Walters State Dual Enrollment Program Serves More Than 2,300 High School Students

Thousands of East Tennessee high school students are getting a head start on college through Walters State Community College.

Walters State enrolled 2,368 dual enrollment students in fall 2025, giving the college the second-largest dual enrollment program among Tennessee Board of Regents community colleges.

Through dual enrollment, high school students take Walters State courses that count toward both high school and college credit, allowing them to begin building a college transcript before graduation. Walters State's program reaches high schools throughout the college's 10-county service area.

For Dr. Matthew Hunter, dean of High School Programs and director of the Newport Center and P-16 Program, the size of the program reflects years of partnership with local schools — and a commitment to making college-level opportunities available to students throughout the region.

“Dual enrollment gives students an opportunity to experience college while they still have the support and familiarity of their high school environment,” Hunter said. “For some students, that means completing a course or two before graduation. For others, it can mean earning a significant amount of college credit. In either case, they are gaining confidence, saving time and beginning to see themselves as college students.”

A Head Start on College

The benefits can be significant.

Dual enrollment students can earn transferable college credits while completing high school, accelerating their progress toward a degree. Students who earn 12 or more credit hours may also be eligible for a high school diploma of distinction and the Walters State Promise Scholarship.

And Walters State students aren't simply enrolling in college-level courses. They are succeeding in them.

In fall 2025, Walters State reported a 92% success rate among its dual enrollment students. During that semester alone, high school students earned 12,351 college credit hours.

The college has also worked to bring more of those opportunities directly to students. Walters State offers courses in high schools across its service area, in addition to opportunities available through its campuses and other instructional formats. The approach is particularly important for students in rural communities who may face transportation or other barriers to taking a college course away from their high school.

Walters State President Dr. Saul Reyes said the program represents an important part of the college's mission to expand access to higher education across East Tennessee.

“When more than 2,300 high school students are already earning college credit through Walters State, that tells us something important about the aspirations of young people across our region,” Reyes said. “Our responsibility is to meet that ambition with opportunity. Dual enrollment can make college feel more attainable, give students an early sense of what they are capable of and help families see a clearer path from high school to a college credential and ultimately a career.”

Getting Started

Dual enrollment is available to qualified high school juniors and seniors. Students may take courses for which they meet the appropriate prerequisites and eligibility requirements, with options ranging from general education courses to career and technical fields.

Students and families interested in learning more can contact Walters State's Division of High School Programs at 423-585-2642. 

Learn more about Dual Enrollment at Walters State.