Early College Summer 2026
Fairleigh Dickinson University’s Early College Summer Program offers motivated students (rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors) enrichment experiences as well the opportunity to get a jump-start on earning college credits through engaging, interactive courses offered in several different formats: fully online, remote with zoom meetings, and in-person on our Metropolitan Campus and our Florham Campus.
Program Highlights
- The opportunity to earn 3 or 4 college credits per course and up to 12 college credits this summer for future university studies.
- The opportunity to complete 1- or non-credit enrichment courses to build or strengthen existing skills
- The ability to enhance the quality of your college application.
- Experience engaging curriculum developed and taught by passionate, distinguished FDU faculty and staff.
- Participate in a collaborative learning environment with students from across the state, country and globe.
- Get a glimpse into the most desired majors and careers of today.
Who Should Enroll
High school students interested in an enriching experience that allows them to explore future career paths while also earning college credit.
All Early College Summer registrants will be required to attend a zoom orientation session (approximately 30 minutes long) prior to the start of your Early College Summer class.
New this year!
The Early College Summer program is also offering 1-credit and noncredit programs in these career- and college-focused areas:
- Step into the Future: Glow Up your Career
- C#/C++ Coding Camp
- Filmmaking for High School Students
- Foundations of College Writing
- GenAI Lab: From Prompts to Prototype
- Math for the Trades
- Python Coding Bootcamp
Registration will open soon!
Summer 2026 Courses
6-Week Courses (June 30th through August 11th)
- ARTH_1103 Principles of Art Appreciation (3 credits)
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Professor Jacqueline Lima
This course is designed to introduce students to the language of art through an examination of the elements and principles of design. Eastern and Western styles will be included in discussion of masterworks. Aesthetic judgement, compositional organization and artistic methodology will be examined in each case. Emphasis will be on the viewing and discussion of works within a specific context.
- Dates: Tues., June 30 through Tues., August 11
- Times: No class meetings
- Modality: Asynchronous; fully online
- Cap: 5
- Cost: $799
- CGD_1314 Illustrator Graphics and Design (3 credits)
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Professor Katherine Solis
This course is an exploration of computer-generated vector graphics as a creative medium. Through the use of industry-standard software, Adobe Illustrator, students study the fundamentals of graphic design and learn to conceptualize and present ideas in visual form. Topics in this course also include production workflow and output standards of vector graphics as they apply to print and web delivery.
- Dates: Tues., June 30 through Tues., August 11
- Times: No class meetings
- Modality: Asynchronous; fully online
- Cap: 5
- Cost: $799
- CGDH_2020 History of Graphic Design (3 credits)
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Professor Janet O’Neil
This course will trace the history of graphic design from ancient civilizations to the present. This course will seek to answer whether graphic design is art, communication, craft, marketing — or a combination of them all.
- Dates: Tues., June 30 through Tues., August 11
- Times: No class meetings
- Modality: Asynchronous; fully online
- Cap: 5
- Cost: $799
- CHEM_1201/1203 General Chemistry I Lecture and Lab (4 credits)
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Professor James Mizvesky
This course covers the fundamental laws, theories and principles of chemistry, with emphasis on atomic structure, chemical bonding, periodic classification of the elements, solutions, equilibrium, reaction kinetics and the theory and practice of the qualitative chemistry of the common ions. A high school students only course.
- Dates: Tues., June 30 through Tues., August 11
- Times: Tuesday and Thursday, 10:00-1:05pm (Lecture) and Tuesday and Thursday, 2:00-4:30pm (Lab)
- Modality: In-person on the Florham Campus (location TBA)
- Cap: 15
- Cost: $1065
- CHEM_1202/1204/1212 General Chemistry II (4 credits)
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Dr. Justin Bogart
Fundamental principles of chemistry, with emphasis on atomic and molecular structure, physical, chemical and periodic properties, stoichiometry, energetics, kinetics and equilibria of reactions, and descriptive chemistry of elements, including theory of qualitative analysis of common ions. Restricted to students who have completed CHEM 1201/1203 as an Early College Dual Enrollment* student and earned a “C” or better.
- Dates: Tues., June 30 through Tues. August 11
- Times: Monday and Wednesday, 10:00am-1:05pm (Lecture), 1:10-2:00pm (Recitation), and 2:30pm-5:00pm (Lab)
- Modality: In-person on the Florham Campus (location TBA)
- Cap: 4
- Cost: $1065
* Students who completed the prerequisite course through another dual enrollment program may be eligible for this course; student will be asked to provide an unofficial transcript from the college or university where the dual enrollment course was completed. Please write to EarlyCollege@fdu.edu for submission details.
- CJUS_2432 Pretrial Justice (3 credits)
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Professor Tiffany Bergin
This course examines the pretrial phase of the criminal justice process, with a focus on the history of cash bail & preventive detention policies, current national debates around reform, & comparative international perspectives. Explore the day-to-day work of pretrial professionals to supervise individuals in the community, assess risk, and make decisions under legal, ethical, and resource constraints. Students will also review research on failure to appear, the collateral consequences of pretrial detention, and the changing legal and political landscape. Through real-world case studies, comparative analysis, and policy evaluation, gain a nuanced understanding of pretrial practices in the U.S. and beyond.
- Dates: Tues., June 30 through Tues., August 11
- Time: No class meetings
- Modality: Asynchronous online
- Cap: 5
- Cost: $799
- CREW 2015 Sports Writing (3 credits)
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Dr. Kenneth Sammond
This course focuses on the beauty, power, and influence of American sports writing, giving students the opportunity to engage with top sports narratives and create their own. Learning from these narratives, students will craft their own works that report on, analyze, and describe sporting events that they will watch online or in person. Overall, they will learn how sports writing recreates, reflects, and interprets the evolving conflicts, values, and identity in our society. A high school students only class.
