Earn High School and College Credit Simultaneously...

The Dual Credit program at NCTC provides an opportunity for eligible juniors and senior high school students to enroll in college-level courses AND earn both college credit and high school credit simultaneously—by taking NCTC classes at any NCTC campus and/or at their high schools and/or online.

Mission of Dual Credit at NCTC: The Dual Credit Program provides a collegiate experience and pathway for exceptional high school students who are college bound and who meet eligibility requirements to successfully bridge from high school to college.

Vision of Dual Credit: Students in the dual credit program experience the rigor of college level courses, obtain high school and college credit simultaneously, and acquire the confidence to succeed academically and socially in the college level learning environment.

Purpose of Dual Credit: Exceptional college bound students who are currently a junior or senior in high school have the opportunity to complete college level coursework while simultaneously fulfilling high school graduation requirements.

Click on one of the following links below for more information:

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Spring 2012 Registration- November 15th-December 16th and

January 3rd- January 6th (priority deadline- January 6th)

Application and Registration Checklist

Class Schedules & Catalogs - North Central Texas College

Check with your high school counselor for a list of classes offered at you high school

Fall 2011 General Information:

General Information, Calendar of Important Dates,

Registration Deadlines, Contact Information and much more

See page 5 for Dual Credit details

Click Here for Fall 2011 Registration Guide

See Information below for Dual Credit Eligibility Requirements

and Enrollment Process

2011-2012 DUAL CREDIT TUITION RATES:

(Fall 2011, Spring 2012, Summer 2012)

Cooke County & Graham ISD (in-district)- $35 per credit hour

Denton & Montague County (out-of-district)- $82 per credit hour

Students who qualify for the

high school Free or Reduced lunch program

will receive FREE NCTC TUITION.

High school counselors click here for Verification Letter

(MUST BE PRINTED ON HIGH SCHOOL or ISD LETTERHEAD)

2009-2010 DUAL CREDIT TxVSN TUITION RATES

Cooke County (in district)- $31 per credit hour + $50 Distance Education Fee

Denton and Montague County (out of district)- $51 per credit hour
+ $50 Distance Education Fee

Students who qualify for the high school free lunch program*

will receive FREE NCTC TUITION.

What is Dual Credit?

• College level courses that also meet high school requirements- eligible juniors and senior high school students can enroll in college-level courses AND earn both college credit and high school credit simultaneously

• With a passing grade, the student can receive college credit and meet high school course requirements at the same time (please note- most high schools require a "C" or better to earn high school credit)

• Courses can be taken at any NCTC campus, online or on the high school campus

• Core or “basic” college transferable classes

• NCTC has been participating in dual credit with area high school’s since the late 1980’s

What are the benefits of Dual Credit?

• Dual Credit courses are useful in fulfilling the requirements of the Distinguished Achievement High School graduation program in most school districts.

• Convenience- Courses are taught at the high school campus, at an NCTC campus, or online.

• Close to home- Learn what college professors expect while still in familiar high school surroundings

• Low Cost- Dual credit courses cost less than regular college courses. Students who qualify for the free or reduced lunch program at the high school will receive free tuition at NCTC. Also, scholarships are available through the NCTC foundation.

• Student Success- Successful completion of college-level courses helps students with a successful transition to a college campus later. Students acquire the confidence to succeed academically and personally in college.

• Dual Credit courses are fully transferable to public colleges and universities in Texas. Students attending private or out of state universities/colleges should check with the institution for transferability.

• By participating in the dual credit program, students are able to make substantial progress toward their college degree before finishing high school. Students who begin taking courses in their junior year can earn thirty or more college credits by the time they graduate from high school if they also take summer classes at the college. Students can earn sophomore status even before you start college full time. (this does generally not affect freshman scholarship eligibility)

Who Is Eligible To Enroll In Dual Credit?

Provided they meet the criteria outlined below, high school juniors and seniors residing in Denton, Cooke and Montague counties may enroll in Dual Credit courses at NCTC.  This includes students in public schools, private schools and charter schools, as well as home-schooled students (see special requirements below for home schoolers). Students are limited to enrollment in no more than THREE dual-credit courses per long semester and no more than three classes in all summer sessions combined.

