Upcoming Courses for Credit
Get a Taste
Of College
Students can distinguish themselves on their college application.
Eligible GEAR UP students have the opportunity to take college credits at no cost, not only saving them money but also providing them with a taste of college and the tools needed to be successful. Support is provided by their GEAR UP Education Specialist and the UW-Green Bay GEAR UP Services Specialist! All course costs will be covered by GEAR UP funds, and textbooks will be shipped directly to students' homes.
Save Money
Save hundreds of dollars on tuition and textbooks.
Get a Head Start
Get a head start on college and prepare for the future.
Transfer Credits
Transfer credits to all UW schools, technical colleges and most private or out-of-state schools.
Earn Early College Credit
Students will work with their GEAR UP Education Specialist, UW-Green Bay's GEAR UP Services team and their School Counselor to select courses and apply to the program. Courses are one semester long.
Students will be required to follow campus timelines and policies for dropping and withdrawing courses. Drop and withdrawal deadlines can be found on the Registration Calendar.
Courses Available by semester
Fall 2025
Courses begin September 3 and end on December 14.*
The following courses are all completed fully online through the student's online classroom in Canvas.
ENGLISH 212: Intro to Creative Writing
3 Credits
A first course focused on the analysis, understanding, appreciation, and techniques of writing poetry and fiction, as well as other genres at the discretion of the instructor.
General Education Designation: Humanities
ENV SCI 102: Intro to Environmental Science (pending)
3 Credits
Examines the interrelationships between people and their biophysical environment, including the atmosphere, water, rocks and soil, and other living organisms. The scientific analysis of nature and the social and political issues of natural resource use.
General Education Designation: Scientific Methods and Inquiry
FNS 225: Intro to First Nations Studies
3 Credits
This introductory course to First Nations Studies focuses on the history, culture, sovereignty, and contemporary status of Indigenous Nations in the Great Lakes region. The course offers Indigenous cultural contexts through both information and class structure. The Indigenous core value of personal sovereignty is practiced in the course through the application of respect, reciprocity, and relationship.
At its core, exploring history helps us understand who we are, and how we arrived at our present circumstances. Wisconsin is home to twelve Tribal Nations and their story is central to our region’s history and identity, yet often overlooked. Throughout the semester, students will be introduced to the broader themes comprising First Nations history through various case studies, while also exploring one tribal nation in greater depth, perhaps the nation closest to them in proximity. In addition, all students will be encouraged to reflect on their own cultural identity within the context of United States history, including the complex shared history of the Great Lakes region derived from immigration and the settler-colonial experience. Finally, in FNS 225 the grand story of First Nations people will be framed in what cultural theorist Gerald Vizenor calls “survivance,” including contemporary examples of cultural revitalization.
Though taught asynchronously with an emphasis on screencasts and accompanying readings, students will receive regular communication from the instructor, including timely coaching related to the required written work.
General Education Designation: Ethnic Studies
HISTORY 206: History of the United States from 1865 to Present
3 Credits
This course explores the history of the United States since 1865, with attention to politics, society, economy, and culture. Likely topics to be considered include: the African-American freedom struggle during Reconstruction and the Jim Crow era; the conquest of the trans-Mississippi west; industrialization and labor conflict; immigration; the expansion of American military and economic power around the world, including participation in the First World War, the Second World War, and the global Cold War; the growth of state power; urbanization and suburbanization; feminism, women's rights, civil rights, and other social movements; and the rise of conservatism since the 1970s.
General Education Designation: Elective
HUM BIOL 215: Personal Health & Wellness
3 Credits
Theoretical and practical knowledge about health and wellness, with experiential exercises to heighten awareness of one's own values, attitudes, and abilities toward healthy living.
General Education Designation: Human Society and Behavior
HUM BIOL 217: Human Disease & Society
3 Credits
Impact of diseases in humans. Emphasizes the major diseases, their causes, individual effects, historical significance, and methods of control.
General Education Designation: Global Perspective
MUSIC 224: Popular Music Since 1955
3 Credits
Evolution of popular music since 1955 and its relationship to society, especially rock music in the 1960's and early 1970's, the period of greatest stylistic expansion and also the period in which the music was most intimately intertwined with its social milieu.
General Education Designation: Creative and Artistic Inquiry
NUT SCI 242: Food & Nutritional Health
3 Credits
Food and Nutritional Health emphasizes and evaluates the practical personal application of nutritional concepts in promoting a healthy diet and lifestyle.
General Education Designation: Information Literacy
PSYCH 102: Intro to Psychology
3 Credits
Understanding of behavior from psychophysiological, cognitive, social and clinical perspectives; important issues, methods and findings in the study of psychological processes.
General Education Designation: Human Society and Behavior
PSYCH 203: Intro to Lifespan Development
3 Credits
Human development from conception through death: physical development, social and emotional development, and psychological development. Topics may also include personality development, the development of language, intellectual development and creativity, and the process of human learning.
General Education Designation: Elective
SOCIOL 101: Intro to Sociology
3 Credits
Major sociological concepts and ideas and their application to contemporary societies.
General Education Designation: Elective
*UW-Green Bay breaks may not align with high school breaks. Students will be expected to complete assignments and coursework following the UW-Green Bay calendar, even if their high school is on break.
After students complete the course orientation session, they will earn a digital badge. They will also learn a second digital badge for completing the course reflection at the end of the course.
Step 1: Express Interest
Let us know if a student wants to take a summer course and are ready to get ahead and save money on their college education. Once we receive the interest form, we will follow up with next steps.
Step 2: Email Your Unofficial Transcript
Students should email their unofficial transcript to Ben Berndt at gearup@uwgb.edu. Students may also email their transcript directly or request that their DPI Education Specialist or school counselor email it.
Step 3: Complete Final Steps
Once the GEAR UP Team receives the completed Express Interest Form, the GEAR UP Services Specialist, Ben, will be in touch with further instructions. He will help students through the remaining steps and enroll them in their specified course!
Admission Requirements
- Students must be enrolled in the GEAR UP Program (or seek enrollment in the program prior to registration for a college course). If a student is not yet enrolled in GEAR UP but is enrolled at a target high school, they may reach out to us at gearup@uwgb.edu or their school counselor to determine who their point of contact will be to enroll in GEAR UP and apply for college courses.
- Ideally, students should have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. However, students with a 2.75-2.9 GPA will be considered if the student submits an email to gearup@uwgb.edu explaining their GPA circumstances and including an email recommendation from one of their core teachers that addresses the student's potential for academic success in the college course they intend to take.
- Students are entering grades 10, 11 or 12, or it's the summer following their high school graduation.
- Students must be serious about the commitment required to take a college course.
Current sophomores should also check out GEAR UP Rising Phoenix.
Disclaimer
UW-Green Bay reserves the right to cancel any course or program due to low enrollment or conditions beyond reasonable control, including low enrollment.
Need Help?
For questions about GEAR UP college credit, please contact Ben at gearup@uwgb.edu or call/text (920) 412-6649.