Dual Credit

Qualified students enrolled in Dual Credit courses, may earn both high school and college credits. Dual credit courses taught on NISD campuses are offered in partnership with Northwest Vista College and St. Philip's College and are tuition free. Students may accrue from three to thirty hours of college credit depending on the courses.

What is Dual Credit?

NVC : Dual Credit Home | Alamo Colleges

Dual credit classes are classes that you take in high school that also give you college credits in the state of Texas at the same time. This is a great opportunity for you because the dual credit program is completely free of charge! You could graduate from high school with up to 30 hours of college credit before even stepping onto a college campus! (That's one entire year already completed)!

How Do I Get Into Dual Credit?

In order to be eligible for Dual Credit courses, students must go through the application process, meeting ALL deadlines and requirements. It begins in November each school year. So, to take Dual classes in their Junior year, a student must begin the application process during their Sophomore year. The application opens up by November annually with the Apply Texas Application deadline being in February. (Apply Texas is the first step in the process). Please know that it is a lengthy process with multiple due dates. Northwest Vista College offers no exceptions for students that do not meet all deadlines. Luckily, if you follow the instructions below, you should be able to navigate the entire process easily; just make sure you do not wait until the last minute! Each deadline builds upon the previous deadline which is why missing any step ends your chance at taking Dual Credit courses for the next year.

How is Dual Credit different from AP?

• In Dual Credit Classes, college credit is earned upon completion of the class with a grade of "C" or higher (no additional test)
• In an Advance Placement (AP) class, college credit is not earned until a student takes and achieves a certain score on an AP test.
• AP Credit is not automatically transmitted on the college transcript: students must follow through with the admission procedure to have the credit posted on the college transcript.
• An AP course grade does not appear on a student's permanent college transcript.
• Dual Credit courses generally transfer to most Texas Public Universities (always check with the school, you want to attend about transfer credits)
• AP Scores are accepted at most colleges and universities across the Nation (qualifying scores may differ)

How does Dual Credit work?

• Students earn two sets of grades:
• one for the college which will be calculated into the overall college GPA and automatically transmitted on the college transcript
• one for the high school which will be calculated into the high school GPA and transmitted on the high school transcript
• DC courses are designed off a college curriculum and taught by high school teachers approved and hired as adjunct college instructors.
• If the student does not qualify for DC, they can still be enrolled in the course but can only earn AP credit

What are the advantages of Dual Credit?

1. It saves money! Students can earn up to fourteen courses of college credit at no cost. It reduces the cost of tuition and textbooks resulting in thousands of dollars in savings.
2. It gets many prerequisites out of the way.
3. Students take on the responsibilities of being a college student, potentially easing the transition from high school to college.

Who should take Dual Credit?

• The Dual Credit Program is designed for high school juniors and seniors (and some sophomores) seeking to get a jump on their college careers.
• Students who have test scores that indicate they are ready to enter the program and who feel comfortable doing college level work should consider Dual Credit.
• Students are allowed to take up to 15 college hours per semester of Dual courses.
• Students can take up to 14 total courses in High School for Dual Credit! (Some classes count as two courses though; for example, English Three AP Dual at John Jay/SEA is ENGL 1301 and 1302 at NVC.

John Jay/SEA Dual Credit Course Offerings

This is not an exhaustive list. More courses could be added at a later date. Check back for updates.

Keep in mind that you can only take 14 total classes during high school. Classes that are split fall and spring each count as a class. (For example, English 3 AP Dual counts as two classes).

Dual Credit Application Process/Deadlines

Questions About Dual Credit? Contact Mrs. Martinez at christa.martinez@nisd.net