The future prosperity of the United States relies strongly upon the success of its higher education system. With an increasingly technological and competitive world economy, more jobs require the advanced skills and knowledge that higher education provides. Yet despite the significant efforts toward improving elementary and secondary education in the U.S.--the pipeline to higher education--the country's international lead in college attainment rates is slipping. Although the number of students entering college is increasing, a great number of these students do not earn a college degree, particularly those belonging to groups that are traditionally under-represented. The following are discussed in this policy brief: (1) Importance of Postsecondary Credit-Based Transition Programs; (2) Types of Programs; (3) National Efforts Supporting Dual Credit Programs; (4) Dual Credit Programs at Indiana's Public Colleges and Universities; (5) Program Trends Across the U.S. and Indiana. (Contains 4 figures and 75 endnotes.)