To be eligible, students must:

• Have a minimum high school GPA of “B”.  Students must have a minimum high school grade point average (GPA) of “B.”

• Have exhibited the maturity and social behavior necessary for college level courses.  Students must exhibit the maturity and social behavior necessary to participate in a college-level course. Students with prior disciplinary or attendance problems, as defined by The Texas Education Code, section 25.92 Minimum Attendance for Class Credit, are not eligible to enroll in dual-credit courses.

• Have at least junior standing in high school course work.

• Have a desire to get a head start in college

• Have passing test scores appropriate to course subject/meet TSI requirements (Texas Success Initiative*).  Students who achieve qualifying scores as determined by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board on the ACT, SAT, TAAS, or TAKS may enroll in dual credit courses. See the table below for test score requirements. Home school and private schooled students must pass all three sections of the THEA test since they are not required to take the TAKS test.

*Texas Success Initiative- For more information from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board on TSI requirements, go the the THECB web site:

Texas Administrative Code

NCTC Testing- NCTC offers the THEA and COMPASS through our testing centers. Click on the link below for more information and testing dates:

Testing - TASP, COMPASS and More - North Central Texas College

Specific Criteria for Home-Schooled Students:

Private school and home-schooled students must meet ALL of the following criteria:

• Pass all three sections of the THEA test (since they are not required to take the TAKS test)
• Hold junior standing
• Be at least 16 years of age at the time of enrollment
• Home school transcripts must be notarized and include anticipated high school graduation date Click Here for a Sample Home school transcript template

How to Apply and Register for Classes:

To apply for admission, students must submit the following materials to the NCTC registrar’s office:

• Completed Application for Admission. This form available at the NCTC Registrar’s Office or ONLINE

Helpful Hints for Dual Credit Students- Apply Texas

• Official high school transcript.

• Official test score report required by the Texas Success Initiative (THEA, COMPASS, Exit Level TAKS, ACT, and SAT).  Contact the Counselor’s Office at NCTC for test dates and costs.  Refer also to TABLE above.

• Completed Dual Credit Agreement/Registration Form (Registration Form).  This form must contain all of the following information: course ID(s), section number(s), term code, signature of student, school administrator, and parent.  Students may obtain this form from their high school counselor or the NCTC registrar’s office. NOTE: Students are required to submit a new dual credit request form each semester before they can register.

• Registration periods are listed in the NCTC Registration Guide and searchable schedule available ONLINE. For a list of dual credit courses taught on the high school campus, students should meet with their high school counselor each semester.

• Your registration is not completed until payment of tuition and fees is made to the Business Office on any campus. Students who qualify for the free or reduced high school lunch program must submit the official letter (from the high school, on high school letterhead) with their dual credit agreement form or application for admission.

Click here for a printable Application/Registration Checklist

Textbooks & Supplies

Students are responsible for purchasing textbooks and supplies required for their North Central Texas College courses. Books and supplies are available from the NCTC Bookstores.  Book costs vary each semester due to instructors’ selection of textbooks to be used.  Payment is made separate from payment for tuition and books.

Scholarship Information

NCTC Foundation Dual Credit Scholarships – The NCTC Foundation Dual Credit Scholarship is reserved for underprivileged students who are residents of Cooke, Denton, Grayson, Love or surrounding counties. The scholarship is available to high school juniors and seniors wanting to take dual credit classes at NCTC.  Scholarship award amounts are $105.00 for in-district students and $246.00 for out-of-district students per semester (cost of one 3-credit hour course).  Students must re-apply for each semester.

Deadlines are as follows:

Fall Semester- April 15th

Spring Semester- October 15th

Dual Credit Scholarship Application 2011-2012

Contact:  NCTC Foundation Office, Debbie Sharp

(940) 668-4213, or email dsharp@nctc.edu

What can dual credit students expect?

• Students should remember that a dual credit course is a college course in all respects. The curriculum is the same that is used on the college campus, and dual credit students' responsibilities are the same as all other college students. The teaching methods are the same as on the college campus, and students will be expected to conduct themselves as college students. [See the NCTC Student Handbook] 

• Dual Credit students are expected to attend class. Whether the class is on your high school campus, online or at an NCTC Campus, attendance and class participation are crucial to your success. Each instructor may set their own attendance policy and students must adhere to those policies. Students missing more than a week of class may be withdrawn from the course. Students participating in extra curricular activities should make sure there are no conflicts with the dual credit course.

