Indiana high school students who live in rural areas will have increased access to college credit courses beginning in the fall through a new collaborative effort of Indiana University and Purdue University.

The two universities are working together to offer a pilot program that will include six online courses. Purdue will offer courses in agronomy, computer science and sociology. IU courses will include geological science, history and criminal justice.

At each high school where a student registers for a course, an on-site facilitator will be available to assist the student in progressing through the course.

"This is an unprecedented opportunity for the two major academic research institutions in Indiana to combine their resources in technology and teaching to reach out to the rural high schools of the state and provide quality online instruction," said Daniel Callison, dean of IU’s School of Continuing Studies. "We hope this project will be the foundation of a growing relationship in distance education between IU and Purdue for the good of young adult learners in our state."

The state’s new curriculum requires schools to make both dual-credit and advanced placement courses available to students, said Bruce Colston, director of Indiana University High School, an on-line high school. "These demands are difficult for some schools, particularly those in rural areas, to meet," he said.

Students considering enrolling in the program should investigate whether the courses they take will count toward specific degree requirements at colleges they are considering attending, as well as make sure that their high school will approve the course for dual credit.