What is a Dual Enrollment Program?

Dual enrollment enables high school learners to take colleges while they are still on with their high school studies. Dual admission programs count for both college and high school credit. High school learners who finish their dual enrollment programs take fewer classes in college, and they can save a lot of resources on overall college costs.

Nevertheless, not all learners are qualified for dual enrollment courses in high school. Requirements differ per state, but learners must be a senior or junior, and they are supposed to maintain a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA). This piece covers major aspects of a dual enrollment program as well as frequently asked questions regarding the program.

How Does Dual Enrollment Work?

Dual enrollment enables present high school learners to pursue college-level classes. In the event learners passes the class, it counts for both college and high school credit. The forms of dual enrollment classes provided in the United States differ by the school district. Most high schools offer college coursework in subjects such as Science, Social Studies, Math, English, and Humanities.

Many dual credit courses are taken at the learner’s high school, online, or a local community college. Homeschooling learners might also take dual enrollment courses in the event they meet state requirements.

Dual credit courses are accessible to learners taking a Career and Technical Education certificate, Associate’s degree, as well as a Bachelor’s degree.

In order to earn college credit, learners are supposed to pass a dual credit course with a C or better. Besides, the grade contributes to the college academic record of the learner.

Different from AP cases, learners don’t pass an examination to attain college credit. Additionally, college admission counselors might consider dual credit grades during the process of admission.

Nevertheless, not all colleges admit dual credit courses. In-state colleges are more likely to accept dual credits compared to private colleges or out-of-state public colleges.

Learners ought to research their choices and meet with their learning institutions prior to enrolling in dual credit courses.

Advanced Placement vs. Dual Enrollment Classes

Both Advanced Placement and Dual enrollment are classes that high school learners take to earn college credit. Nevertheless, there are major differences that you need to know if you want to enroll in either Advanced Placement or Dual enrollment classes.

Who provides the course?

Advanced Placement courses are offered by high schools by high school educators. They are designed to be trained at colleges but are pre-arranged by the high school.

Dual enrollment courses are college courses that are offered to high school learners. They might be provided at your school, but they are typically taught online or on-campus by college tutors.

How is credit awarded?

Dual enrollment learners usually get college credit for excelling in the course. Nevertheless, there’s no guarantee that colleges that students attend will accept their dual enrollment credits.

Advanced Placement learners take a standardized exam at the end of the academic year and get a minimum score set by colleges they attend, to get advanced placement credit.

Length of the Course

Dual enrollment programs usually last for one semester, implying that learners get college credit by enrolling in a class for half an average school calendar year.

Advanced Placement courses usually last for a whole school calendar year. A learner can take two dual credit courses during this period.

Cost

Both Advanced Placement and Dual enrollment classes involve costs. Advanced Placement exam costs $95 for every examination, while Dual enrollment classes may cost around $400, based on your location.

What are the requirements for Dual Enrollment?

Dual credit requirements differ by state. Most states only provide dual credit courses to senior and junior high schoolers.

Three states necessitate dual enrollment learners to be at least a sophomore in high school, and twelve states necessitate to be at least junior. Some states allow younger learners to undertake dual enrollment courses in the event they are regarded gifted.

High school learners in North Carolina, Missouri, Mississippi, Maine, Florida, and Alabama must possess a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) to enroll in dual enrollment classes, usually at least a 3.0.

In most states, learners must provide written recommendations from their coaches, principals, teachers, or other college or high school staff members so as to qualify for dual enrollment.

Other admissibility requirements may consist of:

• College course basics or other course admission criteria
• Entrance requirements that are set by the college
• Minimum SAT or ACT scores
• Parent permission

Is It Better to Take AP Classes or Dual Enrollment?

Here are reasons why you should decide to take either Dual enrollment or Advanced Placement courses in case you have these two options.

Why is it Better to Take Dual Enrollment?

It Exposes Students to Early College Life

A survey conducted by BestColleges in 2019 shows that 22% of parents have concerns about the capability of their college learners to be independent and to balance their studies and academic life and be independent without parental supervision. Likewise, 20% questioned the readiness of their teenagers to meet academic expectations.

The fear of parents is real, and most learners also share their worries. Dual-enrollment programs provide high school learners with an early snapshot of time, social, and academic demands that they will experience in college.

Students who enroll in a dual-enrollment course at a local college meet with actual college learners, staff, and professors. Also, they get the chance to adjust to college classes’ academic rigor and also take part in co-curricular activities.

Exposure to a learning environment with older adult learners offers high school learners an education opportunity high school just cannot offer.

College learners know that the skills needed for content mastery and success vary greatly from skills needed in high school. To prosper at the college level, learners should take accountability and ownership for their studies.

