What are dual credit courses?

Dual credit students take college courses and earn high school and college credit at the same time. Students may take courses at their high school campus during high school hours or at College of the Mainland during the day, during the evening or on the weekend, depending on the arrangements with the high school.

Participating in the dual credit program enables the student to make substantial progress toward a college degree before finishing high school. Students who begin taking courses in the summer following their sophomore year can earn thirty or more college credits by high school graduation if they also take summer classes at the college. This means that they can begin college as sophomores.

What benefits do dual credit courses offer?

  • High school credit: Dual credit courses can fulfill the requirements of the Distinguished Achievement High School graduation program. Your high school counselor can supply more information.
  • Transferable college credit: Dual credit courses are fully transferable to public colleges and universities in Texas and generally transfer to other colleges and universities throughout the United States.
  • Low cost: Dual credit students pay less for college courses than traditional college students.
  • COM resources: Dual credit students are official college students with access to the full range of COM resources. These include college and career planning services and the use of the library, physical fitness facilities, computer labs, academic support services and the Student Center.
  • Convenience: Students can take courses at the high school campus, at COM or online depending on the arrangements made with their high school.
  • Support: Dual credit students can learn what college professors expect while they are still in familiar surroundings and have the support of their high school.
  • Student success: Completing college-level courses in high school helps students successfully transition to a college campus later. Students acquire the confidence and skills they need to succeed academically and personally in college.

How are dual credit courses different from high school AP courses?

Both types of courses are taught at the college level, but students in dual credit courses gain college credit immediately after successfully completing the course. In an AP course, students must pass the end-of-course exam to be eligible to apply for college credit once they graduate from high school. With dual credit courses, students do not have to wait to be awarded college credit.
Another difference is that college faculty, who hold at least a master’s degree and a minimum of 18 graduate-level hours in the subject they teach, conduct dual credit courses.

What is the difference between dual credit and concurrent enrollment?

Both programs are for high school junior and senior-level students wanting to attend college while in high school. However, dual credit courses enable a student to earn college and high school credit at the same time, while concurrent enrollment courses allow a student to enroll in a college course for college credit only.

Who is eligible to enroll in dual credit or concurrent enrollment?

You must be classified as a junior or senior and have at least a “B” average.

How does one apply to take dual credit courses?

If you are a junior or senior or will be the semester you wish to take the course, see your high school counselor and ask for a dual credit registration guide.

What does it cost to take dual credit courses?

College of the Mainland charges reduced tuition and fees to enroll in dual credit courses. View current tuition and fees in the Dual Credit Student Registration Guide.