• College courses sometimes deal with controversial issues or subject matter that high school courses may not address. This can provide new challenges for the dual credit student. Nonetheless, dual credit students should be prepared to participate in the same course an instructor teaches on the college campus.

• All college students should expect to invest at least as much time out-of-class as in-class in reading, studying, and preparing for college course assignments. To be successful and ensure completion of out of class assignments, most students will need to invest more time than this.

• Students should pay careful attention to their instructor's system for assigning grades. Often the college grading system is different from the system their high school uses. If students do poorly on a test or assignment, they should not expect to repeat the work in order to improve their grade. Also, instructors may not allow students to do extra work to bring up a poor grade. The instructor’s grading system is covered in the course syllabus students receive at the beginning of the semester. If students have trouble in a dual credit course, it is their responsibility to ask the instructor what they need to improve in order to succeed in the class.

IMPORTANT POLICIES & INFORMATION

Attendance Policy

The instructor’s attendance policy is covered in the course syllabus that students are given at the start of the semester. Students are responsible for making sure they understand that policy. In college, absences may be handled differently than students are used to in high school.  Students’ absences due to illness or participation in a school function may be counted against them. Additionally, students should not expect to receive extra credit for attending class.

Student Responsibility

The instructor is available to answer questions about course materials or class policies. If students have any concerns about their performance in the course or are not sure of an assignment, the student should speak with the instructor.

Requesting Transcripts

It is the student's responsibility to request a transcript at the end of each semester while taking dual credit courses. Requesting a transcript to be sent to the high school will ensure the college credit is awarded at the high school level.

Students should also request an NCTC transcript to be sent to all college/universities they are applying to as a freshman. The college credit students receive for successfully completing a dual credit course will always be part of the permanent college record. Whether it is now or later in life, this credit will be useful to students as they move forward with their education. Request Transcript - North Central Texas College

Complaints

If there is a complaint about a course or an instructor, then students should first take the matter up with the instructor and try to resolve to the issue with him/her first.  If the student and instructor are unable to resolve the matter then the student will need to take the matter to the high school counselor, NCTC Dual Credit Coordinator, or the instructor’s department head.  Only if the matter cannot be resolved at the department level should the student make his/her appeal to the appropriate dean.  

Family Education Rights Privacy Act (FERPA)          

Students should see page 18 of the current catalog for a complete listing of FERPA rules. Catalog - North Central Texas Cllege

Dropping a Course

If a dual credit student wishes to withdraw from a dual credit course, they must first discuss the matter with their high school counselor. The high school will determine weather or not to place the student in a regular high school class or make any necessary schedule changes upon the student’s withdrawal. This will ensure students receive all necessary credits for high school graduation requirements. It is the student’s responsibility to submit the required withdrawal form to the NCTC Dual Credit Coordinator or the NCTC Admissions office by the published deadline.

here is no penalty on the students’ high school or college transcript for dropping a dual credit course as long as the proper paperwork is submitted by the published deadline.

The dual credit instructor will notify students of the final drop date on the syllabus or the date can be obtained from the NCTC web site in the semester course schedule.

Withdraw Information

Dual credit students must contact their high school counselor before withdrawing from a class. This action will insure graduation requirements can still be met without the college course credit. There is no penalty on the students’ high school or college transcript for dropping a dual credit course.  Withdrawing from a class requires completion of the appropriate paperwork and doing so before the last date for course withdrawal.

Tutorial Assistance

Tutorial assistance is available to all students. These services can be accessed ONLINE or students can come to any on campus tutoring center during scheduled hours.

Library Resources

While the resources of the high school library may meet most of the research needs of dual credit students, students may access the NCTC system as well. Every NCTC student is given an ID number by the Admissions Office. All students can use this to access the full resources of the NCTC library databases.  Students may also come in during regular library hours on any of the NCTC campuses. Please remember, NCTC is an institution of higher education and the college library provides materials that support and supplement the educational process. No effort is made to either censor or filter any materials from its collections.