When Amanda Sutterer begins her first year of college next year at University of Missouri-Rolla, she will likely already have received 20-some hours of college credit.

The Jackson High School senior is part of a growing trend of students taking college courses while still in high school.

"It's going to give me a head start, and I may be able to get done a little faster," Sutterer said. "Plus, I'll already be in the routine of higher learning with homework and other stuff."

There are three ways to obtain college credit in Jackson and at Central High School in Cape Girardeau.

The most common ways to earn college credit in local high schools is through dual enrollment for both high school and college credit and independent courses offered at Southeast Missouri State University sites. The latter puts the high schoolers on the university campus for part of the day.

"It's one of the real advantages of being in a college community," said Dr. Mike Cowan, principal at Central.

Dual credit is possible, Cowan said, since several high school teachers are considered adjunct instructors at the university.

Larger high schools, including Jackson and Central, also offer Advanced Placement courses for college credit.

"I think more and more students are taking advantage of it, partly because we've increased the number of courses they can get college credit for and it's at a reduced rate, so they're saving money," said Sarah Nussbaum, counselor at Jackson.

Several students at Central are involved in all three means of obtaining early college credits, Cowan said.

Jackson senior Dustin Mayfield named three main reasons he chose to take college courses in high school.

"One reason is it's challenging. It helps your high school GPA and, of course, you're getting college credit," said Mayfield, who plans to attend Truman State University next fall.

Most of Mayfield's college credit comes from AP courses. Students take the AP courses through the school year and take a test that determines whether they are eligible for college credit or not.

Southeast offers local high school students dual enrollment courses at about half the normal tuition rate.

Students typically are allowed to begin dual enrollment courses in their junior or senior year. Through a Shawnee Community College program, however, students in Scott City can begin as early as age 16. The program allows students to "bank" college credit until they graduate.

According to counselor LaDonna Pratt, Scott City High School also offers courses through Southeast Missouri State University and Minera Area College. This summer, the school will play host to courses through Three Rivers Community College for high school graduates and others.

Potentially, students could achieve 22 or more credit hours by the time they graduate, Pratt said.

Next year, Scott City plans to offer additional dual enrollment courses through Southeast. About 30 percent of this year's 90 seniors are graduating with some college credit.

"The students are in their comfort zone with the same teachers they've had for two or three years, so it's not as intimidating," Pratt said.

It may help students graduate with a bachelor's degree in less than four years or reduce their semester course load.

Debbie Below, director of admissions at Southeast, said one of the biggest advantages to students is the exposure to college.

"There's opportunity to start out with a couple classes so they know what will be expected of them when they become full-time college students," Below said.

Southeast offers around 20 different dual enrollment courses at 27 area high schools.

cmiller@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 128