If you’re a high schooler, homeschooler, or charter school student, or a parent of a high school student, you’ve probably heard about dual credit classes. Sometimes called dual enrollment, P-TECH, or early college high school, the concept is simple. High schoolers can take college-level classes that count for both their high school diploma and toward their college degree. The goal is to speed up entry into college or prepare for the workforce right after high school.
What are dual credit pros and cons, and how should students prepare?
In this Article
What Is Dual Credit?
Dual credit lets high schoolers earn college credit while still in high school. When they graduate from high school, some or all of these credits transfer to university. Students save the cost of tuition by knocking out these core classes early, and potentially complete their college degree faster.
Workforce Training
For students who want to gain work experience, dual credit offers the opportunity to take classes or get training in a wide variety of careers, so students can start earning money right out of high school. Students who want to go into advanced manufacturing or want a STEM career in cybersecurity, for example, can earn certification through dual credit classes.
Elements of dual credit include:
- Academic and workforce options. Classes include general education classes and workforce pathways.
- Location. Classes may take place at the high school, at the college, or online.
- Cost. Tuition is free for core curriculum and workforce classes; eligible students receive free textbooks.
- Transferability. Classes are designed to transfer to any public college or university in Texas.
Dual Credit vs. AP
One of the first questions that comes up when discussing dual credit pros and cons is how dual credit differs from AP or IB classes. There are a couple of differences that may impact which program a student chooses. With dual credit, students simply must pass the class to earn the credit.
AP and IB programs require students to pass a placement exam to earn credit for the AP class. The placement exam is an additional cost, and credit may not be awarded if students don’t score high enough on the exam.
Dual credit also includes workforce training programs, while AP and IB are only academically focused.
How to Sign Up for Dual Credit Classes
If your school offers dual credit, it will have a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the college it is partnering with. Charter schools, private schools, and homeschools will also need an MOU to proceed with dual credit.
Steps to Sign Up for Dual Credit
The first step is to speak with your high school counselor. Counselors will walk you through the eligibility requirements, the college application process, and any required college readiness testing.
College readiness is meeting the appropriate scores on one of the following assessments: TSI, SAT, or ACT exam.
Your counselor will help you plan your schedule and make sure that it fits with your high school class schedule as well as ensure that your college classes will grant you the college credit that will help you graduate.
The next step is to apply to ACC through the dual credit application process, complete orientation, and plan and register for your classes. ACC’s application is free.
Note that classes mainly take place on an ACC campus, at the high school, or online.
Dual Credit Notes
Things to keep in mind: Most high schools operate on a school-year schedule. College classes take place over a semester and can also be taken over the summer.
High school classes meet daily; college classes typically meet twice a week, for 85-90 minutes per class.
Make sure you’re aware of all deadlines, whether for application, registration, testing, or more.
Who Should Take Dual Credit Classes?
High school students who enroll in dual credit classes do so for a number of reasons. Here’s who should consider dual credit.
- A student who wants to reduce future college costs.
- A student who wants to challenge themselves and experience college courses early.
- A student who has career/technical interests and wishes to gain credentials or workforce training while in high school.
- A student who might benefit from a smaller-scale entry into college-level work rather than jumping in after high school.
There is no “one size fits all” dual credit student. However, high schoolers should be:
- Self-motivated. If you want a head start on college or career training, you would make an excellent dual credit student.
- Ready for college-level coursework. Classes will require a lot of independent work.
- Organized (or willing to become organized). You’ll have a lot of deadlines to track and a schedule to follow.
Students who want to take on the challenge but are realistic about their schedule may want to start slow. They can take a dual credit class in a subject they feel confident in. This way they can experience what college-level work is like without taking on too much.
Many high schoolers have a full schedule, with classes, sports, clubs, and work. Taking some classes as dual credit may add to your workload with additional homework, tutoring, and projects.
That brings us to…
Dual Credit Benefits and Drawbacks
High school is a busy time for students. Classes, sports, electives, work, friends – taking on college credit can be a lot. But students who do it, love it. If you are a student who likes to try new things, here’s what you need to know about dual credit pros and cons.
Benefits of Dual Credit
Get a head start on college. Earn college credit while still in high school, and when you apply to colleges, you get credit for those classes you’ve already knocked out. This can help you graduate college on time or early.
- Save money. You save money twice with dual credit. ACC waives your tuition and fees. Then when you go to college, you don’t have to take those core classes, saving money on tuition.