- Dates: Tues., June 30 through Tues., August 11
- Time: No class meetings
- Modality: Asynchronous online
- Cap: 15
- Cost: $799
Registration will open soon!
- ENGR_1301 Engineering Practices, Graphics, and Design (3 Credits)
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Professor Melvin Lewis
This course explores those analytical techniques that are integral to engineering design: equations, graphics, statistics. Introduction to computer-aided analysis software. Engineering applications. Introduction to design. Fundamentals of graphics as applied to sketching and drafting. Professionalism and ethics. Integrated laboratory experience. A high school students only class.
- Dates: Tues., June 30 through Tues., August 11
- Time: Tuesday and Thursday, from 10:00am-2:05pm
- Modality: In-person on the Metropolitan Campus (location TBA)
- Cap: 15
- Cost: $799
- PSYC_2234 Social Psychology (3 credits)
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Professor Christine Fugger
This course will explore representative theories and selected problems concerning the determinants of social behavior. Socialization, attitude structure and change, social norms, prejudice, leadership and group dynamics.
- Dates: Tues., June 30 through Tues., August 11
- Times: Monday and Thursday, 1:00pm-4:15pm
- Modality: Remote with Zoom Meetings
- Cap: 10
- Cost: $799
Registration will open soon!
3-Week Courses (High School Students only)
- BIOL_1060/1061 Genetics and Society (4 credits)
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Dr. Andre Wallace
An introduction to genetics with emphasis on the impact of new developments in genetic technology on the individual and society. Transmission of genes in families, genetic counseling and reproductive decisions, treatment and diagnosis of inherited disease, genes in populations and current topics —such as cloning, stem cell research and genetically modified foods — will be discussed. A high school students only course.
- Dates: Tues., June 30 through Tues., July 21
- Times: Monday through Thursday, 9:00 AM to 1:35 PM
- Modality: In-person on the Metropolitan Campus (location TBA)
- Cap: 15
- Cost: $1065
- BIOL_1185/1186 Introduction to Neuroscience (4 credits)
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Dr. Andre Wallace
This course introduces students to the structure and function of the nervous system, spanning molecular, cellular, systems, and behavioral levels. It covers topics such as neuroanatomy, neuron signaling, sensory systems, motor control, brain function, and brain diseases, often exploring how these biological processes enable thought, emotion, and behavior. A high school students only course.
- Dates: Wed., July 22 through Wed., August 12
- Times: Monday through Thursday, 9:00 AM to 1:35 PM
- Modality: In-person on the Metropolitan Campus (location TBA)
- Cap: 15
- Cost: $1065
Registration will open soon!
- CSCI_2157 Cybersecurity Fundamentals (3 credits)
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Dr. Ihab Darwish
This course is a comprehensive introduction to the essential principles, technologies, and practices that form the backbone of effective cybersecurity. In an era where digital threats continue to evolve, this course equips participants with the foundational knowledge required to build a solid understanding of cybersecurity concepts. The course explores the role of IT governance in maintaining a resilient cybersecurity posture and the ethical considerations in cybersecurity. The course employs a blend of lectures, hands-on labs, case studies, and practical exercises to provide participants with a holistic learning experience. A high school students only course.
- Dates: Tues., June 30 through Tues., July 21
- Times: Monday through Thursday, 4:00-7:15 p.m.
- Modality: Remote with Zoom Meetings
- Cap: 15
- Cost: $799
- HSCI_1111 The Exciting World of Pharmacology and Delivering New Treatments
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Dr. Paul Cavanaugh
In 1941, the pharmacologists Goodman and Gilman best described the subject of pharmacology in their classic pharmacology textbook – “The subject of pharmacology is a broad one and embraces the knowledge of the source, physical and chemical properties, compounding, physiological actions, absorption, fate, and excretion, and therapeutic uses of drugs.” This course will explore some of the key moments in the history of drug discovery and development; how new therapies (e.g., small molecules, biologics, and vaccines) are discovered, developed, and approved for marketing in the U.S. Most important, students will learn about the careers and roles of who makes this all possible. The necessary teamwork of basic scientists, medicinal chemists, pharmacologists, regulatory specialists, bioengineers, and healthcare professionals (e.g., PharmDs, MDs, DOs, DMDs, and RNs who are all trained in pharmacology) will be reviewed. A high school students only course.
- Dates: Wed., July 22 to Wed., August 12
- Times: Monday through Thursday, 3:00 PM to 6:15 PM
- Modality: In-person on the Florham Campus, College of Pharmacy, 230 Park Avenue, Room 211. One class meeting each week will be held remotely via Zoom, dates for the Zoom meetings will be announced on the first day of class.
- Cap: 15
- UNIV_2002 Global Issues (3 credits)
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In this course, students develop essential aspects of critical thinking and apply those skills in evaluating international systems, environmental issues, and human rights questions. Not only will this course demonstrate the global dimensions of crucial contemporary issues, it will also develop the relational thinking that students will be expected to exercise in other academic contexts and throughout the rest of their personal and professional lives. In other words, this course is as much about how to study and think about global problems and relationships as it is a course about specific global issues.
This is a special summer section open to New Jersey High School Students who will be entering their Junior or Senior year and are able to attend classes on the scenic Florham Campus. Integration will occur with experiential activities and optional field trips and events with visiting international high school students. Costs for these optional activities are included in the tuition fee. A high school students only course.
- Dates: Dates TBA
- Times: TBA
- Modality: In-person on the Florham Campus with optional off-campus activities.
- Cap: 15
Registration will open soon!
Early College Programs