Dual-enrollment courses can offer valuable experience for high school learners, particularly first-generation college learners who might lack exposure to colleges and knowledge. Doing well in college programs while still in high school reinforces the aspirations of learners and their educational success confidence.

Cost-Effective Way of Earning Your Degree Faster

College education has increased greatly over the past few years, making enrolling in college the most costly investment that people can make.

With high college costs, many vulnerable learners have needs left behind – including learners with disabilities, single parents, low-income learners, and learners of color. Even though dual-enrollment courses vary by state, some states assume all or part of the cost of these courses, enabling learners to enroll with a minimal financial burden.

Typically, dual enrollment cost is absorbed mainly by the state, school districts, high schools, and higher learning institutions, with students and parents paying only a nominal fee. Working meticulously with a high school counselor to make sure that your college credit transfers to your preferred college will save you a significant amount of resources.

Why is it Better to Take AP Classes?

AP Courses are more accepted and recognized by colleges

Advanced Placement classes and examinations are more generally recognized and accepted by colleges, possibly due to their standardized and rigorous curriculum.

They are more convenient

In most instances, you may be required to drive to a local college in order to take a dual enrollment program. Advanced Placement courses, presently, are taught at high schools.

They’re usually more academically rigorous

Community colleges usually offer less rigorous curriculum compared to those provided through the Advanced Placement course. The exemption to this is if you are pursuing a course not offered in your high school, like multivariable calculus.

Does Dual Enrollment Look Good on College Applications?

Yes, dual enrollment usually looks good on the college application process. Ensure that you take dual enrollment courses in only fully accredited community colleges or high schools. You should avoid for-profit high schools. Earning good grades in dual enrollment courses can boost your college application.

What are the Benefits of Taking Dual Credit Courses?

Students pursuing dual admission programs get both college and high school credit. Some of the advantages of dual enrollment programs include:

• Learners who earn college credit when at high school can transfer those credits to colleges that they finally decide to join. In case the program meets the general education requirement, learners will have enough time to focus on other exciting classes, internships, or learn abroad. In the event the transferred credits meet a prerequisite, students are likely to be admitted into higher-level courses. Learners who take many dual credit courses during high school might earn adequate credits in order to graduate early or finish a double major in 4 years.
• Dual credit programs are a cost-effectively way of earning college credit. Dual enrollment classes are typically less costly per credit compared to equivalent courses pursued while in college. In some instances, dual credit programs are subsidized, or they can be free.
• Pursuing a dual enrollment course can assist you in getting into college. Learning rigor is one of the most crucial factors in getting admitted to colleges. Admission counselors are typically impressed by learners who challenge themselves academically in school. Because dual admission courses are college-level courses, learners who take regular or online high school courses (not AP or honors) can utilize dual enrollment courses to show preparedness in order to take on academic challenges and their success ability at college levels.
• Dual enrollment programs offer high school learners the chance to practice being college learners. Students will join college with an understanding of the expectations of a professor as well as the amount of writing and reading needed for an introductory level course.
• In case a course is provided at a local college, high school learners would benefit from spending time on a college campus. Additionally, the experience would ease the transition of students to college. Learners have a chance to associate with tutors and graduate assistance. Students will learn how to navigate a college campus and utilize a library. High schoolers will also gain from observing and meeting college learners who might become friends, who can become role models, and act as sources of information regarding college life.
• Spending time on college campuses assist learners during the process of searching for colleges. Students will learn more regarding the kind of life that will assist them in making a decision on the type of college that will be appropriate for them. Learners will understand what it feels like to enroll in a college of a specific size or particular location; hence their criteria for choosing a college will be wholly developed when they start searching for a college. Additionally, learners will ask better questions when visiting colleges and have a context where they can place answers that they get.

Frequently Asked Questions About a Dual Enrollment Program

How many credits should a learner take in the early admission dual enrollment program?

Early enrollment learners must register for a minimum of twelve college credit hours for every semester. However, they aren’t needed to enroll in over fifteen college credit hours for each semester.

What private post-high school learning institutions qualify to provide dual enrollment?

To qualify to provide dual enrollment, the post-high school institution ought to be licensed to offer post-high school education in Florida and accredited by an agency approved by the United States Department of Education. This doesn’t prevent learners from taking post-high school courses at private institutions that are not eligible. Nevertheless, these courses aren’t regarded as part of dual enrollment courses in Florida.

What if a student doesn’t have the required Grade Point Average (GPA)?