- Transfer credit. ACC’s dual credit classes transfer directly to ACC and to many colleges of your choice.
- College experience. Get a feel for what college classes are like.
- Workforce/technical pathways. Dual credit is more than academics. Choose a workforce program, and you can graduate with your high school diploma and a certificate with job skills.
- No exit exams. If you pass the class, you get the credit, unlike AP classes, which require paying for and passing an exit exam.
Drawbacks of Dual Credit
Just as dual credit has some advantages, there are also some things to watch out for.
- Increased challenge. These are college classes. You may have to study more or find different ways to master the material.
- Grade impact. Because the grade appears on both high school and college transcripts, a poor outcome can affect both. Students can always retake a college course for a better grade.
- Textbook costs. Most students will have to pay for textbooks and materials.
- Transfer uncertainties. It is up to the college/university that a student transfers to as to how they will transcript Dual Credit courses.
- Workload. Dual credit will add to your workload. Additionally, some or all classes will be on campus, meaning transportation time will also impact your free time.
- Time management. Time management is key to dual credit success. Most programs help students develop these skills.
How to Succeed at Dual Credit
Here are some tips for succeeding at dual credit coursework and making the most of your high school and college experience.
- Start with one class to see how you handle the work.
- Take full advantage of the tutoring services ACC offers.
- Work closely with your high school counselor and ACC academic success coordinators so you understand the commitment.
- Plan ahead for textbook costs.
- Research transfer equivalencies so you know which courses will transfer to the college of your choice.
Save Money on Your College Degree with ACC Dual Credit
ACC waives tuition and fees for eligible high schoolers who take dual credit classes. Some students even get free textbooks and class materials. These benefits are not the only way students save money on their college education. The real savings come when students enter college after they graduate high school.
For example, a student who earns 15 credit hours in high school will save an average of $6,090 in tuition and fees for their first semester of college. Students who choose to go to UT Austin, Texas State, Texas A&M, or a private university could see a savings between $10,000 and $37,500 per semester.
By taking a semester’s worth of general education or core classes in high school, students can also streamline their college years, potentially graduating on time or even a semester early. This not only saves time, it can also save money on housing, food, and other expenses that come with going to college.
A student who graduates high school with 30 college credits, which usually includes general education or core classes, will enter college as a sophomore. They will essentially spend only three years in college getting their bachelor’s degree.
For students in ACC workforce or technical pathways, dual credit gives them a jumpstart on earning a wage right out of high school. These certificates can stack into Associate of Applied Science pathways, all the way up to a bachelor’s degree through ACC.
Dual Credit Options at ACC
ACC has a number of dual credit programs. Options vary by high school, so check with your high school to see what your programs are.
Dual Credit
This is the most common form of dual enrollment. Classes are held at high schools, at an ACC campus, or online. To get started, students can contact their high school counselor or the ACC Dual Credit team.
Career Programs and Articulated Credit
Career programs are for students who want to jump into the workforce with a marketable skill. Students can earn college credit and get real-world job training in tech, health care, manufacturing, and more. Eligible courses lead to an associate of applied science degree or a workforce certification.
Career Academies
Students in career academies can take up to 60 credits at ACC, and earn their associate of applied science degree or Level 1 certificate in a career field of their choice. Academies include health sciences, biotechnology, advanced manufacturing, and CS/IT, as well as skilled trades such as electrical and construction.
Early College High School
ACC partners with several high schools in the ACC service area that are Early College High Schools. Students take their classes with traditional college students on ACC campuses. Students in the ECHS program start as freshmen and can earn their associate degree while still in high school.
FAST (Financial Aid for Swift Transfer)
FAST students enrolled in ACC dual credit classes pay no additional fees for books or course materials. Check with your high school to determine if you are eligible for FAST.
P-TECH (Pathways in Technology Early College High Schools)
P-TECH offers students who want to go into a technical or skilled trades career the opportunity to start their training in high school. Programs include IT, Cybersecurity, Advanced Manufacturing, Welding, Building and Construction, and more. Students can earn a certificate or an associate of applied science degree and get started on their career – or build on their degree in college.
Explore Dual Credit at ACC
At ACC, 20% of college students are high schoolers. This means you will meet plenty of students like yourself who are interested in getting a head start on their college experience. Now that you’ve read up on the dual credit pros and cons, are you ready to explore your options? Take your first step today.
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