Pillar College’s DEED Program Gives High School Students An Edge

Pillar College’s DEED program offers high school students the opportunity to take college credits while in high school. Students who complete the program can earn 30 college credits that satisfy general education classes students take in the first year of college.

Students in the DEED (Dual Enrollment Education Program) take 10 courses for thirty credits.  They are: a math, English, social science, natural science, philosophy, two 21^st century courses and three electives. The added benefit is that these courses satisfy both their New Jersey State high school graduation requirements and first year college requirements saving them money and time.

“For the students the savings are amazing,” said Dr. Richard Riss, Associate Dean of Traditional Undergraduate Studies. “Each class in the DEED program is about $525 for the three credits compared to $919 per credit at Pillar.”  

In addition to the cost savings, there is also a time savings. Students who complete the program, typically complete their college degree in a shorter amount of time. Pillar College has a Middle States certification so the credits they earn with the DEED program are transferrable to top-tier universities across the nation.  Some students have gone to Rutgers and other colleges after completing the program.

“Pillar College is excited to offer Dual Enrollment Education (referred to as DEED) to those looking to complete their high school diploma as a part of our mission to prepare and equip people to serve others through Christ-centered education,” said Dan Reeve, Director of Deed.  “I would love to talk to students about how I can get them started on their journey towards a practical college degree. I can be reached at 973 803-5000 ex. 1040 or email at dreeve@pillar.edu.”

This program is unique because most community colleges that have a dual education program require students to take college classes and those for high school. The DEED program classes satisfy New Jersey high school graduation requirements and college courses most students take in their first year saving them time and money.

Dr. Wayne Dyer, Vice President of Strategic Alliances introduced the program to Pillar in 2015 after the state opened the door for institutions of higher learning to offer college credits to high school students.

“This program exposes students to critical thinking and gives them some experience taking college-level classes,” said Dr. Dyer. “They can work while going to school to earn their New Jersey State high school diploma and complete core classes that most first-year students take.  There is a significant cost benefit that DEED students get when compared to traditional students.”

DEED is set up in two ways. The internal program is the full thirty credits and has students come to Pillar College a fewdays a week to take classes. Students are assigned an advisor to help them navigate the program and plan for their futures. The school also incorporates activities for them to enrich their college experience.

The DEED program is also offered externally at multiple partnering schools. Students that participate in the external program only take a few classes and not the full thirty credits.

 “We’re excited about the new things happening with DEED,” said Dr. Riss.

About Pillar College

Pillar College is a comprehensive institution of higher learning, providing a Christ-centered education. Pillar College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) and licensed by the New Jersey Commission on Higher Education and a member of the Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE). Pillar College offers Associate’s, Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree programs. Pillar College educates, inspires and equips students for excellent scholarship, service and leadership. Rooted in and committed to Christian faith, Pillar College fosters intellectual, spiritual and social development among its diverse student population. Pillar College has locations in Newark, Somerset, Paterson and Plainfield, New Jersey. Founded in 1908. For more information about Pillar College, visit https://pillar.edu