Accelerated College Experience (ACE)
Dual Enrollment | Registration Information | University-High School Partnership | Sample Courses | Transferring Your Credits | FAQs | Contacts
The Accelerated College Experience (ACE) program is designed for academically talented high school juniors and seniors. ACE offers students the unique opportunity to earn up to 18 college credits for advanced course-work completed during high school. ACE is a concurrent enrollment program that allows high school students an opportunity to reduce their college costs and time to earn a Bachelor’s degree. Subjects include Mathematics, Computer science, Biology, Physics, Economics, Psychology, Political Science, Sociology, Communication, Music and Art. Students can take courses at their respective high schools or directly on campus at Saint Peter’s University.
The Accelerated College Experience (ACE) program at Saint Peter’s University directly supports NJ 18A:61C-1, to “establish a program to promote increased cooperation between the State’s high schools and institutions of higher education. The program shall increase the availability of college-level instruction for high school students through courses offered by institutions of higher education at their campuses and in high schools. The program shall seek the involvement of all institutions of higher education, two-year and four-year, public and nonpublic, and all school districts, including those which are not located in close proximity to an appropriate institution of higher education.”
Accelerated College Experience (ACE) Dual Enrollment Program
The ACE Dual Enrollment program is an enhanced, comprehensive program that blends high school and college in a rigorous yet supportive program, enabling students to earn an associate’s degree by the time they graduate from high school.
The program is designed for a select group of high-achieving high school sophomores based upon academics, pre-ACT scores and the recommendation of the staff and administration of the high school partner. The students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher and are reviewed at the end of each academic year for eligibility to continue in the program.
The Dual Enrollment program provides:
- Advanced, rigorous coursework
- Enhanced student motivation and engagement
- Opportunity to attend classes on a college campus
- Experience of higher expectations and success
- Greater preparedness and college confidence
- Enhanced performance in college
- Higher persistence and retention, grade point average (GPA), and credit accumulation
- Reduced time to degree completion
Registration Information
In order to register for an ACE course, your school must already be participating in the Saint Peter’s University ACE program. If your school is not currently participating in the program, please feel free to forward your school’s contact information to ACE@saintpeters.edu. We will follow up with your school to discuss the program.
ACE courses are designed for academically talented high school juniors and seniors in good academic standing. Students must earn a grade of “C” or better in their ACE courses in order to receive Saint Peter’s University credit and to continue in the program.
Students should consult with their guidance counselors for further information about course registration requirements. If your high school is currently participating in the ACE program, please fill out the ACE interest form. A confirmation email that will include the ACE program application will be sent to you.
Upon acceptance into the ACE program, students will fill out a Saint Peter’s course registration form and will receive information regarding payment to their university email address.
Process for Creating a University-High School Partnership and Certification of Courses
Official contracts between Saint Peter’s University and the high school are drawn specifying which courses are available and eligible for college-credits, based on the instructor’s credentials and course content. High school teachers must possess academic credentials qualifying them to be considered a college adjunct, subject to approval by the department chair.
The courses taught at the high school site must meet the same competencies and rigors as the courses at Saint Peter’s University in order to receive college credit. The Center for Academic Success and Engagement (CASE) will submit the instructor’s curriculum vitae/resume and the course syllabus for review to the respective department chairs.
High schools interested in partnering with the ACE Program at Saint Peter’s University are encouraged to complete our ACE Partner Inquiry Form.
Sample Course Offerings
BUSINESS COMMUNICATION COMPUTER SCIENCE CRIMINAL JUSTICE ENGLISH MATHEMATICS
Principles of Management
Principles of Marketing
Communication Basics
Web Page Development
Introduction to Criminology
Contemporary Fiction
Introduction to English Composition
Poetry & Drama
Differential Calculus
Integral Calculus
NATURAL SCIENCES PHILOSOPHY PSYCHOLOGY SOCIAL SCIENCES VISUAL AND FINE ARTS
General Biology/General Biology Lab
General Physics/General Physics Lab
Forensic Science
Introduction to Philosophy
Introduction to Psychology
Intro to Sociology
Perspective on Politics
Economics (Micro/Macro)
Introduction to the Visual Arts
Introduction to Music
Transferring Your Credits
Students who choose to attend Saint Peter’s University for their undergraduate education will automatically receive academic credit toward their undergraduate degree for their ACE courses with grades of “C” or higher. ACE students who decide to attend another college or university should check with the respective admission office to determine transferability. To request an official transcript from Saint Peter’s University, please follow the instructions listed on this page.
ACE Questions & Answers
The Accelerated College Experience (ACE) program is designed for academically talented high school juniors and seniors interested in fast tracking their education by granting them the unique opportunity to earn up to 18 college credits for advanced course-work.
Additionally, ACE students who choose to attend Saint Peter’s University post-graduation will automatically receive academic credit toward their undergraduate degree.
Once you have registered for a college course, you are a Saint Peter’s University college student! This means that you can enjoy the rights and privileges associated with this status.
You have access to student support services, will be invited to the ACE Conference for Leadership, Career and College Preparation and will have priority consideration for our Summer Honors College.
Students enrolled in ACE will be eligible to utilize Saint Peter’s facilities including the library and student center.
ACE students can study the following subjects:
| Mathematics | Political Science |
| Computer Science | Sociology |
| Biology, Physics | Communication |
| Economics | Music |
| Psychology | Art |
ACE Students who earn a grade of “C” or better in their ACE courses will receive college level credits from Saint Peter’s University. Once you’ve earned these credits they are yours and are not exclusive to SPU.
Your credits are then eligible for transfer to the higher education institution of your choosing. We advise students to speak with their prospective schools to confirm how many transfer credits are accepted.
Request for a SPU Student Transcript
https://www.saintpeters.edu/enrollment-services/records-and-registration/transcripts/
ACE courses are priced per credit and are determined by your respective high school. The average cost for a 3-credit course can range from $150-$225.
Additionally, any ACE student who enrolls full-time at Saint Peter’s University post-graduation is automatically considered for an ACE Scholarship Award.
ACE courses are held throughout the year in the Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer sessions. We work with your current school to solidify enrollment dates that do not conflict with your current academic schedule.
Prospective students can access the Accelerated College Experience Program application here.
Contact Us
Gabrielle Planas
Coordinator of Student Support
Office of the Provost
p: 201-741-6040
gplanas@saintpeters.edu
Tracy Louisse S. Chacon
Associate Dean, Academic Engagement & Student Success
Center for Academic Success and Engagement
p: (201) 761-6038
tchacon@saintpeters.edu
Mailing Address
SAINT PETER’S UNIVERSITY
2641 John F. Kennedy Boulevard
Jersey City, NJ 07306