When participating in a Texas Dual Credit Program, qualifying high school students have the chance to earn college credit while still being in high school.
And earning college credit may also mean they could be exempt from having to take the TSI (Texas Success Initiative) test in the related subject fields (English writing and reading, and/or math).
Quite a few high schools in Texas have agreements with colleges to offer free tuition for these Dual Credit courses.
Scholarships may also cover the tuition cost for Dual Credit courses for students attending a Texas public or private high school. Check here if you want to learn more about College Freshman Orientation.
What is a dual credit course?
A Dual Credit course is either taught at high school or a college. They are available in a number of subject areas such as English, math, economics, science, history, government and civics, and several technical courses.
These courses are taught by college faculty or qualified high school teachers that meet the same standards and criteria as their college faculty peers.
Students enrolled in Dual Credit courses may expect the same course rigor as undergraduate students would experience in college.
Students interested in taking in a Dual Credit course should contact their high school counselor to see what courses are available courses.
Credit earned in Dual Credit courses is transferable to all public universities and colleges in Texas and also to a number of private colleges and out-of-state institutions of higher education.
The benefits
Students that take Dual Credit courses can earn high school and college credit simultaneously. Dual Credit students have a number of benefits. They can:
- Easier follow college-level coursework and be ready for college life much faster.
- Complete their college education faster.
- Save lots of money on college tuition fees.
- Attain exempt status for the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) Assessment.
- Get easier accepted to their preferred college.
Many colleges have selective admissions policies so taking Dual Credit courses will definitely help.
Who can participate?
To sign up for a Dual Credit program, students need to:
- Be in good standing and enrolled in at least 9th grade of a public or private Texas high school, or charter or home school that participates in the Texas Dual Credit program.
- Be approved by their school counselors or Dual Credit school advisors.
- Fulfill all criteria to be admitted to the participating college.
- Meet the required test scores.
- Submit all required Dual Credit program forms.
- Check this post for some Texas scholarship options.
Students looking to participate in a Dual Credit course can use an Enrollment Checklist for Dual Credit and Early College High School. Google search will show the desired results.
How to enroll?
Typically, there are deadlines for enrollment so please get well informed. Many schools are hosting in-person Dual Credit application sessions and generally register qualifying students in a face-to-face meeting. Read also this article about TSI and College Credit.
However, in these days of Covid-19, many schools currently operate in a virtual environment. Many schools have taken the necessary steps to make sure that students still will be able to apply as Dual Credit students and can enroll in available Dual Credit classes. For information about the Texas College Savings Plan, read this informative post.
The application process is now generally as follows:
- Qualifying students must complete and submit a High School Student Dual Credit application form online. Usually, participating high schools receive links to pre-recorded application sessions.
- Students that sign up for a virtual session will receive application instruction by email.
- Students then need to submit all required Dual Credit application forms. The colleges will be working with high school counselors to collect all relevant documents before Summer and Fall registration deadlines. Students should confirm the application deadlines with their high school counselor or Dual Credit school advisor.
- Then, students should register for Dual Credit courses. College Dual Credit advisors will register the students for Dual Credit classes and they will confirm the high school counselors that students have been registered or address any concerns.
Students can get in touch with their college’s Dual Credit coordinators if they want information about possible scholarships for attending a Dual Credit course at a Texas public or private high school or college. Please bear in mind that there may be a difference between in-county and out-of-county tuition rates.