Dual Credit Applications are now open!
Click on the Dual Credit tab at the bottom for information.
Please click the image below to view our presentation from Advanced Academics Night
Reach out to us with any questions regarding Advanced Academics
- Nichole Remmert, Student Success Advisor (nichole.remmert@nisd.net)
- Dr. Erin McKinney, Academic Dean (erin.mckinney@nisd.net)
What are Advanced Academics?
Students, while still in high school, may sign up for advanced academic courses which may lead to college credit. Students should meet with their high school counselors or teachers to obtain more information about these courses and support services. Click on program buttons below for more information about how to enroll in the program. O'Connor High School currently has three choices for advanced academic courses:
Advanced Placement (AP)
The AP program enables students to pursue college-level studies while still in high school. Students may be awarded college credit with a qualifying score on the College Board AP Examinations, which are offered in May of each year. AP coursework and exam scores are recognized globally. The College Board, a private corporation, charges a fee to administer each AP exam. NISD pays a portion of the fee and the student pays a portion of the fee.
Dual Credit (DC)
Dual Credit classes allow eligible high school students to earn free college credit for certain courses in which they are currently enrolled while completing their high school requirements. Students may accrue up to 42 hours college credit which generally transfers to most Texas public universities; however, Dual Credit coursework is not always accepted at private universities or out-of-state colleges. Entry into Dual Credit is available through an application process and minimum qualification requirements.
Types of Dual Credit
Academic: Students taking Academic Dual Credit courses are earning credits toward an Associate of Arts or Science degree.
Career and Technical Education (CTE): Students taking CTE courses are earning credits toward a Certificate of Completion and/or Associates of Applied Science degree.
The University of Texas at Austin OnRamps (OnRamps)
OnRamps works through a dual-enrollment model. Using a hybrid delivery approach, students meet rigorous university-level college readiness standards and have the opportunity to earn UT Austin credit from a UT faculty member and high school credit from their local teacher. All OnRamps courses can be applied to the Texas Common Core and are required by law to transfer to any public institution in Texas. Toward the end of the school year, students choose if they want the earned college credit or not. There are no applications or qualification requirements to enroll in OnRamps, and tuition is free.
What's the Difference? | Dual Credit | Advanced Placement | UT On Ramps |
Max # of Courses | Max of 14 dual credit courses/42 credit hours. | No limit | No limit |
Eligibility | Students must complete an application and meet the college readiness score criteria to qualify for Dual Credit courses. | No pre-test or application required to qualify to take AP courses. | No qualifying test or application; must meet course prerequisites |
GPA Weighted Points | 5 points (if stacked with an AP course, it will automatically receive the 8 additional GPA points.) | 8 points | 8 points |
Earning College Credit | College credit is earned by passing each semester of the high school course (70 or higher). Credits awarded through Alamo Colleges. | College credit is earned by scoring a score of 3 or higher on the AP test administered in May. Credit is earned by submitting scores to the college of enrollment. | UT professor awards college grade based on university work and assessments. Student chooses to accept UT Austin college credit at the end of the year. |
Credit Transfer | College credit is transferable to other public universities/colleges, generally within Texas. Students should consult with their chosen college/university to inquire about transferability (see Transfer Guide). | University determines course equivalency. AP scores of 3 or higher may qualify students for college credit nationwide. Each university determines score to course equivalency. | College credit is transferable to other public universities/colleges, generally within Texas. Students should consult with their chosen college/university to inquire about transferability (see Transfer Guide). |
Cost | Free | NISD pays for a portion of the exam fee; students pay $40 per exam ($10 per exam if eligible for free/reduced lunch). | Free |
The Fall 2025 Dual Credit application is now open! Click the links below to find out more information about the application process, important deadlines, and eligibility information. Interested students are encouraged to flag themselves to a Flex session with Mrs. Remmert to work on their application. Students and parents can also work on the application at home, but please follow the directions in the link below carefully to make sure your application is processed correctly.
If you have questions, please email nichole.remmert@nisd.net.
- Dual Credit Application Directions and Deadlines (new to dual credit only)
- Dual Credit Eligibility Requirements
Advanced Placement (AP) classes are challenging classes designed to prepare students for college. Students do not earn college credit by taking AP classes; they must earn a 3, 4 or 5 on the AP exam to earn college credit.
Qualifying AP Exam Scores are generally accepted at colleges/universities nationwide. Use AP Credit Policy to see what your colleges will accept.
AP Tests are paid for in MYSCHOOLBUCKS program. Each exam is $40.00 or $10.00 if you qualify for the reduced lunch program.
| As your students prepare for their upcoming AP® Exam, remind them that: | ||||||
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AP Daily: Live Review |
Connect students with live review sessions as they practice for their upcoming AP Exams. Watch live on our YouTube channel or the recordings in AP Classroom. Visit College Board's AP Daily page to review the practice sessions schedule with your students. Sincerely, Advanced Placement Program |
OnRamps students are simultaneously enrolled in their high school classes while also taking college classes through UT Austin.
The high school teacher is responsible for evaluating and awarding the student's high school grade. The college instructor is responsible for evaluating and awarding the student's college grade.
Based on the grade received in the college course, students can accept college credit transferable to Texas public colleges/universities.