Taking part in dual enrollment by learners who do not have the required Grade Point Average (GPA) is at the discretion of the college as well as the school district. Exemptions might be granted on the basis of an individual learner in case both learning institutions agree, and the exceptions criteria are comprised in the Dual Enrollment Articulation Agreement.

Can a school district deny participation in the dual enrollment program to an eligible student?

Yes. A school district might not deny a learner access to dual admission in case the learner meets the early criteria as stipulated in the proper articulation agreement. Nevertheless, a learner can lose a chance to enroll in a dual enrollment program if the learner is disrupting the process of learning. The progress of other learners or the administration of hours is affected irrespective of attaining the requirements for enrollment.

Where and when are dual enrollment programs taught?

Learners who qualify for a dual credit course will be allowed to register in dual enrollment courses that are conducted during learning hours, during summer, and after school hours. Dual credit courses can be offered at high schools, colleges, state universities, Florida College System institutions, and local career learning centers.

Can a student take dual enrollment courses at a post-secondary institution outside of the service area?

Learners might be allowed to take part in dual enrollment programs at a college outside their service area. Learners ought to get in touch with their district or counselor in order to discuss opportunities that might be available to them. Notably, a Dual Enrollment Articulation Agreement should be in place with the post-high school institution to enable learners to take dual credit programs.

Can a learner pursue a dual enrollment course at the university or college if that same dual enrollment course is provided in high school?

Post-high school institutions and school districts can determine whether dual enrollment programs provided at the high school are not eligible for enrollment at post-high school institutions.

Can students take online dual enrollment courses?

Yes. Students can take virtual dual enrollment courses if they are permitted by the college. There is no difference in a regulation made between dual credit courses that are taught in traditional settings compared to those provided online.

Can a student with a disability take a dual enrollment course?

Yes. Post-high school institutions are supposed to include resources and services which are available for learners with disabilities who enroll in dual credit programs.

What services should be provided to dual enrollment learners with disabilities?

Learners are supposed to reveal their disabilities to an office in college that offers disability services so that they can get disability services. Learners who want disability services will be required to present their present disability documentation. The documentation requirements might differ across post-high school learning institutions and might also differ from documents needed by middle school and high schools. Learners ought to get in touch with the office of students with disabilities in the school for particular documentation requirements.

Can a dual enrollment course transfer to another university and college?

College courses that are taken through dual enrollment will transfer to any public college or university in Florida. Nevertheless, if learners don’t, after high school graduation, attend a similar university or college where they attained their dual enrollment credit, the application of credit transfer to degree programs or general education might differ at the receiving school in case the program isn’t provided by the receiving college or university. Additionally, learners attending colleges out of their state ought to confirm with their intended college or university to inquire whether dual admission credit will be accepted in transfer. Additionally, transfer policies for college courses that are done through dual enrollment are in line with those for learners taking post-high school courses like a regularly enrolled post-high school learner.

Is Dual Enrollment Right for Everyone?

A dual credit course is a chance to take hard courses, including accelerating learning opportunities. Learners who successfully finished dual enrollment programs will save money and time toward their university or college degree with free textbooks and tuition. Nevertheless, learners ought to understand that dual enrollment programs are college programs, and the efforts required to succeed in dual enrollment programs might be much more compared to high school programs. Additionally, dual enrollment programs become part of the permanent college transcript of the learner and are computed into the permanent college GPA of the student. Performing poorly in a dual enrollment course can eventually affect the post-high school career of the student, as well as admission to a state college or university, qualification for financial aid, and academic standing. It’s crucial to perform well in dual enrollment courses in order to realize all the advantages of dual admission.

Why is Dual Enrollment a Good Idea?

Dual-enrollment courses can offer students an added advantage in the process of college admission by preparing them for rigorous coursework as well as awarding you credits that count towards their degree. Likewise, dual enrollment courses may take time away from their experience in high school.

Does Harvard Accept Dual Credit?

No. Harvard doesn’t accept dual credit, as indicated in their students’ transfer information website. Learners who have finished one college year in a traditional degree program in lieu of their senior year of high school, typically known as dual enrollment, ought to apply for the first-year admission in case these courses are pursued credit towards a high school diploma.

Conclusion

Dual admission is the best way for high schoolers to get ahead in their post-high school academics. Students can be pursuing courses on college campuses as they save money on future higher learning costs. The high consistency of dual enrollment courses can also prepare learners for more challenging classes and also contribute to their opportunities for admission to recognized learning institutions.

Resources and References:

• A Survey Conducted by BestColleges
• What is a Dual Enrollment Articulation Agreement?
• Accrediting Agencies in the United States
• How to Calculate Grade Point Average
• Dual Enrollment Classes
• ACT Vs. SAT