- Northwestern High School
- Dual Credit Opportunities
School Counseling
Page Navigation
-
The Rock Hill Schools dual credit program is designed to offer college course experience for students planning to attend a 4-year university or 2-year technical college. All courses within the Dual Credit Program have dual credit articulation agreements with public universities and technical colleges in South Carolina. Students are required to review all requests with their school counselor.
Dual credit means that students can earn high school and college credit at the same time during their high school program. Some dual credit courses are “college transfer” courses to a 4-year university, while others are transferable within technical college programs only. Private universities (both in and out-of-state) and public universities may not accept these courses for any credit. These courses carry a 1.0 quality point weighting over college preparatory courses.
All dual credit courses offered on Rock Hill Schools campuses are dependent upon the district having teachers who meet the subject specific qualifications of the credit-awarding institution and sufficient enrollment in the course. When these criteria are not met, courses may lose the dual credit articulation.
What makes dual credit unique?
- Students in both college preparatory and technical preparatory classes may be eligible for dual credit courses.
- College credit, which many SC public universities honor, is granted for passing the course with a C. Students should check with specific colleges for more information.
- Some courses are offered at the high school and others are offered on the college campus or online.
- There are numerous dual credit courses outside the mainstream course offerings.
- Grades earned in dual credit courses become part of the student’s college transcript.
Who should participate in dual credit courses?
- Students who are 16 years old and have a 3.0 GPA on the Uniform Grading Scale
- Motivated college preparatory students seeking college transfer courses to a 4-year in-state public university
- Motivated students seeking an Associate Degree at a technical college
- Students who have finished the advanced program during grades 9 and 10 but who need an additional challenge in the junior and senior year
Are there fees and material costs?
- Dual credit courses have an associated college fee that is less than the amount students would have to pay for a college course after high school. Students who want to enroll in the dual credit options must agree to pay the fee, complete the necessary application or registration paperwork, and purchase any required textbook or designated materials outlined by the credit-awarding institution. Fees are due at the beginning of the semester the student is enrolled in the course. Please see your school counselor for information about potential costs.
What is the process for enrolling in a dual credit course?
- Courses may be completed at an institution of higher learning and count as dual credit at the high school upon completing the following process:
- 1. Student and parent meet with the high school counselor.
- 2. Student and parent complete district contract and get college approval.
- 3. Student and parent turn in signed form to school counselor at the high school who signs and forwards to the Director of Secondary Education at the district office for approval.
- 4. Once approved, all dual credit courses taken during the school day will be listed on the student’s schedule for the semester taken.
- 5. Student must have college send transcript sent to the high school counselor upon completion of college course work.
Note: Students must take at least two courses at the home high school campus in addition to dual credit courses taken elsewhere. Taking the course on the college campus is always dependent upon the schedule at the high school matching the time the college class is offered.
Students must have prior approval of the high school to take any dual credit course or dual enrollment course not offered on a Rock Hill Schools campus. Please check with your school counselor for any required form(s). Dual credit courses accepted for credit in Rock Hill Schools must be approved by the Rock Hill Schools Board of Trustees. Current course descriptions for dual credit courses can be found in the college’s course catalog.
Students must meet entrance requirements of the institution of higher education from which college credit is given. Requirements may include a completed application, GPA (generally a 3.0), possible work samples, and possible teacher recommendations. Students may also be responsible for entrance or course fees as determined by the institution of higher education. Please see your high school guidance counselor for specifics regarding entrance requirements and/or fees prior to enrolling in dual credit. Dual credit courses must be approved by the Rock Hill School Board for each academic year. Please see RHS Courses Approved for Dual Credit for courses available for dual credit in Rock Hill Schools.