Taking Classes Independently
Are you interested in getting a early start on your college degree by taking classes on your own? Through our Kickstart Online and CollegeNOW programs, you can do just that!
Why Take Classes Independently?
Associate's Degree
Students can start working towards their Associate's Degree in high school. Some students graduate high school with an Associate's Degree.
General Education Requirements
Are you planning to attend a 4-year college after high school? Students can get a some or all of their general education requirements.
Explore Careers
Not sure what you want to do after high school? You can explore different careers through introductory courses at MCC.
Registering for a Course
CollegeNOW classes are offered during MCC's regular quarter schedule, wherein each class lasts approximately eleven weeks. Classes through the CollegeNOW program are taken for college credit and have in-person, online, and remote options.
Kickstart Online courses are offered exclusively online and last 16 weeks. These courses are slower-paced and designed to match a typical high school semester schedule.
Have you taken classes through MCC before?
If you've taken classes through MCC before, you already have an ID number. If you don't know your ID number, call the contact center at 531-622-2400. Once you find your MCC ID number, move to step 2.
If you've never taken classes through MCC before, you'll first need to complete an application to the college. This will also generate your MCC ID number, which you will need for step 3.
Additional Registration Resources
If you are planning to transfer your courses or degree to another college, be sure they will transfer properly. These guides are a good place to start. Remember that transfer guides are not intended to replace college advising. Always double-check transferability with your intended college of attendance.
General Education Classes at Local Colleges & Universities
Healthcare-related Degrees
Preparing for Your Course
Preparation is key to success. Be sure to review all the steps below before starting your class. If you have specific questions about any of these steps, reach out to Alyssa Wiese, your Dual Enrollment Navigator.
Before Your Class
Step 1: Confirm Your Contact Information & Enrollment Status
Login to Self Service to confirm your enrollment status. Once you've confirmed you are enrolled for the correct course(s), go to your user profile to ensure your contact information is up-to-date.
If you've never logged into your MCC account before, you will need to change your p[assword and set up multifactor authentication requirements.
Step 2: Complete the Scholarship Application for Required Books
Once you've logged into your account, you can complete the scholarship application, which will help cover the cost of any required books you purchase through MCC's Bookstore. Note that you will only need to complete the main application. No essays are required.
Step 3: Review Required Materials and Books
For most classes, the list of required materials and books can be found in your schedule in Self Service by clicking on the title of the class. We recommend not purchasing any text books until the week before class starts. We also encourage you to price compare if your scholarship will not cover the total cost of your required books.
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Some classes have the book automatically embedded in your Canvas site, which means you will not need to purchase a textbook separately. If you need help finding your book, contact the bookstore or your Dual Enrollment Navigator.
If you received a scholarship for your books, you will receive an email via your MCC email address. To utilize this scholarship, purchase your required books through the MCC bookstore and ask that they charge the cost to your student account.
If you are purchasing your books through MCC's online bookstore, you should be able to see your scholarship amount deducted from the total cost of books.
If your book is automatically included in your Canvas page, your scholarship will cover all or part of the cost after the class starts. You can view these details in Self Service on the
"Student Finance" page.
Step 4: Familiarize Yourself with Canvas
Canvas is the student learning tool MCC uses for all classes. This is where you will submit homework, review the syllabus, and check your grade. Be sure you are familiar with Canvas and how to find important information you will need for the course.
First Day of Class
Are you ready? Follow the checklist below to set yourself up for sucesss during your first day of class.
Login to Canvas to Review Your Syllabus
Review your class syllabus and all the due dates. Be sure you have the necessary time to comit to the class. If you want to drop the course, contact your Dual Enrollment Navigator or call the contact center at 531-622-2400.
Login to Your Email to Check Messages from Your Instructor
Your instructor will usually contact you through your MCC student email. If you prefer to have your student email on a smart device, you can download the Microsoft Outlook application and login using your MCC credentials.
Create a Weekly Study Schedule or
Record Your Deadline in a Planner
Weekly study schedule schedules and planners can help you stay organized, so you won't miss an important deadline, especially since you are already a busy high school student. Recording all your due dates on the first day of class can help you manage your time to reduce stress.
Important Reminders
The final date to drop a class is usually 14 days before the last day of class. If you do not think you will earn a grade of A or B, consider dropping the class. You can reach out to your Dual Enrollment Navigator or the contact center (531-622-2400) to drop your KSO or CollegeNOW class.
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You can access to free online and in-person tutoring. If you are struggling with the material or completing assignments on-time, connect with the tutoring center for support.