Puma Early College Program

EARN COLLEGE CREDITS WHILE STILL IN HIGH SCHOOL!

This exciting program is designed for motivated high school students (sophomores, juniors and seniors) with good academic and attendance records who wish to get a jump start on college. Students must also possess the readiness for and commitment to rigorous college coursework. While still in high school, students will make progress toward earning their AGEC Certificate or Associate's Degree, typically enrolling in 6-9 credits a semester.

Puma Early College Program

"Puma Early College helped me prepare for the future in ways I could not have imagined. The program helped me connect with not only people my age, but professionals in various industries as well. I am very grateful for the opportunities and connections that PUMA Early College provided me with." 

  • Puma Early College Application 
  • Required Documentation
  • U.S. Birth Certificate and Photo ID (current high school photo ID, Arizona State ID, or Arizona Driver’s License/Permit) 
    OR,
    U.S. Passport, Foreign Passport with United States Visa, Permanent Residency. 
  • Unofficial High School Transcript with a minimum of 2.6 GPA
  • Two letters of recommendation from a counselor or instructor from your school 
  • Short Personal Essay

Deadline process: Once your Puma Early College Application is submitted, you have 2 weeks to provide the additional documentation required, otherwise your application status will remain incomplete.

Student applications are due to high school counselors by March 7th.

Please email a form of ID described above and unofficial high school transcripts directly to Mary Beltran Ayala (as an attachment) or bring it in person.

PLEASE NOTE: This program does not offer transportation 

Please connect with our Puma Early College Coordinator if you have any questions:

Mary Beltran Ayala
mary.beltran.ayala@paradisevalley.edu
Office: 602-787-7179

  • Earn college and high school credits simultaneously
  • Save money on college tuition and textbooks
  • Reduce college completion time
  • Eliminate duplication of coursework during the freshman year of college
  • Scholarship available to those who meet income eligibility requirements

  • Paradise Valley Unified School District
  • Cave Creek Unified School District
  • Deer Valley Unified School District

PUMA EARLY COLLEGE SAMPLE SCHEDULE
TERM PARADISE VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL
Junior Year High School
SUMMER TERM Communication Creating College Success COM110
FYE103		 3 Credits
3 Credits		  
FALL TERM Computers
Psychology		 CIS105
PSY101		 3 Credits
3 Credits		 English
Math
American History Language (or other HS class)
SPRING TERM First Year Composition Humanities ENG101
MHL155		 3 Credits
3 Credits		 English
Math
American History Language (or other HS class)
Senior Year High School
SUMMER TERM Science Lecture & Lab ENG102
TBD		 4 Credits  
FALL TERM First Year Composition
Communication
Humanities
COM225
TBD		 3 Credits
3 Credits
3 Credits		 Government/Economics
Math
HS Elective
HS Elective
SPRING TERM Science Lecture & Lab
Math

MAT140 or higher
TBD

 4 Credits
3-5 Credits		 Government/Economics
HS Elective
HS Elective
HS Elective
ARIZONA GENERAL EDUCATION CURRICULUM COMPLETE
FALL TERM
13-15 CREDITS		 Spring TERM
13-15 CREDITS
While participating in the Puma Early College Program the student may accomplish a completion of Arizona General Education Curriculum (AGEC) certificate. Also, if you are a student participating in any Maricopa Community Colleges with a dual enrollment program, credits are transferable to PVCC.
GRADUATE FROM PVCC WITH ASSOCIATE IN ARTS DEGREE
Complete additional 25-30 credits needed for an Associate's degree (60-64 credits) and transfer to a University for a Bachelor's degree. Most programs at the three Arizona universities allow a maximum transfer of 64 community college credits. Some universities and/or Maricopa transfer partner allow more credits to be completed at the Community College level.
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