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ComMonwealth Dual Enrollment Program

The Commonwealth Dual Enrollment Program (CDEP) increases the college readiness of high school students in Massachusetts by providing opportunities for them to take college-level courses free of charge and simultaneously earn credit toward high school completion as well as their future college degrees. CDEP eases the transition from high school to college, allows students to get a headstart on their college careers, and provides meaningful and challenging academic experiences to qualified students who otherwise may not have access to an early college experience.

Background

State-funded dual enrollment was first established in Massachusetts in 1993 and supported 12,000 participating students between 1994 and 2001. After a hiatus due to a shortage of state funding, the program was restored in 2008 and, as of July 2009, became known as the Commonwealth Dual Enrollment Program. The program is managed and supported by the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education, as the fiscal agent, and the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education .