Earn UNH credit while in high school
The CATS program
The CATS (College Access Through Secondary School) program allows qualified high school students to take courses at UNH's Main Campus and earn college credit before graduation.
Term | Registration window | Semester start |
|---|---|---|
Summer 2026 | March 23 through the start of class | May 18 / June 22 |
Fall 2026 | July 20 – August 28 | August 31, 2026 |
Spring 2027 | Mid-December – January 22 | January 26, 2026 |
Application process
Step 1: Confirm eligibility
- 16 years old or older
- Enrolled in a U.S.-based school (homeschool students must be registered with the State of NH and able to demonstrate college-preparatory education appropriate for the program)
- Overall 3.0+ GPA (B average)
Step 2: Choose your course(s)
- Review the UNH course schedule, filtering by Durham campus, Undergraduate level, and Subject Code. The "Open to Continuing Education" filter shows courses without prerequisites, but only works once registration opens.
- Look for courses without prerequisites or restrictions where possible. If your desired course has prerequisites, you'll need departmental approval — but only after you're accepted into CATS.
Step 3: Submit the CATS application
The application requires:
- Student information and acknowledgement
- High school guidance counselor recommendation
- Course request
- Parent/guardian acknowledgement
Step 4: Wait for admissions review
UNH Admissions reviews your application and follows up by email. Acceptance into CATS doesn't guarantee a seat in your requested course — courses may already be full, and departmental approval (if required) isn't guaranteed either.
Step 5: Registration
If accepted, the Registrar's Office reviews your course request and emails you to complete the Parent & Student Acknowledgement form. You'll then be registered if possible, with a confirmation email — or a follow-up email if additional steps (like permissions) are needed.