than random acts of dual credit, we’ll set them up for success.”
The core benefits of the Professional Pathway Credential include:
- Cost Savings: Students can save thousands of dollars on tuition and potentially graduate from college earlier.
- Faith Integration: The pathway offers a high-quality education that intentionally integrates faith and learning.
- Honors Plus Seal: Completing the 30-credit curriculum and 75 hours of work-based learning satisfies the major academic requirement for the state’s Honors Plus Seal on the new high school diploma.
The 16 available college-level courses focus on skills key to the 21st-century workforce, spanning communication, technical, and industry and civic skills. Students can take the courses in person, online, or at their high school with a properly credentialed teacher.
Indiana, which is already a national leader in high school students earning college credit, hopes this new, intentional pathway will also contribute to higher college graduation rates by easing the financial burden on students.
