High School Programs

College Fast Start Program

Brookdale Community College welcomes qualified high school sophomores, juniors, seniors and home schooled students to apply to Brookdale’s Fast Start Program. Fast Start students may not enroll in Honors Program courses, developmental, or support courses.

Fast Start students are considered members of the Brookdale community and have the same rights and responsibilities as all Brookdale students. Fast start students are responsible for their conduct and behavior and must understand and comply with information in all Brookdale Student publications, printed and online, including but not limited to the online College Catalog and Student Handbook.

The following criteria apply:

• Applicants must be at least 15 years of age or older and have completed the equivalent of the 9th grade.

• Applicants to and students in the program must be recommended by and have written approval from their High School Guidance Counselor and parent/legal guardian.  In the case of home schooled students, written approval of a parent/legal guardian will suffice.

• Applicants will be allowed to enroll in no more than two college level courses during any term under the guidelines of the Brookdale Community College prerequisite and corequisite system.  Applicants may not enroll in selective admission programs, basic skills or support courses

• Applicants must meet minimum proficiency requirements on the placement tests or SATs/ACTs.  To continue in the program, the student must maintain a minimum term GPA of 2.0 at the College.

• Fast Start students will be designated as non-degree students until they meet the College’s admission requirements for a degree student.

• The Admissions Office will be responsible for the enrollment of Fast Start students.  Recruitment Services will inform all Monmouth County superintendent, principals, and counselors with high school responsibilities of the provisions in the policy and regulations on Fast Start.

• Appeals for exceptions should be made in writing to the Vice President for Student Success.

• Students are required to submit a completed Fast Start Application for each and every semester they wish to enroll through the Fast Start Program.  This document will be required in order for the  Fast Start Student to register for classes.

• If a student has completed coursework through the Fast Start Program and wishes to enroll in a degree or certificate program upon completion of graduation, they must contact the Recruitment Services office to obtain and complete a Change of Program Form.

What Are The Benefits?

The Fast Start Program gives qualified high school students the opportunity to experience college courses and prepare for the academic rigor of college. The program also saves students time and money. Students leave high school having already earned college credit for Brookdale Community College courses. Student can use these credits as part of their degree program at Brookdale or transfer the credits to another institution. The decision to accept courses through transfer is determined by the other institution.

Where do I Start?

• Apply to Brookdale by going to the Admissions page and follow the instructions.

• Go to the High School Based Programs page for information.  

• See the Testing Center website (www.brookdalecc.edu/testing-services) for Accuplacer Testing if you don’t have SAT scores.

Suggested Application Deadlines:

• April 15th for the Summer Terms

• July 1st for the Fall Terms

• November 1st for Spring Terms

For additional information regarding the Fast Start Program at Brookdale Community College, please contact Donna Cuddy by calling 732-224-2574 or email dcuddy@brookdalecc.edu.

Tech Prep Program

High School juniors and seniors enrolled in select high school courses may take advantage of Brookdale’s “Technology Preparation” program. The following criteria will apply:

1. The Tech Prep Program is open to high school juniors and seniors who attend a high school with a signed Tech Prep Agreement with Brookdale Community College.

2. Applicants must be recommended and approved by their high school teacher/counselor and have earned a grade of “C” or better in the appropriate course or course sequence, previously approved by Brookdale, at the high school.

3. Applicants will complete the standard Brookdale application process and pay the appropriate fees in the spring of their senior year.

4. In order to receive credit for a Brookdale approved Tech Prep course, the students may be required to pass a challenge test and/or portfolio review, as determined by the appropriate Brookdale academic department, in the spring of their senior year.

5. These credits will be held in escrow until the student completes 12 additional college level credits with a grade of “C” or better. The additional credits must be earned within two years of high school graduation. Credit for the course(s) will be assigned and appear as “TPC” on the Brookdale transcript.

6. The Office of Institutional Partnerships will be responsible for instituting and administering the Tech Prep Program at individual high schools.

7. The appropriate College department chair, in conjunction with the Office of Institutional Partnerships, will be responsible for evaluating, aligning and approving Tech Prep courses as equivalent to Brookdale courses.

8. Appeals for exceptions to any criteria above should be made in writing to the Vice President for Learning or designee.

For additional information regarding the Tech Prep Program at Brookdale Community College, please contact Donna Cuddy by calling 732-224-2574 or email dcuddy@brookdalecc.edu.

Dual Enrollment Program

High school juniors and seniors may take advantage of Brookdale’s Dual Enrollment Program. Selected Brookdale credit courses will be open to high school juniors and seniors at  Brookdale’s main campus, the Higher Education Center or at their high school. The following criteria will apply:

1. The Dual Enrollment Program is open to high school juniors and seniors who attend a high school with a signed Dual Enrollment agreement with Brookdale Community College.

2. Applicants must be recommended and approved by their High School Guidance Counselor. Permission from a parent/legal guardian is also required. Applicants must meet minimum proficiency requirements on Accuplacer or SATs. To continue in the program, the student must maintain a minimum term GPA of 2.0 at the College.

3. Applicants are required to submit a student privacy waiver in order for the academic and conduct information to be shared between the College and the High School.

4. Applicants will be allowed to enroll in no more than two (2) Brookdale courses during any term. Enrollment will be subject to the guidelines of the Brookdale Community College prerequisite and co-requisite system. Applicants may not enroll in selective admission programs, foundational studies or support courses.

5. Dual Enrollment students will be designated as non-degree students.

6. The Office of Educational Partnerships will be responsible for instituting and administering the Dual Enrollment Program at individual high schools.

7. All courses offered in the Dual Enrollment Program must be approved and monitored by the appropriate college department chair. All academic standards regarding the course content, syllabus, and faculty credentials will apply. The appropriate college department chair, in conjunction with the Office of Educational Partnerships, will be responsible for evaluating off site teaching locations to ensure that the proper equipment and technologies required for the course are available.

8. Appeals for exceptions should be made in writing to the Vice President for Learning or designee.

For additional information regarding the Dual Enrollment Program at Brookdale Community College, please contact Donna Cuddy by calling 732-224-2574 or email dcuddy@brookdalecc.edu.