NDCDE Launches New Dual Credit Partnership with Arizona State University to Expand College Course Opportunities for High School Students

Fargo, ND - 9/16/2025 - The North Dakota Center for Distance Education (NDCDE) has partnered with Arizona State University (ASU) to provide North Dakota high school students access to nearly 30 on-demand, online college courses taught by ASU's world-class faculty.

The program, part of Accelerate ASU dual enrollment, officially launches September 19, 2025, giving students the opportunity to start courses at any time after this date and complete them within one year.

Program Highlights:

• Dual credit opportunity: Taking ASU's Universal Learner Courses, students earn high school credit through NDCDE when they pass. With a grade of C or higher, they may then choose to transcribe ASU credit, creating a low-risk way to try college-level coursework.
• Affordable cost: $250 per course
• Flexible format: Start anytime and complete within one year
• Accessible: No transcript or application required to enroll
• Support model: Students must have a designated Learning Coach - either a parent or a school staff member if the course is taken during the school day - to help them stay on track. Parents and coaches can monitor progress directly through the ASU learning system.

Course options span common general education requirements, including College Algebra, American Government, U.S. History, Psychology, Anatomy & Physiology, Intro to Programming, and more - all taught by ASU faculty who bring expertise and real-world perspective to the classroom.

"The ASU Universal Learner Courses align seamlessly with NDCDE's asynchronous, self-paced format," said Dr. Alyssa Martin, NDCDE State Director. "Both models allow students to start anytime, progress at their own pace, and take ownership of their learning while still having the support they need to succeed."

Credit Transfer Guidance:

NDCDE encourages students and families to work with their school counselor and the admissions office of their intended college or university to understand if, and how, ASU credits may apply toward degree requirements.

About NDCDE

The North Dakota Center for Distance Education (NDCDE) provides high-quality, online courses to K-12 students across North Dakota and beyond. With Cognia accreditation and approval by the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction, NDCDE ensures students have access to rigorous and flexible learning opportunities that support their success in school and beyond.

About Arizona State University

Arizona State University, ranked the No. 1 "Most Innovative School" in the nation by U.S. News & World Report for 10 years in succession, has forged the model for a New American University by operating on the principles that learning is a personal and original journey for each student; that they thrive on experience and that the process of discovery cannot be bound by traditional academic disciplines. Through innovation and a commitment to accessibility, ASU has drawn pioneering researchers to its faculty even as it expands opportunities for qualified students.